The Psychology of Pacing: How Runners Blow It Early (And How to Fix It) | IDKR Episode 189

Send us Fan MailPacing isn’t just about splits, GPS watches, or fitness — it’s about decision-making under stress.In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive deep into the psychology of pacing and why so many runners blow up before fatigue ever truly sets in. From race-day adrenaline and comparison traps to fear-based pacing and watch obsession, we unpack the mental mistakes that quietly sabotage great races.But this episode goes beyond running.We explore how mindful pacing — patience, restraint, awareness, and emotional control — applies not just to marathons and ultras, but to training, work, relationships, and life itself. If you’ve ever gone out too fast because you felt amazing early… or played it too safe and left time on the table… this one’s for you.In this episode, we cover:Why pacing is mostly a mental skill, not a physical oneCommon psychological traps that ruin race executionHow adrenaline, ego, fear, and comparison derail pacing plansMindful pacing strategies for race dayTraining your brain to pace, not just your legsWhy “boring” early miles are a sign you’re doing it rightHow better pacing on race day mirrors better decision-making in lifeWhether you’re chasing a PR, a BQ, or just trying to run smarter and enjoy the process more, this episode will help you stay controlled when it matters most.👉 Drop a comment and share your own pacing lessons or race stories — we’d love to hear them.🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations about running, mindset, and everything we don’t know.Happy running.Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKRSupport the show