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This scale is a result of many runs and races where mental toughness was the greatest challenge. Scales of perceived exertion or perceived effort can be useful, but these do not apply well when the limiting factor is not how intensely you are exercising. This scale of is based on how much perceived suffering is experienced. On a 100 mile race, it is possible to have a low perceived effort, but undergo immense suffering.
I used the units of 'Ivan' after my one of my running heroes [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iv%C3%A1n_Castro Ivan Castro]. On many runs I have reached the point where I seriously consider quitting. At these times I often think of Ivan, his determination and spirit. Ivan is not superhuman; he is an ordinary man who refuses to quit.
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ivan'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Indications'''
|-
| 4||Hard workout:
* Noticeable but familiar discomfortpain.
* Some tiredness.
* Some fatigue.
|-
| 5||Very hard workout or race effort:
* Discomfort hard to ignoreDistracting pain.
* Significant fatigue.
|-
* Doubts turning to fear.
* Strong feelings of inadequacy.
* Overwhelming painPain hard to ignore.
* Overwhelming exhaustion.
|-
* Nearly crying.
* Depression.
* Mild fear.
* Significant pain without expectation of lasting physical damage.
|}
From http://xkcd.com/883/ (Mouse over text "If it were a two or above I wouldn't be able to answer because it would mean a pause in the screaming."])
http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/pain_rating.png
=Versions of the Ivan Scale=
* This is version is version 4 with clarification of pain levels.
* [http://fellrnr.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=The_Ivan_Scale_Of_Perceived_Suffering&oldid=905 Version 3] Provide more detail
* [http://fellrnr.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=The_Ivan_Scale_Of_Perceived_Suffering&oldid=902 Version 2] Changed scale to remove 'unable to continue' as 10, spreading out the other values
* [http://fellrnr.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=The_Ivan_Scale_Of_Perceived_Suffering&oldid=882 Version 1] The first version of the scale