Is Training the Mind Just as Important than Training the Body?

By Alexandra Grimaldo 

Distance running is more than just physically training, mental preparation is just as important.

Experts in the sport, such a collegiate coaches and athletes said preparing the brain before competition can translate into wins. When people are watching competitive and elite distance runners compete, they are only watching the physical end of the spectrum

Karen Boen, cross country and track and field coach of Stonehill College said, “Every sport has a cerebral end it, and just because you can’t see the brain physically, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t go unnoticed,” said Boen.  

Coach Karen Boen
PHOTO: STONEHILLCOLLEGE

It is Boen’s 16^th year as head coach at Stonehill College. Boen is the most decorated coach in NE-10 cross-country history. She has been honored with NCAA Division II East Region Coach of the Year 13 times. Under her guidance the men’s team has qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championships for 11 consecutive years, and the women’s team 16 consecutive times.

“Running is a two part process: physically and mentally,” said Boen.

She said that there is a “common misconception that because you cannot see the mental side of training, that it does not exist.”

“Athletic competition is a physical test, but the mind is part of it,” said Boen.

Boen said during practice time it is an opportunity to “refine these skill sets, so during competition an athlete is prepared for the any situation handed to them.” 

Aisha McAdams, Stonehill College cross country athlete, said, “Coach tells us to practice like it is a dress rehearsal, and to go into run and workout with intention and purpose.”

McAdams, a junior, has participated in three Cross-Country National Championships, and one indoor track and field National Championship.

“During practice, I experience myself in a race, so when a gun goes off I will be that much more prepared, said McAdams.

McAdams believes in training with a purpose and that if a task is ultimately not going to help win a race, it is not worth doing.

“Know what you are doing, and why you are doing it,” said McAdams.

Co-Captain , Nicole Borofski,  agreed “physical training is useless unless you train your mind,” she said.

Borofski has competed in three Cross Country Nationals Championships, once All-American in the Fall 2015 season, she also competed at two track and field national championships.  

Nicole Borofski,
PHOTO STONEHILLCOLLEGE

“At a national championship, the physical work has already been put in all season, but over 50 percent of the competition at nationals end up mentally choking, “ said Borofski.

Preparing the mind allows the athlete to be more prepared and confident at the task at hand.

Emily Knox, cross country and track and field athlete at Stonehill said “If your mind isn’t ready to endure the physical pain of the sport and doesn’t have the will to push your bodies boundaries there is no way that their bodies fitness level will ever reach it’s full potential.”

The mental side of running can reach far beyond collegiate racing and can relate to a range of distance, especially marathons. Training for 26.6 miles goes far beyond the physical nature of the sport. To be focused for that period of time takes incredible focus and mental toughness.

Tim Noakes, M.D, and author of Lore of Running, wrote that “the brain either allows or limits performances from the body” and “If you really want to be competitive, you have to learn how to deal with discomfort. A lot of good physical training is about training to cope with discomfort.”

Jeff Downin, the Marlborough High School cross-country and track and field coach, and marathoner, started running 19 years ago as a freshmen in high school and has competed in eight marathons so far.

“Just like any athlete in any other sport, these are skills that you train your body to do, practicing, so that when the race happens and you encounter a problem, your body will remember what to do, ” said Downin.

Downin said he explains to his athletes regularly “you need to practice the mental part of racing, just like you practice the physical stuff.  When you encounter a problem, your mind needs to know how to react.”

“Mental planning, especially visualizing and race planning, can go a long way. Racing can seem chaotic and out of control, especially racing with large crowds. Having an anchor, a plan, can help you see through the mess and focus on what matters. Eliminate distractions and job get the job done,” said Downin.