How to Overcome Mental Blocks When Running (Even When You Want to Quit)

Motivation Is Overrated—Systems Are What Keep You Moving

Let’s be real—waiting until you feel like running is a trap. Motivation is unreliable. It comes and goes, just like Bali rainstorms. What actually gets you out the door? Discipline. Routine. The stuff that doesn’t depend on how pumped you feel.

Running should be like brushing your teeth. You don’t have a debate with yourself about that every morning, do you? You just do it because that’s who you are. One runner on Reddit nailed it: “I run every day, and I’m often not motivated at all. It’s just discipline and habit. It’s like brushing my teeth.” Yep. That’s the vibe.

Another one kept it short and sharp: “Discipline beats motivation. Habits get it done.” Couldn’t have said it better.

Here’s what’s worked for me—and for dozens of runners I’ve coached:

• Put runs on your calendar like they’re appointments. I don’t ask myself if I’m running on Tuesday. It’s already decided. Just like breakfast.
• Stack your habits. I run right after my morning coffee. That’s the cue. You could link it to finishing work, brushing your teeth, or walking the dog. When one thing ends, running begins. Boom—no debate.
• Lower the bar to entry. Don’t start by promising yourself a 10K. Just say, “I’ll jog for 10 minutes.” That’s it. Once you start moving, the motivation usually catches up.

There’s a quote I saw from the MerryBody blog that stuck with me: “Motivation isn’t magical fairy dust… It’s created by YOU. Created by the actions you take.” That hits.

When I was living in Batubulan, Bali, I had mornings where I wanted nothing more than to stay dry inside. But my 5K was scheduled, rain or shine. I’d run soaked, grumbling the first kilometer—and by the time I got back, I was glad I didn’t skip it.

The movement created the mood, not the other way around.

Ask yourself: What system can I build to take motivation out of the equation?
And drop a comment: What habit makes your run automatic?

Connect With a Deeper Why

Vanity’s not evil. Wanting to look good or hit a pace is fine—but that stuff doesn’t last. When the thrill fades or you hit a plateau, what keeps you lacing up?

You need a why that’s stronger than six-pack abs.

When I first got into running, yeah, I wanted to be faster. But that wasn’t what stuck. What kept me running was how it made me feel—clear-headed, grounded, less reactive.

Running turned into therapy. A form of meditation. It helped me handle stress and show up better in every part of life. That’s the version of me I want to keep building.

So here’s something I do, and I recommend it to every runner I coach: ask yourself “why” five times.

Example:

1. Why do I run? → To feel fit.
2. Why do I want to feel fit? → So I can keep up with my kids.
3. Why do I want to keep up with my kids? → Because I want to be present, active, and strong for them.
4. Why does that matter? → Because I didn’t have that growing up.
5. Why is that important? → Because I want to be the kind of parent I needed.

See how that goes deeper than “look good in photos”?

On days when I feel like skipping, I don’t think about pace. I think about the guy I used to be—tired, short-tempered, out of shape. Running helped me evolve.

So when I run, I’m not chasing a time. I’m building a person I respect.

Try this:

• Flip the script. Don’t say “I run to lose weight.” Say, “I run because I want to be stronger and more centered.” Words matter.
• Journaling prompt: Write down 5 big reasons you run. Are they about who you are becoming? Or just how you look?
• Future-you vision: Picture yourself a year from now—after sticking with it. How do they move? Think? Feel? Let that version of you pull you forward.

What’s your real why? Share it—I want to hear it.

Track Feel, Not Just the Numbers

I love a good watch and race time as much as the next runner—but they don’t tell the whole story. Sometimes the data flatlines even when you’re improving.

That’s when you’ve got to listen to your body.

One of my favorite tools is RPE—Rate of Perceived Effort. It’s simple. On a scale from 0 to 10, how hard did that run feel? Zero is lying on the couch. Ten is sprinting from a tiger.

