Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog
What's even more astonishing is that, before Entrekin, no woman had ever won the event overall in the race’s history. It was Entrekin’s third straight year winning the award, but she ran more than seven hours faster this time around. Pretty amazing right? You can be sure this was the result of a lot of hard work. In a post race interview, Entrekin said that, in order to lead the pack, she had to “will herself past negative thoughts.” This shows the importance of training the mind along with the body.
Speaking of records, did you know that the women's record for the Bass Pro Marathon is 2:53:34, set by Jacqui Giuliano in 2021 and the men's record is 2:23:29, set by Abraham Talam Kipkemei in 2023? Did you also know that the Cohick Half Marathon men's record of 1:10:09 was set by James Wilson in 2018 and the women's record of 1:16:23 was set by Kimi Reed also in 2018? Those are some pretty fast times! And, I'm sure if you could ask them what their secret to successfully breaking the records was, they would say it came down to hard work and, like Rachel said, training their mind to push back negative thoughts.
With that being said, let's look at a few things every runner can do to build a resilient mind that can push back negative thoughts. This is crucial in training your mind for success. The best part? This training will not only help you in your running, but in other areas of your life as well. So, without further ado, here are some of my thoughts both as a running coach and a longtime runner:
Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Legs
As long-distance runners, we spend countless hours training our bodies. We log miles before sunrise, push through hill repeats, battle weather, and grind through long runs when our legs feel heavy. But one of the most important parts of running success isn’t physical at all—it’s mental.
The truth is this: your mind will often quit long before your body does.
Every runner has heard that inner voice:
“You’re too slow.”
“You can’t keep this pace.”
“You’ll never be as good as them.”
“You should just stop.”
The runners who succeed aren’t the ones who never hear negative thoughts. They’re the ones who learn how to push back against them.
Which is the reason mental training is every bit as important as physical training. In fact, your mindset may be the very thing that helps you reach a new PR. When the race gets hard, when your breathing gets heavy, and when discomfort shows up, your mental strength becomes your greatest advantage.
Your body follows where your mind leads.
Comparison Is the Thief of Joy
One of the fastest ways to lose confidence as a runner is to constantly compare yourself to others.
Social media makes it easy to believe everyone else is faster, stronger, more disciplined, or more talented. But running was never meant to be a competition against everyone around you. The real competition is with the person you were yesterday.
Did you show up today?
Did you improve?
Did you stay consistent?
Did you push through when it would’ve been easier to quit?
That’s success.
Personal records are called personal for a reason. They belong to you. They represent growth, discipline, perseverance, and progress. Those are the records that truly matter.
Every time you become stronger than the version of yourself from yesterday, you win.
One of the fastest ways to lose confidence as a runner is to constantly compare yourself to others.
Social media makes it easy to believe everyone else is faster, stronger, more disciplined, or more talented. But running was never meant to be a competition against everyone around you. The real competition is with the person you were yesterday.
Did you show up today?
Did you improve?
Did you stay consistent?
Did you push through when it would’ve been easier to quit?
That’s success.
Personal records are called personal for a reason. They belong to you. They represent growth, discipline, perseverance, and progress. Those are the records that truly matter.
Every time you become stronger than the version of yourself from yesterday, you win.
The Mind Can Create Limits — Or Break Them
Many runners unknowingly train themselves to expect failure. They say things like:
“I’m terrible at hills.”
“I always fall apart after mile 10.”
“I’m just not fast.”
“I could never run that distance.”
The brain listens to what we repeatedly tell it.
Negative self-talk becomes mental conditioning.
But the opposite is also true: positive, resilient thinking can become mental conditioning too.
Elite runners don’t avoid discomfort because they’re superhuman. They simply learn how to respond differently when discomfort arrives. Instead of panicking, they stay calm. Instead of quitting mentally, they refocus. In this way, elite runners aren't simply the ones who are "superior" in their ability to run fast, but are the ones who are "superior" in their ability to think at a higher level. In this way, we can all be "elite" runners regardless of our pace!
Elite runners don’t avoid discomfort because they’re superhuman. They simply learn how to respond differently when discomfort arrives. Instead of panicking, they stay calm. Instead of quitting mentally, they refocus. In this way, elite runners aren't simply the ones who are "superior" in their ability to run fast, but are the ones who are "superior" in their ability to think at a higher level. In this way, we can all be "elite" runners regardless of our pace!
Mental toughness isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you practice.
