My Rules of Everything:
Over the years, I’ve noticed several key themes that seem to pop up in a variety of different situations.  These apply not only to running or training, but to many other things.  What I was left with is my eight rules of everything.  I use them as reminders to keep me in check when looking at research, designing training, coaching, doing school work, analyzing arguments or just about anything.

1. When something is new or gains popularity, it is overemphasized until it eventually falls into it’s rightful place. How long that process takes varies greatly.

2. Research is only as good as the measurement being used is.

3. We overemphasize the importance of what we can measure and what we already know, ignoring that which we can not measure and know little about.

4. We think in absolutes and either/ors instead of the spectrum that is really present.

5. We underestimate the complexity of almost everything, overestimating our knowledge.

6. The human body is amazing and is infinitely more complex than we give it credit for.

7. You look and analyze things from YOUR perspective, overemphasizing what your knowledge base strength is.
(i.e. Sprint/Strength coaches think distance runners should do low volume high intensity work, while distance coaches tend to think sprint athletes should have a bigger “base.” For Example: Vern Gambetta falls into the former, while Lydiard falls into the latter.)

8. Everything seems to work in cycles.
(i.e. American training of distance runners- low volume high intensity-40-50s, high volume-60s-70s, high intensity- (coe era) 80’s-90s, High Volume 00’s-present)

These rules apply to almost everything.  I can give examples if you like or you can post any examples of where these rules apply.

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    6 Comments

    1. RICK'S RUNNING on April 7, 2010 at 8:56 am

      The chinese looked at the human body and saw invisible energy forces!
      Old science looked at the human body like it was a machine, made up of solid parts.
      new science looks at the human body and see's it in a whole New 'light'
      CLICK BELOW to change your pereptions of what is possible
      http://runwitharthurlydiard.blogspot.com/2010/01/biology-of-belief-change-your-health.html

    2. Scott Brown on April 8, 2010 at 9:07 am

      Great stuff Steve. I think I understand and can immediately see "Barefoot running" in the # 1 slot, but it would be interesting to see some of your examples and have you elaborate on these.

      Cheers.

      Scott Brown

    3. Sazerac on April 26, 2010 at 8:44 pm

      #1 made me think immediately of Gartner's Hype Cycle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle which you're undoubtedly familiar with.

      Great blog!

    4. stevemagness on April 27, 2010 at 12:48 pm

      Thanks for the comments and great connection Sazerac. Very similar concept.

      I'll post some examples in a future post.

    5. manu on January 1, 2013 at 8:21 am

      Thanks Steve for your Blog and video secrets to success. Your 8 rules applies also to health and well being ? in my experience by sure they apply to finance and trading. Have a Great 2013

    6. David Theriault on November 23, 2017 at 4:45 pm

      #1 and #8 are so entwined. There are so many factors wrapped up in these.
      1. Sales must be based on something you don’t already have, so it has to be new. Whether you are a coach, teacher, or business owner, you must offer something different.
      2. The person who is buying wants to believe that something new will make their lives better. If I get a new coach/trainer things will improve, a new school, a new how-to-book. When you put 1 and 2 together it creates a hamster wheel of change. It’s hard to find satisfaction in a situation like this.

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