Be Positive and Engage in Training: Positive Orientation and Marathon Performance

Psychological mechanisms explaining running performance have not been fully identified yet. One of the factors potentially important in running performance is positive orientation—a higher order construct capturing the core of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and optimism. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of positive orientation in explaining running performance of recreational runners. The study involved 204 recreational runners taking part in a marathon race. Before the race, they reported their positive orientation, training engagement, BMI, and previous marathon experience. Actual running performance was measured using runners’ personal bib numbers and their objective time scores obtained from the official competitors’ list after the race. Structural equation modelling results show that the higher is runners’ positive orientation, the higher is also their training engagement before the marathon, which in turn predicts their actual running performance. The study extends the understanding of a role of personality in recreational sport performance. The findings broaden also evidence concerning the role of positive orientation in effective functioning.