I’ve heard about this before but I’m not sure that I’ve ever totally understood. When one refers to having a “sprinter’s attitude” or “sprinter’s mentality”, what exactly is that? Does this mean that the elite sprinters are more high strung or hyperactive? Does it refer to having an overly competitive nature? If so, how necessary is it to have this type of personality or mentality in order to perform well?
On page 10 of CFTS The man himself states…
“High level sprinters tend to be short tempered, explosive and intense. A sprinter will have all of these characteristics even at a young age. An explosive personality is an indication of an explosive newvouse system.”
What if you have an explosive personality w/out the explosive system? Does this mean I have hidden talent? 
I guess that rules me out from being a top sprinter then since I am very laid back, cool, and calm. I’m not worried about anything or anybody and I usually don’t get caught up in a bunch of hype. Quickazhell, from that quote you gave, I can see those characteristics in Mo Green, Dennis Mitchell, and others who seem quite volatile and ready to snap at any moment.
Exceptions? Frankie Fredericks, Tim Mongomery, MJ? Are they all short tempered and intense etc? Perhaps there is an underlying common sensitivity of the nervous system (I believe people vary physiologically in this way), best coupled with high natural test levels.
I believe being laid back are complementary to being short tempered (not even newborn babies manage to stay “intense” all the time).
"High level sprinters tend to be short tempered, explosive and intense. A sprinter will have all of these characteristics even at a young age.
lol, kool, now I hav a valid explanation for my teachers and class mates 
this thread is funny, the guys that are laid back if u need help come race me and i can change that… lol
I may need to make a trip to Texas to see you then, because, I am the most chilled-out, laid back person you’ll ever meet. My “hang-loose” avatar says it all. That’s not to say that I don’t try or don’t care–because I do. It’s just in my nature to be like that. Like what Daniel was saying about walking the line, staring down the competition–stuff like that never bothers me and I actually would think that’s pretty funny.
That reminds me of the year I won our state long jump. I showed up to the track/jump pit wearing a marine corps field jacket, a cowboy hat, and a chain–just to see what folks would do. I got some great reactions from the other jumpers. But, I did it just to break the tension, because we had some real ultra-competitive, taking-it-seriously-I’m-gonna-kick-your-azz type of sprinters and jumpers.
Have we all forgotten this. Sprinters are self indulgent, high strung personality type people. I think is this forum you have to keep this in mind. Charlie seems to be rather well-tempered; well Im not, neither are the vast majority of sprinters I have met. I wish I was though, Im working hard to change this.
It’s funny, Tyson Gay was asked this question in his recent interview “So Do you do everyhting fast, like talk fast or eat fast?” He was like no, I don’t really do anything fast, if anything I do it slow. Most people say I’m slow. It was something along those lines.
I don’t think every good sprinter has this explosive personallity at all. Tyson Gay doesn’t really show it at all. I think some of them get all caught up in themselves. It’s the nature of the sport I guess. You have to beleive your the best, you see the same thing with boxers and interviews. Everybody around them is telling them there the best coming up to a fight, so they beleive it, and it shows.
Yea it doesn’t seem like Asafa or Tyson have a “sprinter” mentality as defined here. It’s all about pns dominance.
hey heatwave13, I too am very laid back. But if I’m pushed beyond a certain point I’m very explosive. Its just that reaching that certain point takes an awful lot of pushing.
On the other hand even with my “laidbackness” I do have a high ego which I think is characteristic of many high level sprinters.
Personally, people call me the most laid back person they know. I might as well be a hippie. For example if I’m late for something? Really couldn’t care less…I’ma rleady late so what’s the use in worrying. When it comes to things like traffic though I always know where the fastest lane is going to be and when to change…it’s like a sixth sense. In that sense I’m pretty highstrung, can’t stand traffic and it makes me so annoyed. Other then that I’d probebly be fine watching a tv shwo I didn’t like because I was too lazy to change the channel on the remote. No joke…that’s something I’d do. Funny when I’ll spend 2 hours on the track and then in the gym right after.
All the sprinters I know vary in their mentalities though. I wouldn’t generalize because everyone is different.