I vividly remember standing at the start line, the sun beating down in the desert heat, feeling the weight of doubt settle into my bones.
I’d trained for this, but there was something about the scale of the race and the harsh conditions that made me question my abilities.
My legs were already heavy from the first few miles, and mentally, I wasn’t sure I could keep going. It was one of those “I can’t do this” moments.
But little did I know, that mindset was about to shift—and it would change the way I viewed running forever.
The Power of the Mind in Endurance Sports
Running isn’t just about what your legs can do—it’s about what your mind can handle.
The mind-body connection is a real game-changer in endurance sports, and studies show how powerful our thoughts can be in shaping our physical performance.
Dr. David Bishop’s research on recovery highlights something incredible: when athletes believe they’re recovering or pushing past their limits, they actually experience improved physical outcomes, even when the conditions don’t change.
It’s the idea that belief itself can enhance performance. The mind doesn’t just react to physical signals—it can influence how those signals are processed. When you truly believe that your body is capable, your physical limits are pushed further than when you doubt yourself.
This mind-body link is why mindset isn’t just a motivational tool—it’s a fundamental part of how we perform as runners.
For me, during the Bromo Desert Marathon, the transformation from “I can’t” to “I can” wasn’t just a mental shift. It was a shift in how my body responded to the challenge.
As soon as I adopted the “yet” mindset, my legs didn’t feel quite as heavy, and the heat didn’t feel as unbearable. It was like telling myself, “I haven’t done this yet,” gave my body the permission to keep going, despite how tired I felt.
The Neurochemistry of Small Wins
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Success is a series of small wins.”
But there’s science behind it. Every small victory we achieve—whether it’s completing a tough interval or reaching the next water station—releases dopamine in the brain.
Dopamine is the chemical that makes us feel motivated, rewarded, and happy. Every small win is like a mini dose of motivation that keeps you moving.
This is why focusing on small wins during a race works.
As I trudged through the desert, each milestone—no matter how small—gave me a little boost. Reaching the next water station, conquering another hill—each win brought me closer to the finish line.
This isn’t just mental trickery; it’s a biological process happening in real-time, reinforcing positive behavior.
When I focused on the next small goal instead of the massive race ahead, I was tapping into my brain’s natural reward system.
And it works—studies show that when we achieve small wins, our brains reward us with more than just a fleeting sense of pride. It builds momentum, making it easier to keep going toward bigger successes.
The power of “yet” isn’t just about what you tell yourself—it’s about reinforcing that belief with every step, every small victory, and every dose of dopamine that keeps you moving toward the ultimate goal.
The Start – Entering the Race with “I Can’t”
It all started with a feeling of dread.
Standing at the starting line of the Bromo Desert Marathon, I saw the vast desert ahead of me, and it felt impossible. The heat, the sandy hills, and the endless stretch of desert were overwhelming.
As soon as I started, a wave of self-doubt hit. I kept thinking, “I can’t do this. I’m not built for this. This is too much.”
The first loop didn’t make it easier. I felt my energy draining with every step. By the time I finished the first lap, my body was begging me to stop. My legs ached, my lungs burned, and the heat made the air feel heavy.
Every muscle in my body screamed for me to quit. And the self-doubt? It only got louder. The idea of continuing felt impossible.
The Shift – “I Can’t” Becomes “I Can”
About 5 or 6 kilometers into the second loop, after a quick break to refuel and rehydrate, something shifted.
The exhaustion didn’t disappear, and my body still hurt, but that cloud of self-doubt started to clear.
That’s when I realized: I wasn’t as broken as I thought.
Sure, the hills ahead were still intimidating, and the heat hadn’t let up, but that “I can’t” mindset wasn’t helping me anymore.
I began to change how I talked to myself. Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” I started telling myself, “I haven’t done this yet.” I stopped seeing the race as an impossible challenge and started breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps.
The power of “yet” became my mental anchor. It gave me permission to struggle, to slow down, and to focus on the process instead of worrying about the end result.
One Step at a Time
The shift from “I can’t” to “I can” didn’t happen all at once. It happened by focusing on small victories.
Every time I reached a water station, climbed a hill, or completed another kilometer, it felt like an accomplishment.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the thought of finishing the entire race, I concentrated on one step at a time. Each step, each mini victory, reinforced the belief that I was capable of finishing.
Focusing on small wins kept me motivated and gave me the energy to keep going. By the time I crossed the finish line, I realized that those small victories had added up to something much bigger than I could have imagined.
The race wasn’t about the distance between me and the finish line—it was about how each step, each little victory, led me to success.
The Role of Preparation and Training
As important as physical training is for a race, mental preparation plays a huge role too.
Leading up to the Bromo Desert Marathon, I had done long runs in similar heat and terrain. My body was ready for the challenge, but beyond that, I had mentally prepared myself for what was to come. I knew I’d face discomfort, doubt, and exhaustion along the way.
One mental strategy that really helped was breaking the race into smaller, manageable chunks. Instead of thinking about the entire marathon or the intense heat ahead, I focused on one segment at a time.
Whether it was reaching the next water station, tackling the next hill, or just maintaining my pace, it felt a lot more achievable. This made the race feel less overwhelming and helped me stay focused.
I also leaned on mantras to stay grounded.
Phrases like “One step at a time” or “I can do this” kept me focused on what I needed to do. These weren’t just words—they were reminders to stay in the moment and trust the process. Instead of thinking “I can’t,” I learned to believe I could push through as long as I stayed focused.
Reaching the Finish Line – The Power of ‘I Did’
When I crossed the finish line at the Bromo Desert Marathon, I was filled with euphoria. It wasn’t just about finishing—it was about everything that led me there.
The change from “I can’t” to “I did” wasn’t just a mental shift; it reflected my growth as both a runner and a person. The doubts, fears, and pain I had along the way were all part of the journey, and overcoming them felt like a victory in itself.
Crossing that finish line wasn’t just about completing a race; it was about proving to myself that I could do something I once thought was impossible. The “I can’t” mindset had been replaced with a simple truth: “I did.” And that shift meant more to me than any physical achievement. It was a reminder that the real victory lies in the growth that happens along the way.
Conclusion:
Looking back at the Bromo Desert Marathon, the biggest win wasn’t just finishing the race—it was overcoming the doubts and fears that used to hold me back.
The shift from “I can’t” to “I did” has shaped the way I approach running and life. The “power of yet” reminds me that growth is a process, not a destination. It’s not about being perfect, but about showing up each day and taking one step at a time.
So, if you’re at the starting line of a challenge—whether it’s a race or something else—remember this: “I can’t” is just the beginning. With every step, you’re getting closer to “I did.” And that’s where the real victory lies.