Maximize Your Running Potential, Training and Times - with Mental Training
I worked with a large number of runners as they are naturally drawn to mental training in greater numbers than most sports, because they instinctively understand what a secret weapon mental training is over their competitors.
Are You A Distance Runner Who Trains Well, But Performs Badly at Track Meets, Marathons or Cross Country Races?
No problem. Running is a unique sport where the mind plays a particularly enormous role in your performance.
This is because, compared to other sports (where there is loads of equipment and other performance aids), running is basically just you, out there - your body and your thoughts, nothing else.
This means runners are often highly evolved in their general awareness - and are acutely aware of the mental side of their sport, compared to many other sports.
This is because it requires powerful mental resources - and the simple act of training regularly instills a high level of self-awareness about their own bodies, within most runners.
So when race times are slower than training times, athletes quickly seem to understand the mental aspect is equally responsible, as the physical side of their performance - and this level of realization is at its highest in running.
A powerful body + a powerful mind = running success
After many years we began to notice consistent patterns with most runners, and the challenges and issues they deal with.
Rhythm, breathing, remaining focused, injury niggles, worrying about competitors... most competitive runners seem to basically be concerned about all the same things.
Of course, the mind controls all these aspects, in one place - this is why mental training is such a great way to bring everything together in your performance.
Here is a good cross section of the areas it strengthens for performance..