Embrace Bad Running Days for Improvement — image accompanying Canadian Running's report. Image accompanying Canadian Running’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Running coach Steve Magness suggests runners should not only celebrate their best days. He emphasizes the importance of improving performance on bad days. Magness calls this 'raising the floor'. He believes focusing on less-than-perfect performances can narrow the gap between good and bad days.
Magness argues that confidence comes from handling tough days. Runners should train in challenging situations to build evidence of their capabilities. This prepares them for any race condition. He advises against assuming a race is lost when things get tough. Read more culture coverage.
Magness recommends a calm approach to pain and difficulty. He suggests acknowledging discomfort and maintaining a positive inner dialogue. After a bad race, he advises runners to limit their disappointment to 24 hours, then return to training. Related: NYRR Launches Free Summer Running Program for High School Boys.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Canadian Running. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Embrace Bad Running Days for Improvement?
Coach Steve Magness advises runners to focus on their worst days for growth. Running coach Steve Magness suggests runners should not only celebrate their best days. He emphasizes the importance of improving performance on bad days. Magness calls this 'raising the floor'. He believes focusing on less-than-perfect performances can narrow the gap between good and bad days.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 18, 2026. The underlying Canadian Running report was dated October 18, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Canadian Running. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
THE WEEKLY BRIEFING
Start the week a step ahead.
A concise edit of the running stories worth knowing, sent every Monday.
