I can give myself a headache overthinking things
Yesterday I was talking about the mild winter with a friend and said to her that I still think we’ll get hit hard in February. To which she replied, “you always think like that.”
True enough. My clear coping mechanism is to prepare for the worst and then be pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t come to fruition. I hate snow, so if I get my brain wrapped around the possibility of a late winter storm, then I can handle it. I hate running a marathon in hot temperatures. If I convince myself that the start will be 80 degrees and sunny, then it will be a relief when it is 55 and I can relax.
So with my achilles, I’m in a bit of the same mode. Yesterday’s 5-mile test run, after a swim, went well. No pain during or after. Same with this morning’s spin on the bike trainer. But lest I let myself get too comfortable with that, I’m trying to prepare for the potential of it hurting during tomorrow’s long run.
I’m an admitted head case! But whatever it takes to get you through, right?
What’s your coping mechanism?
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so interesting!!
, it does.
mine is opposite and yet as I read your post I realized it’s almost the same thing.
I always believe everything will ROCK. And then, usually
I know mine is a reaction to being raised by someone who always thought everything was going to fail and when it didnt she wasnt pleasantly surprised but almost disappointed!
Miz recently posted..The 3 reasons I adore my TROLL.
Not a head case, just prepping for the worst, to make sure that you don’t get overwhelmed by whatever. Glad to hear that your achilles is doing better and I bet it will surprise you and not hurt at all (at least this glass half full guy hope so). You are not being negative you are realistically hopeful
VetRunnah recently posted..Marathon Poll Results and Questions
My coping mechanism it to try not to listen to my head. I figured long time ago that my mind is out there to derail any of my efforts so I am working hard to ignore it.
Ewa recently posted..Mind over body and Run for Sherry
I’m a total “Realist” which my sister refers to as a pessimist, but I truly do not see it that way at all. I totally agree with your statement about the cold of Feb. because typically it’s COLD in Feb. We can hope and wish that it’s stays warm, and maybe it will, but in the real world we will likely still see some cold weather sometime. some see that as a pessimist view, I just think it’s “realistic” based on what’s happened the last um-teen years. I think it’s ok to keep it real, especially if it helps you cope.
ginny recently posted.."America’s Toughest Road Marathon"
Expect the worst and enjoy the best – nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn’t get in the way of getting out there!!
Could be worse … 10 inches of snow in my front yard here in CO and another foot expected through the day. Gonna be running inside for a while but … SNOW DAY, SNOW DAY!!! Time to make some waffles!!
Kathy R recently posted..Oops, There Went My Birthday and Ambitious Weekend Plans.
I don’t know that preparing for the worst is such a bad thing? I have been known to do the same thing… although I have found that as I’ve gotten older the “assume the worst” part has faded. Maybe surviving a couple of life disasters (divorce, etc…) put things in perspective — it doesn’t matter whether some event is wonderful or a catastrophe — I’ll survive.
(and so will you!)
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that is a lot of books! One thing is for sure – you need a Kindle or iPad!!
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My coping mechanism is the same as yours. I’m a worrier. I have to be prepared for the worst and love to be absolutely thrilled when the worst doesn’t happen.
Just be careful with that achilles. You have ME worried now. I’m hoping I get to say hello to Miss Zippy at Boston.
Joanne recently posted..Equal Miles, Shorter Distance and A Nutrition Packed Shake
I always prep for the worst but hope for the best. While I consider myself an optimist, I am a total over thinker. To the point of analysis paralysis.
Have a great weekend!
Teamarcia recently posted..Groundhog Day Randoms and Lucy Winner
I often do the same thing, but I try not to. My husband is a total Eyeore…everything is too hard, complicated, unpleasant, you name it. I don’t want our kids to go through life with a black cloud overhead so I try to outwardly be very optimistic.
