From The Stage To The Sideline: Former Track Athlete, Pascal Dobert, Tells All

When it comes to understanding what it takes to compete at the highest levels of running, few people relate. Pascal Doberts is a former Olympian and University of Wisconsin track athlete alum specializing in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Doberts has experienced the path from elite competitor to coach, giving him a unique perspective on both sides of the sport that continues to evolve daily.

Pascal Doberts competed in Sydney, Australia for the 2000 Olympic games. He was a track athlete before transitioning into coaching for Nike and Puma athletes, where he now guides the next generation of runners. His dual experience as both elite performer and mentor provides valuable insights into the mental and physical demands of competitive running.

Let Competitiveness Take Hold

The difference between finishing and winning races often comes down to what happens in your mind, even when your body wants to quit. For Doberts, the secret wasn’t pre-race rituals or an ultra-specific routine. For him, it was tapping into something more primal.

“I would just let my competitiveness take hold and deep down know how much I hated to lose, and that made me able to push through when the race started to hurt,” Doberts stated. This is a raw perspective that separates athletes from normal people. In order to beat everyone else, you have to truly want it and let that be your biggest motivator. 

The Truth Behind Staying Motivated

Even Olympic level athletes face moments of doubt. For Dobert, this feeling exemplified when dealing with injury. Doberts acknowledged these challenging periods but emphasized the importance of perspective. “I knew the setback was just temporary but it was still so frustrating being on the sidelines.”

The feeling of quitting was only apparent when an injury caused him a setback in performance. But again, it’s all mental for him. Rather than letting disappointment derail his progress, he used it as motivation to train harder.

Broadened Perspective 

The transition from competitor to coach revealed new layers of complexity and reward for Doberts. “As an athlete you really are only thinking about yourself,” he stated, “but coaching is much different in that you have a group of athletes you’re responsible for and having their careers in your hands is a different type of pressure, though very rewarding and fulfilling.”

This shift from self-focused performance to being responsible for others’ performance represents a fundamental change in mindset. Almost making it incomparable between the two. 

Tips For Beginners 

For those intimidated by running, Doberts offers straightforward advice, “Start super slow. Mix in walking with running initially, and gradually increase the running segments. Take it easy and short at first and realize your body is gonna go through some small aches and pains as it adapts to running!”

His message is clear. Running doesn’t have to be something dreadful. We all start from somewhere, but what matters is consistency. Acknowledge the uncomfortableness and push through. Running can be for everyone.