Tip
Presented by Corey Kubatzky, Head Coach
Nike XC High Altitude Camp at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Running Tips: Patience and Focus is the Key to Becoming a Great Runner
Nike Running Camps director Corey Kubatsky, gives his advice on getting to your peak running performance. He believes that everyone has different paths of getting there, and its necessary to stay focused, have patience, and understanding how your body reacts to certain activities.
Kubatsky knows that athletes want to challenge themselves right away. Too often they jump to more challenging activities that they struggle with. It’s important to focus on the basics. Building workouts up gradually and remembering the fundamentals allows you to eventually maintain peak performance. Starting out too strong can endanger your long term or even short term health.
Another important note he points out is to have patience. There are many great examples of ‘average’ high school runners who become great later in their career. This ties in with maintaining your focus and knowing that all hard work pays off. A lot of the most successful athletes are more physically gifted in high school, and they eventually get caught by the more disciplined athletes who train the right way and have patience.
Finally, Kubatsky stresses the importance of knowing what your body is capable of. He says instead of relying on a GPS or watch, practice feeling the pace (effort level, breathing, rhythm) and improving your ability to make subtle adjustments. Knowing your limits helps training be the most effective.
Runners can easily get down on themselves and can get discouraged with their results too early in Middle School and High School. Focus and patience guides athletes to more success.