Looking forward to meeting you in Boston, probably at Marathon Sports, since I’ll be running the 5k and might not make it to Tracksmith. I’m really enjoying reading your morning shakeout. In my early running days, Nate Jenkins was giving me valuable advice. I feel my biggest challenge is the mental side of marathoning, specifically the self belief after all the hard training is done.
Hope to meet you in Boston Karen! Nate is great, a wealth of experience and knowledge and enthusiasm about the sport. And you're not along with the mental challenge: that's most marathoners! Trust yourself and trust the tools you've spent the past several. months (years!) sharpening for race day.
Love the idea of going smartphone-free before a big race! Coming from you, someone who thrives here in this space, that says a lot. I read somewhere, maybe Steve Magness, that a good coach wants to do away with his job because his athletes are independent. Since I'm self-coached right now, I normally rely on getting ideas from runners/coaches like you here, so this is a good reminder to look inward at that point. About Tracksmith, I wanted to share that I sent them a proposal to be a Southwest field rep, so wish me luck!
Thanks Karl. For me, it comes down to deciding how I want to use the internet and being intentional about that, rather than allowing myself to be used by the internet. (And to be candid, it took some time to get there!) All the best to you in your running and beyond.
I love reading your blog and following you on Strava. I’m an older runner but still get a lot of valuable information from your articles.
I’m also a musician and music teacher, and I’ve noticed similar trends happening with my music students due to social media. I’ve found that, just like before rehearsals, it’s important to have time away from social media after lessons, rehearsals, or practice sessions to allow the brain to "digest" or process the information. If students go straight to social media after lessons, everything they’ve learned is often immediately forgotten.
Appreciate that insight David. Sadly, that doesn't surprise me. I think it affects performance in whatever form it may take: sport, music, art, business, etc. Appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
Yowza Mario! That's a fast mile. Whoosh! On the social media issue, from Alex H. Spot on. Any mental input really right before you race is bad idea. I totally and logically see how that would work. Alex's book talks in depth about tests taht put athletes though mental exercise right be fore a hard effort, so there is raal science behind that.
Thanks Marty! I've noticed that when talking to athletes they almost always talk about physical fatigue and almost discount mental fatigue (and/or the connection between the two). So anything that's going to help lessen the load, or at least keep it as a functional level, is only going to help from a performance standpoint.
Thanks Sarah, and thanks for the interview with Buzz! Like you, I also enjoy talking to "older ones who give me hope." Hope the RUFA went well this past weekend!
Hi Mario,
Looking forward to meeting you in Boston, probably at Marathon Sports, since I’ll be running the 5k and might not make it to Tracksmith. I’m really enjoying reading your morning shakeout. In my early running days, Nate Jenkins was giving me valuable advice. I feel my biggest challenge is the mental side of marathoning, specifically the self belief after all the hard training is done.
Hope to meet you in Boston Karen! Nate is great, a wealth of experience and knowledge and enthusiasm about the sport. And you're not along with the mental challenge: that's most marathoners! Trust yourself and trust the tools you've spent the past several. months (years!) sharpening for race day.
Love the idea of going smartphone-free before a big race! Coming from you, someone who thrives here in this space, that says a lot. I read somewhere, maybe Steve Magness, that a good coach wants to do away with his job because his athletes are independent. Since I'm self-coached right now, I normally rely on getting ideas from runners/coaches like you here, so this is a good reminder to look inward at that point. About Tracksmith, I wanted to share that I sent them a proposal to be a Southwest field rep, so wish me luck!
Thanks Karl. For me, it comes down to deciding how I want to use the internet and being intentional about that, rather than allowing myself to be used by the internet. (And to be candid, it took some time to get there!) All the best to you in your running and beyond.
Ciao Mario! As always, such a good newsletter! ✌️
Grazie Jacopo!
Hi Mario,
I love reading your blog and following you on Strava. I’m an older runner but still get a lot of valuable information from your articles.
I’m also a musician and music teacher, and I’ve noticed similar trends happening with my music students due to social media. I’ve found that, just like before rehearsals, it’s important to have time away from social media after lessons, rehearsals, or practice sessions to allow the brain to "digest" or process the information. If students go straight to social media after lessons, everything they’ve learned is often immediately forgotten.
Thanks for the blog
David
Appreciate that insight David. Sadly, that doesn't surprise me. I think it affects performance in whatever form it may take: sport, music, art, business, etc. Appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
Yowza Mario! That's a fast mile. Whoosh! On the social media issue, from Alex H. Spot on. Any mental input really right before you race is bad idea. I totally and logically see how that would work. Alex's book talks in depth about tests taht put athletes though mental exercise right be fore a hard effort, so there is raal science behind that.
Great stuff today.
Thanks Marty! I've noticed that when talking to athletes they almost always talk about physical fatigue and almost discount mental fatigue (and/or the connection between the two). So anything that's going to help lessen the load, or at least keep it as a functional level, is only going to help from a performance standpoint.
Congrats on your super speedy back-to-back races, and thanks for linking to my Q&A with Buzz!
Thanks Sarah, and thanks for the interview with Buzz! Like you, I also enjoy talking to "older ones who give me hope." Hope the RUFA went well this past weekend!