Episode
Ep 82: The Perfectionism Trap in Running - Why Your Training Plan Should Adapt to Your Schedule, Not the Other Way Around, with Dr. Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon
- Podcast
- Mindful Marathon Podcast
- Published
- Apr 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1078
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Summary
Many physicians bring the same traits that help them succeed in medicine into their running: discipline, commitment, and a strong sense of responsibility. Give a physician runner a training plan, and they will often follow it almost perfectly. But sometimes those strengths can become a trap. In this episode, I explore the physician perfectionism trap in running and how the drive for consistency and high performance can sometimes lead runners to ignore signs of fatigue, feel discouraged after missing a workout, or hold themselves to unrealistic expectations. Running, like medicine, requires commitment. But unlike medicine, endurance training also requires flexibility, recovery, and the ability to adapt when life inevitably gets in the way. In this episode, we talk about how to recognize perfectionist tendencies in training and how to build a more sustainable, flexible approach to running. In this episode, we discuss: Why physicians and high-achieving professionals often bring perfectionist tendencies into running Why missing a run doesn’t derail your training The importance of paying attention to signals your body may need rest or recovery How unrealistic expectations can create unnecessary stress around training Why your training plan should adapt to your schedule and not the other way around Common reminders I give my athletes about consistency, recovery, and flexibility in training Running doesn’t require perfect training weeks to make meaningful progress. Often, the strongest runners are the ones who learn to adjust their training with curiosity, flexibility, and compassion for themselves. If you are a woman physician and are interested in attending Coach Michelle's RestRx Retreat in Cape May, NJ this September, message her on Instagram or send her an email. There i…