The Psychologically Hardy Runner

Richard Ferguson, Ph.D
August 2007
RUNOHIO

Have you ever noticed how some runners look at training and racing as an exciting and stimulating challenge, while other runners seem to dread training and racing, viewing it almost a burden? Both groups still continue to train and race, but you can probably guess which group gets the most satisfaction and enjoyment out of running, while at the same time performing much closer to their physiological potential. How can some runners look at their running with optimism, while others are constantly stressed out over their running?

The answer to the above question may be explained by the concept known as psychological hardiness. Psychologist Suzanne Kobasa has researched the form of human optimism called "hardiness". Through her research Kobasa has found that people with hardy personalities view potential challenges and stressors as chances for growth and learning, rather than a burden. Think about this with your own running. Do you often look at racing as a chore and as something you sometimes dread? If you do, then examine why you feel this way. Are you afraid of the "unknown" or what "might" happen in the race? Do you fear failure and the possibility of running below your expectations? Why? When you race there are no guarantees of success. Failures and disappointments are a part of being an athlete. Even the greatest athletes have poor performances from time to time.

Seek to view your racing and training as an opportunity to test yourself and determine your level of fitness and how you measure up to your own past performances. Set some personal goals and go after them! A psychologically hardy runner is not afraid to challenge and test themselves, both personally and against others. Only when you challenge yourself will you grow as a runner and find what you are truly capable of. If you ever expect to reach your potential you must embrace the challenge of pushing your personal performance envelope in running. Pushing your limits is how you get better. Never fear failure because fear of failure saps motivation and leads to counter productive anxiety.

Many people have a fear of change in their lives. While routine does lead to a sense of certainty and security, fearing change can limit your personal growth and increase life stress. The psychologically hardy individual doesn't fear change, they view change as a positive. Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a rut with your running, yet you have some inner conflict about trying something new? Maybe it's time to do a little self- evaluation and make some changes with your training. If you feel bored and stale with your training and you feel your racing results should be better, then why keep doing the same old training program. Do some reading, consult other runners or even get a coach to help you design a new training program to break your performance rut. Maybe add some core and resistance training to your routine. A change in training can result in a big emotional lift, which in turn can help you feel better physically. Don't fight change; embrace it. Again, you will only grow as a runner if you are willing to examine specific training weaknesses and address the weakness through new training methods and techniques.

Psychologically hardy individuals also tend to have what is termed an internal locus of control. An internal locus of control means you feel you are responsible for your own behavior and can control many aspects of your life. In other words the psychologically hardy runner takes responsibility for their training and racing and doesn't try to place false blame or make excuses when things don't as planned or as hoped for. With an internal locus of control you tend to bounce back from failure quicker and cope with stress in a more positive fashion. An internal locus of control means you have internalized the belief that through proper planning and hard work you can reach your running goals, even when setbacks occur. A runner with an external locus of control feels helpless when their running isn't going well and may have even internalized the idea that it's pointless to try anything that may actually improve their performance.

Another trait that characterizes psychological hardiness is high levels of personal commitment. Psychologically hardy people don't give up easily. It almost goes without saying that personal commitment is a key psychological trait for running enjoyment and success. To train on a consistent basis does indeed take commitment. If you expect to reach your potential as a runner you must commit yourself to running and make the commitment for the long haul. Most runners do indeed make this commitment. However, the real commitment the psychologically hardy runner makes is the commitment to never get down on themselves and their ability as a runner. Real commitment is tested when you aren't running well, have had disappointments or poor races. If you're psychologically hardy you tend to bounce right back from disappointment and keep working to get better. It all goes back to the old saying, "tough times don't last, but tough people do", and so it is with running.

Becoming more psychologically hardy can have a huge impact on your running. Through having high levels of commitment, a sense of control over your training, a view of change as being positive and challenges as an opportunity for personal growth you develop what many term "mental toughness". So make it a point each and every day to train your mind, not just your body.