PUBLISHED 04/25/2007
Fear of the unknown
Udewitz treats fearful, pessimistic runners in a similar manner. "I try to bring a kid back to the present," he says. "So many of our fears are really based on the unknown, on this vague and scary future. I'll go out on a hard run with a kid, and midway through I'll ask her: 'How do you feel right now?' Almost always, the answer is: 'Pretty good.' "
Udewitz says he chose his research topic because the other studies he came across at the time dealt only with distraction; how runners separated themselves from their pain and negative thoughts. He believes that distraction can be useful at times, but, like most psychologists, counsels a general strategy of engagement rather than dissociation.
"The goal is to focus on uncomfortable thoughts without being overly reactive," he says. "You want to relax and sit with those thoughts instead of denying them or fleeing them. It's crucial for a youngster to know that other kids are thinking the same things."
And, let's face it, there's a lot going on in your life. Chances are that your days are jam-packed with obligations, pressures, temptations, and distractions. Amid this thicket, positive running-related thoughts might not have much chance to grow.
Learning why you're stressed out
Take the example of Janine Moreau, a senior at Newman High School in New Orleans. As a sophomore, Moreau placed third in the Louisiana State Cross-Country 2A Championship for smaller schools, and second in the 3200 meters at the state track meet. As a junior in the 2001-02 season, her performances nosedived. Moreau now knows why. "All of last year I was completely stressed out about getting into college," she acknowledges. "All my energy went into studying and applying to different schools. My sophomore year, running was a complete blast. But last year, it became just another hassle."
Last spring, Moreau was accepted into Rice University in Texas. With college pressure off, she was again a top contender. Most important, she's enjoying her running as before. "I'm coming to the sport with a clear mind," says Moreau. "Running is fun again-a wonderful release."
Moreau found her good angel. And with the courage to tackle bad thoughts, you can, too. On your next bus trip to a meet, feel free to talk yourself-out loud-into a confident state of mind. Who knows, you might start a trend, like the one used so successfully at Bingham High.
