Posts by stevemagness
How and why to use uncertainty during workouts
As I’ve discussed previously, racing, or life for that matter, is a journey into uncertainty. We’re never sure exactly what’s going to happen. While we are really good at preparing for the physiologic strain of the race, as runners’ we often do a really poor job of preparing for the mental portion of the race.…
Read MoreEpisode 2- The Rare Find- Magness & Marcus on Coaching
In this episode of our weekly podcast, we explore The Rare Find. What are those attributes that set apart those individuals who can perform under pressure, make the jump to the next level, and perhaps exploit the limits of their potential. We start off by exploring this idea of talent identification from a recruiting perspective…
Read MoreHow do we actually train?- Presentation from Kentucky Track Coaches Clinic
Some of the best experiences I have in terms of learning are when I get to travel and speak at different conferences. As someone who grew up hating public speaking, I now thoroughly enjoy it, so each time I get to talk I have the opportunity to refine how I do that. But beyond that,…
Read MoreMy best books of 2014- Books that established connections and patterns.
As I did last year, I think there is value in passing along my favorite books of the year. Not necessarily because I think I have some great insight into what books may be impactful on you, but instead because the books you read give an insight into how your thought process evolves and changes.…
Read MoreEpisode 1- The Clean Slate Phenomenon
I’m a distance runner, which means I am really good at thinking that I can do everything myself, as our sport is sometimes portrayed as the ultimate loner sport. But the reality is that, regardless of level, we need help, sometimes a lot of help, to get to the places we aspire to get to.…
Read MoreThe Calm Conversation-How to deal with pain
My brother had called and texted, telling me to find a place to stay in Pennsylvania. Like any mid 20’s know it all, listening to my older brother wasn’t something that came naturally. It wasn’t even snowing at that point in the 4-hour drive from Penn State back home to the Washington DC suburbs of…
Read MoreDepleting for Performance and more Drug in Sport discussion
I wanted to point a couple of items that may be of interest to readers. Depleting for Performance First, I’m fortunate enough to write a monthly column for Running Times. In this issue, I delve into using energy depletion as a way to get more bang for your buck in training. Essentially, the idea is…
Read MoreNew Years Reflections and Anti-Resolutions
This year was a good year for me. I was fortunate enough to have a lot of very good things happen, as well as a few trials and tribulations that are necessary stressors that make you grow, adapt and develop as a person in ways that I doubt I could have predicted a year ago.…
Read MoreWhy BulletProof Diet/Coffee is based on BS.
I apologize to those who come here for good track or athletic related training advice. Bare with me for this post as I take on something that has been bugging me for the past few weeks. Once again, it’s from someone who makes claims that running the crazy high mileage of 50mpw is unhealthy, but…
Read MoreUncertainty, Randomness, and Over-control in Training
Control the Contrallables It’s what we preach in coaching and in life. Don’t sweat the small things that don’t have an actual impact on our well being or life. It’s one of the simplest and most profound lessons one needs to learn. And it makes perfect sense. But like most things, can we take this…
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