THE ZONE

[5ft Diva]

Let this thread be dedicated to how one's zone is created and how one stays there.

I haven't quite figured it out yet but for right now I literally have to picture in my mind the goal that I'm trying to reach and get to it. If I find my mind wandering or being pulled in a different direction I literally pull my thoughts back into the "zone" and keep going until I reach that goal. It's been a great mental exercise - it's very similar to meditation. I love the feeling of using my brain! It's something I can't even begin to describe - it's like Heaven!

[Big_Sissy]

For me, I have to watch a video, movie or something to keep my occupied. Music also helps is you are running outside, but on the treadmill, some good old Motocross video's really keep me in the zone.

[5ft Diva]

So you have to be influenced by an outside source to be in the zone? Hmmm.

[Erudite]

Originally Posted by 5ft Diva

I haven't quite figured it out yet but for right now I literally have to picture in my mind the goal that I'm trying to reach and get to it. If I find my mind wandering or being pulled in a different direction I literally pull my thoughts back into the "zone" and keep going until I reach that goal. It's been a great mental exercise - it's very similar to meditation. I love the feeling of using my brain! It's something I can't even begin to describe - it's like Heaven!

I think 5D's zone is a little different from BS's zone. She described it to me as a mental place where you feel untouchable; a mental place where you don't get offended nor to you offer offense; a place where you love everyone and can see the good in them. Is that about right 5D?

[Big_Sissy]

Oh good grief, now that's a nice place and all, but all you are trying to do is forget that you are running, and stop watching your watch.

If I use an outside source to help Distract me, It happens a LOT faster, if I just try to get in the zone by myself, then it takes a lot longer, or not at all

I'll be honest, when you are first starting out, it's very tough to get in the zone, due to the exercise being so TOUGH on you. The more you do it, the easier it will be to get in the zone, so just keep at it and for those of you not wanting to utilize modern common sense (outside sources) ;D , it will happen, you'll just have to work on it.

[Erudite]

Ok...I just read 5D's original blog about the zone and I can totally see how it's a mental thing and how it's a physical thing. Both might be taken from what 5D described. When I asked 5D about it, she described a state of mind, rather than a state of activity...so that's where my answer was coming from.

But I do love BS's response, because it gives a really great goal to running and combines mental control at the same time. I've never been there in running, but I can see that it's important to get there. Hmmm...is that losing yourself in the work?

Describe that zone more, BS...I need to understand.

[Big_Sissy]

Well, I wouldn't say it's losing yourself in the work, it's more like losing yourself in something besides the work. Lets be honest, Running, especially if you are not in shape (me) is not fun, and it's a LOT of work.

For me, I want to quit almost immediately. I watch the time constantly, and wonder how much longer I have to put up with this pain.

Ok, now that I've painted the picture, and those of us just starting out recognize it very well, we can talk about getting into the "training zone"

This is your place to mentally go to so you stop the negative conversation going on in your head, and to stop worrying about when you'll be done.

So, for me, I like to watch something that will captivate me, and a good old Motocross video does that for me. In fact it does it so well that when the treadmill slows down I almost run into the front of the machine. I'm in the zone. I'm doing the work, I'm getting the benefit, but I'm not feeling every pain, living every gasp for air, or concentrating on getting through this 20 min.

Anyway, that's the zone to me. Just something to keep your mind occupied so you don't feel every bump in the road.

Ever take a trip with your significant other and talk the entire way? Before you know it you're there already??? How did that happen? It's because you were in a zone so to speak. That the same thing I'm talking about.

I would imagine that those of you that love to read, you could probably do the same thing with a book.

Anyway, I hope that helps.

[5ft Diva]

Interesting perspectives from both of you. I was simply interested to know how you mentally get in the zone - on your own - I believe it takes real discipline. Exercising the mental muscle - the brain.

I loved the description you used BS about taking a walk w/ your spouse and all of a sudden you're at your destination. That made sense to me. What is the process that others go through to get there mentally, that they're able to focus on only their spouse for the duration of the walk - so to speak. Remember the movie w/ Kevin Costner and he's that baseball player...'For Love of the Game'...anyway, he always tells himself to clear the mechanism and then he's able to zero in on his "target" by shutting out everything around him. So maybe I needed to ask you BS, how do you clear the mechanism?

I'm just curious what mental exercises work for everyone so I can try them myself. Motocross movies are not going to work on me when I'm trying to focus on one of my children telling me about a hard day they had when another one is tugging at me begging me if he can have the entire bag of chips, or when I'm running, or in the car w/ all the kids on the way to church trying to think about my lesson I'm teaching in a couple of hours. See what I mean?

