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Put your mind to work in your favor before and during the race with visualizations
Here are two quick mental tricks that can assist you on race day. Visualizations: Take the last 10-15 minutes of each day's conscious moments, as you lie awake in bed, to take your mind for a walk. Make certain that darkness surrounds you, that you are comfortable, that there are no distractions, and that nothing with an energy flow is touching you (heating pad, another person, family cat, anything). Close your eyes and slowly "watch" your race. Focus on what you know for certain (start area, course particulars, and surroundings) and always, always make the outcome positive. See yourself ready at the start and see yourself comfortable. Watch as you position yourself where you want to be on the swim. Visualize a smooth transition, a comfortable and fast bike ride (again noting all the detail that you can) and a great run. If your mind tries to trick you with a distraction - or a weird outcome - backup and walk yourself through it again until you see yourself succeeding through that place. You can create the outcome by visualizing it. Once you have mastered this then try and change the perspective. Watch yourself from above, or from inside (see the course as you would while racing). Always include as many details as possible and always keep it positive. During your taper choose some cue words. Pick out some words to use during moments of the race that will motivate you and inspire you. Choose some soothing words that help with discomfort like "smooth", "float", "stride" or "flow". Practice saying them in a soothing manner by drawing out the vowels. Choose some settling words that help with pacing like "easy" or "down" or "back it off". Make them calming but commanding so that you react to them and but still in a positive manner. Also choose some energetic words that can inspire you to be where you deserve to be like; "now", "yes", "go" and "mine". These are forceful terms that are said crisply and have an immediate reaction of adrenaline and power. Other articles in this series: » Triathlon, the Olympics, and the Evolution » Triathlon Keeps Inching Towards Mainstream » Slowtwitch's Kona Survey » Olympics in Athens and how athletes try and make the grade » Another course change at the IM World Championships Back to the Multi-Resource |
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