Gatlin and Lyles both hold similar belief when it come to achieving greatness in track and field.
Success in track and field doesn’t come overnight. It requires meticulous planning, dedication, and the willingness to confront your weaknesses head-on.
Two of the sport’s biggest names, American sprint legend Justin Gatlin and Olympic champion Noah Lyles, have shared valuable insights on how athletes can push their limits and reach the highest levels of performance.
Their advice not only focuses on technical improvement but also highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people to foster growth.
Gatlin, a former 100m world champion, emphasizes the importance of seeking help and learning from others when tackling one’s weaknesses.
Justin Gatlin has given his thoughts on the world indoors even as sprint sensations like Kishane Thompson is poised to make debut.
During a recent appearance on Run Your Race, the Olympic gold medalist explained that a key to improvement in track and field is identifying areas where you’re lacking and finding the right coach or training partner to help you grow. He used the example of someone who struggles with their start in a race.
“If you’re not the best starter in the world, you find someone who’s a good starter or you find a coach who has a proven track record of helping athletes get to the next level,” said Gatlin.
The American sprint icon highlights the value of partnering with individuals who possess strengths in areas where you fall short. This collaborative approach accelerates growth and is crucial in overcoming performance barriers.
Whether it’s a coach or a training partner, learning from others who excel in areas you struggle with can be transformative.
Lyles, the reigning Olympic 100m champion, shares a similar sentiment about growth through competition.
In a past episode of the Beyond the Records podcast, Lyles spoke about his experience training with a teammate whose starting skills were far superior to his own.
Lyles, known for his strength and speed over the course of a race, admitted that his starts were a weak point. He was humbled by the speed of his teammate’s reactions, which were so fast they reminded him of Formula 1 levels of precision.
“I’m over here like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m getting blown out every time we start. I hate this. I need to get better!’” Lyles recalled.
But rather than being discouraged, Lyles viewed this challenge as a critical learning opportunity. By competing against someone who was so skilled in a specific area, he was forced to confront his own shortcomings and improve.
Lyles went on to explain that this experience of being pushed by a superior starter was a catalyst for growth throughout the year.
“It constantly made me feel like I had to improve at this one thing. And honestly, it helped me so much throughout the whole process of the year. It was like, ‘I needed this,’” he said.
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Noah Lyles is no doubt the man to beat in 2025 given he is the world 100m and 200m champion but it will not be a walk in the park for the American. So, who is likely to give him a hard time?
If Lyles had not faced the tough competition in his starts, he might have continued thinking his start was “good enough,” potentially leading to missed opportunities for improvement as he admits as such.
“If I had stayed where I was and never experienced what it was like starting against somebody who was so good at it, I would have thought I was okay. By the time I realized I was bad at it, it might have been too late.”
Both Gatlin and Lyles’ reflection underscore a common theme of self-awareness and the ability to adapt which are essential for success in track and field.
