Why don't runners reach their potential?

For me, it was C. Lack of knowledge on how to train. For most of my running career, it was All hard, all the time, then I tried LSD, and now, I hope I've seen the light, with smarter training, more mileage, and caution.

Mostly B from what I have seen.

People just don't put in the time they need to.

never met a runner who felt like he/she had reached their potential. nothing to do with any of above, everything to do with reaching beyond the mark ... always (well maybe that's 'E'). Met many other professional hall of fame type athletes .... who felt the same way. Not a 'runner' thing imho

woman

WithMeSoFar? wrote:

Which lowers:

b: motivation and people say "it just ain't worth it anymore."

Who could disagree? Once it's gone it's gone for good.

I beg to differ. When I was on vacation back where I used to live on HHI, South Carolina, I was in a 90 mile week. Running on the beach every day at about 100 degrees with 100% humidity, around thursday I had lost all desire to get myself out the door the next day, as I was dead. As I took this time off, I started eating some junk food and eating some big unhealthy meals, stuff that you'd see normal people that are overweight eating...and well, I got to thinking "why do I torture myself with running? I run so much and barely ever see results, and I get injured so much. It's just not worth it anymore." So I went for a full 2 weeks without running, had a good time and all, was actually enjoying life, but when I got back up here to flagstaff the 2 weeks later, it was killing me not to go out on a run, and I went out on a run...and since then I've run every single day for the past 14 weeks, 2x a day, up to 120 mpw. I can tell you for a fact taht during those 2 weeks I was certain I was through with running, and had moved on. I was thinking in terms of girlfriend, fun times, and kids in the future. Just don't say that once it's gone it's gone. You can always get it back. Obviously I'm still thinking in the future for a girlfriend and kids and such, but for now I'm happy with my running. :-)