So while I haven't gotten too far into the nuts and bolts of
Essentials, I did go back and read through all the Mind Games articles in the PTJ, and two articles in particular stuck with me:
Getting a Firm Grasp on Confidence and
Enhancing Performance Through the Process. The second one especially helped me today as I went out for my first run in almost two weeks--I've kind of been avoiding distance running (despite posting a lofty mileage goal in the running forum) because I really haven't felt good about my results lately, and if anyone harbors negativity about performance, it's me--and while I didn't have my best run pace- or time-wise, the combination of having an old FitCast in my ears and focusing on the minutiae of my mechanics and breathing seemed to help just feel better, especially on the climbs and toward the end.
I think I'll continue concentrating on process rather than positivity--that'll be a LONG time in coming, if ever
