Running Mantras | Personal Phrases for Positive Performance
Why mantras matter and how to use them
Running isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
There will be times when you feel like your legs are made of lead, your stomach is full of potatoes, it’s impossible to breathe due to the heat and humidity… and that’s when that little voice in your head begins to cast doubt. You consider giving up.
The truth is, that inner critic in your head has a lot of power, especially when it feels like nothing is working in your favor. Running is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one, and that’s where having a mantra can be a game-changer.
What Exactly is a Running Mantra?
Think of a mantra as a mental tool, a personal hype man tucked away in your brain, encouraging you to keep going. It’s a word, phrase, or short sentence you repeat to yourself when the going gets tough. It can be anything that motivates you, encourages you, or simply holds a deeper meaning. Maybe it’s a simple “Just one more step” or a powerful quote from your favorite athlete, show, or movie. The key is that it resonates with YOU on a personal level.
My go-to mantra comes from the hacker protagonist from the show Mr. Robot, Elliot Alderson. During the pilot episode…
