What is Grit?
Grit is the mental strength that kicks in when everything else fails. Grit is a personality trait based on perseverance and resilience.
In running, when everything goes wrong in a race—nausea, vomiting, pain, blisters, etc.— but the individual still pushes themselves to finish, this is Grit.
Why is Grit an Important Trait?
Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist on grit, defines grit as having a passion for long-term goals. Her team found that grit is a good predictor of future success.
In running, natural talent only goes so far, but grit creates champions. Runners need grit during training, especially when the weather is terrible or the training plan entails putting in mile after mile.
How is Grit Developed?
When I was in the military, I saw soldiers doing things under extreme conditions without complaint; in fact, they performed well. I thought those people had a natural talent for grit—some may have—but I wasn’t one of those people, I was jealous. Over the years, I’ve learned to develop grit, and I’m still struggling with it. I’ve completed marathons and ultramarathons, constantly raising the bar, but every time I question myself, “How can I go any farther next time? This was terrible!” But through training and perseverance, I keep going.
Developing grit comes down to creating routines and habits.
First, there needs to be a passion for the individual’s goal. Grit is fueled by passion.
Second, having the right mindset. Some Individuals sometimes believe in the concept, You Either Have It or You Don’t, that’s not a mindset that encourages grit, it’s more of an excuse. WE ALL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES! Just Do It! As the Nike slogan says.
Lastly, never give up and keep at it. Be prepared for failures, and when they come, accept them, learn from them, and readjust.
In running, we want to create routines that we abide by no matter what—even if the weather is bad—to keep training. These routines will develop habits that instill grit!
Next time when you’re wet, nauseous, in pain, and just miserable during a race, you will ask yourself how much you really want it, and if you really want it, then you will keep going, and THAT’S GRIT!
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