Mental Toughness

1
Mental Toughness

• Mill Creek Cross Country Camp 2009

2
Outline

• Why Running is the Hardest Sport
• Thoughts During Workouts and Races
• Mental Tricks of Runners
• Personal Stories of Mind over Matter

3
Why Running is the Hardest Sport

• It takes patience and dedication
• Not as popular as other sports
• Requires mental and physical toughness
• Requires intense effort for short period of time
• It hurts!

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Negative Thoughts During Workouts and Races

• I dont feel good
• Im afraid to keep up/surge/run with/pass a
  certain runner, etc.
• I cant do it
• This course is too hard
• I didnt run well here last time
• Its too hot/cold/windy

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Positive Thoughts During Workouts and Races

• No matter how I feel, Ill give my best effort
• My goal is to keep up/surge/run with/pass a
  certain runner, etc.
• I can try my best to do it
• I will use this course to my advantage
• I can run a better race here this time
• Ill let the other teams/runners be affected by
  the weather

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Mental Tricks of Runners

• Focus on next mile marker, 100 meters away, next
  person, etc
• Focus on things you can control stride, form,
  breathing, pace, tangents, etc
• Battle negative thoughts come up with positive
  thoughts you can tell yourself whenever a
  negative thought enters your mind
• Realize bad stretches will pass

7
Personal Stories of Mind Over Matter

• Think of days you felt bad but ran awesome anyway
• Steve Moneghetti-Austrailian Marathoner
• Coach Christie- Boston Marathon 2004
• Coach Brand- Pittsburgh Marathon 2001