“Confidence in one’s abilities and a willingness to fight against tough odds are very important qualities in athletes. The athlete’s thoughts prior to training and competition are of prime importance for his success. He should think of covering the distance faster, hanging with the record holder all the way, etc. If he thinks of the difficulty or impossibility, he has already lost. Lack of self confidence and doubt in one’s ability to perform the task lower the tone of the nervous system, interfere with the stimulation and inhibit relationships in the cortex, distort the dynamic stereotype, and lead to the rise of other directions of thinking and to uncoordination.
A coach can help the athlete overcome such vital negative influences as indecision and fear of competition and of a sporting battle. He can speak of the athlete’s great potential and compare his height, weight, speed, etc. to that of the top runners, showing him that many record holders have the same general physical data as other people and that they achieved success only thru persistent and tenacious work.
From physiology it is known that everyone possesses a tremendous potential physical energy. This energy, however, does not appear in ordinary circumstances. A simple desire is not enough to bring it out. Rather, a powerful emotional jolt is needed. ….
Actual competition has great significance in teaching the athlete to evoke large physical efforts as well as in developing all the desirable mental qualities mentioned above. The coach should first of all encourage those who did not do well and should explain to each individual that defeat in sport is the road to victory.”
The above excerpt is from Fred Wilt’s classic Run Run Run (1964, Track & Field News). The chapter titled Developing Stamina in Athletes, sub paragraph Developing Qualities of Will Power, authored by Russian coach N.G. Ozolin.
I bring this to the fore this morning as an opportunity for you to challenge yourself. To encourage you to dig a little deeper, to not fear defeat in competition. To enlighten that you too can be different from the mass participation, “we’re all winners” attitude. We’re all runners, but until you are willing to plumb the very depths of your heart and soul, both in training, and competition, you’ll never be a real winner.
The Fremont Family YMCA Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving morning. Happy to report that for the first time ever the event will be contested on a USATF Certified course and will be chip timed for professional results. I’m In it to Win It!
I’ve referenced this book many times over the years. Considered a bible on training both the mind and body. A compendium of articles by the greatest coaches and athletes from the golden age of athletics, the 1950s and 1960s, long before the first and second “running booms” diluted and convoluted the beauty and essence of pure and absolute competition.
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