Don't underestimate your environment when it comes to running a new PR.
A beautiful environment, tracking your performance… They are small things, but they can really make a difference. This is shown by research by ASICS.
A number of runners ran two times five kilometers for the study. The one five kilometers was normal. At another time, there was a five kilometer run on the Blackout Track, a dark running track where you as a runner are followed by a floodlight. There is no distraction, no comfort.
Even most athletes ran an average of one minute slower on the dark track. And you probably know that a minute can make a lot of difference in such a case. It means that runners run an average of 5 percent slower.
The benefits
Technology, light and sound therefore have a demonstrably positive effect on running performance. You may wonder why you would train in the dark… There is a good reason for athletes to do it:it helps train your mind and that makes regular training easier afterwards.
What can we learn from this
Without a special Blackout Track it is difficult for us to recreate that situation, but you can try to challenge yourself mentally. Some ideas:
