Track and field is a very mental sport. Although its athletes run, jump, sprint, throw, etc. there is more than the obvious physical element. Track and field athletes require mental toughness, mental focus, and mental determination.
Track and field is my sport, the only sport I truly connected with. I deal with all of these aspects as an athlete and as a person. Mental toughness includes expectations, responsibilities, commitments, and overall mental health. Athletes often feel the pressure to “be amazing” and to beat their opponents. You want to win not only for your team, but for yourself. Athletes often want to beat their own personal record (PR). This expectation can become a strain on the mind.
Athletes in general have responsibilities outside of their sport. Many athletes have to keep their grades up in order to participate in their sport. Besides grade struggles, athletes may have a job outside of their sport. This can cause a struggle with grades because you are unsure when you’ll have homework. Athletes feel pressure to do right by themselves, their coaches, and their team. That is plenty for an athlete to take on.
Mental focus involves distractions, pressure, and performance. During practices and meets, athletes have time to fool around. However, athletes should understand “time and place” and you have to put in the work to get something out of it.
Athletes may also feel pressure to perform at their best. This can cause anxiety and overall stress for their next race. This causes athletes to lose their focus and focus on bad outcomes instead of good outcomes. This devils into performance and an athlete’s strive to perform well. This makes it easier to lose focus and focus on unserious matters.
Mental determination is another weight that could affect an athlete’s performance. This can look like visioning success, having a positive attitude, and practice and support training. Grant Holloway, a three-time world champion in the 110 meter hurdles and world record holder in the 60 meter hurdles, said in an Olympics interview that “visualization is the key to success in track and field.” Having a positive mindset and not being afraid of your opponent can help you with this as well. Your performance at practice does determine your performance on both the track or the field. Try your best because in reality, there is no reason not to.
Lastly, injuries for an athlete can also cause one’s mental health to plummet. During my sophomore season I had to finish early. I had shin pain, which I ignored as much as I could to help my team. I made it worse, though I thought I was okay. I was upset when I had to cut my season short, but then understood what needed to be done. Along with support from my team, my family, and my coaches. So with that, track and field, although very physically demanding, is also mentally challenging for its athletes.
Behind The Performance: Mental Struggles of Track and Field
By Ayva Fisher ‘26
Track and field is a very mental sport. Although its athletes run, jump, sprint, throw, etc. there is more than the obvious physical element. Track and field athletes require mental toughness, mental focus, and mental determination.
Track and field is my sport, the only sport I truly connected with. I deal with all of these aspects as an athlete and as a person. Mental toughness includes expectations, responsibilities, commitments, and overall mental health. Athletes often feel the pressure to “be amazing” and to beat their opponents. You want to win not only for your team, but for yourself. Athletes often want to beat their own personal record (PR). This expectation can become a strain on the mind.
Athletes in general have responsibilities outside of their sport. Many athletes have to keep their grades up in order to participate in their sport. Besides grade struggles, athletes may have a job outside of their sport. This can cause a struggle with grades because you are unsure when you’ll have homework. Athletes feel pressure to do right by themselves, their coaches, and their team. That is plenty for an athlete to take on.
Mental focus involves distractions, pressure, and performance. During practices and meets, athletes have time to fool around. However, athletes should understand “time and place” and you have to put in the work to get something out of it.
Athletes may also feel pressure to perform at their best. This can cause anxiety and overall stress for their next race. This causes athletes to lose their focus and focus on bad outcomes instead of good outcomes. This devils into performance and an athlete’s strive to perform well. This makes it easier to lose focus and focus on unserious matters.
Mental determination is another weight that could affect an athlete’s performance. This can look like visioning success, having a positive attitude, and practice and support training. Grant Holloway, a three-time world champion in the 110 meter hurdles and world record holder in the 60 meter hurdles, said in an Olympics interview that “visualization is the key to success in track and field.” Having a positive mindset and not being afraid of your opponent can help you with this as well. Your performance at practice does determine your performance on both the track or the field. Try your best because in reality, there is no reason not to.
Lastly, injuries for an athlete can also cause one’s mental health to plummet. During my sophomore season I had to finish early. I had shin pain, which I ignored as much as I could to help my team. I made it worse, though I thought I was okay. I was upset when I had to cut my season short, but then understood what needed to be done. Along with support from my team, my family, and my coaches. So with that, track and field, although very physically demanding, is also mentally challenging for its athletes.
Sources:
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/athlete-mh#:~:text=A%202019%20study%20found%20that,%2C%20teammates%2C%20and%20even%20themselves.
https://www.trackandfieldforever.com/news/the-mental-game-of-track-and-field-strategies-for-success
https://www.themendingplaybook.org/mental-health/track-mindset