When Paula Radcliffe is struggling, she uses disassociation techniques to take your mind off the pain. Slowly counting to 100.
She says that she uses disassociation by counting her steps during a race. Radcliffe said, “When I count to 100 three times, it’s a mile. It helps me focus on the moment and not think about how many miles I have to go. I concentrate on breathing and striding, and I go within myself.”
I listen to music (heavy stuff) to disassociation myself.