It's that place in your mind where no one can touch you - our 2nd son is in this place a lot. You are not influenced by anything or anyone, all words and actions you use are exactly what you'd do or say if you were alone w/ that other person or just simply alone. Does this make sense? That's the zone - as I see it. But by all means, I'm interested to hear what other's perspectives are and what they think. I'm really am open to new ideas.

[Big_Sissy]

Now clearing the mechanism is the same thing. I'm just using an outside source to help me with that.

For the time being I can't possibly be in the zone, because too much hurts, my breathing is to heavy and I'm about to die.

In the example you used, your talking about a veteran of the game. He's already got everything he needs to "clear the mechanism" Besides, he's not being bothered by things that he shouldn't ignore.

[Wildflower]

Hey,why not try martial arts. This gives you a chance to be in the zone mentally and physically at the same time, and you can even practice with your spouse! How 'bout that for a twist!

[5ft Diva]

I like the idea of being in the zone physically and mentally but right now I should focus on one thing at a time. What a cool thought though. I'll have to keep it in mind.

[teeny]

Yeah, I totally hear everything you're saying BS because I do the same thing!

For as far back as I can remember I hated running, but after having my 2nd child I wasn't having any luck getting the weight off with step aerobics (which is what I did before kids). There were two ladies in the ward that invited me to run with them, and so I did because I was desperate to get the weight off. I started out thinking I was going to hate it, and ending up loving it, or not I guess loving it, but loving what the running did for me both physically and emotionally. I also learned that the main reason that I stuck with it is because not only was it giving me the results I wanted (losing weight, better mood etc) I was also enjoying doing it! I also realized that the reason I was ENJOYING it was because it was my "out" so to speak 3 times a week. I would leave my kids with my hubby at night and leave for 40 minutes to have some "me" time, reach my weight loss goals, and chat with friends. So, I guess for me, it took "distracting myself" to stick with it long enough to get addicted to the results of my hard work, and sometimes, even the work itself! (Like when I'm in a REALLY bad mood and need to just RUN to get out some really negative energy!)

Now, I don't have any running buddies (cause I moved) and it's winter, so I've had to find other ways to make running enjoyable. So, now I've learned that I REALLY like certain series (Prison Break, Lost, 24) so I try to schedule my workouts around those times.

I guess what I'm trying to say (pretty much what BS said) is that it's really hard to get into "The Zone" right at the beginning of your workout goals because you're not really sure what running/exercising is going to do for you (physically and emotionally) until you start doing it. So, until you get addicted to the results (the way it makes you feel, and look etc.) find a way to distract yourself! You will make life so much easier for yourself!!!

Another thing that I've found interesting is that as your life and circumstances change, so will your workouts have to as well. Man, if I had the money right now (and no little kids that needed watched) I would go get a gym membership and grab my husband and go play racketball every night! Then I would be in the "Zone" very easily! To me (this is just me!) if I have to think too hard about being in the "Zone" it's going to make it unreachable. For me, life (including exercising) either needs to be fun or I need to find a way to make it fun (a way that will still help me be a good person and get the boring/un-fun things done that I need to) until life can be fun again! Is that terrible? Hope that didn't come out wrong! Anyway, sorry, it's been hard for me to organize my thoughts on this.

[5ft Diva]

I had an interesting experience today that I want to share and I'm not sure where I'm going w/ this post so I guess we'll find out together.

I was running on the treadmill today and I was having a hard time getting into the zone, I mean I was DRAGGING! My son was watching "Winnie the Pooh" and it finished halfway through my workout. I quickly hopped off the treadmill after he was done and threw in a CD that helps me feel motivated and went back to running. It was a totally different experience. It was still hard but I wanted to finish my workout now. Earlier in this thread BS had talked about using an external influence to help him get into the ZONE and I couldn't figure out how that would be helpful to him in the long run. Now I understand the concept a little better.

My ultimate goal in life is to have the kind of self discipline and motivation that I can just take myself somewhere mentally and get through the toughest parts of the experience I'm going through at the time. I can see though that we will need an outside influence sometimes to help us stay on track. For many it's their friends and I learned today the difference in 'friends' that don't encourage you to move forward and finish something versus 'friends' that do. There is a stark contrast.

Anyway like I said, I'm not sure where I was headed w/ this post other than I learned something about who and what I want to surround myself with so that I can remain in the zone and how that also applies to my children.

[Big_Sissy]

Very interesting insight. Glad you understand what I was talking about now. You don't always need it, but it's sure nice to have when you need that little extra.

BTW, I'm not sure if anyone has seen this but Nike and iPod have teamed up and now have a specific iPod for running. Running with music can really help as you now see.