By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

The way to grow as a coach is through experience, reading, listening to people who know more than you and asking them questions. Obtaining a coaching certification is important, but it is not what makes you a competent one. It is just a steppingstone into a fascinating world of learning and experimentation. Maintaining curiosity alive is what has made the coach I am today.

One of the most influential people in my coaching journey has been Steve Magness. He is knowledgeable, curious, experienced, science based, and a clear communicator. He is also generous, sharing his expertise and experience through many channels.

Steve Magness is one of the most influential people in my coaching journey

Magness is a globally recognized authority on performance and the author of influential books such as \”Do Hard Things\” and \”Peak Performance\”. His work delves into the intricacies of resilience and the science behind true toughness. Beyond his literary contributions, Magness has coached an array of clients ranging from professional sports teams to executives and artists, emphasizing a holistic approach to performance enhancement. His expertise has garnered attention from publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian, reflecting his profound impact on the realms of elite sport and mental performance.

In a social media world filled with shallowness and stupidity, Magness\’ feeds stand out as an oasis of enlightenment. I\’ve curated three of his posts that encapsulate concise running wisdom. May they prove as beneficial to you as they have been to me.

On Greatness

What does it take to be great?

A relentless drive, a fiery competitiveness?

Yes, but the same thing that makes you great can be your downfall.

The greats balance it out:

– Caring deeply but being able to let go

– Harnessing aggression but in a controlled way

– A desire to win, to achieve, but with enough intrinsic motivation to keep them from chasing.

Learn how to become great without falling apart.

Steve Magness

My take: You have a running goal? Great! Focus and work for it. Work hard. Give it the best chance to become reality. It is OK to want it badly. Nothing wrong with it. But you can’t let it rule your life. Especially if running is not your profession. Don’t let a running goal ruin your life. Your family will still love you if you are not a Sub-2 half marathoner. If your friends don’t value you unless you are a Sub-3 marathoner, it is time to change friends. Maintain perspective.

On the training process:

The 5 Rules of Training:

1. The boring stuff is your foundation. Do that consistently for a long time.

2. Let it Come, Don’t Force it.

3. Take the Next Logical Step. Don\’t skip many steps.

4. You lose what you don’t train. You are either building or maintaining something.

5. Train the individual, not the system.

Steve Magness

My take: Endurance training is a journey that demands trust and patience. While the allure of speed may be captivating, it\’s the establishment of a solid foundation what truly matters. Constructing this base entails a methodical yet sometimes monotonous progression through various training stages. Each one is an essential step for improvement. Your coach is not hiding the shortcuts.

On Competitiveness

We’re used to thinking of competitiveness as either you got it, or you don’t.

But ​research​ paints a different picture. It depends where that competitiveness comes from.

Hyper-competitiveness is when we try to maintain our sense of self through winning. We seek validation through the external.

Self-developmental competitiveness occurs when the internal matters more than the external. It’s about growing through competing, discovering who we are, what we’re capable of & how to improve.

Steve Magness

My take: We all know that runner whose self-worth is linked to his/her PRs. Most likely you know someone who rather end up assisted by paramedics than not make it to the podium. Unless you are in the Olympics, it is not worth missing your kids’ wedding. It is not about not making sacrifices for what you want, it is about not neglecting your life, health, and family in exchange for a PR.

If you have any thoughts, please share them in the comment box below.