Mental Training

A trail running therapist shares her tips for using mindfulness to race and train better

In the latest Performance Corner, expert strength running coach Jason Fitzgerald explains how positive self-talk can be ripe opportunities for cultivating a sustainable running practice. 

It's no secret that athletes need to develop their mental game, but a growing number of athletes are now seeking out expert mental training.

Science-backed strategies to help you learn to accept racing discomfort and choose how you react to it.

If you’re feeling unmotivated, chances are changing things up could work wonders.

This one trick can get you out the door and into a routine of consistency and health, whatever life brings.

Trail running has tons of mood-boosting benefits. Here are three ways you can harness them to the betterment of your mental health.

In his new book, Chatter, Dr. Ethan Kross highlights new takes on psychological techniques for boosting mental toughness and positivity.

Given what we know about the profound mental and emotional impact of natural spaces, we need to protect them as though our mental health depends on it. Because it does.

How this simple re-frame changed how our mental training expert competes. 

Do these run workouts with an emphasis on strengthening your mental muscles to get faster.

Toeing the line for the first time since the pandemic may take you back to your first race ever.

How to incorporate meditation into your training and recovery process.

Tips for staying open-minded, and making space for responses.

How Courtney Dauwalter uses adaptability to stay cool, calm and collected when the going gets tough.

Check out Addie Bracy's author page.

When is that a super power and when is it standing in the way of your goals?

Learn tools and techniques to help you prepare for and overcome some of the biggest mental and emotional challenges you may encounter in trail running.

Olympian Alan Culpepper explains that any runner can train like the best in the world. It’s the mentality and approach that matters—not world-record speed.

The biggest challenge of being injured can often be the mental and emotional impacts of being sidelined.

The paradox of effort: Is trying too hard holding you back from reaching your goals?

Harness the power of self-talk for performance breakthroughs.

Six ways to strengthen your resilience.

We all have the moments (or weeks) where we don't want to run. Here are a few simple tricks to break out of that.

Check out Erin Strout's author page.

The surprising connection between running and mindfulness.

The next time you find yourself feeling off in advance of a key workout or race, keep an open mind.

Running for anxiety? These methods will make your miles more effective.

Studies show trail running can literally change your brain.

What is imposter syndrome, and what does it mean for your training?

If you want to work on your habits around mental skills and stress, then work through the steps of the habit loop.

Racing can be a scary thing. Use these tips to make sure you're mentally prepared before the gun goes off in your next race.

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What are your values? It's a huge question, but a critical one to answer, especially for trail runners.

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When we get into a routine of skipping runs or a negative thought cycle, our brains can latch onto that familiarity, even if it isn't healthy.

Self awareness is a key to both the mental and physical sides of trail running. Here's how to build your sense of self.

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Focus isn’t about fixating on a certain thing for a long time, it’s about paying attention to the right thing at the right time. 

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While approaching a challenge with curiosity helps to create a healthy relationship the vulnerability, the performance-enhancing qualities of this mental skill go even further.

Going into a race with rigid assumptions about how you think it’s going to go creates the perfect environment for unhelpful thought patterns.

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Check out Addie Bracy's author page.

Check out Addie Bracy's author page.