s5/e14 Can Mindfulness Make You A Better Runner?

In this episode of the Running Explained podcast, I’m breaking down a fascinating new study on mindfulness and running performance—and why I think this is something every runner needs to hear!

I’ll walk you through the research (don’t worry, it’s not boring!), explain how mindfulness training actually rewires your brain (hi, neuroplasticity!), and share what this means for your training, racing, and day-to-day running mindset. Spoiler: your mental game matters. A lot.

I’ll also talk about what I’ve seen in my own coaching—how anxiety, mental fatigue, and emotional dysregulation sabotage performance—and how small, consistent mindfulness habits can completely change how you experience your running.

Here’s what I cover:

• Why mental fatigue makes your long runs feel harder than they should

• How mindfulness builds emotional resilience (yes, you can train your brain to handle hard stuff better!)

• What the “flow state” really is—and how to get there more often

• Real-world mindfulness strategies you can actually use (no chanting required)

• Why cognitive anxiety crushes decision-making during races—and how to fix it

• How even recreational runners (not just elites!) benefit from mental training

If you’ve ever felt like your brain is holding you back more than your legs, this episode is for you.

READ THE RESEARCH!

Effects of group mindfulness intervention on high-level distance runners: a quasi-experimental study

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro & announcements

• 10:11 – The study design & how they tested mindfulness

• 20:10 – What the results showed (big changes!)

• 29:52 – What this means for you as a runner

• 36:25 – Mental fatigue & why it matters

• 46:48 – Mindfulness techniques that actually work

• 52:14 – How to start building mental skills now

• 57:20 – Reflecting on your runs like a coach

If you’ve been ignoring your mental training, it’s time to change that. Hit play and let’s talk about the brain side of running.

About Your Host

Elisabeth Scott is a running coach, educator, and the founder of Running Explained, where she helps runners train smarter, run stronger, and enjoy the process. After getting sober at 29, she laced up her running shoes with the goal of finishing a 5K—and never looked back. Since then, she’s gone on to complete multiple races, including marathons with a Boston Qualifying time, all while deepening her expertise in endurance training.

With a science-based approach, Coach Elisabeth is passionate about making complex running concepts accessible and actionable for runners of all levels. Her coaching philosophy centers on building a strong aerobic base, improving running efficiency, and developing a whole-human approach to training that prioritizes consistency, injury prevention, and sustainable progress.

Through Running Explained, Elisabeth offers training plans, online courses, and 1:1 coaching designed to help runners achieve their goals while avoiding the common pitfalls of overtraining, underfueling, and burnout. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or chasing a new PR, her guidance will help you train smarter, race stronger, and love the journey.

📲 Learn more at ⁠RunningExplained.com⁠

📢 Follow on Instagram: ⁠@runningexplained

Research & production assistance by Sophie van Leeuwen