Listen to your heart

But then consult your brain.









Your REASONING brain, that is - not your FEAR brain. I've decided that I have two brains. Perhaps you do too.

A few runs ago, I noticed that my brain sends a constant stream of messages my way - a lot of which are total bunk - balderdash - phooey - baloney and let's just say it - LIES!!! They come from the fear brain - the part of the brain that really means well - it is trying to save me from imminent peril, but doesn't serve me well when I'm not being chased by grizzly bears, which is most of the time.

Messages like: "This is too hard", "I can't do it", "I'm not going to make it", "If I continue like this I'M GOING TO DIE!!!! WARNING, WARNING, WILL ROBINSON"

I have discovered that in situations like that, I should listen to my heart. I have developed an actual dialogue with my heart and two brains that goes something like this:

FEAR BRAIN: "This is too hard. My heart is beating too fast. I'm already tired and I just started. I can't run for long today".
REASONING BRAIN: "OK, maybe you're right; let's check with the heart. Heart, how are you feeling?"
HEART: "Doing well. I can make full use of oxygen and we can take a full breath. No gasping for air. So far, so good".
REASONING BRAIN: "OK, FEAR BRAIN? See, everything is OK. I'm taking care of you".

And so, I'm at peace for a few moments and I can continue. Then the cycle is repeated with variations. I can even push myself using this dialogue. As I approach a hill I can reassure FEAR BRAIN, that yes, HEART is straining but everything is ok, there's a top to the hill and then a recovery period.

Did you notice something interesting in that dialogue? I did. I have experienced much greater success with running since consciously giving voice to these three personas within me. The key has been listening to FEAR BRAIN. In the past I have just tried to ignore that voice, pretend it isn't there. Bad idea.

FEAR BRAIN DOES NOT LIKE TO BE IGNORED.

Remember, it's whole purpose is to SAVE MY LIFE. If I am ignoring it, it is obvious that I am either oblivious to my impending doom or I am too stupid to care so FEAR BRAIN will try other tactics which include various stealth attacks using the mind and the body as tools. It will not stop until I give up.

Listening to FEAR BRAIN, and then neutrally examining information that challenges its message has yielded such positive results in running that I am going to scientifically try it in my professional life. It will be especially interesting when I am moving through a hot pocket. I am excited to see what happens.

I had to throw in some pictures from the trail.

Keep moving forward, my friends. Have a wonderful week.