Gaines Performance Coaching

Sometimes you need tough times to work through mental blocks and cognitive dissonance. Saturday was a great training lesson in retrospect. All I could control was my fueling and hydration for a 20 mile trail run since my mind was all over the place and mostly in a bad mood from the moment I woke up. I wanted to bail on the run 1,000 times but I kept stacking bricks mile by mile even though my head was spinning and my legs were heavy. Around mile 18 I finally came to life when I happened to see a large crowd at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest. Feeling more hopeful and relaxed I felt like I was floating for the last couple miles.

The mind is so powerful and sometimes training feels really hard. It’s ok to feel bad. It’s ok to have doubts. It’s ok to wonder if you have what it takes to put in the work that day. It’s also ok if your mind and body need to take time off from training and recharge. The lesson for me was, I really need to feel this way today because there will be a point in my upcoming race where you just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Pearls of wisdom by one of the ultrarunning GOATS:

Simple mantras:
- Repeating “I believe”
- Chisel away in the cave when things get really hard

Inside the Mind of an Ultra Runner: A Raw Interview with Courtney Dauwalter Join us for an inspiring and unfiltered conversation with Courtney Dauwalter, one of the greatest ultra runners of all time. In this raw interview, Courtney ...

He makes it look so easy! It was anything but easy! Congratulations Edwin on completing the 100 mile C&O Canal Ultra last weekend. He was extremely dedicated to his training plan and came away with a monumental achievement! I'm so proud of you. You are an inspiration and I'm honored to have helped you cross the finish line!

A professional broadcaster body shames DJ Burns and his reaction is succinct and classy. Yet, he shouldn’t have to worry about receiving this kind of treatment. There is no perfect “athletic build” in sports. DJ is a perfect example of a high quality person who lets his play on the court speak for him.

Something to think about the next time we start comparing ourselves to other athletes.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5OzaewOZey/?igsh=MXh3ejlmM29oZHc5Yg==

The run continues! Go Pack!

Trail time ! 10k on a beautiful Christmas Eve

8k Turkey Trot ✅
Congrats for 4th AG!!
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍽

We all trotted 8k so now we can gobble gobble gobble. And Reeves had motors in her shoes. 4th AG 💪!! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍽

ILM bound to cheer on athletes and friends at IM NC 70.3!

Exploring Bend, OR with good food and beer at a local brewery, with great company!

Good luck Dan Warren at tomorrow’s Escape from Alcatraz! Go fast. Have fun.