Besides being well trained and physically prepared to race, all successful runners know how to harness the power of mental toughness. They know that no matter how much they have physically prepared for a race, there will always be those moments in a race that they will have to ask them themselves to dig deep and find the will and inner strength to continue to run hard and push through.

The good news is that anyone can learn to be mentally tough! It’s not a characteristic reserved for super competitive fast runners. But just like training physically, you must also train mentally. Read on to learn how.

First, come to your training runs mentally prepared to run, especially your speed workouts or higher intensity runs. If you are working with a coach, review the workout the day before and know what is expected. If you have any questions ask your coach well before the workout for clarification. If you don’t have a coach, it is important to have a training plan to follow and be familiar with the workouts outlined in the plan. Imagine yourself running the workout and feeling strong and confident and think about that several times before the workout.

Part of being mentally prepared to workout includes considering how the weather may be a factor. If it is a windy day picture yourself running into the wind and and feeling strong. Remind yourself that you don’t get to choose the weather on race day so getting to train in adverse conditions will not only have you prepared for them, but make you a stronger runner in good conditions! 

Second, choose your words wisely. I hear too many runners talk themselves into a bad race before they even get to the starting line. Quit talking about how hot it is, how cold it is, or how you hate to run in the rain. Don’t tell everyone at the race about the stressful week you’ve had and how you’re not sure if you will run well. Don’t talk about being sick earlier. Don’t talk about how tired you are or how bad you slept. All this negative talk will do is create more bad energy and set your expectations up to have a sub-par race.

While your circumstances may be less than ideal, you don’t have to give any more life to them by focusing on them. Instead, accept your situation for what it is and focus on what is good and the things that you can do to make the best of it. The Bible even teaches this very principle in Philippians 4:8-9:

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I can’t tell you how many people I hear at the start of a race griping about their circumstances. It’s no wonder when the finish the race that they are disappointed with their performance. If you are hanging out with these folks before the start, then leave and go warm up by yourself. And if your not speaking these words out loud, but that inner critic is screaming them to you, then learn to silence her and just repeat to yourself or even out loud, ” I am prepared and I will have a good race. I am mentally tough and will overcome adversity!” 

Following these two steps will help you learn to become and stay mentally tough during a race. But remember it takes awareness and practice. You must work at this daily if you want to see real results.

If this was helpful to you, please share it with a friend and leave me a comment below. Do you have your your own strategies for maintaining mental toughness in a race? If so, please share them below in the comments.