The Runner's Self-Concept

Many runners view their performances based on what others say, think, and believe. This can bring a a runners self-esteem down, which may lead to low to poor performance, or worse yet, giving up running. There is always going to be someone faster than you. Performance should be based on how you feel and what you think. If you gave 100%, you ran great. Having someone tell you that your time was not good enough does not matter at this point. If you gave less than 100%, you are the only one to blame. Pick yourself up and give it your all next time.

Self-Concept is how you judge yourself based on you and only you. Other's opinions do not matter. You are your own island when self-concept is concerned. If you believe that you are a good runner, you set in motion behaviors (training hard) and choices (commitment to running) that will fulfill your expectations. So if you are the number one runner on the varsity or the last finisher in the J.V., set your goals, work hard to obtain them, and be your only critic.

In order to achieve all that is demanded of us, we must regard ourselves as greater than we are.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe