Do elite runners have any personality characteristics which distinguish them from others?

I did a thesis related to this (long ago and now lost). The elite distance runner is highly self motivated.

They are very good at focusing on the main goals, staying on task and very good at not letting obstacles "get them down".

There are some very good psychological studies published on athletes. Seems as though distance runners and auto racers had quite similar personality traits.

I think that the most shared trait among elites is a mild curiosity as to why the rest of us suck so badly.

Are you that person with the phychology study from Palo Alto? Sounds similar if it isn't.

A. Kaufman wrote:

To conquer all the pain and discomfort?

What pain and discomfort? I think you personally train too hard. That is the difference between elites and you, my painful friend.

Could it be that there is a 4th aspect of running most of us don't know about? A secret?

I think YES! And the secret is (promise not to tell) orientation. The WHY of running. Most runners never develop a 'mission' for their effort. They fail to see themselves in terms of the history of track or the social history of the world. Runners can exert an enormous influence on other people that non-runners could never do. We have the opportunity to change behavior patterns. We can litterly change the world.

Look at the history of running in America for example. In 1960 there were a few runners; By 1980 there were millions of runners. What happened between 1960 and 1980 to cause that change? Someone out there decided that through running they could change the world. And it happened!

The 60's through the 80's were the GOLDEN AGE of running in America. We had MORE great distance runners than any country in the world.

Then we started looking introvertedly and the greatness faded away. We run for SELF now. Afraid to work too hard (injury) or too long (doesn't help you anyhow).

Ah! But remember, there is a secret (you promised not to tell): If you run unselfishly for the benefit, happiness, and welfare of other people (with nothing in it for you personally) you run better. MUCH BETTER!!!!

Cute thought now........

PROVE IT.

They hate to loose

A psychological and physiological study was done a few decades back (the mid-late '70s seems right) looking at the differences between elite and sub elite athletes. Surprisingly, very little or no difference physiologically between the two groups. There were significant differences psychologically, however.

Elites were inwardly focused in training and racing. Sub-elites were focused on others in training and racing. The conclusion was that those who focused inwardly were better able to manage their resources in a race and not make moves just because someone else made one.

Basically, they were better at listening to their bodies.......

backstrecth wrote:

A psychological and physiological study was done a few decades back (the mid-late '70s seems right) looking at the differences between elite and sub elite athletes. Surprisingly, very little or no difference physiologically between the two groups. There were significant differences psychologically, however.

Elites were inwardly focused in training and racing. Sub-elites were focused on others in training and racing. The conclusion was that those who focused inwardly were better able to manage their resources in a race and not make moves just because someone else made one.

Basically, they were better at listening to their bodies.......

I like your summary, Backstretch. Makes sense. Very similar to the earler post by Braavo Furgi:

They are very good at focusing on the main goals, staying on task and very good at not letting obstacles "get them down".

Thanks to both of you.

Happy New Year!

backstrecth wrote:

A psychological and physiological study was done a few decades back (the mid-late '70s seems right) looking at the differences between elite and sub elite athletes. Surprisingly, very little or no difference physiologically between the two groups. There were significant differences psychologically, however.

Elites were inwardly focused in training and racing. Sub-elites were focused on others in training and racing. The conclusion was that those who focused inwardly were better able to manage their resources in a race and not make moves just because someone else made one.

Basically, they were better at listening to their bodies.......

Dr Paul Milvy's stuff at the 1976 NYC Marathon science conferance or what ever it was called.

Found this>>

Chicago, USA 2006 - Thirty years ago the top sports medicine specialists and exercise physiologists met in New York on New York City Marathon weekend to participate in the landmark New York Academy of Sciences conference titled: The Marathon: Physiological, Medical, Epidemiological, and Psychological Studies. The proceedings of the conference were published in the New York Academy of Sciences Journal special edition, a 1090 page book with a blue cover that became a treasured resource of what was known at the time about endurance athletes.

more>

The complete study-1090 pages for about three cents a page.

Old even then!! wrote:

Dr Paul Milvy's stuff at the 1976 NYC Marathon science conferance or what ever it was called.

I believe it was called a conference!!

He did... look up Gerry Lindgren, then insert foot into mouth. Amazing just amazing

hgfg wrote:

They hate to loose

Do you mean "lose?"

The 430miler is a miler. Does that answer your question?

Self-centeredness. Inability to communicate with others. lacking interests outside of their sport. Self-value nearly completely tied up in their running performance. Insecurity.

Lindgren, Ryun and Prefontaine were my 3 biggest heroes from the '65-'75 era of distance running. I read their books, bought their posters and read all about their training, lives, etc.

well.... wrote:

Self-centeredness. Inability to communicate with others. lacking interests outside of their sport. Self-value nearly completely tied up in their running performance. Insecurity.

'Insecure'? Elite athletes are anything BUT insecure. Self-confidence seems more appropriate when speaking of an elite.

So what I understand you to say is that:

Elites have a very strong internal locus of control. During the act of running and racing this will manifest itself through heightened awareness, attention to and responsiveness to biological cues in order to maximize efficiency.

In terms of more general behavior it is manifest in the consistent and at times rigid selection of activities designed to meet ones own goals of running performance.

Locus of internal control allows one to stay focused to an extreme level and not to get directed off task by others.

OK, one more related question.

How does the marriage satisfaction rate of elite runners compare with others (include both partners of course)?