
#162: 5 mental pitfalls to avoid in a marathon training cycle including bad sessions / races, comparison syndrome and not feeling ready
From The Running Rules Podcast by Alan Ladd
March 10, 2026 · 1h 1m · Episode 162
About this episode
The episode discusses five mental pitfalls to avoid during marathon training and how to overcome them for better preparation.
This week's episode focuses on the feelings we can get deep into a marathon training cycle when a session or race doesn't go to plan or we see others doing something different to us. I step through 5 common mental pitfalls that I have mad and/or talk to clients and other runners about. I talk about how to overcome these so that you can get to the start line confident but not expectant. Bookmark this episode if you feel the marathon training cycle is starting to take its toll or you are second guessing what you can achieve in the marathon. Go to www.therunningrules.com/services to find out ways you can get help including a one to one race prep call.
People in this episode
Host: Alan Ladd
Topics covered
- marathon training
- mental pitfalls
- confidence
- comparison syndrome
- race preparation
Keywords
- marathon
- training cycle
- mental health
- bad sessions
- comparison syndrome
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: www.therunningrules.com
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