LISTEN
In this episode of the A to Z Running Podcast, Olympian Kim Conley shares her running career through the lens of a growth mindset. Her 16 consecutive years of running PRs made Kim the perfect person to answer the question, “What is a growth mindset in running?”
INTRO
- Follow and Subscribe (on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform)
- Listener question from Anne of @margsandmarathons.
- Commenting on the demonstration of the adductor stretch found @atozrunning on instagram,
- “Does it make sense to do more reps on your “weak” side than your strong side?”
- We asked Adam Homolka to answer and he said, “if you notice that one side is weaker/tighter, or is more challenging, do an extra set on that side until it feels more symmetrical with your stronger side.”
- Have you signed up for Rivertown Races in Grand Rapids, MI? It’s not too late. Use the code atoz_2021 for 10% off.
World of Running
March 11-13 in Fayetteville, Arkansas
- For the men…
- Oregon’s Cole Hocker (19 years old) won the mile in a meeting record then came back an hour later to win the 3,000m (and missed meeting record by only .21 sec)
- His finishing speed was devastating (ran a 53 second last quarter in the mile)
- Inside scoop (letsrun): Oregon coach Robert Johnson apparently admitted that he was going to pull Hocker from the 3k after winning the mile if the team had a solid hold on the title (but they didn’t)
- Oregon men won the meet on the backs of their distance runners (1st in 800, mile, 3,000m, and DMR)
- Also took 2nd in the 3k
- For the women…
- Athing Mu (definitely was one to watch) ended up 2nd in the open 400m despite being a strong favorite
- However, came back to anchor the Arkansas 4x400m relay in the fastest indoor 400m split ever run by an NCAA female: 49.54
- Arkansas women won their second consecutive title (remember last year was off)
- 2nd highest point total in D1 indoor history
- WATCH HERE
March 11-13, 2021, Birmingham, AL
NCAA D2 Indoor Track and Field Championships
- West Michigan’s very own Grand Valley State University won the women’s team competition while men were runner up.
- 3rd indoor title for the women (2011 and 2012)
March 14, 2021 Nagoya, Japan (Japan Running News)
- 5,000 in marathon
- 9,000 in half
- Blustery conditions did not result in a successful attempt of the Japanese national record, however the female winner Mizuki Matsuda (with Daihatsu) ran 2:21:51
- Women’s 60+ world record holder Mariko Yugeta (with Saitama OIG) likewise struggled with the wind, coming up short of her goal of breaking her own record of 2:52:13 from Osaka in January but adding another sub-3 to her resume with a time of 2:54:31 for 70th overall in her 110th marathon finish.
- “Barring any resulting spike in infection numbers later this month, Nagoya was a beacon of hope that this fall will see all those who could only watch from a distance this time get their chances on the streets of Boston, London, Tokyo, and the world’s other major cities.”
On March 9th, app.com posted a story about Ajee’ Wilson…
- Her old high school, Neptune HS in New Jersey will name their track after her.
NCAA Cross Country national championships also just happened on Monday, March 15. We’ll share notable highlights next week, but you can check out the results at the link on atozrunning.com
https://live.pttiming.com/XC-PTT.html?mid=2124
MAIN TOPIC: WHAT IS A GROWTH MINDSET IN RUNNING?
Growth mindset has been a buzz term with businesses and organizations. According to a Harvard Business review growth mindset can be described like this, “Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts). This is because they worry less about looking smart and they put more energy into learning.” Or in a runner’s case, worry less about beating people and put more energy into improvement.
We’ve brought on 2x Olympian Kim Conley to discuss her incredible growth mindset and how implementing this framework has been important in her progression as an athlete.
About our guest: Kim Conley
Two-time Olympian, Team USA, Two-time US Champion
Kim Conley has been called an underdog, yet is a two-time Olympian representing team USA in 2012 and 2016 on the track in the 5k. She is an excellent racer, and is known for her consistent improvement. In fact, Kim PRd for 16 years straight which proves her consistency and suggests a growth mindset. In 2014 Kim won the 10k USA title in a fierce battle with Jordan Hasay (which she will unpack in the episode). In 2015 Kim won the USA Half Marathon Championship and holds an impressive half marathon PR of 1:09:44.
Kim Conley’s Personal Records:
800m 2:07.23
1500 4:07.17
One Mile 4:27
3k 8:44.11
5k 15:05.20
10k 31:35.88
Half Marathon 1:09:44
Follow Kim Conley
Instagram: @kimfconley
Facebook: @kfconley
KEEP LISTENING
Hey guys! On the topic of PRs…I wanted to pose a question about hydration/nutrition for the half marathon distance! I’m in shape to run a PR half marathon at next month at the in-person Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon in Louisville. Due to COVID, the race will have DIY water stations, which I *assume* means I would need to stop and fill a disposable cup myself. So potentially there could be a line. The race will start in waves, with 50 people every 15 minutes, from 6:30 am till 11:30am, and my start time is 11am, so there definitely could be lines at water stations by then!
My expected finish time is in the 1:41 to 1:45 range, so I’m weighing the pros/cons of just ‘winging it’ (running without carrying any hydration), and POSSIBLY being able to grab a quick water at the stations, versus the nuisance of carrying my own fluids (Nathan’s bottle in my hand, or a disposable Gatorade bottle). If I don’t bring anything, and water stations are busy, I am definitely risking the possibility of having to run the whole race w/o any hydration. I did just order a FlipBelt with 2 6oz bottles that fit inside (www.flipbelt.com) to try out on my long run this weekend. I have never worn a vest or belt before on a run, but I want to give myself options in case race day ends up being super warm.
I’m really leaning toward ‘winging it’ and hoping I can grab some water at the water stations. And even if I can’t grab any water, I *THINK* I’d rather be thirsty than carry something. I just don’t want to self-sabotage with a poor hydration decision with a PR on the line. 🙂 Would love to hear your thoughts on this!
(Sorry for the SUPER long post!) 🙂
Laura
Laura,
Two very quick thoughts (and perhaps we’ll elaborate in an episode soon!):
(1) Weather will indeed influence the question of necessity here, as any time you’re running under 2 hours, it’s significantly less likely that your body would NEED hydration unless heat index is on the higher side (humidity especially)
(2) It also has a lot to do with how you prepare: are you taking fluids during training runs or not (those who do often take fluids while training create more of a dependency in the body’s energy system and should probably plan to do the same in races)
If in either situation the answers are affirmative that conditions or your own preparation induce greater need for fluids, I would NOT depend on the aid stations. There’s a wide array of scenarios that can make that a liability, and I am not one to heft months of preparation over thin ice.
Perhaps that’s just me though!