3 Tricks: Maintaining Mental Toughness

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Physical strength and mental strength are one and the same.

But in order for us to build our physical strength through training… well… we have to actually do the training. And consistent training takes mental strength.

So, in a way, mental strength comes before physical strength.

Today we’ve got 3 tips on building and maintaining mental toughness:

1. Intentionally Seek Out Challenge

As we run more and more, it becomes easier and easier. That’s a great thing! Running becomes comfortable, and something we can do for life. But if we’re always in “autopilot” mode with our running, it no longer requires mental strength!

And the skill will fade if not used. So if mental toughness is the goal, we need to work that mental muscle by actively seeking out challenges.

Find New Routes: Put simply, mental strength is taking action on something you do not want to do. Sometimes that’s as simple as forcing yourself to run new routes, and break the mundane “autopilot” of our routined running.

Set Bigger Goals: Aim for longer distances or faster paces than you’ve tackled before. Each time you push beyond your comfort zone, you build resilience.

2. Use Consistency

Why build mental toughness in the first place? It allows us to achieve more with the same level of effort: whether in running, work, or life. Tasks that once felt hard can transition to feeling easy, freeing us up to pursue greater goals. With consistency, what once was a true challenge, will soon just be your new baseline. This is a virtuous cycle that never ends.

Build A Routine You Love: The more we run, the more we learn to love running. It becomes a routine… a routine we love. And if we can build around that routine with other facets of life, we’ll set ourselves up for success (e.g. a pre-run warmup, coffee, and walk. Or a post-run meal).

Train Consistently: Running is already a habit for most of us, but consistency doesn’t just mean working to run more often. Practicing consistency spans so many disciplines: nutrition, sleep habits, rest days & recovery. There is always something we can practice greater consistency with.

3. Embrace a Growth Mindset

Adopting a growth mindset means genuinely wanting to work hard for its own sake. It’s the realization that not pushing yourself will almost certainly lead to some degree of dissatisfaction. Hard work isn’t just a means to an end; it’s a source of joy and fulfillment.

Challenge is The Opportunity: If hard work is what brings fulfillment in life, challenge is what we should look forward to. Instead of viewing really difficult workouts as something “to get over with,” try to appreciate them in the moment, knowing that working hard is what it’s all about. This shift in perspective can transform your entire running experience.

Track Your Progress: Use a journal (old school) or an app to log your runs. Seeing your growth over time reinforces the effort and commitment that you’ve established, and is motivating to continue building towards the athlete you want to be.

By incorporating these strategies, you’ll not only build your mental toughness but also deepen your love for running.

And with this mindset, we can build a routine we love and train consistently. Because with consistency, we build passion.