5 mental tricks a marathon runner uses to get through the toughest parts of a race

An eight-time NCAA Division II All-American and winner of three national titles, elite runner Scott Bauhs says he plans to dedicate the next four years of his pro career to "perfecting the marathon."

The 30-year-old became the youngest American to complete both the four-minute mile and the 28-minute 10,000 meter run in 2008 while at Chico State, and went on to race in the 2011 World Track and Field Championships.

In February, he competed at the US Olympic Marathon Trials for one of three remaining spots at the Rio Olympics.

The Asics-sponsored athlete keeps a busy schedule: In the last two weeks, he's raced the USA half-marathon championships in Columbus, Ohio, headed to New York for the annual UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, and celebrated his 30th birthday in between.

"After that, I'll just train and try to run some 12k, 10k, and 5k races between now and July," he says. "Then I'll take a little break and ramp up for a marathon in the fall."

Out of breath just hearing that? Business Insider spoke with Bauhs about motivation, the mental side of running a marathon, and just what goes through an elite runner's head during those 26.2 miles of pavement.

Here's what he had to say: