Mental Toughness Training
As a runner, a christian and a coach I spend a lot of time thinking about…well, how I think. How do I focus better under pressure? How do I flush out the mush and train my brain to stay sane through the pain? How can I help my clients through their mental blocks? This year, I can also add the excitement and utter fear I have about having my first child in April. What will I need to do in order to cope with that pain?
One way (and there are many) to work on your mental game is to pick a focus word.
- Find a word that has multiple connections to your heart strings and a few positive connotations.
- Meditate on it, on how that word relates to those positive things. Forge a familiar mental path that leads you from that word to the many uplifting and energizing feelings, images, and truths that it connects too. TIP: I like to draw out the word and color it in while I think about those thing. The multi-sensory exercise helps reinforce the mental and emotional connection.
- Place it where you can see it. Probably somewhere you need to see it. Your mirror, the unlock screen on your cell phone, your dashboard, your wrist. Once you’ve established your connections to your focus word, all you need to do is catch a glimpse of it for renewed strength and motivation.
A focus word is helpful during long training runs or hard workouts. It can help before a stressful work meeting or when you’re trying to get your day started. I hear it can also help when you’re in labor and you bet I’m going to try it!
While I don’t pick a word for the year, I do have words I choose for certain aspects of life.
Persevere is one I chose for trail running and marathon training. I’ve worn this Endorphin Warrior bracelet for big races since 2012. I’ve rubbed my fingers over the letters and remembered the call in Hebrews 12 – “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” and James 1:4 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Now, in a new season of life, I’m adding Relentless because it both fires me up AND makes me feel secure. Of all the connections I’ve drawn to this word, these are the two biggies:
A Relentless Spirit
Relentless, like Persevere, is about not giving up. However, Relentless is more aggressive, more about pursuing with endurance. Right now I’m growing my coaching business, we’re starting a family and we’re building a new community in a new town. I know what I want and I’m going after it with a Relentless spirit. This is how the word Relentless gets me fired up.
A Relentless Love
“You carry us when the world gives way. You cover us with your endless grace.”
This song, called Relentless, by Hillsong United is so comforting. It reminds me that God’s love for us is RELENTLESS, endless, and even oppressively constant. We cannot escape it.
There’s nothing I can do to make God love me less. So while there are so many ways in which I fail and so many things in life that are unsure and scary (like giving birth), Relentless reminds me that I’m safe and secure where it matters most.
Endorphin Warrior Giveaway
A warrior is a great example of mental toughness during difficult and painful times. Wearing your focus word is an effective and powerful tool for training your mind to find the warrior within you.

Ends February 15th, 2016
Endorphin Warrior training bracelets are a great way to keep your focus word visible at all times. Especially when you’re working out and sweating. There are 25 different bracelets to choose from. They’re comfortable, sweat proof, and classy enough to wear 24/7.
Also, at $20 they’re a steal – made with natural leather, nickel-plated engraving that doesn’t rust or tarnish, and 100% made in the USA.
Click here to see all the Warrior Training Bracelets available.
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Endorphin Warrior is giving one lucky reader a Warrior Training Bracelet of their choice! Giveaway ends February 15th, 2016.
Click here to see all the Warrior Training Bracelets available.
Simply use the widget below to complete some actions in exchange for entries to win.
I love reading your posts. They open my eyes and ears to things I somehow overlook in the busyness of the day. Relentless and Persevere – boy these words ring true in all aspects of my life, faith, motherhood, marriage and running. I am thankful for Everlasting Grace
Thanks Yvonne! It’s always good to hear from you!
Definitely, “Breathe”
Such a good one in so many ways. Sometimes I forget to breathe when I’m running sprints. Lol. Not helpful.
I love these bracelets would love a new word fur this year 🙂
Endorphin Warrior has a bunch of good words on their training bracelets – which one is your favorite?
I want the relentless braceletm
Consistency!! Perfect word for me for 2016!
I’ve been eyeing these bracelets for awhile! I like Breathe, conquer, and unbreakable the best. How to choose??
Bain recently posted…Into the Woods: Orange Mud Review
Hmmm…acquire them in alphabetical order?
Limitless.
I love the song.
I love the message.
And, it applies to all areas of my life…frankly, always need the reminder. 🙂
Limitless is a great word!
Breathe…so simple, yet…often forgotten
I want the UNBREAKABLE Warrior Training Bracelet
I want the positive bracelet. i need to erase negativity and replace it with being positive.
I would love the Persevere Warrior Training Bracelet!
I would love the Persevere bracelet. Thank you so much for the chance to win one.
I want the BREATHE one! I feel like I’m learning how to breathe through the hard times in life, and when I need to focus. I don’t know if that makes sense, but it’s what the Lord is teaching me, so it would be awesome to wear it!
Also, I messed up my Instagram handle on the entry form, but I do follow you! 🙂
Haha ok! 🙂
I love the strength one. On hard runs I remind myself that I’m strong!
I love the Breathe bracelet.
breathe – I forget to
I’d choose ‘Persevere.’ I get a lot of harassment and grief from my family for my fitness-related goals and activities — even for something as simple as wearing a Fitbit. Sometimes it’s too easy to listen to the teasing and nagging and give up.
I would pick “Believe.” A good reminder for running and life in general 😉
Either Persevere or Breathe 🙂
Persevere for sure!
” I Can” because, I Can do anything I put my mind to.
I would definitely pick the “Unbreakable” bracelet.
I love these!!! I would choose the Transcend bracelet but it’s a tough choice.
That’s a good one! Good luck.
The unstoppable bracelet is my favorite! Such a great motivation!
“Persevere” is my word of the year this year! I’d get that one! 😀
I love these bracelets. I’d choose Unbreakable.
I love the Transcend bracelet!
I really like the AS I DANCE Warrior Training Bracelet.
The unbreakable one.
Unbreakable!
I love the BREATHE WARRIOR TRAINING BRACELET!
Both of these are great. I think I like relentless the best though – sometimes it’s not enough to just persevere through something, sometimes you’ve got to come out stronger.
I love BREATHE!!
I like the breathe one
Persevere – so true!
UNBREAKABLE Warrior Training Bracelet.
I am new to the blog. I like what you are doing. Keep persevering!
Thanks Gregg!
I love the bracelet that says perseverance.
I would choose Fearless!
I would choose “courage”. I’ve always felt that was my word!
I would like the UNSTOPPABLE Warrior Training Bracelet.
AS I WALK WARRIOR TRAINING BRACELET I love this bracelet they are all so amazing.
I would love to have the I Can bracelet
breathe is the one for me
I like “persevere” and “relentless” Thanks for the chance to win!
I love Persevere!
Believe or Postive. When things get tough I need to believe and stay positive.
I would choose “believe” or “fearless”. I doubt myself and my abilities often and that would be a great reminder!
I love your passion, blogs, advice, wisdom and words of encouragement. You are very inspiring! The bracelets look great! I love all the sayings. My two favorites are Perservere and I Can.
Believe is my pick!
Persevere is my word!
I like persevere as well – means so much for both running and life!