Understanding the Psychology of Running and Data

Welcome back, everyone! Today is consecutive day 1124 of my running journey and today's topic is an interesting blend of psychology and data in running. Before we dive in, please remember to subscribe, share, like, and comment on this post. The more people we connect with, the more funds we can raise for my mission to save the lives of children through my ultimate ultramarathon challenge. You can find all the details about the challenge and how to get involved in the comments below.

1. The Fen Gallop Training and Reflections

Today I'm taking things a bit easier and walking after completing another 10K pacing training run. I'm preparing for the Fen Gallop on Sunday, which is a fundraising event for my local village school. It's a 10K event, half off-road and half on-road, and I'll be pacing for a 45-minute completion time. This is a fairly challenging time, especially given the off-road segments, which are significantly harder—arguably 30% more difficult than running on a flat road.

Despite the challenge, I'm within my target range, having done two training runs this week—one at 44 minutes and 30-some-odd seconds, and another at 44 minutes and 17 seconds. But I couldn't help but notice it feels a bit harder this year compared to last year, even though I paced the event last year too. This brings me to today's topic: the psychology of running and the role of data.

2. Why the Data Matters

As a runner, using data can be both helpful and a bit of a mind game. I upload all my runs to Strava and use a heart rate monitor to get an accurate read on my effort levels. Comparing this data with previous runs lets me see the trends in my performance over time. But lately, the data has been playing tricks on me.

I've been recovering from plantar fasciitis in my left heel and battling a recent illness, both of which impact my performance. Yet, when I look at the data, I start questioning if I'm simply getting older or less fit. This can be mentally exhausting. Some days when you run, everything feels great and effortless, and other days, it's just hard. There's often no rhyme or reason for it—it could be a good night's sleep, better nutrition, or a multitude of factors.

3. The Pitfalls of Over-Analysis

While data is crucial for measuring improvement, over-analysing it can sometimes do more harm than good. Focusing too much on minute details can be psychologically damaging. The key is to measure what matters and not get lost in the granular data that doesn't provide actionable insights. Data should give you a broad idea of your trends in fitness, performance, and effort levels, but it's important to remember that bad days and good days are part of the experience.

4. Finding Balance

This year's pacing runs have been harder, but I'm not beating myself up over it. I know I've been injured, ill, and my training hasn't been as intense with very little speed work. The main thing is that I've completed my training runs and I'm within my pacing time. As long as I stay injury-free,

I should be good for Sunday.

In conclusion, I hope this discussion helps those of you who might be battling with the same psychological pressures when it comes to running data. Yes, data is essential, but it's not the be-all and end-all. Don't get too caught up in numbers; sometimes you just have an off day, and that's okay.

Thank you for reading. Your support means the world to me. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me a line—I respond to everyone. Remember, this is all part of a larger mission to help save children's lives through my ultramarathon challenge. You can find more information and get involved through the link in the comments below.

Stay positive, stay happy, and I'll see you again tomorrow!

Kevin Brittain