There is No Secret Sauce

The real magic lies in how we use what we have

Running sometimes seems hard to figure out. When we look at professional athletes, we often wonder what the magic trick is, the exact buttons we need to push to advance and thrive like them.

The bad news is also the good news:

There is no magic trick, no buttons, and no secret sauce.

(Photo by Stephan Wieser)

A Nose in Front?

Professional athletes are often seen as untouchable, their achievements seemingly beyond the reach of us mere mortals. But why is that?

Sure, they train in exclusive camps, have access to state-of-the-art facilities, and benefit from the guidance of top-notch coaches and sports scientists. Their sponsorship deals ensure they have the best equipment and allow them to focus solely on their training without the distraction of other job obligations. This support system is undeniably beneficial and contributes to their remarkable performances. But the true essence of their success lies elsewhere.

I have a Hunch

Their success is based on their unwavering commitment and consistency. The countless hours they devote to training, their relentless focus on getting the most out of every workout, and their resilience and willingness to learn in the face of setbacks. Their accomplishments are built on a foundation of grit, perseverance, and an indomitable spirit.

But are only professionals able to train and run like this? No, we all are.

Neck and Neck

We, the ambitious amateur runners, the inexperienced rookies, the dedicated age groupers, the after-work warriors, the full-time family members, all run with the same ingredients. We may not have the same resources or support, but what is inside us, what drives us, is just as powerful.

We also share the same roads, the same trails, and the same obstacles. Setbacks are just as painful, and dealing with injuries is just as difficult for us as it is for the pros. We ponder the same questions, endure the same sleepless nights of doubt, debate the same issues with our running friends, and have to find the same solutions to the same problems. Reaching our goals feels just as exhilarating. Hell, we share the exact same love and excitement for the sport of running.

(Photo by Stephan Wieser)

What Slumbers in us

I believe the real magic lies in how we use what we have. It's the early morning runs, the late night workouts, the perseverance through injuries, and the mental fortitude to keep going when everything around us is screaming to stop. It's the will to push a little harder, to dig a little deeper, and to believe a little more. Yes, to believe. The magic is already within us, waiting to be tapped.

Give Me That Secret Sauce

In the end, it's not our results, but our shared experiences and commitment that put us on par with the pros. Greatness in running isn't defined by trophies or sponsorships, but by the spirit and effort we bring to every step.

So let's put aside the myth of the secret sauce and acknowledge that we are all part of a community united by perseverance and heart. Beautiful, isn't it?

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Everything Not Running

Once a year, at the end of November, the work at my running brand Willpower piles up into a huge mountain called Bold Friday. As the name suggests, this is our interpretation of "BFCM" (Black Friday / Cyber Monday), as it is known in the industry.

This last weekend in November, the strongest sales period of the year, is controversial in many ways. Short version: Triggering a global mindless shopping frenzy surely is not what the world needs these days.

That's why we've trying to go our own way with Willpower for the last couple of years. For example, we don't flog old stuff that didn't sell well during the year, but we launch our biggest drop of new products on Bold Friday.

We also produce in small quantities to limit the flood of merchandise. As a result, most items sell out quickly, and it breaks our hearts that many people don't get their favorite product, but it also helps ensure that the things purchased are highly valued. This may be uneconomical, but it forces both us as a manufacturer and you as an end user to make conscious purchasing decisions, and that can only be a good thing.

It's no coincidence that our Bold Friday drop is called Empower Running. As of yesterday, you can see a sneak preview of the drop. Either way, mark November 29th on your calendar.

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On Repeat

In light of recent events, this week's "On Repeat" is Therapy? with one of the greatest rock songs ever written, "Screamager".

In light of recent events because the band is currently on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their cult album "Troublegum". Although a lot has happened in those 30 years, the songs on that album are utterly immortal and have more than stood the test of time.

I first heard Therapy? on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. I think it was 1992. It was a live set from the Monsters of Rock festival in Donnington, UK, and Therapy? were just about to become one of the most important rock bands of the 90s. The band's extraordinary live energy blew me away.

For me, "Troublegum" is one of the five (yes, five!) most important albums of all time. They say it was written on tour, entirely on acoustic guitar. In my opinion, you can't make rock music better than that.

Even today, every single song on 'Troublegum' makes my heart beat faster, but especially 'Screamager'.