Why do Elite Winners seem not to struggle?

Seems crazy, doesn't it!? Elite athletes train hours to make themselves look so composed so when it comes to the big day, they're not struggling or staining as most runners do. Of course, we've seen a lot of elite runners run so fast that they can't withstand the physical stress their body goes through. However, Africans in particular are always so composed and never seem tired. Their mental strength is uncomparable and the idea of fine running is always on their mind (if I had to take a guess.) These guys train to make running look effortless, if you ever take a look at working videos that include east Africans they always look so relaxed. I also want to know their secret.

I've experienced when running with others I can find a way to be within myself and not stress my body as much. It's quite remarkable and weird that you can feed off others' energy and use it to your advantage.

"I've experienced when running with others I can find a way to be within myself and not stress my body as much. It's quite remarkable and weird that you can feed off others' energy and use it to your advantage."

Very true. If ever there was anecdotal evidence that our bodies produce "energy fields," this would be it!

The marathon is a different kind of pain.

A 5k makes me curl over, the same doesn’t happen at the end of a marathon. It is just a different kind of pain.

In the marathon, the winner always looks good. After that, it’s a train wreck.

They are in excEPtiOnal shape

malmo wrote:

CopperRunner wrote:

Id imagine they are in a world of pain, .

Discomfort. If you are experiencing pain then you are injured.

Yawn. Always one in any thread.

OP - dunno, I quite often seen elites crumple to the floor at the finish, though agree it's not usually the winners. As has been said probably the adreno rush from winning is taking away any 'pain'.

quadraticformula wrote:

In response to Runner10287, if LetsRun had a laughing-so-hard-I'm-crying emoji, I'd use it. Definitely never been called a "hobby jogger" before! :) I will gladly take it!

Always ready for battle, wear your hobby-jogger title as a badge of courage, armed with your headband, white cotton knee-socks and hydration belts sufficient to nourish a Turkish army.

SanDiegorunner wrote:

It's quite remarkable and weird that you can feed off others' energy and use it to your advantage.

One time during a race a guy came up behind me and I literally felt the energy sucked out of me and go into him. He passed me and took my rightfully earned 987th place finish away from me. Now I know it was you.

If I had to guess, it would be that they are so accustomed to the pain and rigors of running that it doesn’t manifest in their faces, body language, etc. the pain is there, but they are hardened by the years and thousands of hard miles

For example, If you wake up super early every morning for 20 years to go to a blue collar job after a while you just do it. No bitching and moaning. You just do it.

That’s my guess

This is a good thread. From my perspective i think it relates to maintaining composure even in training . Very often when i am training alone i feel like i am not paying attention to my facial expression and all of that. I have a feeling

these elites train every aspect of it, including their expression, to look smooth in every way.