If you’ve ever blown up mid-race, sabotaged your own progress, or felt like you were dragging a parachute behind you despite being in shape... I’ve got news for you.

It’s not your training plan.

It’s not your fitness.

It’s your mindset. And more specifically—your ego.

I know because I’ve been there. Trained hard. Crushed workouts. Then watched it all unravel on race day because my head wasn’t in the right place.

Here’s the truth: ego is the enemy of performance, consistency, and real growth.

Let’s talk about how to fix that.

Step One: Have a Plan (And a Plan B… and C)

You wouldn’t show up to a race without shoes. So why show up without a strategy?

Most runners wing it. They think “I’ll just go by feel,” and then panic when things go sideways.

Having a plan calms the chaos. It gives you direction, clarity, and confidence.

But you also need contingency plans. What happens if the weather turns? If you don’t feel good by kilometre 3? If the watch malfunctions?

Control what you can. Prepare for what you can’t. That’s how you keep your head when the pressure’s on.

Step Two: Hold Yourself Accountable (Even When No One’s Watching)

Ego loves excuses.

“My pace was off because it was windy.”
“I didn’t fuel right.”
“That one session didn’t matter.”

But accountability? That’s where growth lives.

Real progress comes from being brutally honest with yourself.

👉 Did I prepare properly?
👉 Did I recover right?
👉 Did I give my best effort, or was I playing it safe?

Own your part. Every time. Even when it stings.

Step Three: Run By Feel, Not Just By Watch

If you’re a slave to pace, you’ll fall apart the moment conditions aren’t perfect.

Heat, humidity, wind, terrain—your body reacts to all of it. The ability to adapt on the fly separates the good from the great.

Listen to your breath. Feel your stride. Know when to push and when to hold.

Numbers are tools, not dictators. Use them, but trust yourself more.

Step Four: Kill the Comparison Game

Scroll long enough and you’ll find someone faster, leaner, more “elite.”

Who cares?

Comparison robs you of your joy. It creates pressure that doesn’t belong to you. You don’t need to be them—you need to beat yesterday’s you.

Your race. Your pace. Your story.

Step Five: Be Real About Your Expectations

Unrealistic goals don’t push you—they bury you.

You can aim high. But make sure it’s based on training, not pride.

And if things don’t go to plan? Adapt. Learn. Move forward.

Disappointment isn’t failure. Quitting is.

Step Six: Get Outside Your Own Head

The best athletes in the world have coaches for a reason. Not because they don’t know what to do—but because they need perspective.

When you’re too close to the problem, your ego blinds you.

A good coach? They call your bullshit. They challenge you.

And more importantly—they support you when your belief wavers.

That’s why I do what I do. Because I’ve been there. And I know what’s on the other side of mindset mastery.

Step Seven: Master the Moment That Matters

Race day isn’t just about fitness. It’s a mental game.

The adrenaline hits. The nerves creep in. Your ego wants to surge and chase.

But the calmest runner is usually the deadliest.

That composure? It’s trained. Through mindset reps, race-day visualisation, and preparation. You don’t just hope to stay calm—you train to stay calm.

Final Thought: Ego Doesn’t Care About Your Goals

It only wants to protect your pride.

It doesn’t want you to stretch. It wants you to stay safe.

It doesn’t want you to try and fail. It wants you to avoid the chance altogether.

But if you want to level up—ego has to go.

You’ve got the legs.

You’ve got the work ethic.

Now it’s time to sharpen the weapon between your ears.

Want Help Building A Mindset That Wins?

If this hit home and you’re ready to master not just your training, but your mindset—

Book a free discovery call. We’ll chat about what’s holding you back and what it looks like to finally break through.

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Let's Talk

Let’s build the version of you that doesn’t just train hard—but trains smart, adapts under pressure, and shows up with quiet confidence when it counts.

Yours in running and life,
Daniel Lucchini

The Hard Truth About Running: It’s All in Your Head