The Power of Focus in Racing

One of the biggest separators between good runners and those who fall just short isn’t just fitness, talent, or training volume—it’s the ability to concentrate fully for an entire race. Whether it’s a mile or a marathon, the mental discipline to stay locked in from start to finish makes all the difference.

Yesterday, I ran the 10K Winter Park Road Race, the final event of the Track Shack Series. I knew what was on the line—holding onto my lead in the Grand Masters standings and closing out the season strong. The goal was simple: execute a smart, aggressive race and not let my focus slip.

10Ks demand a unique kind of concentration. It’s not an all-out sprint like a 5K, but there’s no room to settle into a comfortable rhythm like in a half marathon. Every mile, every turn, every second counts. The first few miles felt smooth, but as the effort level crept up, so did the temptation to let my mind drift—thinking about the how many miles are left, calculating splits, questioning how much I had left in the tank. That’s where the real challenge begins.

When fatigue sets in, the battle isn’t just physical—it’s mental. In those moments, the best thing you can do is stay locked into the present. Focus on the rhythm of your stride, your breathing, the next runner ahead. Block out the noise, the doubts, the distractions. Stay engaged.

I crossed the line in 40:09—job done. Not under 40 minutes as I had hoped but still hung on to Grand Masters Champion for the Track Shack Series. More importantly though, I walked away reminded of just how crucial mental sharpness is in racing.

Physical preparation gets you to the start line. Mental focus gets you to the finish. Train both.

Keep moving forward!

J.R.