Kipchoges marathon world record seems to be "out of this word" and the training he completes day to day is incredible. But what strikes me most about this guy is his way of thinking. He seems to be a zen buddhist. Kipchoge is what I'd imagine a Shaolin Monk devoting himself to the marathon would be.
Sure, you don't run 2:01:39 without tremendous talent. But Kipchoge makes sure to put every bit of it to good use and wastes none.
I find it very interesting that this man is at the top of the marathon world since 2013 without one single bad race. Every year he has exactly two days to prove himself and he always delivers on the right day. He is always prepared and handles pressure with ease. He is never injured despite running 180-200 km a week. With his track and marathon days combined he has a very long career. Other marathoners deliver one or two outstanding races and then fade away. Not Kipchoge. So he must be doing something right. What can we learn from him?
I think a lot comes down to patience and consistency. He builds his fitness "slowly by slowly". That means there is no reason to hurry. Don't try to do workouts that you are not prepared to do yet. It is enough to improve just a little bit time after time. You also don't need to rush into another workout when you are not recovered from the previous one.
Interesting is also his effort on hard days. Hard days are challenging but (for him) not gut wrenching. He often only goes 90% percent on hard days. All out is reserved for the race. Maybe we are sometimes too worried about pushing ourselves as hard as possible. When a workout is completed under control you can work up to the end with high quality movement, you can do another one sooner and it is not as hard on the body. It should also improve consistency.
The work ethic he shows is huge, but more importantly he seems to really enjoy that process of hard graft. Chop wood, carry water. Everyday. Before enlightenment and after. The process is more important than the outcome.
We hear a lot of stories of the hard working east africans. There are plenty that do it. But when you only do it because you want to earn money and get a better life you will stop once you accomplished your goal. Kipchoge is different as he seems to like that humble lifestyle.
Even in top level athletes such a combination of talent, work ethic, wisdom and attitude is a rare feat. Roger Federer is another one that comes to my mind.
I am a fan of a soccer team. With single sport athletes I am not really into this whole fanboy thing. I find some more inspiring than others and I tend to root for the hardest working ones. I always put great athletic accomplishments into perspective as I don't know how they've been accomplished. But I for sure find Kipchoges way of thinking very inspiring.
10k - 30:48 / half - 1:06:40
Sure, you don't run 2:01:39 without tremendous talent. But Kipchoge makes sure to put every bit of it to good use and wastes none.
I find it very interesting that this man is at the top of the marathon world since 2013 without one single bad race. Every year he has exactly two days to prove himself and he always delivers on the right day. He is always prepared and handles pressure with ease. He is never injured despite running 180-200 km a week. With his track and marathon days combined he has a very long career. Other marathoners deliver one or two outstanding races and then fade away. Not Kipchoge. So he must be doing something right. What can we learn from him?
I think a lot comes down to patience and consistency. He builds his fitness "slowly by slowly". That means there is no reason to hurry. Don't try to do workouts that you are not prepared to do yet. It is enough to improve just a little bit time after time. You also don't need to rush into another workout when you are not recovered from the previous one.
Interesting is also his effort on hard days. Hard days are challenging but (for him) not gut wrenching. He often only goes 90% percent on hard days. All out is reserved for the race. Maybe we are sometimes too worried about pushing ourselves as hard as possible. When a workout is completed under control you can work up to the end with high quality movement, you can do another one sooner and it is not as hard on the body. It should also improve consistency.
The work ethic he shows is huge, but more importantly he seems to really enjoy that process of hard graft. Chop wood, carry water. Everyday. Before enlightenment and after. The process is more important than the outcome.
We hear a lot of stories of the hard working east africans. There are plenty that do it. But when you only do it because you want to earn money and get a better life you will stop once you accomplished your goal. Kipchoge is different as he seems to like that humble lifestyle.
Even in top level athletes such a combination of talent, work ethic, wisdom and attitude is a rare feat. Roger Federer is another one that comes to my mind.
I am a fan of a soccer team. With single sport athletes I am not really into this whole fanboy thing. I find some more inspiring than others and I tend to root for the hardest working ones. I always put great athletic accomplishments into perspective as I don't know how they've been accomplished. But I for sure find Kipchoges way of thinking very inspiring.
10k - 30:48 / half - 1:06:40