Mental Performance Coaching for Track & Running:
1,000+ athletes coached since 1991, High School through Elite, worldwide via Zoom
Your fitness is there. Your training is top-notch. The gap between your workout times and your race times is mental. Work one-on-one with Peaksports certified mental performance coaches via Zoom from anywhere. Learn the same mental performance skills we’ve taught to competitive track and distance runners at every level for 40+ years.
What is Mental Performance Coaching for Track & Running?
Track and running mental performance coaching is one-on-one virtual training that helps runners and track athletes overcome the mental barriers, such as race anxiety, negative self-talk, fear of failure, over analyzing pace, and the inability to race with the same confidence as in workouts, that prevent them from competing to their potential.
Research show that psychological skills training produces measurable performance gains according to a 2024 meta-analysis published in Sports Medicine (Röthlin et al.).
At Peak Performance Sports, certified mental performance coaches work with sprinters, middle distance, and distance runners using the Athlete’s Mental Edge Framework and the Track Runner’s Mental Aptitude Assessment (RMAP) to build a personalized mental game plan. Programs are available for high school, college, and elite runners worldwide.
“I Had the Best Nationals I Have Ever Had”
“Patrick, with your great instruction on the mental game, I had the best nationals I have ever had. And even more important, I got through the five days relaxed and had fun, a new concept in my life! The bottom line, I got five firsts and one second! Thank you. You are just what I needed.”*
~Dennis O’Brien, Competitive Masters Athlete
Trusted by competitive runners since 1991 · All events · High School through Elite
Call us today: 407-909-1700
Mental Barriers for Track Athletes
If you run your best times in workouts but can’t replicate them on race day, your mental game is what needs work. Do any of these sound familiar?
→ Workout fitness doesn’t translate to race-day performance
→ Prerace nerves disrupt warm-up and start-line composure
→ Negative self-talk takes over mid-race and drains confidence
→ Focus shifts to competitors instead of staying on your own race plan
→ One bad race carries into the next event
Real Results from Runners
“She’s Really Enjoying Your Sessions”
She beat her sister easily which physically is easy for her to do but not mentally. I saw growth with that. Again, she’s really enjoying your sessions. I’ve noticed a difference in Avery as a person. She seems happier and less stressed about life. I think you’ve really helped her to do this!”*
~Jenn Sager, Sports Parent
Ready to Explore Mental Coaching?
Schedule a free introductory Zoom session with a mental coach or get more details about our coaching:
Available worldwide · No travel required · No commitment · Zoom · FaceTime · Phone
How Our Track & Running Mental Coaching Works
Step 1: Assessment and Stats
Take the Runner’s Mental Aptitude Assessment (RMAP) to identify mental game strengths and weaknesses specific to your event. Your workout times vs. race times provide a clear baseline for measuring improvement.
Step 2: Strategies and Tools
Learn mental performance strategies tailored to your event, pre-race mental preparation, warm-up focus routines, strategies for staying in your own lane mentally, positive self-talk tools for mid-race mental battles, and composure strategies for championship meets.
Step 3: Review and Preparation
Work through the Athlete’s Mental Edge audio and workbook program between sessions to reinforce mental skills and apply them directly to your next meet or competition.
Step 4: Application
Apply customized pre-race mental preparation, guided imagery for your event, warm-up focus routines, and race-specific mental strategies for mid-race decision-making, staying relaxed under pressure, and finishing strong in close races.
“You Have No Idea How Far Walker’s Come With His Mental Game”
“Walker did another medal, 2nd place time of 7:56 in the 2-mile relay. He shattered Doug Butlers and Brevard County school records. You have no idea how far Walker’s come with his mental game! Walker never loses anything. I can’t thank you enough Dr. Cohn for helping Walker!”*
~Lesa Hersch, Walker’s Mom
What You Get with Track & Running Mental Performance Coaching
- Your workout fitness and confidence translate directly into race performance
- You arrive at the start line focused and calm instead of tense and anxious
- Positive self-talk during races that replaces doubt and negative internal chatter
- Stay in your own race instead of reacting to what competitors are doing
- Quick mental reset after bad races so they don’t carry into the next event
Every program includes: the RMAP assessment, a custom weekly Mental Game Plan, weekly Zoom coaching sessions, unlimited email correspondence, and the Runner’s Confidence audio and workbook program. Call us at 407-909-1700 with your questions.
Work with a Certified Mental Performance Coach via Zoom
Visit the bio pages of our certified mental performance coaches.
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Who Is Dr. Patrick Cohn?
Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D. is the founder and president of Peak Performance Sports, LLC and one of the world’s most recognized mental performance coaches. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Sports Psychology from the University of Virginia under Dr. Bob Rotella and his Master’s degree from California State University, Fullerton under Dr. Ken Ravizza. Over 40+ years he has coached Olympic Athletes, PGA Tour professionals, and competitive track and field and distance running athletes across 35+ sports. He is the creator of the Athlete’s Mental Edge Workbook Framework and the Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP) Certification.
FAQ About Mental Performance Coaching for Track & Running
What does a mental performance coach do for track athletes and runners?
A mental performance coach for track and running athletes helps athletes identify and overcome the mental barriers that prevent them from racing their best times. This includes managing race anxiety, quieting negative self-talk during races, staying focused on their own performance instead of competitors, building confidence at the start line, and developing resilience through setbacks and bad races.
Can track and running mental coaching be done virtually via Zoom?
Yes, virtual coaching via Zoom is how the majority of our track athletes and runners work with us. Sessions are weekly, one-on-one, and flexible around your training and meet schedule. Most athletes start within a week of reaching out.
How much does track and running mental performance coaching cost?
Self-guided digital training programs start from $79. Virtual coaching programs include weekly one-on-one sessions with a certified mental performance coach, the RMAP assessment, a custom mental game plan, unlimited email support, and the Runner’s Confidence workbook. Contact us for full coaching pricing.
How quickly will I see results from track and running mental coaching?
Most runners notice reduced race anxiety and improved focus within the first few sessions, particularly in warm-up composure, self-talk during races, and how they handle bad races mentally. Measurable improvement in race performance vs. workout times typically develops over 4 to 8 weeks of coaching.
Ready to Take Your Practice Game into Competition?
Schedule a free introductory Zoom session with a mental coach or get more details about our coaching:
Available worldwide · No travel required · No commitment · Zoom · FaceTime · Phone
Or Call us today: 407-909-1700
What the Research Shows About Effectiveness of Mental Training
Psychological skills training produces measurable performance gains: According to a 2024 meta-analysis published in Sports Medicine (Röthlin et al.), psychological skills training produced a significant moderate effect on athletic performance (effect size of 0.83), based on a systematic review of 111 studies with competitive athletes.
90% of reviews confirm mental skills training enhances performance: A 2023 review of reviews published in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology examined 30 systematic reviews spanning four decades of research and found that 90% concluded psychological skills training interventions enhance athletic performance.
Sports Mental Performance Coaching (Select Your Sport)
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Disclaimer
*Testimonials found on this site are examples of what we have done for other clients, and what some of our clients have said about us. However, we cannot guarantee the results in any case. Your results may vary and every situation is different. No compensation was provided for these testimonials.
Last Updated on May 31, 2026