Stress Test for Endurance Runners and Walkers

This stress test for endurance runners and walkers is not your typical stress test, which would stress you physiologically to see how you respond.

No, this stress test will help you to identify all the ways in which you make your endurance training and racing more stressful than it should be.

Please answer each of these fifty Yes/No questions, tally your score, and then consider ways to de-stress your endurance running or walking.

Most important, be honest! The only person whom you would be fooling with dishonest answers would be you.

Attitude

Do you quickly dismiss compliments from other endurance runners and walkers?
Do you always dwell on getting that “next medal” instead of taking time to show off and enjoy your latest finisher medal?
Do you beat yourself up mentally during training sessions or races?
Do you work out so much now that you no longer have time for old habits that nourished you mentally, spiritually, or emotionally (such as reading, meditation, or meridian tapping)?
Do you spend most on your time whining to others during your group training program’s runs or walks?

Family

Do you have in your refrigerator or panty so much special food for your endurance training that it crowds out what your family likes to eat?
Do you disturb your family by making too much noise before your early-morning runs or walks?
Do you always leave your soiled workout gear where your family will complain about it?
Do you devote all of your family’s vacation time to races even though your family is not as “into” endurance racing as you are?
Do you put your workouts at a higher priority than you put your family?

Injury Prevention and Illness

Do you ignore blisters on your feet, assuming that they are “part of the deal” of endurance running or walking?
Do you let sensitive parts of your body get chafed repeatedly by training sessions or races?
Do you ignore your body’s need for water, electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein after races and training sessions?
Do you get a pedicure within the week before a marathon, half marathon, or other endurance race?
Do you try to “power through” colds, flu, and sharp pains?

Money

Do you go into debt to support your endurance running or walking?
Do you put a higher priority on spending for endurance gear than on spending for essentials?
Do you always buy the latest running or walking gadget just because it is the latest thing?
Do you avoid seeing a health-care professional, even though you know that you should, because it will cost too much or because the appointment(s) will cut into your income-producing hours?
Do you wait years for the price to go down on something that you know from friends and experts will help you with your endurance running or walking today?

Nutrition

Do you carry no high-calorie, electrolyte-replacing food with you for anything longer than an hour?
Do you carry energy gels, goos, or blocks with you but then forget to consume them on your long runs or walks?
Do you skip meals between training sessions?
Do you forgo wearing a hydration belt or pack for anything longer than 45 minutes?
Do you celebrate instead of trying to replenish several pounds of weight lost because of a long training session?

Other Exercise

Do you avoid all cross-training, claiming that you are a purist or do not have time?
Do you regularly avoid stretching?
Do you regularly avoid core exercises?
Do you skip cool-down exercises or stretching after races and endurance workouts?
Do you regularly avoid strength training?

Planning

Do you scramble to find all your running or walking gear or sports drink before a race or training session?
Do you prefer to let your group training program’s training routes be a surprise?
Do you always rush home after a group run or walk instead of enjoying the camaraderie of your training group’s members (at, say, a group breakfast)?
Do you register to race almost every weekend and then find yourself complaining that you have no time for anything else?
Do you register for races at the last second?

Rest

Do you go to bed too late or wake too early before a morning run or walk?
Do you dismiss after-long-workout naps as being for wimps?
Do you always need an alarm clock to wake?
Do you find yourself drinking more coffee or other caffeinated beverages so that you can get by on less sleep as you increase the durations of your workouts?
Do you work out every single day at high intensity?

Safety

Do you train by yourself in the dark?
Do you train by yourself in dangerous areas?
Do you run or walk in the dark without a flashlight (torch)?
Do you run or walk without carrying a cellphone with you?
Do you go on training runs or walks alone without telling others your route and when you expect to return to your home or hotel room?

Workout Gear

Do you lose track of how long you have worn a pair of shoes?
Do you push the life of your running or walking shoes to the absolute limit?
Do you wear cotton clothing instead of specialized clothing that wicks perspiration away from your skin during your runs or walks?
Do you train or race in cold weather without gloves, ear protection, and a cap?
Do you train or race in the sun without sunglasses and sunscreen?

Scoring

If you answered “Yes” five or fewer times, then congratulations, for you have a good handle on the stressors that can interfere with your endurance running or walking!
- But, if you answered “Yes” in a single category at least three times, then you should pay special attention to that category.
If you answered “Yes” six to fifteen times, then you should look seriously into what you can do to eliminate those stressors.
If you answered “Yes” sixteen or more times, then you may be due for a major break from training and racing.

How did you do? I would love to know where you and other readers face your biggest challenges when it comes to stress and your endurance running or walking.

So join the conversation, and leave a comment below!