The world of professional track and field is a whirlwind of speed, not just on the track but in the relentless pace of athletes’ lives. For fans, the thrill of watching sprinters like Noah Lyles, Tebogo, McKenzie Long blaze down the straightaway is unmatched. Yet, behind the glory lies a grueling reality: schedules so intense they push even the toughest competitors to their limits.
On the Ready Set Go podcast, Track legend Justin Gatlin pulled back the curtain on this demanding lifestyle, spotlighting the challenges faced by new pros navigating the global circuit. But what does this relentless pace mean for athletes like Long?
Track Legend Justin Gatlin, a four-time Olympian, painted a vivid picture: “You got to run a lot of races. You’re gonna wake up and run in Japan, then go to sleep and run in Rome or something like that. It just happens that way, so you just got to get used to it.” while speaking on his Youtube Channel Ready Set Go. He even shared a jaw-dropping story about Mike Rogers: “No one did it better than Mike Rogers himself. Boy, I remember to this day—I was sitting in my room in some country (I forget which one), watching Mike run a race in a whole other country. I thought, ‘Okay, that was a good run.’ Gatlin is reminiscing about his good old days and mates.
Justin Gatlin USA, MAY 9, 2021 – Athletics : READY STEADY TOKYO – Athletics Men s 100m Final at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Noxthirdxpartyxsales PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN 159966914
“A couple hours later, I went down to dinner—it was still early in the day—and guess who walks into the cafeteria? Mike Rogers!” For rookies like Long, racing across three countries in 10 days is a physical and mental marathon. How do athletes keep up with such a pace?
Gatlin emphasized preparation as the key to survival. Proper training, nutrition, and recovery protocols are non-negotiable when races are stacked so tightly. Adapting to this lifestyle is a steep learning curve, he expressed concern that without robust support systems, young athletes risk burnout. Why is recovery becoming such a critical focus?
The rise in demanding schedules reflects the sport’s growing global appeal, with more meets packed into tighter windows. As fans, we cheer the spectacle, but Gatlin’s insights remind us of the human toll. Can the sport balance its growth with the well-being of its stars?
Global grind challenges new track pros
Well, not only are the veterans concerned, but coach Rodney Green also laid bare the toll of turning pro. “That first year of being a pro and traveling is horrendous on the body, you know what I mean?” he said. What makes this transition so daunting?
Green highlighted the relentless pace: “You have to be in different countries within two days of your race every week. Yes, you might have three meets lined up—you’re going to race three times within 10 days in three different countries.” For rookies, jet lag and physical strain pile up fast. Green’s advice? Preparation is everything. “I hope your agents and your team are preparing you for what you’re going to go through during travel and how to take care of your body through that process,” he urged.
With the track’s global circuit growing, new pros face intense demands. Green’s words underscore the need for resilience. Can young athletes rise to the challenge?
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