Trust the Process: Why Your Mindset Matters More Than Any Single Workout
Trust the Process: Why Your Mindset Matters More Than Any Single Workout
Coach Janelle
Embedded Files
If you’ve trained for anything longer than a 5K, you already know this truth. Some workouts make you feel unstoppable. Others make you question everything, including why you ever signed up for this race in the first place.
If you’ve trained for anything longer than a 5K, you already know this truth. Some workouts make you feel unstoppable. Others make you question everything, including why you ever signed up for this race in the first place.
And the mindset you bring into those moments shapes everything.
And the mindset you bring into those moments shapes everything.
As a coach, I see two common patterns in athletes during hard sessions. The first athlete treats every workout like an exam. They worry about hitting the exact pace, push too hard when their body isn’t ready, and spiral when a session goes sideways. The second athlete takes tough workouts in stride. They show up, do the work that’s meant for that ay, and let it go if the day feels messy.
As a coach, I see two common patterns in athletes during hard sessions. The first athlete treats every workout like an exam. They worry about hitting the exact pace, push too hard when their body isn’t ready, and spiral when a session goes sideways. The second athlete takes tough workouts in stride. They show up, do the work that’s meant for that ay, and let it go if the day feels messy.
Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset in Training
Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset in Training
A fixed mindset says: “My ability is what it is. If today feels bad, that means I’m not good enough.”
A fixed mindset says: “My ability is what it is. If today feels bad, that means I’m not good enough.”
A growth mindset says: “My ability is always developing. Today is one step in the process.”
A growth mindset says: “My ability is always developing. Today is one step in the process.”
The athlete with a fixed mindset tightens up before challenging workouts. They see the session as a test. They panic when things don’t go well. They compare. They feel judged, even when no one is judging them.
The athlete with a fixed mindset tightens up before challenging workouts. They see the session as a test. They panic when things don’t go well. They compare. They feel judged, even when no one is judging them.
The athlete with a growth mindset understands that each workout is simply a rep in a much bigger picture. They focus on the purpose, not perfection. And because of that, their consistency improves. Their stress drops. Their confidence grows.
The athlete with a growth mindset understands that each workout is simply a rep in a much bigger picture. They focus on the purpose, not perfection. And because of that, their consistency improves. Their stress drops. Their confidence grows.
This shift doesn’t just make you feel better. It makes you a better athlete.
This shift doesn’t just make you feel better. It makes you a better athlete.
Redefining What a “Successful” Workout Looks Like
Redefining What a “Successful” Workout Looks Like
One of the first things I teach is this: The goal of a workout is to create adaptation, not to prove ability.
Your Tuesday tempo isn’t your race day. It’s not meant to be your fastest. It’s meant to challenge your system so you can grow stronger down the line. When you let go of seeing workouts as tests, the pressure drops. Suddenly you can breathe again. You can feel again. You can notice your body and train smarter.
A “successful” workout is one where you:
Show up
Do the work that matches the day
Listen to your body
Stay consistent
That’s it. Everything else is extra.
Why Praising Effort Matters More Than Praising Speed
Why Praising Effort Matters More Than Praising Speed
One of the most interesting things about mindset research is how praise works. When we praise performance, people tend to protect their ego. They avoid challenges. They fear slipping up. That’s the fixed mindset talking.
One of the most interesting things about mindset research is how praise works. When we praise performance, people tend to protect their ego. They avoid challenges. They fear slipping up. That’s the fixed mindset talking.
When we praise effort and process, showing restraint, adjusting on the fly, pacing well, following the plan, we reinforce the growth mindset. We remind athletes that the work they put in is what drives progress.
When we praise effort and process, showing restraint, adjusting on the fly, pacing well, following the plan, we reinforce the growth mindset. We remind athletes that the work they put in is what drives progress.
As a coach, I give the loudest praise when an athlete makes a smart call… not when they overshoot the workout because they wanted to “prove” something.
As a coach, I give the loudest praise when an athlete makes a smart call… not when they overshoot the workout because they wanted to “prove” something.
Mantras That Pull You Back Into the Process
Mantras That Pull You Back Into the Process
When the brain jumps to outcome mode such as pace, time, splits, comparing to last week; these mantras help reset your focus:
When the brain jumps to outcome mode such as pace, time, splits, comparing to last week; these mantras help reset your focus:
“Just do the work.”
A reminder that the value comes from showing up and moving forward.
“Just do the work.”
A reminder that the value comes from showing up and moving forward.
“It doesn’t all have to happen today.”
You’re building something. You’re not performing it.
“It doesn’t all have to happen today.”
You’re building something. You’re not performing it.
“Check the box and move on.”
Not every run has to feel magical. Sometimes the grindy days carry you the farthest.
“Check the box and move on.”
Not every run has to feel magical. Sometimes the grindy days carry you the farthest.
These phrases calm the nervous system. They refocus your energy. They remind you that you’re in training, not auditioning.
These phrases calm the nervous system. They refocus your energy. They remind you that you’re in training, not auditioning.
The Good News: Mindset Changes
The Good News: Mindset Changes
You are not stuck with the mindset you currently have.
You can learn this.
You can train this.
You can grow this.
I’ve watched so many runners shift from anxious, outcome-focused athletes into calm, confident, steady performers. Once they stop treating workouts like pass-or-fail tests, they unlock a level of freedom and progress they didn’t know they had.
Because when you trust the process—and believe you can grow—you give yourself room to become the athlete you’re trying to be.
Google Sites
Report abuse