Mental Grit: Just See It!

Nike is a part of your life now, right?  That familiar swoosh is on your uniform, your practice attire, and your shoes.  What is Nike’s well-known tag-line?  You know it well. —  “Just Do It!”  But, I am going to suggest that you, first, need to “Just See It!”

Visualization is a key factor in the equation that leads to success as an athlete.  If you are going to succeed in your goals, you will need what I call, “Mental Grit” or mental toughness. And a crucial step toward true Mental Grit is to Just See It!

I know that the Cross Country athletes are the only ones facing competition right now.  But, the thoughts herein are going to apply to Track and Field athletes and could very well make the difference in winning or not in the upcoming season.  Apply these techniques to your training for now.  Your mechanics, the technical aspects of your event, all of that and more can benefit from Just Seein’ It!

As athletes, the battleground begins in the mind. That’s where mental grit comes in—mental toughness rooted in faith and sharpened through discipline. And visualization, when shaped by God’s truth, can prepare us not just for competition, but for life.

Why Visualization Matters

We’ve all felt those butterflies before a big competition or the self-doubt that shows up after a mistake. Visualization is a way to take those feelings captive and replace them with confidence. The Bible reminds us: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5

When you picture yourself focused, strong, and prepared, you’re not pretending—you’re rehearsing the mindset God calls you to have: a mind anchored in discipline and hope.

Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller once said, “It’s important to have a plan, but it’s equally important to visualize yourself achieving it.” Her words echo Proverbs 23:7: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Four Keys to “Just Seeing It”

1. Be Specific

Don’t settle for vague daydreams. Nebraska is coming up for XC.  Study the course.  Talk to athletes who have run that course.  Talk to Coach about what the strategy might be on that race day.  Picture the race in detail—the sounds, the crowd, the rhythm of your breathing. Visualize your team and where you are with them.  Feel the exhilaration.  Embrace the pain. 

Sprinters, Multis, Jumpers, Throwers.  Other than Just Doin’ It Like Larry, focus on the basics of your training.  You NuShocks!  Talk to the older athletes.  Don’t be afraid to ask them about how they do it. 

Scripture calls us to run with focus: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24

When you visualize with clarity, you’re training your mind to run with purpose.

2. Feel the Moment

It’s not only what you see—it’s what you feel. Imagine the surge of adrenaline, the joy of crossing the line, the relief of finishing well.

Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner made famous in Chariots of Fire, once said:
“When I run, I feel His pleasure.”

Visualization with emotion taps into that same joy—the confidence that you are competing for God’s glory, not just your own.

3. Make It a Ritual

Consistency is everything. Set aside time daily—even just a few minutes—to mentally “warm up.” Step into your mental training ground and rehearse for success.

Paul’s advice to Timothy rings true here: “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7–8

If you can be consistent in training your body and spirit, your mind will follow.

4. Believe It

Visualization only works if you believe what you see. The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

NBA star Stephen Curry, who is outspoken about his faith, once said:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Belief doesn’t mean arrogance—it means placing your confidence in Christ’s strength working through you.

Wrapping It Up

So let’s review: Be specific, feel the moment, make it a habit, and believe what God says about you. That’s how you develop true mental grit.

Hey!  Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and Just See It! See yourself competing with confidence, fueled by faith, and anchored in Christ.

Because when your vision lines up with God’s promises, you’re not just preparing for victory—you’re preparing to glorify Him in whatever happens.

It is all about using the power of your imagination that God has given you to become an unstoppable force.  And, of course, faith in Him.

God Bless!

Larry