You don’t get race-day confidence by accident

You don’t get race-day confidence by accident. Confidence is built through consistent training, smart preparation, and mental strength.

Here are the 6 things runners who feel deeply confident on race day have already done in the months before:

1. They committed fully to their running goal. An all-in mindset matters, especially for masters runners in their 40s and 50s.

2. They showed up consistently. Not perfect training - but consistent running, week after week, even when life was busy.

3. They LOVED IT - The training process. The routine. The discipline. The long-term progression - not just the outcome.

4. They avoided self-sabotaging their training. They don’t do silly stuff!! They followed a structured training plan and respected recovery.

5. They stayed committed when running wasn’t fun. Because endurance training, especially marathon training, is tough, there is pain, it’s exhausting - mentally and physically.

6. They trained their mental game relentlessly. Confidence, focus, belief and trust in the work - because mental strength for runners matters just as much as physical fitness.

If you’re a runner in your 40s or 50s, this is even more important - especially #4. Your progress should now comes from smart, evidence-based training, and trusting the process.