Randomly thinking or being completely focused?

[rce123]

When I was ARCing, I started talking to myself to sort of get me through the workout. Kind of strange, I know, but it helps me get through long, tiring workout sessions. Another thought came into my mind ", If I talk to or distract my mind from the workout, will this hamper my performance and how effective the workout is?" I started thinking about it and as I continuously thought about it, my forearms started to gain more of a pump and burn. So I know one thing for sure, when I don't focus on the workout my forearms get more pump and burn. Are there any other disadvantages/advantages that come when not focusing compared to focusing?

[erk]

You need to get out of your head! Haha. But seriously, ARC sessions are a great time to practice the movements described in the RCTM. It takes a lot of discipline to stay focused for an entire ARC session but it would behoove you to hone this skill. It is also important to stay focused on maintaining the proper pump level during ARC session and this is probably the most difficult part of ARCing. If you're still not sure what that is, I recommend rereading the Base Fitness chapter a few times to digest how to properly ARC. I did this during my first time going through the program and you pick up a lot of subtleties reading the second and third time through. And bring your iPod with some tunes. This is the only way I have been able to make ARC sessions tolerable.

[MarkAnderson]

I'm with erk. Zoning out is not the worst thing ever, but if you really want to get the most out of it, you should focus on your movement and effort level. I think an MP3 player is the perfect diversion to get you through the sets without distracting you from the task at hand.

[rce123]

Awesome thank you guys. It just randomly occurred in my mind while climbing and I wasn't sure if it was good or bad, but thank you guys again.