According to Runner’s World, coaches use this scale all the time. It’s a great way to tune into your body, especially if you’re not into fancy metrics or gadgets.

Here’s the thing: if your 8/10 pace suddenly feels like a 6/10, that’s growth. Doesn’t matter if the clock doesn’t show it yet. Your body’s adapting.

Want another trick? Use your breath.

• If you can talk comfortably → it’s an easy run.
• If you’re gasping mid-sentence → you’re pushing it.
• If you can’t talk at all → that’s your top gear.

Over time, you’ll also notice quicker recovery. Maybe your heart rate drops faster, or the soreness goes away sooner.

That’s real progress. Celebrate it.

And if you’re tired of spreadsheets, try this instead:

After each run, jot down:

• RPE (0–10)
• Mood
• Energy before/after
• Any physical cues (like breathing or soreness)

It doesn’t need to be fancy. Over time, you’ll see trends. Maybe Mondays feel harder. Or that you feel better when you fuel right.

That’s gold.

Remember: One bad run doesn’t define you. Just like one fast race doesn’t either. Listen to how your body feels. That’s where the real progress shows up first.

Ever tracked your effort or breath instead of pace? What did you learn from it?

Shake Off Plateaus With Something New

Getting stuck? Don’t worry—it happens to everyone. When progress stalls, it’s not a sign to quit. It’s a sign to change something.

Here’s what I recommend when things go stale:

• New route, new scenery. Ditch the same old loop. Go find a trail, a beach, or even a muddy side path. In Bali, I’ll sometimes run straight into jungle roads or hit the coast barefoot. It resets my brain—and works muscles I didn’t know were lazy.
• Change the workout. Been jogging easy all week? Toss in some fartleks or do 1K repeats with walk breaks. One week I did 5 short sprints uphill—I was sore for days but felt like I leveled up.
• Cross-train. Jump on a bike. Swim. Go hike a volcano if you’ve got one nearby. You’re still training—just from a different angle. Less pounding, same gains.
• Hit the weights. You don’t need to be a bodybuilder. But research shows strength work (especially legs and core) improves your running form and cuts down injury risk. A couple of weekly sessions with squats, lunges, or deadlifts goes a long way.
• Switch the gear. Maybe your shoes are shot. Or your shirt chafes. Even small upgrades can change how you feel, which matters more than you think.

I once switched to minimalist drills for a month. No watch, no paved roads—just me, my legs, and the dirt trails. It shocked my system in the best way. When I came back to normal training, everything felt easier and smoother.

Think of novelty like shaking the Etch A Sketch. Clean slate. New input. Better output.

How to Break Through Mental Blocks While Running (Even When Your Brain’s Screaming “Quit!”)

If you’ve ever been out there, grinding through a run, and suddenly your brain throws a tantrum—“You’re done. Stop now”—welcome to the club.

I’ve hit that wall more times than I can count. From muggy morning runs on Bali’s beaches to dragging my legs up trails in the dark, I’ve had that inner voice try to sabotage me mid-stride.

And here’s the truth: most of the time, it’s not your body that gives out. It’s your brain pulling the emergency brake.

Research backs this up. One study showed that most athletes quit not because their muscles gave up, but because their mind believed they were done—even when their body still had gas left in the tank.

Our brain throws up a warning sign before we’ve hit our true physical limits.

I’ll walk you through what’s really happening during those mental slumps—and more importantly, how to fight back.

We’ll talk about the tricks your brain plays, the science behind them, and some gritty, real-world tactics I use with the runners I coach here in Bali. Whether it’s mantras, breathing techniques, or mind games, you’ll come away with a personal toolkit to push through those moments when your brain wants to bail.

Let’s get into it.

What’s Really Stopping You? (Hint: It’s Not Just Fatigue)

Picture this: you’re 10 miles into a half marathon, legs feeling okay… but then the doubt creeps in. That voice pipes up: “You’re toast. You can’t finish.”

