Last night, I was already mentally gearing up for my run this morning. I knew it was happening…or at least, I thought I knew. But this morning? Oh boy, I woke before my alarm and my mind was on it,  coming up with every excuse to skip it. You know the usual suspects – it’s cold outside this early, I have too much work, I’m tired, I’ll do it this afternoon instead, maybe I jump on the bike and do a spin class instead…sound familiar?

Well, I still ran – and I loved it. Why? Because I trust myself to do what I said I would do. I’m a running mindset coach, and yes, I still have mental chatter that tries to get in the way of my runs. Let me tell you what I’ve learned as a runner of 12 plus years…

If you’re new around here, hello, I’m Gillian or Coach G. I’m a running mindset coach – helping runners of all levels achieve their running goals. We do the training plan, the nutrition strategy, goal setting, race prep, but most importantly I dive in deep with mindset….because a lot of the time the body can do the things we want it to, it’s the mind that holds us back.

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Let’s break down what happened this morning. I woke up and, honestly, my brain was not interested in going for a run. I had that internal dialogue that went something like “It’s cold outside. You’ve got work to do. Maybe you can skip today and run tomorrow instead”.

We’ve all been there, right?

That mental chatter that just won’t quit. But I knew my body was ready. Deep down, I felt like I could do it, and I could picture how good it would feel after. So I stuck to the plan. That’s the key – I trust my body. It’s not about pushing through every moment of resistance but rather about building trust over time. I do what I say I will do, and that trust becomes a powerful tool that builds momentum.

And yes, I’m a running mindset coach, but that doesn’t mean I’m immune to mental blocks. Far from it. What I’ve learned is that mental chatter will always pop up. It’s not about making that voice go away but understanding how to navigate it. The more I listen to my body and stick to my plans, the easier it becomes to move past the excuses and get the run done.

As a mindset coach, my work isn’t just about pushing through obstacles – it’s about managing the mental game. So how do I overcome those excuses? The first step is to recognize that it’s okay to have those thoughts. We don’t need to shame ourselves for them. The key is to differentiate between when my mind is trying to protect me from something real (like injury or burnout) versus when it’s just a lazy, comfort-seeking voice that I can ignore.

The crucial mindset role is, when I choose to run, I’m not only strengthening my body but also reinforcing the trust I have with myself. Trust isn’t something that’s built overnight – it comes from consistently following through with your commitments, even on the days when you don’t feel like it. So every time I run, I prove to myself that I can do the thing. And every time you choose to run, you’re doing the same.

Let’s get a little reflective for a moment. Here are a few journal prompts to help you work through this mindset shift. Grab your journal or a piece of paper and take a few minutes to reflect on these:

• What’s the biggest excuse I give myself when I don’t want to run? How can I reframe that thought?

• When was the last time I followed through on something I committed to, even when I didn’t feel like it? How did that feel?

• What is one small action I can take today to build more trust with my body, even if it’s just a short run or walk?

If you’re feeling inspired and ready to build a more trusting relationship with your body and running, I’d love to invite you to explore how we can work together. I offer personalised consultations where we can dive into your running mindset and help you break through any barriers you’re facing. To learn more about The Runner Identity Program click here. Let’s create the mental foundation you need to keep showing up for your runs, no matter what your brain says.

Remember: you don’t have to be perfect. It’s about building trust, one run at a time. Until next time, keep moving, keep trusting yourself, and keep running strong.