Mentally Strong

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. Last Sunday I ran my 10th marathon, the Twin Cities Marathon. By most people’s standards, this makes me an experience marathoner. Yet, each time I ran 26.2 miles, I am fascinated by this mental and physical battle and the direct connections the marathon has to life. I share this experience in…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. All athletes experience a time when they are not playing at their best. Sometimes this can be explained by mechanical or physical problems. A key variable, however, that influences the length of time an athlete is not at their peak depends on the athlete’s mind. Specifically the thoughts that are consciously…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. One of the key characteristics that separate great athletes and performers from the rest is a burning desire to be at their best. Great performers know they can be more than they already are. This desire motivates them to keep pushing beyond their comfort zone. They have big dreams and are…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. Fear can come in many forms and when we feel it, it can stop us dead in our tracks. Fear can paralyze a performer or athlete in the middle of a play or at the end of the championship game. When we experience fear, we get in our own way. Of…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. Although my high school days were so many years ago, they seem like yesterday. I have vivid memories of playing sports. My favorite sports were cross country and track and field and I remember my parents attending every meet they could. In fact, I can’t recall a meet they didn’t make.…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. My youngest son was born 5 years ago. At that time, I couldn’t imagine running a single mile, let alone a marathon. It was hard for me to get started; I felt overweight and out of shape. I started walking because running seemed too difficult. Then I added half a mile…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. As I walked back to our hotel the night before the Boston Marathon, I was just mad. Even though I knew I couldn’t control the weather, I was mad at Mother Nature. The weather was projected to reach a record high of 87 in Boston for the race the next day.…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. The thing I love most about marathon training — and sport in general — is its application to life. As in life, there are always ups and down. Some days go perfectly and some days just don’t. There are days when you feel like you could run forever and days when…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. I had the privilege of attending the U.S. Olympic Trials for the marathon last weekend. Roughly 300 of the fastest men and women in our country took to the streets of Houston with the hopes of representing our country in the London Olympic Games this summer. Their finishing times didn’t matter.…

By Cindra Kamphoff, Ph.D. I’ve got big plans this year, including running the Boston Marathon in April. I have officially started training and have set multiple goals for the race—from being the best prepared I’ve ever been for a marathon to staying injury-free. This is a fine balance for me, because I have experienced injuries…