Chasing Growth, Not Perfection: Making the Most of Your Summer Track & Field Clinic/Camp Experience

At Ascent Track, our summer clinic coaching staff embrace and model a growth mindset in everything we do. We believe that athletic ability is not fixed, but developed through effort, learning, and persistence. 

That means we don't just coach for performance, we coach for progress. We celebrate effort, improvement, and resilience, and we’re intentional about how we communicate with athletes. When we give encouragement, we focus on the process, highlighting the sustained effort, improvement, and problem-solving, as opposed to outcomes or natural ability. 

Similarly, when we offer feedback, our intention is never to label or discourage. We present criticism as helpful information, providing clear and specific guidance that supports each athlete's growth. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned competitor, we view every athlete as someone who is continuously developing. We are committed to helping you push your limits, build confidence, and leave with more tools than you had when you arrived.

Maybe you’re already attending a track & field clinic or camp this summer (better yet, maybe you’re attending an Ascent Track & Field Clinic this summer). At these clinics and camps, the way you think about effort, mistakes, and feedback will make all the difference. The athletes who adopt a growth mindset stand to gain the most — especially during clinics and camps, where learning and challenge are front and center.

What is a growth mindset?

Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. It stands in contrast to a fixed mindset, where people believe their talents and intelligence are static and unchangeable.

In track and field, athletes with a fixed mindset may avoid difficult events or drills because they fear failure or looking “less talented.” They may give up after a poor performance or struggle to handle constructive feedback, sometimes saying things along the lines of “[sprinting/hurdling/hill running/ etc] just isn’t my ‘thing’. 

A common phrase on cross country teams is 'I don’t have a good kick' or 'I’m not a hill runner.' This raises an important question: What should an athlete do about a weakness? Is it something they will never improve, or is it something that they can improve upon if they work on it? The former reflects a fixed mindset, whereas the latter reflects a growth mindset. Athletes with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities. They know that mistakes are part of improvement and that success comes from persistence and learning, not just natural talent.

Why this matters at a track & field camp or clinic

Summer track & field clinics and camps are designed to stretch you physically and mentally. You'll be exposed to new drills, techniques, and ways of thinking. You may struggle at first. That’s not just okay — it’s part of the process of getting better!

Here’s how a growth mindset helps you get the most out of your experience:

You embrace the challenge 

Whether it’s learning a new block start, improving form and/or technique, or understanding new concepts, the best athletes know that growth comes from trying things outside their comfort zone. It's ok, and quite expected, to not be able to do something perfectly the first time you try it (in fact it would be extraordinary if that were the case). But with everything you’re taught at an Ascent Track & Field Clinic, you’re going to get better the more you do it. 

You learn from feedback

Coaches may point out areas to fix, but that doesn’t mean you’re “bad” — it means you’re improving. Feedback is meant to be constructive, not an insult.

You see effort as a tool

Effort isn’t a sign you’re not talented — it’s a sign you’re committed. Putting in the work during drills, warmups, and cooldowns is how mastery is built. And a positive attitude and embracing the work is contagious amongst your peers and teammates.

You celebrate others' success

If a teammate hits a new PR or nails a technical cue, let that inspire you — not discourage you. And make sure to use a growth mindset in your encouragement. It’s better to talk about the process instead of the talent: when you achieve a new PR, has someone said “you did great! You’re so fast/strong/talented (take your pick)?” 

While it may be the case that you’re fast and strong and talented, have you ever thought to yourself: ‘Yes, but I’ve also been practicing every day and been super dedicated to getting better!’ 

Let’s not lose sight of how important that process is: everyone on the podium at the Olympics is extremely talented, but nobody has gotten there without putting in the work and dedicating themselves to consistent growth. 

How to show up with a growth mindset

Here’s some advice for athletes attending a clinic or camp this summer — along with examples to help you put each idea into action:

Ask questions 

Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t get it” or “I’m not understanding it yet.” Curiosity fuels improvement.

 Example: You’re learning a new sprint start drill and you're not quite sure what “Dorsiflexion” means. Instead of nodding along, you raise your hand and ask, “Can you show me what that looks like and why it’s important?”

Reflect on your experience 

What challenged you today? What did you struggle with? What did you learn? What do you want to learn or get better at during Day 2?

Example: At the end of Day 1, as you reflect, you jot down: “The acceleration drills were harder than I expected — I was leaning forward too much. I learned that I need to keep a neutral posture, not lean forward. Tomorrow, I want to focus on improving that and asking my coach to watch my form.”

Welcome feedback

If a coach gives you a correction, thank them and try it. They’re not judging you — they’re investing in you. And it’s OK to not be able to implement those changes right away (and again, quite expected!), but just keep working on it and asking for feedback.

Example: A coach tells you that your knee drive is too low during a drill. You respond: “Thanks! I’ve been trying to figure that out—can you watch again after I focus on getting it higher?”

Focus on your process, not just your outcome

Celebrate your hustle, focus, and willingness to try something new.

Example: Even if you didn’t clear the bar on a new high jump technique, you acknowledge that you were more aggressive on your approach and stayed engaged. That’s real progress, even without a measurable result (yet).

Avoid comparisons

Use others' progress as motivation, not a measuring stick.

Example: Another athlete nails a new hurdle drill that you’re still struggling with. You remind yourself: “They’ve probably had more experience with this. I’m still learning, and I’ll get there with time and reps. Their success shows it’s possible. Everyone learns at their own pace.” 

Final thoughts

Ultimately, the goal of attending a summer clinic or camp isn’t to prove how good you already are — it’s to discover how much better you can become. 

At Ascent Track & Field Clinics, our goal is not just to develop athletes, but to also develop learners: individuals who understand that every rep, every correction, and every challenge is part of the process of improvement. 

A growth mindset is your greatest asset in this environment. It helps you show up with curiosity, persistence, humility, and confidence — not because you’ve already figured it out, but because you believe that, with effort and guidance, you can and will figure it out eventually.

So when you step onto the track this summer, come ready to grow. Ask questions. Take risks. Embrace the work. Celebrate your own effort and the progress of others. We’re looking forward to seeing you!