How To Build Mental Toughness For Running (It’s Not A Myth—It’s Trainable)

Mental toughness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a trainable skill. In this episode, Michael, Alex, and Katelyn break down the science behind mental toughness in running, including the Central Governor Theory, neuroplasticity, and perception of effort (07:26). They highlight inspiring examples like Courtney Dauwalter, Eliud Kipchoge, and Faith Kipyegon (16:56), and share workouts and training strategies to build grit, like solo long runs, hill repeats, and back-to-backs (25:50). The team discusses training in tough conditions—embracing the suck (34:00), using visualization and mantras to push through dark patches (41:30), and the link between mindset, panic, and heart rate during races (58:05). They wrap with their personal philosophies on positive self-talk and why mental training matters as much as physical prep (01:03:45). 🔔 Watch our weekly podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@marathonhandbook 📬 Sign up for the daily running newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/marathon.handbook #Running #MarathonTraining #MentalToughness #RunningTips #EnduranceAthlete #Podcast #HalfMarathon #Marathon #UltraRunning #Mindset #SportsPsychology