#34 Inside the Runner’s Mind: Beliefs, Pain, and Injury Risk

In this episode of Making Strides, AJ and Adam dive into a study that surveyed more than 700 recreational runners before a local race. The results were eye-opening and, honestly, a little concerning.

You’ll hear the two break down what runners think causes injuries, what actually matters, and how these beliefs shape training behavior and mindset. They walk through each slide from the post that inspired the episode and use it as a jumping-off point to explore running psychology, injury risk, and why good intentions sometimes steer runners in the wrong direction.

What we cover:

• Why runners say they run

Most surveyed runners run for social interaction and atmosphere, not performance or health. AJ and Adam compare that to their own motivations and the differences between recreational and competitive runners.

• The biggest injury-prevention misconception

The study participants overwhelmingly believe stretching and “the right shoe” prevent injuries. AJ and Adam explain why appropriate training load is actually the powerhouse, why strength training matters, and how media marketing shapes runner beliefs.

• Training through pain: what runners actually do

One in five runners showed up to the event with pain at rest. They dig into what this means, how different types of runners react to pain, and why so many people race while hurting.

• What happens when runners get injured

Instead of cross-training or adjusting, most runners simply stop moving altogether. AJ and Adam talk about identity, flexibility, and how a healthier relationship with running leads to better outcomes.

• The “injury–performance paradox”

Pushing for performance increases injury risk. The guys explain why that happens, how competitive runners toe that line, and how emotional flexibility and better coping tools can reduce injury risk even when training hard.

• The psychology side: obsessive vs flexible runners

The final slide looked at mindset differences. They unpack how emotional resources, adaptability, and coping skills influence injury rates far more than many runners realize.

If any of these topics hit home for you, give the episode a listen. These conversations are exactly why AJ and Adam do the work they do.

 

00:00 Intro and episode overview

02:00 Why runners say they run

08:00 Misconceptions about injury prevention

18:00 Pain at rest and showing up injured

25:00 Injured runners becoming sedentary

33:00 The injury–performance paradox

40:00 Mindset, obsessiveness, and injury risk

48:00 Final takeaways and how to get help

Connect with us:

• Ty Mangum: https://www.instagram.com/tymangum/

• Adam Schwerdt: https://www.runmental.com/

• AJ Cohen: https://www.upandrunningpt.com/