THE MENTAL GAME OF RUNNING. Written by Lauren Walters, Posted in Sports Psychology Is Running a Mental Game or a Physical Game? Running is based on strength and endurance. It requires a lot of training and commitment to perform at your best. However, is running an entirely physical game? It can be argued that running is a mental game. My cross country coach in high school running would always say “Long Distance Running is 10% physical and 90% mental.” In my opinion, I agree with my coach. I would say running is a mental game as opposed to a physical game. This article will describe why running is a mental game as opposed to a physical game due to the philosophy of mind over matter and a runner’s high or Euphoria. MIND OVER MATTER Have you ever heard of the expression “mind over matter?” Yes, it is important to be in good shape. However, it is even more important to be in a good state of mind. You can be in the best shape of your life and still have a bad race, even if you are the slightest bit apprehensive or conservative of your performance. The mind is a very powerful tool. You have to take advantage of it. It can do powerful things. You just have to believe it will. RUNNER'S HIGH: Euphoria Have you ever been on a top of the hill running all out and you feel as if you are on top of the world? This is called runner’s high, or euphoria, due to endorphins within your body. You may be wondering why runner’s high is mental if it has to do with endorphins “within your body.” However, to explain, the endorphins actually signal chemicals to your brain to experience happy thoughts during a run, which create a runner’s high effect. This is why runner’s high is mental. Running is a complete mental game. As a collegiate runner, I would always tell myself that I was going to have positive results on the starting line before each race. It worked out well for me. I invite you to use the same strategy. #runner #strong #running #mentalsport #endurance #strength #marathontraining #ironman #training #thriatlontraining #longdistancerunner . . . Credit: Victor Peters Facebook group: I AM A RUNNER BY DESIGN
