In this episode of the Running Explained podcast, I’m breaking down a fascinating new study on mindfulness and running performance—and why I think this is something every runner needs to hear!
I’ll walk you through the research (don’t worry, it’s not boring!), explain how mindfulness training actually rewires your brain (hi, neuroplasticity!), and share what this means for your training, racing, and day-to-day running mindset. Spoiler: your mental game matters. A lot.
I’ll also talk about what I’ve seen in my own coaching—how anxiety, mental fatigue, and emotional dysregulation sabotage performance—and how small, consistent mindfulness habits can completely change how you experience your running.
Here’s what I cover:
Why mental fatigue makes your long runs feel harder than they should
How mindfulness builds emotional resilience (yes, you can train your brain to handle hard stuff better!)
What the “flow state” really is—and how to get there more often
Real-world mindfulness strategies you can actually use (no chanting required)
Why cognitive anxiety crushes decision-making during races—and how to fix it
How even recreational runners (not just elites!) benefit from mental training
If you’ve ever felt like your brain is holding you back more than your legs, this episode is for you.
READ THE RESEARCH!
Effects of group mindfulness intervention on high-level distance runners: a quasi-experimental study
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & announcements
10:11 – The study design & how they tested mindfulness
20:10 – What the results showed (big changes!)
29:52 – What this means for you as a runner
36:25 – Mental fatigue & why it matters
46:48 – Mindfulness techniques that actually work
52:14 – How to start building mental skills now
57:20 – Reflecting on your runs like a coach
If you’ve been ignoring your mental training, it’s time to change that. Hit play and let’s talk about the brain side of running.
About Your Host
Elisabeth Scott is a running coach, educator, and the founder of Running Explained, where she helps runners train smarter, run stronger, and enjoy the process. After getting sober at 29, she laced up her running shoes with the goal of finishing a 5K—and never looked back. Since then, she’s gone on to complete multiple races, including marathons with a Boston Qualifying time, all while deepening her expertise in endurance training.
With a science-based approach, Coach Elisabeth is passionate about making complex running concepts accessible and actionable for runners of all levels. Her coaching philosophy centers on building a strong aerobic base, improving running efficiency, and developing a whole-human approach to training that prioritizes consistency, injury prevention, and sustainable progress.
Through Running Explained, Elisabeth offers training plans, online courses, and 1:1 coaching designed to help runners achieve their goals while avoiding the common pitfalls of overtraining, underfueling, and burnout. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or chasing a new PR, her guidance will help you train smarter, race stronger, and love the journey.
📲 Learn more at RunningExplained.com
📢 Follow on Instagram: @runningexplained
Research and production assistance by Sophie van Leeuwen