The Psychology of Sport
Chapter 1 - Running
As the Great Scottish Run descends upon Glasgow, runners of every level will again be asking the same questions. These questions, of course, depend on the runner’s goal. Maybe you’re lacing up your shoes for the first time, wondering, 'Why on earth did I sign up for this?' Or perhaps you’re chasing a new PB, and for a select few, there’s even the hope of winning. No matter what you hope to achieve, whether you're a seasoned marathoner or a casual jogger, your body isn't the only thing racing.
While the physical demands of running get all the attention, there's a far more complex race happening behind the scenes. Every step you take isn’t just a physical feat; it’s an intricate test of strength, resilience, and focus, inside your head. And often, it’s this mental game that determines whether you finish strong or fade before the finish line.
Running and the Mind
Lets face it, running is a pretty simple activity, but is it tough. It's a sport that many people do, not for the sheer joy of continually beating your feet off the ground (though if that is you, we might need to talk). More often it's a means to an end, be it fitness, weight loss, stress relief, raising money for a good cause... whatever the goal, running is rarely just about the miles. For me, running is not just about putting one foot in front of the other. It's a mental game, a battle of wills. As your legs follow predictable routes, along rivers and canals, through forests or weaving between pedestrians on Buchannan Street, your mind will go on its own, more, unpredictable journey. Some days, you're in the zone, tuned into your breathing, stride, and pace. Other times, you’re completely absent, lost in a daydream about work stress, family drama, or wondering why your parents think watching Strictly is an enjoyable pastime. The reality is, that running is a sport where your physical presence is often a given, but your mental presence? Not so much.
Facing Fears
As a therapist specialising in anxiety, I am well aware of the benefits of exercise in improving mental health. But I know, as most runners do, that not all days are sunshine and cupcakes. There are days when fear creeps in, whispering doubts and insecurities, paranoia about getting injured. And then, as those who live in Scotland know, is the weather. As Red said in The Shawshank Redemption, ‘Hope is a dangerous thing,’ and in Glasgow, expecting clear skies for your morning run might be the most dangerous hope of all.
Training the Mind
Let’s talk about the dreaded “wall.” You know the one. That moment in a run when your body feels like it’s ready to give up, and you’re convinced your legs are made of lead. Every runner faces it, and the ones who make it through are those who've trained their minds to fight back.
Training for a race isn’t just about building physical endurance, it's about mental toughness. From the moment you sign up for an event like the Great Scottish Run, your biggest challenge isn’t your legs or lungs, it’s whether you can keep your head in a good place, no matter how hard things get.
Mastering techniques such as visualisation, and anchoring yourself in the deeper purpose behind every stride can massively increase your focus and mental resilience. In the face of any adversity, being able to call on reinforced and resilient inner dialogue can give you a massive advantage over those who appear to be in far better physical condition..
Trust me, when you hit that wall, it’s your mind that will push you through, even when every other part of you is screaming to quit.
Dealing with Injuries
Inevitably, injuries are a part of running. They happen to the best of us, no matter how well we prepare or how careful we are, they can leave us side-lined and feeling defeated. Our bodies often heal in similar ways but how people respond mentally to injuries can differ dramatically. When side-lined with an injury runners often focus solely on physical recovery; but mental resilience is also critically important. And it is at this time when you have the opportunity to upgrade it fully. After all, healing takes time. Both your body and mind need it.
Crossing the Finish Line
Finally, there’s that moment when you cross the finish line. It might be with arms raised in triumph, or you might be dragging yourself across in a heap, but either way, the sense of accomplishment is undeniable. That feeling? It’s not just your body’s work. It’s your mind, the mental toughness you’ve been building with every step, pushing you beyond what you thought was possible.
The deep inner mental strength you called upon to silence the voice telling you to stop? That came from weeks of training your mind to focus on the next step, the next breath, building resilience one mile at a time.
For some, crossing that line might mean conquering months of injury recovery, or overcoming personal battles far bigger than the race itself. It’s not just about distance, sometimes the hardest finish lines are the ones we create in our own minds.
Running teaches us a lot about ourselves. It shows us that the mind is far more powerful than we often give it credit for. It pushes us through the hard days, keeps us going when everything in our body says stop and helps us cross that finish line, both in races and in life.
Each race isn't just a physical challenge but an opportunity to discover something new about yourself, how much further you can go, how deeply you can dig, and how resilient you truly are. And, much like running, life’s challenges require mental endurance. Therapy helps strengthen that mental muscle, teaching you to embrace the tough moments, break through your walls, and come out stronger on the other side.
If you're gearing up for the Great Scottish Run and want to ensure both your body and mind are ready to cross that finish line, reach out. At MD Therapy our Signature Package gives you access, to Personal training, Physiotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy. Together, we’ll help repair, rebuild and optimise your body and mind. Are you ready for an upgrade?
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