Most people, runners and otherwise, think of talent as one thing: the natural ability to run fast.
While this is definitely a talent, I believe there are other talents that make runners who they are.
Before starting, I would like to note some things talent is not, since these are common misconceptions:
- Talent is not a good or bad thing. It’s just a reality. We all have different talents and are just trying to make the most of them.
- Talent is not all or nothing. Don’t think of an on/off switch, think of a dimmer switch.
- Talent is not destiny. To use the example of the natural ability to run fast, people with this talent have certain advantages but this doesn’t mean they can’t be beaten by people with less of this talent who make the most of their abilities.
So, what are the four running talents?
Natural ability to run fast: Some people can simply run faster than others with little to no training. This gives them a head start but, as pointed out in point 3 above, does not mean they are unbeatable.
Trainability: While (almost) everybody can improve from training, some improve more than others from the same training. This, of course, gives them an advantage when they do the training.
Durability: In short, how hard can you train without breaking down? Some people, even if they do everything “right”, get injured or burned out pretty easily. Others can put themselves through a lot and come out fine. Obviously, the ability to take on a large training load without breaking down is a big advantage.
Motivation/drive: Some of us are simply more predisposed to being motivated to push ourselves, we may even enjoy it. If you’re not motivated, you’re almost certainly not going to do the training to get better so having the motivation is obviously a big advantage.
Three of these talents are something we also have some level of control over. However, we all have some inherent level of each of these before we even take our first steps as runners. How much of each one of these we have can vary greatly and is what makes each one of us a unique runner.
So what do you do with these talents? Well, the obvious answer is that you want to maximize your positives and work on your negatives to try to minimize their effects. What specifically might we do with each of these?
Natural ability to run fast:
If you’re at the higher end of the spectrum with this talent, be grateful (this will become a theme). Never take it for granted and also never become complacent. There are plenty of people with high levels of this talent who become complacent and don’t develop into the runner they could become.
If you’re at the lower end of the spectrum, it’s unfortunate but not the end of the world. It can feel like you’re starting with a huge disadvantage and in some ways you are. However, depending on your other talents, it’s a disadvantage that can be overcome at least to some extent. Personally, anyone who knows me from my early running days knows I’m at the very low end when it comes to this type of talent. I’ve still been able to use my other talents to overcome this and, while not a world beater, I’ve been able to become a relatively successful competitive runner. It is possible. Don’t give up on yourself.
Trainability:
If you’re at the higher end of the spectrum for this talent, again, be grateful. You have the opportunity to see wonderful gains and, over the course of months and years, transform yourself as a runner. Just remember that your other talents will matter. Do what training you can handle, don’t go overboard, and keep looking for those long term gains.
If you’re at the lower end of the spectrum, it can be frustrating. You feel like you’re doing twice as much work as others just to get a little benefit, while they are improving by leaps and bounds. Lean on your areas of strength and know that you will get better. It will just take more work to do so.
Durability:
Again, if you have this, you’re incredibly fortunate. Injury rates in this sport are way too high. If you can stay healthy through almost anything, you’re incredibly fortunate. Take advantage of this but don’t go overboard. No matter how durable you are, every body has its limits.
If you’re at the lower end of the spectrum, I’m so sorry. You’ve probably dealt with a lot of frustration and maybe even anger. As a durable runner, I will be the first to admit it’s not fair and I definitely feel for you. As for what to do, try to find a way to balance your training needs with your need to stay healthy. A lot of cross training might help to save some impact stresses and spread the overall stress your body takes. Strength and mobility training to shore up any imbalances, weaknesses or mobility issues that might be factors can be incredibly helpful. Most importantly, find the level and combination of factors that work for you and remember that they can change with time.
Motivation/drive:
This is a tricky one. If you have a lot of motivation but not much durability, this motivation can actually get you in trouble. However, it can also be very powerful if it’s channeled in the right direction. If you have this and durability, you’re pretty much set for some serious training load. If durability is an issue, try to channel this motivation into that cross training and strength and mobility training I mentioned above. Use the motivation to find a way to keep training hard while finding the balance that will keep you healthy.
If you don’t have this, there are ways to try to improve it. Goals are probably the most common because they are probably the most effective. Get your goal in front of you. Write it down and post it on your bathroom mirror. Work it into the wallpaper of your phone and computer. In the end, though, don’t do things that are going to drive you away from the sport. If you don’t have the motivation to go real deep, accept that a more “gentle” version of the sport may be the best choice for you.
If you notice a theme in what to do, that’s because there is a theme. As with anything, with these four talents, be grateful if you have a good amount of any of these and take full advantage of them. If you have less, don’t beat yourself up over it. Do the best you can and lean on what talents you do have. If you have an abundance of all four, congratulations, you hit the jackpot and the sky is the limit. If you don’t, welcome to the world of the large majority of us. We’re just out there trying to take advantage of what we have been given and shore up our weaknesses where we haven’t been given that advantage. Doing so can be quite the journey and you will learn a lot about yourself and a lot of life lessons as you find your path.