When the finish line approaches and the pain begins to take over, White County senior Lincoln Kugler knows it is time to shut everything else out and keep moving. That mindset has helped him navigate the demands of his final cross country season while becoming a source of guidance for the runners around him.
Kugler is utilizing a disciplined mental approach and consistent distance training to lead his cross country teammates through the final season of his high school career.
“It’s just we just go out there we run, the more you do it, the better you get, the stronger you are.” Kugler said.
Kugler said the team benefits from a strong coaching staff and a positive environment that encourages growth. Kugler said the primary method for his improvement over the years has been a commitment to consistent distance running during practice sessions.
Kugler said the physical toll of a race serves as the primary indicator that his preparation and hard work are yielding results. Kugler said he recognizes he is performing well when he reaches the point of physical exhaustion near the finish line.
“When I’m sitting there dying at the end of a race, that is when I know, oh it’s going well,” Kugler said.
Kugler said he manages the intense physical demands of the sport by intentionally shifting his mental focus away from the pain. Kugler said this internal shift allows him to dedicate all remaining physical resources to his performance.
“I kind of just turn it off,” Kugler said. “It’s you stop thinking, you just put all your energy into your legs.”
Kugler said his experience allows him to mentor younger runners on the importance of pacing, specifically advising them against sprinting at the beginning of a long race. Kugler said while many of the younger athletes are talented on their own, he finds value in offering encouragement based on his years in the program.
“I’m not the fastest, I’m not really fast at all, you’re able to encourage people because you’ve been there,” Kugler said.
Kugler said his goal for the remainder of the season is to maintain his running schedule and continue pushing for faster times.