Beware extreme views: stay open-minded in your running journey

The running world is full of advice, isn’t it? Scroll through social media or listen to the latest training podcast, and you’ll find no shortage of self-proclaimed experts preaching that their "method" is the key to better. Everyone’s got “the right” way to train, recover, or fuel your runs. But here’s the thing: when someone gets too set in their ways—so rigid they dismiss everything else—it needs to be a massive red flag.

I’m writing this as both a coach and a dedicated runner who’s seen firsthand how extremes can mislead, confuse and often hurt athletes. Whether it’s training, nutrition, recovery, or any other part of performance, being too inflexible can lead to stagnation, under-training, burnout, injury, or even missing out on valuable connections with others in the running community through being so extreme with their approaches. Let’s talk about why extreme views and behaviours are often dangerous and why staying open-minded can help you grow as an athlete.

When being set in your ways goes wrong

We’ve all heard stories of athletes who were brilliant but pushed so hard or got so stuck in a routine that it all fell apart. Take the once-dominant Alberto Salazar, for example. His intense and hyper-controlled methods with the Nike Oregon Project were cutting-edge—until they weren’t.

Over time, the lack of balance, rigid control, and disregard for other viewpoints contributed to both burnout among athletes and the project’s eventual collapse. Or think about Haile Gebrselassie, a marathon legend. Even in his prime, he stuck to a hard-and-fast high-mileage regimen that, while it worked for a time, left him struggling to stay injury-free in his later years. Extreme volume without enough recovery eventually took its toll.

The lesson here? It's not just the top end elites that suffer. Sticking too rigidly to one system or approach might give you short-term success, but it often comes at a cost.

The power of staying open-minded

The best runners and coaches out there aren’t the ones who think they know it all. They’re the ones who stay curious, keep learning, and know how to adapt. I highly value the principles of training that have stood the test of time—things like building an aerobic base, training progressively, and respecting recovery. These aren’t going anywhere. But I also believe in keeping an open mind. Running is always evolving, and the best athletes and coaches evolve with it.

Take Eliud Kipchoge’s training under Patrick Sang. Kipchoge’s programme has a solid structure, but it’s also adaptable. They don’t just grind out 140-mile weeks blindly—they adjust based on how Kipchoge feels and responds. Sang himself has said, “You don’t train for the sake of training; you train for results.” It’s a balance of proven principles and flexibility.

Becoming your own coach

One of the most important things any runner can do is learn how to coach themselves. You’re the one who knows your body best, so why not start trusting it? Sure, having guidance from a coach or training plan is helpful, but over time, you’ve got to take the reins and trust yourself.

Think of it like this: great coaching isn’t about telling someone what to do all the time—it’s about teaching them how to think for themselves within guidelines and parameters that you set, but that allow for ownership by the athlete. That’s what I aim for with the runners I work with. It's the GROW Model. I want them to question things, and through conversations and guidance from me and others, guide their own direction with support along the way if needed.

For example, again to cite an elite, Paula Radcliffe famously adjusted her training as she matured, learning what her body needed with age, focussing on quality over quantity, rather than blindly following what worked for others. She didn’t just do more—she did what made sense for her.

Avoiding the trap of extremes

So how do you stay out of the “extremes” trap? Here are a few ideas:

1. Watch out for absolutes: If someone claims there’s the best way to train or fuel or recover, or you should only follow this "plan" be sceptical. Running’s too complex for one-size-fits-all solutions.

2. Stay curious: Read, listen, and talk to a range of people. The more perspectives you hear, the more you can learn.

3. Experiment cautiously: Try new things, but don’t throw out what’s already working. Build on what you know about yourself.

4. Learn from mistakes: Yours and others’. Even the best athletes have face-plant moments (like Ryan Hall’s attempt at ultra-high mileage, which eventually led to overtraining and an early retirement). Take the lesson and move forward.

5. Build a trusted network with experienced athletes who have improved: Surround yourself with people who are willing to discuss, debate, and share ideas. Be wary of the ones who pepper constant advice and dismiss other's opinions. This keeps you grounded and helps you to keep learning.

Balance and adaptability: the real keys to success

The truth is, running isn’t about extremes. It’s about balance. It’s about knowing when to push and when to back off, when to stick to your principles and when to try something new.

I’ve seen some athletes get stuck because they refused to change their ways, and I’ve seen them thrive when they stayed curious and open-minded to change. Even as a coach, I’m always learning—reading research, chatting with those who have been in the game longer than me and achieved much more, and trying to find better ways to help my athletes. It’s part of the journey, and it’s what keeps the sport exciting.

So here’s my advice: be open. Be adaptable. Keep a beginner’s mindset, no matter how experienced you are. Because running isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying curious enough to keep looking for them.