Have you ever been so tired to the point it’s painful? Well, that’s how Boy Cross Country team often feel while running. I interviewed several runners to learn more about the mental side of the sport.
Even before the race begins, it’s still a mental battle. The athletes still get nervous, no matter how experienced they are. Cross Country runner Elijah Cluff explained, “I’ve been running cross country my whole life and still find myself nervous before races.”
His words show that nerves don’t go away, even with years of practice. To handle the stress, runners develop strategies.
Cross Country runner William McNiven shared that “I am not one who handles nerves well, but some things I have done are to interact with others, breathing exercises, and keeping a positive mantra.”
And techniques like these help him and others stay calm and focused before competing.
But that’s only before the race even starts. Once the running begins, the mental battle can be even harder. The pain after the first mile sets in quickly, and the runners must fight through it.
Cross country runner Elijah Cluff explained, “I start by focusing on my breathing. For every four steps I take, I always cycle a deep inhale and exhale. I then focus on a part of my body that doesn’t hurt, which can be hard, and often ends up being my arms. If it’s my arms, I try to carry myself by pumping my arms harder, bringing the burden off my legs.”
By keeping his mind busy and redirecting his focus, he finds ways to push through the pain.
The conversations runners have in their own heads also play a big role in keeping them going.
William McNiven admitted, “My mental conversations are not the most self-positive, but when they’re good, I just cheer myself on. There is a lot of talk like, ‘You don’t have to worry about anything out here,’ and ‘It is a gift that you have the ability to run.’”
Those reminders help shift his mindset, turning the race into not just a physical test, but also a mental one.
Another thing that helps the runners is encouraging each other.
Cross country runner William McNiven shared, “There is a lot of cheering for one another when you are not the one racing. Even mid-race, you’ll catch up to a guy, or he will catch you and it will be something like, ‘Come on, let’s push together.”
That teamwork keeps the athletes motivated and reminds them they’re not running alone.
Elijah Cluff added, “I love to pack up with my teammates during races and push through as a group, especially Haden Hoback and PJ Key. None of us are willing to let the other win easily, so it’s a dogfight all the way to the finish, making everyone’s time faster.”
Cross country may look like an individual sport, but the runners prove it’s much more than that. Success doesn’t just come from pushing yourself it comes from pushing each other.
Running cross country is more than just a test of speed and endurance it’s a battle of the mind. From handling nerves before the race, to pushing through pain during the miles, to encouraging teammates along the way, the boys show that mental toughness is just as important as physical strength. At the end of the day, cross country isn’t just about crossing the finish line it’s about learning how to push past limits, lean on others, and prove to yourself that you can keep going.
