Growth Mindset Running – Part 2: Nutrition, Confidence & Endurance

Why Nutrition Matters for Growth Mindset Running

Your fueling strategy is one of the biggest levers in taking your performance up a level. Early on, I used carbohydrates as my default fuel for long runs. But I kept hitting sugar lows and “hitting the wall.” That’s when I researched growth mindset and discovered that many athletes succeed by training with a running nutrition plan that emphasizes fat adaptation — using fats for energy rather than relying solely on glycogen.

Switching to a Low Carbohydrate, High Fat (LCHF) or ketogenic approach isn’t easy at first. You’ll struggle during workouts and feel uncomfortable. But with consistency, your body will adapt. After a few months of disciplined effort, I became fat adapted. My blood sugar stabilized during long runs, and I stopped crashing. Now I feel more in control.

Boosting Endurance: Mileage & Threshold Pace Training

Growth mindset running isn’t just about diet; it’s also about how you train. You need volume and smart workouts. I raised my weekly mileage and carved out threshold runs — those runs where effort is just below your anaerobic threshold. For example, early marathon buildup included a warm-up, 25 minutes at threshold pace, then warm-down. Over weeks I increased the threshold portion slowly up to 50 minutes. This kind of consistency builds mitochondria, improves endurance, and reshapes your fast twitch fibers to behave more like slow twitch fibers.

Use Run by Feel & Confidence Building

One of the most transformative shifts came from learning to run by what my body told me. Rather than rigid speed workouts or fixed paces every run, I journaled which runs gave me confidence and which didn’t. Runs at goal pace in long run weeks, being consistent with threshold segments — these helped me trust that I could hit my goal. Confidence in running grew, and with that, I became fitter and faster.

Enjoyment & Growth Go Hand in Hand

Growth mindset running also means you don’t become a slave to the schedule. If you’re tired, replace speed work with hills or Fartlek. If high mileage is crushing you, scale back. I learned from Matt Fitzgerald’s 80/20 training method that most of your runs should be easy and enjoyable. This helps reduce risk of injury and burnout, while keeping the love of running alive.

Sleep, Rest & Mindset Shifts

To support these strides, sleep and rest are non-negotiable. I adjusted my sleep habits: going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, getting in that extra run. But I also honored rest days. It’s part of completing the work your body needs to adapt. Mindset shifts included recognizing that effort, consistency, and adaptation matter more than instant results. Growth mindset running teaches patience.

Learn From Others & Get Inspired

Reading credible articles helps me stay motivated. One great article is “Adapting to a Growth Mindset For Runners” from TrainWithMarc, which explores how runners can reframe setbacks and build long-term mindset changes. That resource helped me refine my own journey.

Also, when you’re balancing life and running, connecting your goals to passion makes a difference. For example, if you’re seeking adventure or culture, check out the fun things to do via our Things to Do page, or explore inspiring destinations via our Travel & Tourism category. These help you see running not just as training, but as part of a rich, meaningful life.

Putting It All Together: Your Action Plan

• Start tracking which runs energize you versus which drain you. Build confidence by doing more of the energizing runs.
• Gradually shift nutrition: experiment with fat adaptation, reduce dependency on quick sugars, and see how your body responds over weeks.
• Increase weekly mileage slowly. Add threshold pace runs every few weeks to build endurance without burning out.
• Rest well. Prioritize sleep, easy days, recovery so your body can adapt and grow stronger.
• Let enjoyment lead: if a session feels off, adjust it. Let joy, not obligation, drive your running consistency.

Growth mindset running is more than performance: it’s a sustainable approach to run stronger, feel energized, and stay motivated for the long haul. You’ll see improvements not just in race times, but in confidence, health, and joy.

If you’re ready to take your running to the next level, start with refining your nutrition, increasing mileage wisely, and building runs that bring you joy. Keep pushing, stay consistent — and let growth mindset running lead you to your best self.