That voice? It’s not coming from dead legs—it’s your brain misreading effort as danger.

There’s this concept from Professor Tim Noakes called the “central governor theory.” Basically, your brain acts like a protective parent, limiting your output to keep your body safe.

It’s trying to save you from what it thinks is danger—even if you’ve got plenty left to give.

Another researcher, Samuele Marcora, flipped that idea around. His work shows that even when we say “I’m done,” our muscles are still capable of producing power.

In fact, in one test, athletes who stopped from “exhaustion” could suddenly produce triple the effort moments later when asked to go again.

That’s not weakness—that’s a mental block in disguise.

So, next time your mind starts whining, ask yourself: “Am I really cooked? Or is my brain just bluffing?”

Nine times out of ten, it’s fear, doubt, or mental fatigue—not failing legs.

I’ve had long runs where I wanted to quit halfway, even though I wasn’t injured or hurting. I just got bored. Or scared I’d bonk. But once I learned to spot that pattern, I started calling my brain’s bluff.

That was a game-changer.

6 Common Mental Blocks Runners Face

Not every runner hears the same mental noise. But here are the big six I see over and over again—with my athletes, and in my own head:

• “I’m too tired.” You’re not. Your brain just misread the effort. Sometimes all it takes is a breather, a sip of water, or a reset phrase to find a second wind.
• “I’ll never be fast enough.” That one’s brutal. You see someone fly past and your brain says, “What’s the point?” But I’ve seen runners go from slow joggers to podium finishers. It’s not about talent—it’s about time and consistency.
• “Everyone else is better.” Group runs can mess with your head. You see others chatting while you’re dying. That doesn’t mean you don’t belong. It means they’ve been where you are, and they kept going.
• “I’ve failed before—I’ll fail again.” Whether it was a DNF, an injury, or a botched race, we all carry that baggage. But failure isn’t proof you’ll fail again—it’s just part of the path.
• “Why am I even doing this?” That thought usually shows up at mile 9 on a solo long run. Remind yourself of your “why”—whether it’s stress relief, weight loss, or proving something to yourself.
• “I can’t finish this distance.” The first time I trained for a marathon, I was terrified. But it wasn’t my legs that were the problem—it was my head.

If any of those voices sound familiar, don’t beat yourself up. Just notice them. And challenge them. “Really? I made it through a harder run last week. What’s different now?”

Mental Reboot: What To Do During the Run

Here’s what I teach runners to do in the moment—when the mental wall hits mid-run:

• Chunk It Down – Don’t think about the whole route. Just run to the next streetlight. Or mailbox. I once finished a brutal 25K trail race by aiming for the next rock. That’s it. Small goals, big wins.
• Mantras Work – I use ones like “Calm mind, strong stride” or “One more step.” Say it out loud if you need to. It drowns out the noise in your head. Sounds silly? Maybe. But it gets results.
• Breathe. Reset – Take one long breath in. Let it out slow. Your body calms down. Your stride smooths out. Your head clears.
• Distract Yourself – Count steps. Spot colors. Play games. On some of my long solo runs, I count red scooters. It keeps my brain from obsessing over how tired I am.
• Name the Critic – I call my inner quitter “Lazy Davey.” When he starts whining, I laugh and say, “Not today, Davey.” Give yours a name. Take away its power.

Mix and match. The point is to flip the mental switch.
Replace “I can’t” with “I’m still going.”

Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body

Your mind’s not fixed—it’s trainable.

Sports scientist Cansu Hutter says the most powerful mental gains come from deliberately facing discomfort. That means doing hard workouts when you don’t feel like it. Pushing when you’re tired. Picking the hill when flat would be easier (MIT Reader).

Those are the runs that shape you.

