How Bad Do You Want It?

Exploring some of the most extraordinary moments from the history of endurance sports, this unique sports book shows how mental strength allows some athletes to perform at a level way beyond their physical limits – to will their body to do what was previously thought biologically impossible. Revealing habits and tactics you can use to cultivate your own mental strength, this unique book describes a new 'psychobiological' model of endurance performance connecting the mind, body and brain. Compelling accounts from triathlon, cycling, running, rowing and swimming are viewed through the lens of this model shedding new light on what science has to say about mental fortitude in sports. Drawing on cutting-edge scientific research it suggests concrete tactics for cultivating mental strength, whilst providing thrilling accounts of some of the most inspiring and astonishing feats in sporting history, such as Sammy Wanjiru who, in 2010 entered the Boston Marathon suffering from injuries to his...