How Bad Do You Want It?

The greatest athletic performances spring from the mindset, not just the muscles.
Elite athletes have known this for decades-and now science explains why. In his fascinating sports psychology book, How Bad Do You Want It?, coach Matt Fitzgerald examines more than a dozen pivotal races to explore how the best endurance athletes build mental toughness and gain a competitive edge.
Fitzgerald takes you deep into the action of over a dozen epic events in running, cycling, triathlon, XTERRA, and rowing, blending thrilling race reports with exclusive post-race interviews. Through the athletes' own words and breakthrough science, How Bad Do You Want It? reveals that developing mental fitness is the key to pushing your limits and outperforming stronger rivals.
Each chapter uncovers a defining moment when an athlete's mental game changed the outcome-showcasing powerful, practical psychobiological principles you can apply to your own training. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to improve endurance performance, develop grit, and master the psychology of endurance sports.
In How Bad Do You Want It, you'll learn,

Athletes featured include: Sammy Wanjiru, Jenny Simpson, Greg LeMond, Siri Lindley, Willie Stewart, Cadel Evans, Nathan Cohen and Joe Sullivan, Paula Newby-Fraser, Ryan Vail, Thomas Voeckler, Ned Overend, Steve Prefontaine, and John "The Penguin" Bingham.

Matt Fitzgerald is a certified sports nutritionist and the author of numerous books on running, triathlon, nutrition, and weight loss. His most recent books are Racing Weight Cookbook, Racing Weight Quick Start Guide, RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel, Racing Weight, Brain Training for Runners, and The Runner's Diary. Matt is a regular contributor to Men's Fitness, Men's Health, Outside, Runner's World, Bicycling, Running Times, Women's Running, and other sports and fitness publications. Fitzgerald is a featured coach on TrainingPeaks, Pear Sports, and Active.com. He is a certified sports nutritionist (CISSN) licensed by the International Society of Sports Nutrition. He lives and trains near San Francisco, California.

Introduction A Race is Like a Fire Walk: Sammy Wanjiru Brace Yourself: Jenny Barringer Chasing the Man Behind: Greg LeMond The Art of Letting Go: Siri Lindley I Never Wanted to Swim Until I Couldn't: Willie Stewart Sweet Disgust: Cadel Evans The Wrong Body: Joseph Sullivan Hard Work Security Blanket: Paula Newby-Fraser Miracle in the Mud: Ryan Vail The Yellow Jersey Gives You Wings: Thomas Voeckler Slowing Slower: Ned Overend It's Worth It: Steve Prefontaine Appendix