I ran the Tarawera 52km last weekend - a tiddler compared to the amazing folks who took on the 102km or 165km races (Luke Bebbington). But even at that distance, one thing was clear: the people who performed best werenât just fit, they had systems.
One runner I spent time alongside had mapped out each aid station distance and his target pace, scribbling them in vivid on his hand. He knew that when fatigue set in, mental maths wouldnât come easy - so he made it easier. No guesswork, no wasted effort, just a clear next step.
Iâve been working with a team on the foundations for high performance, and in our workshop on Monday, we explored this exact idea: our systems unlock our performance.
High performers have a stretch goal theyâre chasing, but they donât rely on willpower alone to get there. Instead, they dial in their systems to make progress more manageable, predictable, and sustainable.
Thatâs where my head is now - fine-tuning my systems for the next challenge: 100km at the South Island Ultra Marathon in May. (And yes, that does freak me out đł)
What systems help you perform at your best under pressure?
