Thread by @theEndurancePT

I was asked a brilliant Q today in an online chat with some newly qualified coaches.

What’s the key to success in endurance sports??

A thread……

1/11

#ukrunchat #uktrichat #success #endurance #physio

It didn’t take me long to answer to be honest, I think it’s the same secret for all sports (and life in general!)

the key is simply to be consistent over a prolonged period - sustained / maintained consistency.

2/11

The successful athletes, and by that I mean relative success to the individual, not necessarily podium finishes per se, is that they are world class at doing the basics, rather than being basic at the world class things.

3/11

They don’t chase short term hero sessions or try to prove fitness and talent in training.

They simply become comfortable at putting simple credit in the bank in small, consistent, continuous amounts day, week, month, year in and out.

4/11

Successful athletes, coaches and therapists are happy to “embrace the monotony”, what I mean here is that they are at ease with doing the same things repeatedly over time.

And this is the hard part for most.

5/11

It’s easy to get mesmerised by the sexy or trendy stuff, the novel & new things that may look appealing but don’t provide the consistency needed.

They may have variation in what they do, but don’t feel an urge for unnecessary variety or change simply for the sake of it.

6/11

For coaches and therapists this can be really hard, athletes and patients come with expectations of receiving the fancy stuff, the highlight reel workouts and treatments and sticking to your principles can be challenging.

7/11

But it’s important to do so, sustained consistency over time can help grow confidence in your ability and performance capability or return from injury.

8/11

Nearly every successful athlete, coach or therapist I know also focusses on the journey more than the destination, the process more than the outcome.

These are the things we can control without being overwhelmed.

9/11

What can we do today that benefits tomorrow more than what are we doing next month.

Most sessions and exercises are markedly more Simple than most expect. That’s intentional and deliberate.

Complexity often kills consistency.

10/11

Finally they are meticulous in identifying all the facets needed to improve. They don’t shy from collaborating with others who can help, learning new skills and approaches, but they never lose the concept of simplicity, application and consistency.

Thanks for reading 👍

11/11