Is endurance in the mind or in the muscles?

When it comes to running, how far and how fast you can go is determined by a number of physical factors, including your VO2 max (the volume of oxygen you can pump round your body) and your lactate threshold, which is the point at which your body produces more lactate than it can break down (a build-up of this chemical makes you run less efficiently). Some of this is genetic; some of it comes from training. But in recent years, sports scientists have also come to recognise the importance of mental strength. The longer you run, the more important a well-thought-out mental strategy is. Common strategies for coping with pain include motivational self-talk and distraction techniques to help block negative thoughts.