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* '''Know when to quit'''. Sometimes we need to mental fortitude to keep going when we have the overwhelming desire to quit. But there are also times when we need the mental fortitude to quit when we don't want to. If continuing is likely to result in long-term damage it may be better to accept defeat so that we can fight on another day. Yet again, experience helps in determining when a problem is one that should be overcome or not. I've undergone agony while running, but known but it's something that I'll bounce back from in a short time. I've also felt minor twinges which caused me to stop running because I knew they were symptomatic of a more significant problem and one that would quickly become ruinous.
* '''Mantras'''. A mantra is a sound word or phrase that is repeated to bring about "spiritual transformation". A mantra can help focus the mind on something positive and provide some level of dissociation. Common mantras while running are things like "I can do it" to stay positive, "slow and smooth" to stay relaxed, or "pass no one" to stay slow at the beginning of the race.
* '''Rest. '''Fatigue and exhaustion undermine fortitude, leaving us as mentally weak as it does physically. Therefore, rest and recuperation are an important part of building mental fortitude. There can be value in training hard when fatigued, as this increases the difficulty. However, this should only be done periodically, and with periods of complete restoration. Lack of respite from stress leads to burnout, overtraining[[Overtraining]], [[Overtraining Syndrome]], and clinical depression.
* '''Know yourself.''' Hardship is an opportunity to learn who you are and can be a self-revelation. Running can provide solitude and time for introspection, allowing us to meet ourselves. This self-knowledge is a valuable part of mental fortitude.
* '''Suck it up, cupcake.''' Accept that sometimes you just have to suck it up. ''"When you're going through hell, keep going."'' Winston Churchill.