Mental strength shows up when the plan doesn’t. Failing doesn’t mean you’re not improving, it means you’re still in it. Every runner has missed a goal, fallen behind, or faced a setback, but every one of those moments holds something valuable. Sometimes your mind gets you through what your body can’t. Real growth comes during reflection when things don’t go as planned, and just like we train our bodies and recover physically we must also train our minds to keep this balanced perspective throughout the training journey.

Maintain a positive attitude

If a race or workout doesn’t go as planned, do not dwell on the negative; try and find positives. If you’ve been consistent and you’re not hypertraining then a bad run is nothing more than a fluke. If a bad run or race becomes more common then it’s a great time to step back and reflect on the various factors that might be contributing to this trend (weather, nutrition, sleep, stress, improper training, etc.).

When it comes to setbacks caused by injury or illness, remember a break gives both the body and mind a rest. Oftentimes, a setback can benefit runners because of the determination factor. Wiser, better rested, and more determined, a runner is actually in position to have a stronger career because of the imposed break.

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