I’m sharing a mental training tip I love for those moderate intensity interval training (MIIT) and killer and high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts.
They’re tough, they’re killer and sometimes you may wonder how this could be good for you! Here’s a way to boost your motivation for them…
Whether your interval program is running hills, sprinting flat, cycling, strength/power training, skipping or running stairs you can apply this technique:
- For each interval, think of someone who has inspired you and dedicate that one interval to him/her.
- Invite that person along in spirit – as their healthiest, strongest and fittest self.
- For the whole interval embrace their energy, feel their presence and support. Give it all you’ve got like you know they would want to do.
- When you’re done, thank them for being with you and providing you the support and strength you needed. Imagine giving them a high five or a hug. The essence of gratitude is a very high energy emotion, and will also add to your focus and performance. (And it just feels so good!)
- For your next interval, keep the previous person along with you, and add one more person. This way with each consecutive interval, you gather a larger and larger team force beside you of inspiring people (like your own peloton).
Lastly, if you are doing it with a training buddy, it can be fun to share who you’re choosing for your interval and then share a bit about them or their impact on you during your “recovery”. Not only does this make it fun and pass the time more quickly, but it can be incredible what you learn about each other and enhance the relationship in a pretty awesome way.
Are you ready to give it a go and fuel those intervals with a little outside/inside inspiration?!