I’ve been so excited to write this article because I have found running mantras to be so helpful that I want to share them. Included here are mantras for beginning to experienced runners that will help increase your enjoyment, enhance performance, and keep you going when it gets tough. Click through to check these out!
What is a Running Mantra?
A running mantra is simply a phrase or word that you repeat mentally while you are running in order to achieve a certain goal. My first running mantra back in high school was a little pathetic, but it kept my mind off the difficulty and helped me to keep going. It was simply counting to 8 over and over again. It was rhythmic and hypnotic and even thought it sometimes was annoying to myself, it had a certain power. The mantra was a vehicle that carried me on when I would have otherwise wanted to stop.
When I got back into running for the second time in my life, about 5 years ago, my new mantra was “Lifelong Runner.” What this meant to me was: “It is OK to go slow if I need to. It is OK if I miss a day or even a week because I am sick. It’s all OK because I am a Lifelong Runner. As long as I have legs that can jog, nothing can stop that, especially my, at-times, doubting, anxious mind!”
Mantras for Runners
Try these mantras on for size. Modify them. Create your own. Let them carry you forward to whatever your goal may be. In fact, let your running or life goals be the place from which your mantra springs.
Beginning Runner Mantras
- Counting to a certain number. Repeat. Repeat.
- I am a Lifelong Runner.
- I can do this.
- I am a runner.
- Born to Run.
Running Mantras for Tough Times
- I have everything I need to complete this.
- The energy is there. I release it to use it.
- I am strong.
- Strong. Energy. Relaxed. (repeat)
- All I have to do is manage this moment. (Borrowed from”Slow Burn“-great book on running.)
Running Mantras for Racing
- Race my pace.
- Stay on pace.
- Calm, focused, strong, steady paced.
- I run my own race.
- Counting works here too.
Running Mantras for Slow Days
- Completing is Succeeding.
- I only need to finish. No need for speed.
- All miles are good miles.
- What I can do is always good enough.
- Its just one mile 3** times. (**insert your number) (Also from “Slow Burn” by Stu Mittleman)
Please Share
Do you use a mantra or any kind? If so, what is it and how does it work for you? I’ll add all readers suggestions to this post! Please share your thoughts in the comments below and please share this article with your running friends! Thank you!
14 comments
These are great! Be your own coach! Going to share! Mantras might help when trying to do other difficult tasks like laundry ; )
Ann recently posted..Don’t Give Dad a Tie
They really are so helpful. And yes, I would imagine they could work with laundry too! 🙂
[…] you have any special tricks that you use to stay cool? I wonder if a mantra could help? Please share in the comments […]
“Runners run”
“Look up, gaze out” (reminds me to focus externally on my surroundings not obsess over every ache my body might be throwing my way)
Sydneytherese
That is so cool!! Love those!
Thank you so much for sharing your mantras. Hope to hear from you again!
I discovered this on Stumbleupon, and I have to say, this is pretty cool. I run 5k races frequently at a competitive level. When I run, I just automatically go into this “I-have-to-win mode,” and I just end up repeating 1, 2, 3, 4 in line with my breathing. Near the end of a race, repeat over and over in my head that “It’s all guts.” I hadn’t ever realized they were running mantras before reading this
Hi JMarsh,
Also, so sorry for the delay in responding. Not sure what happened that I missed a few comments along the way.
That’s so funny about counting. I do that a lot too. I have since I was a beginning runner in high school. Somehow it just kept me going, kept me hanging on when I had very little rope left!
I like your one “It’s all guts!” That’s a good one!
[…] Running Mantras. These phrases used repetitively as you run serve to bolster your mind and your energy. And they […]
[…] I’m so tired) we give ourselves the chance to bounce back. Next time your energy lags, try a running mantra that will GIVE you energy instead of stealing energy. […]
[…] to Mantras, a Mental Focus Theme is something that you focus on in general while you are running. While […]
“I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful.”
Super rhythmic.
A senior captain taught me that when I was a freshman on the track team during a really hard hill workout one day. 10 years later and I still go back to it every time I hit the wall. I even started crying when I found those words at mile 23 of my first marathon and realized how they could pull me magically out of a hole.
@Katie – love it! That is such a good one! I like it even more because it makes me think of one of my favorite movies, “What About Bob?” Have you seen it? It’s with Bill Murray. Very funny. That line is in the movie. Rent it if you can! 🙂
Thanks again for chiming in!
Yes this has worked for me. One I used to finish the last part of a marathon strong was “I am power” again and again.
I use the mantra “it’s all in your head” to help me keep going even when it hurts. I liked the other mantras on your page
Thank you for sharing