The Mental Skills Every Chicago Marathon Runner Should Practice Before Race Day

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Congratulations! If you've started training for the Chicago Marathon, you're already doing something remarkable. Choosing to train for 26.2 miles is a commitment that requires consistency, discipline, and resilience. Every long run, speed workout, and recovery day is helping prepare your body for race day.

But there's another part of marathon training that often gets overlooked: your mind.

Most marathon training plans tell you what workouts to run, how to fuel, and when to recover. Far fewer teach you what to do when your confidence wavers, your race doesn't go according to plan, or your brain starts telling you to quit at mile 20.

The truth is, your mental game can make the difference between simply finishing and performing to your potential.

Why Mental Training Matters

Research has shown that mental skills training can improve endurance performance. Strategies such as visualization, effective self-talk, attentional focus, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and goal setting help runners stay focused, manage discomfort, recover from setbacks, and make better decisions when fatigue sets in.

Just as your cardiovascular system adapts through consistent physical training, your brain becomes more resilient through consistent mental training.

Mental strength isn't something you're born with—it's something you practice.

The Real Marathon Begins When Things Get Hard

Every marathon includes moments when doubt creeps in.

"I'm falling behind."

"I don't know if I can hold this pace."

"Why did I sign up for this?"

These thoughts are completely normal. Even elite runners experience them. The difference is that experienced runners don't believe every thought they have. Instead, they have strategies to refocus, stay present, and keep moving toward their goals.

The good news is that these skills can be learned long before race day.

Four Ways to Build Your Mental Strength

As you prepare for Chicago, try incorporating these habits into your training:

  • Visualize success. Before key workouts or long runs, imagine yourself responding calmly and confidently when things get difficult.

  • Practice helpful self-talk. Develop a few phrases that keep you grounded, such as "Strong and steady," "One mile at a time," or "I've trained for this."

  • Get comfortable being uncomfortable. During challenging workouts, notice the urge to back off without immediately acting on it. Learning to tolerate discomfort is one of the most valuable marathon skills.

  • Reflect after every run. Ask yourself, What did I do well mentally today? and What will I practice next time? This helps build confidence based on evidence—not just outcomes.

How I Help Marathon Runners

I'm Leslie Bloch, a licensed therapist and mental performance coach who specializes in helping runners strengthen the psychological side of endurance performance.

Whether you're aiming to qualify for Boston, run a personal best, or simply enjoy your marathon experience more, I help runners develop evidence-based mental skills that support performance and well-being.

Together, we can work on:

  • Managing race anxiety and pre-race nerves.

  • Building confidence and quieting self-doubt.

  • Improving focus during training and competition.

  • Developing resilience after missed workouts, injuries, or disappointing races.

  • Staying motivated throughout a long training cycle.

  • Creating a healthier relationship with running so it remains a source of joy rather than pressure.

I offer one-on-one mental performance coaching tailored to your goals, training, and challenges. Every runner is different, and together we'll develop practical strategies that fit your unique needs.

If you're curious about working together, I also offer a free 15-minute consultation. It's an opportunity to discuss your goals, ask questions, and determine whether mental performance coaching is a good fit for you.

Training your body is essential. Training your mind is what helps you use all of that fitness when it matters most.

As you prepare for the Chicago Marathon, don't just build endurance—build confidence, resilience, and the mental strength to enjoy the journey as much as the finish line.

Happy training!