We know by now that running…and most things…..are more mental than anything else. Many of us tend to be masters of standing in our own way. Of drinking the Koolaid the suck monkeys are dishing out and letting mediocrity prevail, or even worse, not trying at all.
Thanks to my spot on the awesome RocknBlog team, I recently had the opportunity to read Matt Fitzgerald’s How Bad Do You Want It? Mastering the Psychology of Mind Over Muscle. Because who doesn’t want to know how to better utilize the most awesome muscle of all: that grey matter between our ears?
In the book, Fitzgerald cites a whole bunch of studies to discuss optimal sports performance as well as outcomes that leave much to be desired, despite some pretty impeccable training. He makes the science interesting by applying it to real-life examples of pros you probably know (a former coach of mine is mentioned in here. Cool!) from a variety of sports including running, cycling, rowing, swimming, and triathlon.
Takeaways from the book
- Failure has a silver lining
- Inducing anger markedly improves performance
- Overcoming adversity builds resilience
- Choking stems from heightened self-consciousness that intensifies perceived exertion and hampers endurance performance
- The flow state occurs when activity in the prefrontal cortex (the origin of the brain’s internal critic) is reduced
- The skepticism of others is a great source of motivation
- Talent will only take you so far
- Never underestimate the power of positive self talk
Overall I thought this was a great read, packed with fascinating case studies. I found simply reading this book motivating and could relate to many of the scenarios. The book ends with a discussion of the illustrious Steve Prefontaine whose formula for mental fitness started with a strong sense of self and being to true to that identity. A concept that is definitely thought provoking and inspiring.
Have you read this book? How do you cultivate resilience? Mental fitness?
I have not read the book but always find this topic interesting. Going to check it out. Thanks for sharing.
You know I loved this book! Resilience is definitely a work in progress for me.
Sounds like a great book.
I love this…mental fitness started with a strong sense of self and being to true to that identity- I can totally see that !
I think I need to check this book out! 🙂
I can’t figure how to balance this always in my life…the desire is there, and I will push on maybe when I shouldn’t…it’s the physical part of me that won’t get on board. I am trying to be resilient.
I’d like to read this one – thanks for sharing the highlights! Never underestimate the power of positive self talk – oh, yeah, I’m my own cheerleader!
I love pretty much anything by Matt, but haven’t read the book yet.
Oh yes, I know well the power of anger! Maybe I need to be a more angry person. 🙂
I do feel as if I’m stuck in this cycle of races with heat waves just sucking the life out of me. Every single time. I keep trying new things, and yet every half like that — 4 out of 12 so far — I feel as though I’ve failed. But yes, all those failures have taught me something, and someday I’ll have a great race in spite of the heat!
The brain is probably the most important muscle in the body when it comes to performance. Yeah, I know it’s not really a muscle. But what it tells you during a race is directly related to how you perform. Last year I was running well and a friend who’s opinion I really value told me that I would run a PB in a particular race. I took that into the race and I ran the PB. I’m doing the same race again this weekend and my mantra is going to be ‘I’m feeling strong’.
I honestly don’t know how I have not given up! 🙂