Be Autonomous During Warm-Ups: Mental Attributes of Elite Runners #13/15
#13 — Be autonomous during warm-ups.
What I love about runners is their comfort with autonomy. Some people cannot be alone. Many runners enjoy the quiet time and opportunity to reflect on what a solo run or warm-up can offer.
Here is Sir Roger Bannister's feeling on the topic: “Things a man learns for himself he never forgets. The things a man does by himself he does best.”
To me, a coach of runners is a guide steering, encouraging, and aiding one’s running life. Some of the best coaches know when to step in and when to step back. There is a time for engagement and time for silence and observation. It’s a tough skill to learn and hard to do.
One thing sport can teach us is self-reliance. A lot of what a runner must accomplish is on their own. Knowing how to show up and deliver your best is a transferable skill and worth cultivating.
The autonomous runner is not lonely, they’re strong. But their strength is not all their own.
Being human, runners do require a lot of support and a strong sense of community to thrive.
The ability to be comfortable with being autonomous during race day warm-ups is a sign of a well prepared and supported runner. When their physical, emotional, and mental needs have been sharpened, they’ll have the strength to be by themselves in the final moments before the gun. Being supported by a robust community, connected teammates, and committed leader is the foundation of that strength.
On race day, one of my favorite moments is seeing that look in a runner’s eye that says, “I got this. I’m ready.”
The sight is a small victory for the coach to savor, it means they’ve done their job, regardless of the day’s final result.