The Key to Better Performance

In a recent article used me as a data point to make a case for “why you should return to the starting line of the 100-mile ultramarathon you finished at least once before, even if you already have the belt buckle.”

The reason: improving your performance.

The analysis has flaws, like glossing over major course changes (Superior 100 has had more than four, Massanutten 100 more than three), weather, injuries, and what’s going on in the runner’s life that year.

But the most egregious flaw is this: the author assumed, incorrectly, that every time I run a race, I’m going for a better time. Because of course, performance = finish time, and we all want a faster time.

Or do we?

I talk with a lot of runners who worry about their performance.

They stress about it, dread underperforming at the race they once dreamed of, and burn out trying to meet performance expectations…race after race.

Until one day, the sport isn’t fun any more.

One key problem for them is the same as with the article - equating performance with time.

Because that’s what we’re taught by society, media, and other people to value. That number.

But this ignores a world of more personally satisfying ways to define performance.

For example, if I’d been contacted about the article, I would have told the author I don’t race to continually better my previous times. That’s one reason I left road racing for trail ultras.

Beyond finishing, I run for other reasons.

Sometimes I want to spend as much time with as many friends on the trail as I can, while still finishing in time to take a quick shower and cheer for them at the finish.

Sometimes it’s finishing around the same time I used to, in an older body.

Sometimes it’s seeing how far I can get this year at Superior 100 before my friend Jerry passes me, smiling. Again.

And sometimes, as with Tarawera 100 in New Zealand and UTMB in France, it’s soaking up as much scenery as I can at ‘camera pace’ because I may never get back again.

In other words, the way I think about performance focuses more on the experience I have running to the finish than the finish time. As long as I’m comfortably ahead of cutoff, clock time isn’t that important to me.

And as long as I’ve achieved whatever it is I want, I’m performing to the most important expectations - mine.

So instead of blindly accepting the party line you’re supposed to be striving for a better time every race, think about what you really want in your next race. Define it.

When you do, you’re much more likely to get the race you want and walk away satisfied with your performance.

And love your races.

If you want to finally get better results your way, I can 100% help with that.

I did it and I can teach you the processes I used to go from DNFing every other 100 to 141 100-mile finishes.

Grab a time here and let’s hop on a call to talk what coaching would look like for you.

You deserve to see what you’re truly capable of.