Coping strategies in running have been termed "association" and "dissociation" in the literature. In association, runners focus on their bodily sensations and stay aware of physical factors critical to performance. In dissociation runners think of anything but bodily feelings.
In association runners focus on respiration, temperature, heaviness in calves and thighs, abdominal sensations in an effort to maximize performance. Dissociation is when a runner purposely cuts himself off from the sensory feedback he normally receives from his body. Some things runners may use for this include mentally writing letters, listening to music, doing complex math problems. One problem with this technique is that by disregarding the bodily signals you may be overlooking signals of pain from an injury or hypo/hyperthermia.
Studies have shown that runners typically switch from association to dissociation and back again, but most runners use dissociation more.
Personally, I dislike focusing on bodily functions and am a "dissociative" runner. Research does show that to be an effective runner however I need to start to focus on the bodily sensations and to be safe in longer runs I should at least switch in and out at times. This week I have my 11 mile long run planned and am going to try this in/out technique.
Happy Running!!!
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