#38: Matt Fitzgerald on 80/20 Running & Running the Dream!
Oct 16, 2020
auto_awesome
Matt Fitzgerald, author, coach, and athlete, discusses elite running, 80/20 training, injury recovery, and setting high goals. He shares insights on training intensities, mental toughness, and the importance of pushing past limits. The podcast highlights the evolution of running programs and the significance of mindset in achieving success.
Believe in continuous improvement and avoid assuming personal limitations.
Embrace failure and risks to nurture growth and surpass comfort zones.
Adopt a professional mindset, seek excellence, and challenge self-imposed boundaries in running.
Deep dives
Setting Big Running Goals and Overcoming Mental Barriers
Setting big goals in running, even late 40s or 60s, is encouraged. Don't make assumptions about your potential, and don't fear failure. Taking risks, overcoming challenges, and embracing failure are vital for growth. Approach running injuries by staying rational, creating opportunities for learning, and accepting setbacks. Encouraging a 'no stone unturned' mindset, where athletes actively seek improvement and explore all avenues for growth, can lead to significant progress in running and other areas of life.
Adopting a Professional Mindset in Training
Encouraging athletes to adopt a professional mindset in their training, regardless of their level. Emphasizing the importance of meticulous attention to details, seeking expertise, and not setting false limits on oneself. Recommending a 'no stone unturned' approach, inspired by the dedication and commitment of elite athletes, can elevate an individual's performance and satisfaction in their athletic pursuits.
Taking Risks and Embracing Failure to Achieve Success
Encouraging runners to take risks in setting ambitious goals, aiming for tasks with around a 10% chance of success, leading to significant growth opportunities. Embracing failure as part of the journey, learning and evolving from setbacks, and pushing beyond comfort zones with a positive, open mindset. Exploring the potential in failure and viewing setbacks as stepping stones to greater achievements can transform running experiences and outcomes.
Overcoming Mental Challenges in Running and Beyond
Addressing the importance of mental strength in running and life, advocating for a resilient and adaptable mindset in the face of challenges. Highlighting the significance of being mentally fit to navigate through obstacles, setbacks, and uncertainties. Emphasizing the power of self-awareness, rational thinking, and positive self-talk in building mental resilience for enhanced performance and overall well-being.
Professional Approach to Running and Setting High Standards
Encouraging runners to adopt a professional approach to their sport, focusing on continuous improvement, attention to detail, and pushing oneself beyond perceived limits. Emphasizing the value of investing time, resources, and effort into training, recovery, and overall performance enhancement. Inspiring athletes to challenge self-imposed boundaries, strive for excellence, and take calculated risks to achieve their running aspirations.
“If you think something’s impossible, just know that you could well be wrong and so it’s best just to assume that you can just keep getting better." - Matt Fitzgerald.
Matt Fitzgerald is an author, coach, nutritionist and athlete. Fascinated by elite performance and mindset, Matt draws parallels between elite and recreational running, in everything from dealing with injury to going after big goals.
Matt draws on his time with professional runners at the HOKA NAZ Elite Summer run camp, in Flagstaff, Arizona, among other experiences, with wit and wisdom.
Here we have a wonderful insight into elite running, ways of coaching and the evolution of 80/20 running (80% low & 20% moderate to high intensity). Also, how recreational runners can improve way beyond their own expectations, as Matt has.
In our conversation, Matt shares his experiences and thoughts on:
developing the professional “no-stone-unturned mentality”.
training intensities, perceived effort and measuring performance.
building a business without money being the primary motivating factor.
accepting injury as part of the process and finding alternative workouts in recovery.
