EPISODE · Aug 13, 2026 · 1H
474: The Story You Tell Yourself Before the Run
from Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown · host Angie Brown
What story are you telling yourself before you even get to the starting line?In this episode, Angie and Kevin talk about pre-race anxiety, the stories we create around hard runs, and how those stories can influence both our experience and our physiology. They explore how negativity and confirmation bias can cause us to look for evidence that a run is going badly before it even starts.They also dive into research connecting pre-race anxiety and mood disturbance with changes in immune response after a marathon. Most importantly, this conversation isn't about pretending everything will be perfect. It's about creating a realistic, intentional story, understanding your stress bucket, and learning how to respond when things don't go according to plan.Read the main study referenced in the episode here.Get in before the Team membership closes — special deal here. 04:24 – The Stories We Tell Ourselves 09:38 – How Your Brain Predicts What Will Happen 13:45 – Anxiety, Mood & Immune Response 17:28 – Understanding the Stress Bucket 25:14 – Training Your Mindset 30:45 – Anxiety Is Not the Problem 34:17 – Challenge vs. Threat 37:30 – Reality vs. Toxic Positivity 42:42 – Create Your Race Story 45:37 – “What Is True Right Now?” 50:51 – Building a Pre-Run Routine 56:05 – How Your Story Shapes PerformanceGain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secretJoin the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team Thanks for Listening!!Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!Come find us on Instagram and say hi! Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.
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What story are you telling yourself before you even get to the starting line? In this episode, Angie and Kevin talk about pre-race anxiety, the stories we create around hard runs, and how those stories can influence both our experience and our physiology. They explore how negativity and confirmation bias can cause us to look for evidence that a run is going badly before it even starts. They also dive into research connecting pre-race anxiety and mood disturbance with changes in immune respons...
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474: The Story You Tell Yourself Before the Run
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