Copying the Pros Won’t Work, Belief Is Real, and Your Taper Might Be Hurting You—Alex Ostberg Breaks Down July’s Biggest Lessons in Training Psychology

Alex Ostberg is back again, ready to unpack the powerful, and often overlooked, mental side of training. In this July roundup, Alex breaks down the four most impactful lessons from his newsletter The Rundown : covering everything from tapering tweaks to placebo power. If you’ve ever second-guessed your workouts, tried to copy what the pros are doing, or sabotaged yourself before race day—this episode is your antidote. First up, Alex covers why copying elite runners can backfire, and how to train for yourself , not someone else’s blueprint. Next, he discusses the placebo effect redefined, how it’s not a trick, but a training tool rooted in belief and biology. Then it’s onto the taper trap: how overthinking and last-minute adjustments ruin weeks of hard work (and how to stop). Lastly, he examines the hidden role of mindset across every training phase, and how to build routines that boost performance from the inside out. Alex is ready to show how success isn’t about replication, it’s about personalization; that belief isn’t fake; it’s a real driver of results; and how trusting the plan matters just as much as writing a good one. Alex is a former D1 All-American, coach, and creator of The Rundown , one of the most practical and honest newsletters in running. His approach blends elite-level insight with grounded, actionable strategies every runner can use. Tap into the Alex Ostberg Rundown Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs - The Science of a Taper - How To Stop Sabotaging Your Taper - The Placebo Effect Isn’t A Trick – It’s A Tool - Don’t Copy The Winner -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz