THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST Exclusive: How Carter Cutting PR'd Every Single Year Since Age 9 — The Compounding Confidence That Built an NCAA Mile Championship Win
Mar 20, 2026
Carter Cutting, BYU middle-distance runner and 2026 NCAA Indoor Mile champion, built confidence through yearly PRs since age nine. He talks about his decisive closing kick, the mile-simulation workout that prepped him, choosing BYU and individualized coaching, and balancing speed with distance while enjoying underdog status.
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Compounding Confidence From Yearly PRs
- Carter credits long-term incremental improvement: he PR'd every year since age nine and calls it "consistent confidence equals eventual excellence."
- That steady progression plus health and the BYU support system produced big indoor jumps (3:57→3:52 season).
One Title Builds A Program’s Middle Distance Credibility
- Winning at BYU carries recruiting ripple effects: Carter hopes his NCAA title will attract middle-distance recruits and create future role models.
- He references past BYU mile record holders he chased, highlighting how records inspire the next generation.
The Mile Simulation Workout That Mirrored Nationals
- Coach Ryan Waite ran a mile-simulation workout using teammates wearing other schools' pins to create chaotic surges and physical blocking.
- Reps: 1k, 400, 600, then 1200 with instruction that Carter must win the final 300, mimicking NCAA race chaos.