Some ideas:

• Ditch the Distractions. Run without music or your watch. Listen to your breath. Feel the boredom. That’s mental training.
• Stay Present. When your brain spins with negativity, come back to your breath or your stride. One moment at a time.
• Plan a Weekly Mind Workout. Make one run each week mentally hard. Sprint the last stretch. Add a hill you hate. Make it suck on purpose. That way, when the real pain hits on race day, you’ll know how to handle it.

Bottom line: Every time you choose to keep going when your brain says stop, you level up.

How to Push Past Mental Limits – Backed by Science (and Real Runs)

Let’s talk about what really makes you stop mid-run. It’s not always your legs. It’s usually your head.

Your Brain Calls It Quits Before Your Body Does

There’s this brilliant series of studies from Samuele Marcora’s lab in the UK (Bangor University and University of Kent) that flipped everything I thought I knew about fatigue.

They found that when runners said they were done—like, completely exhausted—their leg muscles could still produce three times the power needed to keep going.

Let that sink in. Your body isn’t failing. Your brain just waves the white flag first.

I’ve seen this play out on race day. I’ve watched athletes hit the wall at 35K in a marathon… and then surge to a final sprint when the finish line crowd kicks in.

That sudden boost? It’s not a miracle. It’s the brain overriding the safety brake.

Another study showed that mental fatigue raises your perceived exertion—even when your legs are fine.

That means if you’re mentally tired, your run feels harder than it actually is. Not because your legs are shot, but because your brain says, “This is too much.”

It’s Not Your Muscles—It’s the Governor Upstairs

Tim Noakes called it the “central governor”—a part of your brain that dials back effort to protect you.

Marcora says it’s even simpler than that: when something feels too hard, your brain just shuts it down. That’s it.

In one test, cyclists were “finished”… then told to sprint again. And guess what? They cranked out triple the power.

That’s why most runners quit before they’re actually out of gas. I’ve done it. You’ve probably done it.

The key is learning to spot that moment and fight through it.

Visualize the Mess, Not Just the Glory

You’ve heard that mental imagery is powerful. But don’t just daydream about crossing the finish line with perfect form and a medal around your neck.

Real power comes from rehearsing the messy parts too.

Picture yourself struggling up that brutal hill at mile 10, legs burning, lungs heaving.

Then see yourself pushing through—slowing your breath, keeping your form, gritting it out.

That’s how you build real mental resilience.

Sports psychologists call it “disaster rehearsal.” So when the tough moment shows up, your brain’s ready.

Runner’s World even says those who picture overcoming the struggle don’t panic when it hits.

Mental Strength Is Like Muscle—Train It

Research from Hutter and others says elite runners don’t just have strong bodies—they’ve got sharp mental control. They stick to their plan. They stay calm under stress. They know how to keep going when it sucks.

You can train this too. Every time you lace up when you’re tired, every time you stick with a workout you want to bail on—you’re lifting mental weights. Over time, your “quit reflex” gets pushed back.

I still remember one tempo run where I was absolutely toast halfway in. I wanted to stop. Instead, I slowed down, caught my breath, and finished the reps. Not pretty. Not fast. But I finished. That’s the mental rep that mattered.

When the Wheels Fall Off: How to Recover After a Mental Blow-Up

Look, even with all the science and grit, some runs will fall apart. Maybe the pace crashes halfway through, or you bail on the last few intervals. That doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.

Here’s how I bounce back when my brain wins the fight:

• Review the Run (Without Judgment): Sit down and think it through. Did you go out too fast? Eat too little? Sleep like crap? Half the time, my mental meltdowns are linked to poor fueling or stress, not weakness.
• Reconnect with Your ‘Why’: Remind yourself why you run in the first place. Write it down if you have to. Mine’s taped to my wall: “I run because it makes me stronger, even when it sucks.”
• Schedule Redemption: I always pencil in a light recovery jog the next day. Just moving again clears the mental fog. Something short and easy – like a 20-minute jog or a walk – resets the system.
• Reframe the Fail: Instead of “I quit,” say “I learned.” One time I bonked at 8K and was furious with myself. But I looked back and realized I hadn’t eaten lunch. Lesson learned: don’t skip meals on tempo day.
• Talk It Out: Vent to a running buddy or drop it in your training group. Odds are, someone’s had the same kind of rough day. You’ll feel less alone and maybe even laugh about it together.

Set Yourself Up to Not Quit

Want to run stronger mentally? Don’t just train harder—set smarter goals.

• Use A/B/C Goals: Don’t only aim for that perfect PR. Have a Plan B (“finish strong”) and Plan C (“just get through it”). This way, if things go sideways, you’re not crushed—you just shift focus.
• Focus on What You Can Control: Instead of “I will run sub-1:45,” go with “I’ll stay smooth through mile 10.” That shift lowers pressure and actually boosts performance.
• Say It Out Loud: I’ve told my training group “I’ve got a 30K long run Sunday.” You better believe that made me show up, even when I didn’t want to. Quiet accountability = powerful stuff.
• Stick Reminders Everywhere: I’ve got mantras scribbled on sticky notes around my room. “You’re not done yet.” “Trust the grind.” Seeing them daily keeps me locked in.

Use Your Environment as a Secret Weapon

When your brain starts whining, change the channel with external triggers:

• Music & Audio: I’ve got playlists for pain days. Studies show upbeat music lowers how hard runs feel. Even switching to a podcast on long runs can help you forget how far you’ve got to go.
• Run With Others: Group runs change everything. I’ve seen runners pull each other through the worst miles on Bali’s trails. Even a virtual community helps—you’re never as alone as your brain wants you to think.
• Landmarks & Cues: One runner I coached drew chalk arrows on her street the night before a long run. Others use trees, signs, or parked cars as mental checkpoints. Tiny wins. Big difference.
• Wearables & Tokens: Some runners flick a rubber band on their wrist to snap out of negative spirals. Others carry a photo of a loved one. I’ve tucked notes into my pocket that read: “Keep going. You promised.”

Build Your Mental Toughness Toolkit (Yes, There’s a Checklist for That)

Mental strength isn’t just for race day—it’s something you train, just like your legs. I’ve got a “mental log” I treat the same way I treat my weekly mileage. It’s not fancy, but it works. Here’s how I build it out week to week:

Daily Mantra Work

Start every day—especially the brutal training days—with a short mantra. Something raw, something that hits home.

Mine used to be, “Just show up.” These little phrases aren’t magic spells, but they rewire how you face the grind.

Say it when you wake up. Say it again before bed. It’s a mental cue to toughen up.

Weekly Mind Test Run

Schedule one workout that’s not about speed or splits—it’s about grit. Call it your “Mind Over Miles” session.

Maybe you’re sore, maybe the weather sucks—do it anyway. I like to plug it in on Wednesdays if Monday nearly killed me.

It’s not about setting records. It’s about learning how to push when your brain wants to bail.

Effort Journal

After every run, rate it. Not just pace—mental effort. Scale of 1 to 5. Was it doubt that hit hardest? Boredom? Pain? Write it down.

I started noticing patterns—certain workouts always slapped me with the same mental junk. Once you name it, you can fight it.

Comeback Quote

Some runs just suck. That’s when you need your go-to quote. I keep mine in my phone and in my training notebook.

Could be from a coach, a teammate, or just something that fires you up.

Mine? “You’re built for this.” I read it before my toughest workouts. It resets everything.

Now imagine turning this into a daily checklist you carry in your training log. You tick it off like reps in a gym. It’s simple, but it keeps you locked in.

Here’s a five-step breakdown I’ve used:

1. Write something you’re grateful for (gets your head right).
2. Catch and flip one negative thought a day.
3. Do one “grind” run each week.
4. Run silent for 10 minutes—no music, no watch, just focus.
5. Reflect weekly: What messed with your head? What worked?

These little mental reps? They build the real engine.