How You Can Become a Mentally Tough Runner: With Shannon Thompson
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How You Can Become a Mentally Tough Runner: With Shannon Thompson

By
Mark Kennedy
Founder of None to Run
November 28, 2023

Let’s face it. The psychology side of running, especially when you’re a beginner, is important.

Sexy, however, it is not.

While I have covered the mental side of running from a habit formation aspect, I have not done a great job at providing you with tactics you can use during your runs.

This interview closes the gaping hole shut and if you incorporate some of the tactics discussed here, you WILL become a better runner.

About Shannon Thompson

Shannon is both an athlete and a coach.  She competed in the equestrian sport of Three Day Eventing for fifteen years.

Like a triathlon on a horse! She then got interested in the sport of running and has raced distances ranging from the 800m to ultra trail events.

An interest in the psychology of achievement led her to completing an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Through Hypo2 Sport and B78 Coaching, Shannon now coaches athletes in several different sports to improve their performance.

In this episode we talk about:

  • How to approach setting goals for your running.
  • How to get the best out of any run.
  • How to combat negative thoughts so you can run feeling energized and motivated.
  • Ways to become a more patient runner.
  • How to enhance your mental toughness.
  • How to develop a game plan for every run or race.
  • The importance of mindfulness.
  • Strategies to help you cope with and come back from an injury or setback.
  • Shannon’s recommended books
  • And much more!

Links mentioned:

UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center - Free guided meditations

About Shannon Thompson

Follow Shannon on Twitter

McMillan Running

Sweat Science (Runner's World) - articles written by Alex Hutchinson

Finding Mastery Podcast - High Performance Psychology with Dr. Michael Gervais

The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance (BOOK)

Psyching for Sport: Mental Training for Athletes (BOOK)

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (BOOK)

Hypo2 Sport - world-renowned altitude training organization in Arizona.

B78 Coaching - Delivers coaching services and training programs for triathletes, runners and cyclists.

Other articles/podcasts on the psychology / mindset aspect of running to check out:

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