Ways Runners Can Push Back Against Negative Thoughts
1. Replace “I Have To” With “I Get To”
Instead of thinking:
“I have to run today.”
Try:
“I get to run today.”
Running is a privilege. Gratitude shifts perspective and reduces mental resistance.
2. Focus on Effort, Not Perfection
Not every run will feel amazing. Some runs are simply about showing up.
A slow run still builds endurance.
A difficult run still builds toughness.
An imperfect run still counts.
Consistency beats perfection every time.
Not every run will feel amazing. Some runs are simply about showing up.
A slow run still builds endurance.
A difficult run still builds toughness.
An imperfect run still counts.
Consistency beats perfection every time.
3. Break Big Challenges Into Small Pieces
Thinking about an entire half marathon or marathin can feel overwhelming. Instead, focus on reaching the next mile marker, the next water stop, or the next corner. Keeping the mind engaged and focused on a reward pays dividends on pushing back negative thoughts.
Small victories build momentum.
4. Create Positive Running Mantras
Simple phrases can interrupt negative thought patterns during difficult moments.
Examples:
“Strong and steady.”
“One step at a time.”
“I can do hard things.”
“Forward is forward.”
“Calm mind. Strong legs.”
Repeat them when things get tough. Rachel's mantra that got her to the finish line was "Why not you?" And that's a great question. There are thousands of runners out there who will be obtaining their PR this racing season. Why not you?
Simple phrases can interrupt negative thought patterns during difficult moments.
Examples:
“Strong and steady.”
“One step at a time.”
“I can do hard things.”
“Forward is forward.”
“Calm mind. Strong legs.”
Repeat them when things get tough. Rachel's mantra that got her to the finish line was "Why not you?" And that's a great question. There are thousands of runners out there who will be obtaining their PR this racing season. Why not you?
5. Stop Comparing Your Chapter 2 to Someone Else’s Chapter 20
Every runner is on a different journey.
Some are returning from injury.
Some are balancing work and family.
Some are just starting.
Some have years of experience.
Comparison steals confidence and joy. Focus on your own growth and your own abilities. Focus on what a “personal” record means to you.
Every runner is on a different journey.
Some are returning from injury.
Some are balancing work and family.
Some are just starting.
Some have years of experience.
Comparison steals confidence and joy. Focus on your own growth and your own abilities. Focus on what a “personal” record means to you.
6. Train Your Brain During Hard Runs
Mental strength grows during uncomfortable moments.
When workouts get hard:
Practice staying calm
Control your breathing
Refocus your thoughts
Avoid spiraling mentally
Hard runs aren’t just training your legs—they’re training your mind.
Mental strength grows during uncomfortable moments.
When workouts get hard:
Practice staying calm
Control your breathing
Refocus your thoughts
Avoid spiraling mentally
Hard runs aren’t just training your legs—they’re training your mind.
7. Celebrate Progress That Isn’t on the Watch
Not all victories come from pace or finish times.
Celebrate:
Showing up consistently
Finishing a tough run
Choosing discipline over excuses
Recovering after setbacks
Running with confidence again
Growth is bigger than numbers.
Not all victories come from pace or finish times.
Celebrate:
Showing up consistently
Finishing a tough run
Choosing discipline over excuses
Recovering after setbacks
Running with confidence again
Growth is bigger than numbers.
8. Surround Yourself With Encouraging People
Mindset is contagious.
Train with people who uplift you, encourage growth, and remind you what’s possible. Positive environments help runners silence self-doubt.
Mindset is contagious.
Train with people who uplift you, encourage growth, and remind you what’s possible. Positive environments help runners silence self-doubt.
9. Learn to Talk to Yourself Like a Coach (this is one of my favorites!)
Most runners would never speak to another runner the way they speak to themselves.
Instead of:
“You’re weak.”
Try:
“This is hard, but you’re capable.”
Your internal dialogue matters.
10. Remember Why You Started
On difficult days, reconnect with your purpose.
Maybe you run for:
Health
Stress relief
Confidence
Community
Mental clarity
Personal growth
Purpose creates perseverance.
And there you have it friends. The runners who thrive long term aren’t necessarily the most talented, but simply the ones who refuse to let negative thoughts take control. So, train your mind the same way you train your body--remembering that the difference between giving up and setting a PR many times is nothing more than the thoughts you choose to believe. So, train your mind in the same way you train your body and go after that PR!
Happy Running!
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