Psychological preparation before you climb a hill?

[simonrogers]

I came across this the other day:

"When you're climbing a long hill, you want to direct all your energy to your legs, not your face. To stay relaxed, Applegate swears by "Qigong climbing"--a kind of moving meditation. As you approach the climb, think light thoughts--clouds, birds, angels."​

Do you do anything before/ while you climb?

 

[jiberjaber]

Sweat, cry, swear, try and focus on splitting it in to short segments and not look to far ahead. I use the visor of my helmet to stop me seeing what the future holds other than the next 25m if possible....

 

[Spinney]

Sweat, cry, swear, try and focus on splitting it in to short segments and not look to far ahead. I use the visor of my helmet to stop me seeing what the future holds other than the next 25m if possible....

That sounds familiar...

 

[User269]

I just ride up 'em and enjoy myself.
Sometimes I use a visualisation technique which has been in use for many years, which is simply picturing yourself arriving at the summit.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Sometimes I use a visualisation technique which has been in use for many years, which is simply picturing yourself arriving at the summit.

I know that picture...

GC

 

[simonrogers]

Not strictly psychological, but there's one less distraction after a well timed snot-rocket.

 

[MarkF]

Yes, I am good at disconnecting my thoughts from my legs, I switch on women, beer, holiday and football thoughts, nice things, I rarely look up and my legs keep going around. Some focus entirely on the struggle, and unsurprisingly, struggle.

 

[Markymark]

I turn into Eddie Izzard. No matter how much it now irritates me, I can't get it out of my head. It does distract me enough though sometimes

I start muttering...

No pain, no gain
No fish, no foul
No toast, no jam
No hair, no haircut

 

[Brightski]

Just ride up it

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Just ride around it

ftfy

 

[vickster]

Never really thought about thinking...must try it some time

 

[G3CWI]

I use a visualisation technique which has been in use for many years, which is simply picturing yourself arriving at the summit.

...typo I think. You surely meant "arriving at the pub"?

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Ride with people who are slower than you are. That way you can take it nice and easy whilst offering words of encouragement as they're blowing out of their bottoms!

And I always look ahead to the top of the hill and say, " Come on me old cock sparrow, let's be having you! "

 

[ChrisEyles]

A couple of times out riding alone (and pretty sure no one in earshot), I've found a good bellow of "YES I CAN" actually did the trick rather well. YMMV!

 

[Archie_tect]

Too busy trying to breathe to waste oxygen thinking.