Back in 2022, I was standing at the starting line of the Bromo Marathon.
My heart was racing—not just because I was excited, but because I was nervous too.
Sure, I’d trained hard—put in the miles on the road and tackled those tough hills. But this? This was something completely different.
The Bromo Marathon wasn’t just another road race. It was a trail race—steep climbs, tricky terrain, and crazy elevation that would push my endurance to the limit.
I had no clue what I was about to face.
My goal?
Simple: just finish. But when the race started, something shifted.
I was still nervous, but suddenly, I felt like I had a burst of energy.
It wasn’t just about pacing. It was about embracing the challenge, finding my flow, and trusting all the work I’d put in. Crossing that finish line and hearing I came in 5th? That was a total game-changer.
That’s when I realized something huge—I could do way more than I thought.
And that’s the real power of believing in yourself.
The Science Behind Self-Belief and Mental Toughness
We’ve all experienced it: that moment when your body feels drained, your legs are heavy, and your mind starts telling you that you can’t push any further.
But here’s the thing—your mind has more power over your body than you might think.
Studies show that when you believe in yourself, you perform better—even when you’re exhausted.
For example, Dr. David Bishop’s 2014 study found that athletes who believed in their recovery after tough workouts performed better and recovered faster—even when they were given a placebo.
In other words, their mind pushed their body to do more, which led to better performance.
The more you believe in yourself, the better your body will perform.
How to Build Mental Toughness for Running Races
Before the Bromo Marathon, I had doubts creeping in.
Could I handle the technical trails? Would my legs hold up on those steep climbs?
But deep down, I had this quiet faith in myself, even though I couldn’t fully explain why.
I had worked hard, training both my body and my mind.
And that belief in myself? It pushed me further than I thought I could go.
Believing in yourself isn’t just about staying positive.
It’s a skill you build with every run, tough workout, and race.
It wasn’t about having zero doubts. It was about deciding that, even with doubts, I was going to trust my training and give it everything I had.
Practical Mental Strategies
Mental strength isn’t just about pushing through pain. It’s about using strategies to stay focused during the race.
One of the best tools for this is mantras—short, positive phrases you repeat when things get tough.
Studies show that those who use positive self-talk and visualization get stronger mentally.
For me, mantras like “Run strong, run better” help shut down negativity and keep me locked in. It’s like a mental reset, and it works.
Visualization is another powerful tool.
By picturing the course, the climbs, and how tired you might feel, you mentally prepare for what’s coming.
It’s like mentally prepping for the challenge before you even start.
This helps reduce anxiety and boosts your confidence because you’ve already pictured yourself succeeding.
The Secret to Pushing Your Limits
The first big mental test came when I hit that steep hill.
Most runners were walking, panting, and struggling with the elevation.
But I kept my pace steady, pushing with every step.
When I got to the top and started running again, I felt this surge of confidence. My legs weren’t just tired; they were strong. I could keep going. I knew I could do this.
At that point, I realized something crucial: mental strength wasn’t just about ignoring the pain. It was about facing the pain head-on and deciding to keep moving anyway.
We all face mental roadblocks in races. It’s easy to want to slow down when the going gets tough. But in that moment, I learned to embrace the discomfort, not run from it.
Every tough climb, every challenging stretch, became an opportunity to prove to myself that I could go beyond what I thought I was capable of.
Pacing became a key part of my mental game. I realized that pacing wasn’t just about managing my physical energy—it was about managing my mental energy too.
This tactic allowed me to conserve both physical and mental energy, so I could push through the toughest sections without feeling completely drained.
That’s the essence of belief in running: it’s not about pretending the pain doesn’t exist.
It’s about deciding to keep pushing, no matter what.
Why Self-Belief is Key to Achieving Your Personal Best in Running
Being physically ready for a race is important, but being mentally tough enough to keep going when your body wants to stop? That’s what really counts.
When I hit the second half of the Bromo Marathon, my body was begging me to stop.
My legs felt like lead, my breath was short, and I wasn’t sure I could keep up.
But then something clicked. I believed in myself and my training, and that pushed me to keep going even when I was ready to quit.
That’s when I realized: belief isn’t just in your head—it can power your whole body.
This is where your mind and body work together.
When you’re physically drained, your mind can push you further than you thought possible.
It’s like flipping a switch that tells your legs to keep moving, to go a little further, and hold on just a bit longer.
The Power of Adaptability in Trail Running
I had no clue what would happen when I crossed the finish line of the Bromo Marathon. I didn’t just finish—I did way better than I ever imagined.
That was the moment it all clicked for me.
It wasn’t just about finishing or placing well.
It was realizing I could do something I never thought I could.
That moment taught me belief isn’t just about getting through—it’s about pushing beyond what you think you can do.
That’s when I realized that trail running is something I can get good at.
How to Cultivate Self-Belief
So how do you build this belief?
I didn’t wake up on race day expecting to crush it right from the start. It came from months of training both my body and my mind.
I pictured every part of the race—the course, the hills, the pain, and how I would push through it all.
Visualization isn’t just something you do the night before the race—it’s a daily practice.
It’s about picturing yourself running strong, even when it feels impossible. It’s about getting your mind ready for every part of the race before you even start.
And it’s about setting goals that go beyond the finish line—goals for the effort, the progress, and the belief you’re building every day.
Training your mind is just as important as training your body.
So when you feel like slowing down, remind yourself: “I’ve got this.” When it gets tough, don’t let the urge to quit win—push through it instead. And with each step, you’ll build your belief.
5 Ways to Cultivate Belief in Yourself Before a Big Race
- Picture the course and how you’ll handle the challenges.
- Use mantras to shut down negative thoughts.
- Focus on small, doable goals during the race.
- Celebrate every bit of progress, no matter where you finish.
- Trust your training and everything you’ve learned.
A key takeaway here is that belief is like a muscle.
The more you work it, the stronger it gets.
Just like your legs get stronger with every mile, your mind gets stronger with each challenge.
Conclusion
The Bromo Marathon taught me something invaluable: belief is the difference between finishing and finishing with a personal best.
It’s what transforms doubt into determination, fear into focus, and obstacles into opportunities.
As I crossed that finish line, I realized I was no longer the same runner who started that race.
I had expanded my limits.
I had conquered a race I wasn’t sure I could finish, let alone place in the top 5.
But more importantly, I had conquered my self-doubt.
The next time you face a race—or any challenge—remember that you are capable of more than you think.
The belief you have in yourself, built over time through training, setbacks, and small wins, will carry you further than you ever imagined. It’s not about running faster or finishing first.
It’s about believing in the process, trusting your training, and knowing that no matter how tough it gets, you have what it takes to finish strong.
So, set your goals high. Believe in your potential. And when the going gets tough, remind yourself: “I can do this.”
Because you can—and you will.