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Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

Are Physical Limits in Our Heads? - with Alex Hutchinson

Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

RunnersConnect: Coaching Community, Running Experts, Inspiring Runners, No Fluff Blog

Running, Fitness, Health & Fitness, Sports

4.5936 Ratings

🗓️ 24 January 2018

⏱️ 56 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We've long known the biggest barriers in running are those we create in our own heads, but according to Alex Hutchinson and the latest research, there are ways we can bypass these barriers to push farther and faster.

A National Magazine Award-winning journalist, Alex's work revolves mostly around the science of endurance, and there's a pretty good chance you've read some of his stuff. He contributes to Runner's World, the New York Times, the New Yorker, and he also has his own column in Outside Magazine called Sweat Science.

In this episode, Alex will share with us a little about his upcoming book, ENDURE: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance.

In the book, Alex explores the controversial new science of endurance that suggests our brains are just as responsible as our bodies for the physical obstacles we encounter in running.

In other words, most of the limits we experience are illusionary, and, with some groundbreaking techniques Alex will share with us today, we can actually push through these imaginary limits to unearth our true physical capabilities.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Today on the Run to the Top Podcast.

0:05.0

When you're running hard, your mental bandwidth is pretty low.

0:08.0

You're not solving differential equations or anything like that.

0:10.0

You've just got a few words, and so if you can make sure that those words are you've trained for this you're ready for this only three miles ago you can pick different phrases for different stages of a race

0:18.5

But the research shows is that some fairly simple self-talk training can produce real measurable improvements in endurance.

0:26.0

Welcome to the Run to the Top Podcast from Runners Connect, where it's all about learning from the best and most inspiring minds in the sport.

0:35.0

Together, we can train a smarter, healthier, and faster running community.

0:41.0

Now here's your host,

0:43.5

Shinnade Hockey.

0:45.0

Hey guys, this is Shinnade, back with you again

0:48.0

for this latest episode of Run to the Top, brought to you by Runiners Connect. Thank you so much for taking the time to join me today.

0:56.1

I hope you're having a wonderful day and that this podcast makes it even better.

1:01.1

Last week I spoke with marathoner and writer Duncan Larkin

1:05.6

about his new book, The 30 Minute Runner,

1:08.0

smart training for busy beginners.

1:10.6

Duncan writes for Outside Magazine and Runner's World to name a couple and during the

1:16.0

episode he shared with us his tips for achieving quality over quantity in order

1:21.4

to maximize training when you lead a busy life, which I'm guessing applies to you,

1:27.4

so be sure to check it out if you missed that one.

1:30.6

On to this week's episode.

1:36.7

Today we have the pleasure of hearing from National Magazine Award Winning journalist Alex Hutchinson. Alex's work revolves mostly around the science of endurance and there's a pretty

1:44.8

good chance you've read some of his stuff. He contributes to Runner's World, the

...

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