Tracy recently posted..Freeze Your Thorns Off Virtual Race
Aren’t all of us total headcases? At least we’re in it together
amy recently posted..Random Friday Facts
I love any kind of bad weather at a marathon EXCEPT heat. I just can’t go there with hot temps. I wilt…fast! I do play tons of head games tho. Kinda gets me through the tough times!
Coy recently posted..I’m doing it wrong
You sound so much like my husband!
As for me, I think my coping mechanism is denial. HA!
Allison Johnson recently posted..No Rest for the Weary!
Some people think the glass is half empty.
Others think the glass is half full.
And a few think the glass is too big.
My head never stops going over time… ever!
Mamarunsbarefoot recently posted..Tagged…
Some people say that I’m a pessimist, but I do try to look at situations pragmatically and realistically. Though I’m relatively privileged compared to some, my family and I have gone through some really tough times, so it’s hard for me to always feel optimistic that things will “work out”. I try to prepare for the worst and at the same time hope for the best.
Raquelita recently posted..Thursday Threads: Florals, Stripes and Spots
I am much like you. I always anticipate the worst so that whatever happens will be a pleasant surprise. Angela on the other hand is Miss Positive Polly and likes to think only positive thoughts. I see how that is beneficial for her, but if I think too positive, I am even more devastated when something goes wrong.
Kate @ Run with Kate recently posted..Run-Fit Classes and Choosing a Race
I’m the same way – always preparing for the worst!
Run with Jess recently posted..3TT: What Moves You?
I plan for the worst. Then it’s nearly always easier than I thought it would be.
I like Marcia’s “analysis paralysis” – that’s me, absolutely…
bobbi recently posted..FYTO5K: Delay of Race
I do the exact same thing, assume the worst.
I think it helps, but I’m sure there’s unnecessary worrying that I would be healthier without. I had some Achilles pain this week when I tried a more minimalist shoe (Brooks Cadence) and for now, I’m going to stick with the shoes that are working. But I know the feeling of the 1,000 piece puzzle… hope you can nail it down!
Laura recently posted..New Shoes + Training Schedule
Its about that time of year where we are starting to get stir crazy, I am feeling it
BDD recently posted..You Choose the Adventure
i am right there with ya…..i have a friend who is always looking for the best, i need more of her in me
feener recently posted..running and friendships
Interesting take.
For me I always say it won’t last forever. A 3 hour run is 1/8th of a day and nothing more than that. Same thing with any training or racing or work. It is never forever.
So I guess my coping mechanism is to break it down into little pieces and parts rather than the whole sum of the game.
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Oh my god. I swear, I’m having the exact same issue today! My calf has been tight and etc etc. Feeling like a head case is making worse. Like spinning out of control. I’m sorry. I feel your pain. Nothing you can do about it-so reassuring. Sigh
Fueled by Spite recently posted..Tagged!
Oh and ps… My side of the bed looks just like your table. What does your husband make of all it? Mine thinks I’m nuts. Clearly not helping the “situation”
Fueled by Spite recently posted..Tagged!
I’m the same way LOL. And I do think we will get that snow yet this winter. At whatever point will most inconvenience me. Just sayin’
MCM Mama recently posted..And the exercise streak ends…
I’m more like you. I feel pretty comfortable with the whole set expectations low/be pleasantly surprised thing. I don’t stress a whole lot over stuff I can’t control, though.
Kate recently posted..Tagged! 11 More things
I definitely prep for the worst but hope for the best. I can seriously overthink myself into knots!
Hope you have a great run tomorrow!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Friday Five
I, like you, expect the worst, but if it is mild then all the better.
Kenley Jones recently posted..I, Robot (Weigh Station Report)
Ha! I’m the same way. When you expect the worse you’re more often pleasantly surprised. When I expect things to be great they tend to be mediocre! Although, when it comes to racing I have to be the opposite and tell myself I’m going to have a GREAT race. Weird!
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Boy Oh Boy, I get this. I totally get this. You need to check out this poster:
http://pinterest.com/pin/57350595224279844/
Sums it up right? But ya…
I can’t say it’s wrong. I can’t say it’s right. But I do like to think it helps me from getting myself into a horrible situation. This probably will help you take it easier tomorrow, which your injury will thank you for.
Good luck! But remember to keep it in check!
hmm i would say i’m fairly neutral, i don’t assume the worst ever…but enough folks have beat the optimist out of me so now I just kind of assume things are fine until someone really shows me otherwise
Amanda – RunToTheFinish recently posted..Go Red For Women
YES FOR NO PAIN DURING OR AFTER
Ali Mc recently posted..The Four Agreements
It is so funny but I have the same coping mechanism!! I always feel like if I think the worst then I will be excited when the best occurs but not disappointed when the worst happens. I graduated nursing school with a 3.91 GPA but through the whole time I “failed” every test!!
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I often do the same thing – I think the worse & the best happens. I just admitted on someone else’s post that I’d like a big snowstorm just to get winter over. This just seems odd this year!
Hope your achilles feels better soon!
lauriewalksfast recently posted..And the last week of January goes out stinky
I’m the plan for the worst and be pleasantly surprised kind of person too. Sounds like good news on the achilles front though! Crossing my fingers it holds up on your long run!
Laura recently posted..Linkalicious
My coping mechanism is to shut all the curtains so I can’t see the snow. Out of sight, out of mind.
Ellie
ellie recently posted..Prevent Anxiety Attacks
I am the same exact way. If you expect the worst you get to enjoy life without being surprised or disappointed.
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I just tried to follow your blog via the orange RSS button above and it took me to a page full of html code and wouldn’t work
Heather@Just a Colorado Gal recently posted..SNOW DAY!
So good to hear that the achilles is behaving itself. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a really good weekend run.
Char recently posted..Scattered Bits Of Randomness
I don’t want to scare you
but till the end of January we had one of the mildest winters ever. Until this week, it hasn’t been this cold since I don’t know when and on top of it we had snow yesterday. And I’m really not happy about that because it’s really way too cold to run now and I don’t belong to a gym anymore so treadmill isn’t an option either.
Fran recently posted..Friday February 3, 2012: The TGIF edition
I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a little over prepared:)
SassyModernMom recently posted..Seeking Revenge On The Dude Who Parks In The Drop Off Only Zone
Ha ha! I do that to. Worst of all is when it happens at night when I am trying to sleep. I don’t Tylenol I need a chill pill!
Jennifer recently posted..How Running Saved my Life and Why I am Taking a Step Back.
I do the same thing when it comes to “coping”. I think the worst and then when it doesn’t happen, I feel relieved. I’ve been thinking that way about my leg and it’s been helping. I keep expecting it to pop on a run or to hurt bad the next morning. So, I am pleasantly surprised when it feels as good as it does right now. I just need to remember to not let myself stop doing the PT exercises and core stuff to keep my central area strong!
Erik the Running Moose recently posted..Do what you love
I’m an optimist but I try to really think things through because I like to be prepared too. It isn’t my nature to be such a planner but with kids you have to think and prepare for everything. Good and bad.
Missy recently posted..Brownies are way better than crack
Hey I think I saw on FB that your run was good!! I hope that is what I saw!!
Mandy recently posted..XC Ski
I’m the same way – I like to be prepared. Otherwise I’ll be more angry with myself that I “didn’t see it coming”…if that makes sense! But still, yay for the pain-free run and spin, that’s great!
Kara recently posted..Slideboard Workout
I hope the Achilles behaved for the long run! AND I hope you continue to have a mild winter…we just pounded with 2 feet of snow. Three days stuck inside with the kids! Ahhhhhh!
Katie@Will Race for Carbs recently posted..Things- The 11 Random addition
I’m the same way, I rather get good news than bad news. However many times we worry for now reason. I wish I could just stay in the moment and not think about the past or the future.
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