- Ability - Shaq is a good basketball player, in part, because he's huge. Running factors (joint composition, aeorobic system) are more subtle.
- Motivation - Intrinisic motivation to be successful. A good why. Why do you want to be a runner? Only 15% have a good answer.
- Opportunity - Long distance running is not affected much by weather. Easier to run in colder climates than in hotter, humid conditions. Track distances is set by high school and universities.
- Direction - Coaching, a program, something that sets direction. Some direction is worse than none.
- Luck - Sometimes something happens in a race that gives a runner an opportunity.
- The job of a coach is make an environment where maximum potential can be reached.
- Run one lap at a time. If a lap is too long, try a step. Break it down into smaller segments.
- Shake it up. Sometimes running a faster lap will feel better than a slower one.