. . . change your run (or maybe even life!)
Mindset: a mental attitude or inclination.
What is your mindset when you’re standing at the start line of a race?
- Are you doubting your abilities?
- Are you running through all the bad runs?
- Are you thinking about the missed runs?
- Are you feeling like a fraud, like you’re not a “real” runner?
- Are you worried about coming in last?
No matter what, people grow. If you chose not to grow, you’re staying in a small box with a small mindset. People who win go outside of that box. It’s very simple when you look at it. — Kevin Hart
Mindset is everything. Well, maybe not everything, you’ve got to put in the work, too. But your mindset can make the difference between pushing through the pain, between feeling like you’ve left it all on the road, between a bad race an a great race.
Turn your frown upside down
How you think or speak to yourself can be very telling. Do you find yourself thinking:
- I can’t because . . .
- I’ll never be able to . . .
- I’ll never get any faster . . .
All very negative beliefs. All guaranteed to put you into a vicious negative cycle and a negative mindset.
So let’s rephrase:
- I can because I’ve put int he training.
- I have been working hard to increase my cadence.
- I am putting in the work to improve my pace.
We can’t change what happens to us, but we can change how we think about it — we can change our mindset. All it takes is willingness and a little practice.
Mindset can mean the difference between unraveling or pushing through obstacles.
— Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy
Tell me in the comments:
Do you work on your mindset?
What tricks do you use to change your mindset?
Has your mindset ever derailed a run/race?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I was just thinking about this same thing this morning when I was thinking about my afternoon run today. My initial thought was there is no way I feel like running 3 miles today but when I change my mindset to “you can take it slow and just “jog” it,” it some how makes it more appealing! Sometimes we just have to train our minds like we train our bodies!
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I ran yesterday, in the late afternoon, after hiking 4 strenuous miles that day. It helps to be on vacation, though!
It was also tough due to the elevation, so I just kept readjusting goals during the run!
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I so agree. It’s super important to be positive and visualize the GOOD things and let the self doubt and fear melt away.
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Well, not sure about self doubt melting away . . . but most of the time I do try to focus on the positive. 😉
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I never used to believe in the whole “visualize success” thing, and while I still don’t believe that visualizing myself walking into the bank with a bag of money will make me rich, I do believe that visualizing myself achieving a fitness goal will help me get there.
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You can’t just visualize, you gotta do the work, too. But it helps!
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Every time it gets hard, I think about the time when I thought my running was over for good. Those negative thoughts just fade away.
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I definitely agree that mindset is everything! I have found this past year that having a positive attitude at my races can really make a difference!
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It’s funny; I go into races knowing I’ve done my training, but I still never expect a PR. So much can happen. So many unknowns. It seems to work for me.
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What a great take on our Wednesday Word, and I love your quote, Judy!
Thanks for linking up!
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Thanks, Deb!
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