Trail Running Psychology

Overview → The Record-Breaker → Session Notes
Session Notes The Record-Breaker
Addressing:

Technical Terrain Fear

The confidence collapse that occurs on exposed or technical sections, roots, rocks, steep descents, where fear of falling creates tentative movement that paradoxically increases injury risk and destroys flow state

How Record-Breakers Can Conquer Technical Terrain Fear in Trail Running

Posted on December 5, 2025 ~ min read
📋
For: The Record-Breaker athletes in Trail Running
Focus: Session Notes - Technical Terrain Fear
Read Time: ~11 min
Session Notes December 5, 2025
Profile: The Record-Breaker
Sport: Trail Running
Challenge: Technical Terrain Fear

In trail running, technical terrain fear is the confidence collapse that strikes when you encounter exposed ridgelines, rock gardens, steep descents, or root-tangled singletrack. Your brain shifts from flow to survival mode. Movement becomes tentative. Your Record-Breaker instinct to push for measurable progress slams into a wall of self-preservation that feels impossible to override.

Here's the frustrating paradox you're living: the hesitation that feels protective actually increases your injury risk. Tentative footwork catches roots. Stiff hips absorb impact poorly. Your carefully developed running economy disappears when you need it most.

Continue Reading with Premium Access

Get full access to this Session Notes article and all premium deep dive content.

$27 one-time payment
Unlock Full Session Notes

Unlock 620 deep dive articles across 10 sports

Vladimir Novkov

M.A. Social Psychology | ISSA Elite Trainer | Expert in Sport Psychology for Athlete Development

My mission is to bridge the gap between mind and body, helping athletes and performers achieve a state of synergy where peak performance becomes a natural outcome of who they are.

About the author LinkedIn

Explore Other Mental Challenges

Different challenges require different approaches. Explore solutions for other mental challenges in Trail Running:

← Back to Trail Running Overview

Want to Build Your Mental Game?

Get proven performance psychology strategies delivered to your inbox every week. Real insights from sport psychology research and practice.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.