Run Rocky || Survivor Run

Heiko Stribl

Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

Sawubona Welcome to the hypno-running blog

Do you want to run, faster, longer, feel better after a run, hey even look better whilst running then this blog is for you, because not only do I want to inspire you, we will make our way through these topics and help you dig deep and gain deeper insight so you can make & take better decisions.

The show is for runners’ run coaches, triathlon coaches, athletes that manage a household shout out to all mom’s) or whoever has a full time job, and invests spare time in advancing his or her sports performance. If you are like me, where the eldest just got her driving license, and once again CONGRATULATIONS, way to go ROSA that means suddenly I have even more time to invest in running, now that’s a double win.

I am recording this show right here in my office / studio / multi function room in Künzelsau Germany. But I digress. I started off with the lyrics and can you be glad I did not sing the song.

Do you know what song it is? It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watching’ us all with the eye of the tiger

Eye of the Tiger, Survivor. Released in 1982. Yes, it’s that old. I googled it and was shocked. And the movie that made it even more famous was Rocky III. I believe it was the theme song, but I am not sure. What I am sure of is the video. And if I say I mean video. To those of you that I am losing, ok, before that 4 inch smartphone was invented that you are reading this blog to, there was something called a video cassette. In my case we had to not only go to the store to rent the video, we had to rent the VCR as well. VCR, what’s that? Ok, forget it, I won’t go down that road. Let me get back to the point. The video, the movie, Rocky.

If I hear that melody it takes me back to the time when I was a teenager. And as you can tell I, along with my best friends Ronald and Erasmus, were inspired by that movie. Look, it’s not like today where you can just YouTube the trailer, you decided upon seeing the cover of the VHS in our corner shop, and then you had to hope that you are first in line to rent the VHS. We watched all the Rocky movies, and one thing we enjoyed doing was re-enacting that running scene.

Mind you we used that running scene, but the actual music was Gonna Fly now. But “Gonna Fly now” didn’t sound cool. Didn’t have lyrics. It starts off like the wedding waltz. Eye of the Tiger

So our re-enactment was as follows. One of us would be Rocky, running along the pavement. And the other was the Coach. You remember what the coach was called? Mickey, there you go you seem to be real fans. So the other was Mickey on a bicycle shouting motivational or semi-inspirational words “pick up the pace”, “right hook” “jab jab jab”.

And you know what, we could play that for hours. The song had no Walkman, no portable radio, just playing in our minds and maybe we were singing it, I don’t recall that part.

But picture it, two skinny kids, one running and sort of shadow boxing, the other on the bicycle pretending to be an old boxing trainer.

You remember last week’s blog, there were three points. To stop and avoid mental decay. To improve your self-image. These three elements are key to any runners’ self-image.

The way a person perceives or thinks of him/herself.
The way a person interprets others’ perceptions (or what he thinks others think) of him/herself.
The way a person would like to be (his ideal self).

The first point you are working on, yes? You have written down your accomplishments you are proud of.

Today we look at the way a person interprets others’ perception of him or herself. Now just make sure that today’s exercise doesn’t turn into a “I feel sorry for myself”-moment. This is not to fall back into old emotions, but to sharpen and enhance the picture you have of yourself. Because as I said last week, the clearer the picture the better you recall it.

I remember my dad, if we would do some form of exercise, he would nearly every time tell me, or whoever was there that:

“when I was a kid the teacher said I am slow”. Whow, I mean this must have been over 30 or 40 years ago, but as a grown man it still stuck with him. And I could tell for that one second he would fall into that emotion, get a bit annoyed. Not the best moment to ask for more pocket money. Maybe you can relate to it, more important however is to understand the influence and importance it has on your self-image.

If you have suffered from obesity, or weight related issues and those around you didn’t believe you would ever lose that weight. Maybe because you had unsuccessfully tried so many times before, disappointed in them and yourself. It might be that even if you look excellent, you run at amazing speeds and distances, you still get a sensation if you recall those words.

Or perhaps at college, you were told, you have got IT. It includes tickets to regionals, or perhaps even state level competitions. You were seen as being extremely talented. And you defined yourself through your achievements. But those days are gone, and the feeling is awkward. You miss it.

No matter how many Facebook posts you read: “Seriously it doesn’t matter what they think”, if it’s still causing you to recall it with a hint of animosity, you need to address the issue. Maybe this caused you to give up running because someone said you don’t look like a runner. You don’t have the build. And now years later this is the reason you are so often injured pushing your body too hard.

Do you have such a moment come to mind? Is it quite clear in your mind’s eye? Write it down, and go into details. Ask yourself, on a scale of one to nine. What does this do to me?

If this topic really does rank quite high in terms of stress, like a 7/9 then I would recommend to go see a R.E.S.E.T.® certified coach, who can assist you in releasing that blockade, to get you back into a resourceful state. Where you can harness your full potential. If it is a 6 or less, there are alternative ways to overcome that hindering thought.

Four simple questions, based on The Works by Byron Katie are extremely powerful, as you just need to ask yourself: if this really is true. Those words said, so long ago, that you have stored and rated higher than the car keys you were looking for, which you needed more urgently than that old negative thought. Is that really true? Now you constantly are left to rely on the accuracy of so-called metaperceptions – the ideas we have about others’ ideas about us.

By identifying what was said, and in what context, and by whom, plus questioning the mind, you will be able to reflect in a totally improved and unburdened way. It will feel like there is a weight lifted off your shoulders.

And readers, if you are just realizing or fully relating to this topic, I know where you are coming from. Sometimes we give others opinions of us too much value. Just because the leader of your running group once made a comment, or has certain beliefs about what you should be doing, and next thing you know, you are turning over his words in your head so often. Or your boss or spouse who doesn’t relate to your running at all made some comments about how they see you as a runner. Next thing you know you are questioning their opinion, their words are so present in your mind. And once this starts to get to you. To distract you, and you wonder why you spend so much time wondering about what they said. It is then time to give that brain of yours something else to think about. Something that will be more useful and positive.

Let it be something that stimulates your curiosity and excitement, some thoughts that ensure you don’t fall back into that moment in time where those words were spoken. Make your own chariots of fire. You do know the chariots of the fire scene I am talking about? Vangelis, a bunch of young men running in what looks like pajamas along that cold beach in St. Andrews.

But for me, thank goodness, I choose that inaccurate portrayal of being Rocky, so many times it happens too fast, you trade your passion for glory and hear my friends cheering me on, as we run and train like Rocky. Running through empty streets, but imagining catching that apple from the fruit vendor. If it wouldn’t have been for such imaginary exploits, who knows. I might have readersed to many people telling me that I should ever run further than 5KM as running is bad for your knees. Or that running too much is harmful . At the end of the day, just because someone carries an umbrella doesn’t mean he knows the weather. And definitely doesn’t mean his or her opinion of you should have any impact on you

You have a choice too, what do you want to recall, what thought, which memory will serve you better as a runner?

It’s the eye of the tiger, the thrill of the fight.

If you want some additional information, go to our website, or visit our Instagram, advanced_endurance. Comment questions, just drop me a line, I would love to hear from you