Prairie to Peak Running

When I was a speed swimmer in elementary school we had a workbook called Mental Skills for Young Athletes. I can still picture the cover of the book as well as the fun cartoon characters who popped up throughout. This book had a huge impact on me, probably more than perceived by my swim coach. As a mediocre but driven 9 year old swimmer, I took the sections on visualizing, goal setting, and attention very seriously. I was diligent in completing my homework and would try to try out some of the skills at swim meets. While I never pursued swimming as an adult, I have really held onto the mental skills I learned. 

Now, in adulthood, as a motivated and driven runner, I like to think that while I am not an elite athlete, I can aim to grow my mental skills like an on. “Whether an athlete can avail of their maximum physical potential at the crucial moment is partly a mental matter” (van Sprundel, 2022). In fact, it is noted that due to how the psyche affects how the physical body performs, an athlete needs not only the right kind of physique but also to be mentally strong – mental strength may be what separates the winners from the rest of us (van Sprundel, 2022). 

The five main mental strategies I practice regularly include mantras, breaking down the run, focusing on my breath, training in tough conditions, and visualizing. I use mantras during training and racing. It is a fancy way of saying that I talk to myself, sometimes even out loud. I keep the phrases short, simple, and motivating. My favourites include, “keep pushing”, “breathe, relax”, and “this is what you’ve been training for”. When I break down my run I also talk myself through things. I will break it into smaller chunks, such as by ten minute sections, by individual kilometers, by aid stations, or look at one interval at a time during a workout. All throughout I am thinking about my breathing and periodically reminding myself to slow my breathing, and take control of it. Training in tough conditions includes running in the rain, after a large snowfall, during an exceptionally windy day, etc. I will also work hard to get myself out the door when I am sleepy, feeling lazy, or just in a dull mood. Sometimes I cut the run short, but I have to give myself a chance to try. The more I have experience pushing through tough times, the more my mind and body is able to handle come race day. Finally, just like I would visualize my 100 m freestyle race as a nine year old swimmer, I visualize myself completing my workouts, running a race course, and navigating a new running route. I make it a habit to do this the night before my morning run, as I am planning out what to wear and where to go. With races I do a few mini sessions of visualizing, as I feel it helps with my pre race nerves.

What are your mental strategies you employ as a runner? What questions do you have in regards to mental training? Connect with me via Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/prairie_to_peak_running/)  or email (prairietopeakrunning@gmail.com)! 

References

Van Sprundel, M. (2022, June 29). Running and the science of mental toughness. The MIT Press Reader. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/running-and-the-science-of-mental-toughness/.