We’ve all been there…a bad race, or NO RACE, a horrible training ride complete with flats and muscle cramps, stormy weather during the Only hour you had to fit that workout in, a bad day at work, family issues…and the list goes on.
So, how do you deal with it? How do you overcome these extrinsic factors and focus on the task at hand – in this case growing into a stronger ATHLETE, while maintaining the delicate balance of life responsibilities? Or more simply put, how do you clear your mind?
We know that no matter how bad a day we’re having, a workout might just help. The moment Coach Dom gets on his bike, his day improves. When Coach Helen puts her face in the water to tune it out, her brain starts to calm. It’s our escape, our happy place. We can find a smile when we ride/swim, even if the weather stinks or we have a difficult session planned. Sometimes the harder the session, the better. And then…let the mind-clearing commence.
Some techniques we have used over the years:
1. LIFE ISSUE #1: If there is an issue nagging at Coach Dom, he actually plays out a conversation in his head (if joining a group ride) or out loud (if riding solo). Cycling provides him with a healthy outlet and safe space to think things through logically and calmly. Who knows, he might even come up with a solution, or at least get to the true root of the problem so that he can resolve it later, post-workout.
2. LIFE ISSUE #2: But what if the problem is too fresh or has too many emotions associated with it, what then? In this situation, Coach Helen swings the pendulum the opposite direction…She shuts it off. She only focuses on the immediate task in front of her – smooth strokes, engaging the hips with the core with no wasted energy. This technique has two advantages – she’s getting in a decent workout, which is obviously what we all want, while resting her brain so that afterwards she’s able to once again tackle the issue at hand.
3. BAD WORKOUT: If the negative factor has to do with the actual workout or race, the focus must shift. You’re on your bike, able to fit the ride into your day, life is good. Then you get out there, and the workout just SUCKS. What now? Well…being prepared is one of the most useful preventive measures athletes can do to ensure good solid consistent training over the course of a season. If you have the proper riding gear for cold, hot or wet rides you can train in any of these conditions with relative comfort. Coach Dom intentionally trains in the heat of the day when possible so that if during a race or because of time constraints he has to ride/run in some serious heat he can shrug it off, knowing that he has the gear, knowledge, and experience to transform the heat into a ‘non-issue’. Always carrying more than enough fluid, nutrition, flat kit etc., allows him to not worry about these small but very important items, thereby eliminating them from the larger equation. Having a coach or at least a training plan helps tremendously. This way your workout is laid out in advance, and your focus can narrow to small details and widen to the big picture as needed.
4. BAD RACE: We’ve had some bad races - almost drowned, wrecks, serious intestinal issues and a race being delayed almost 3 hours and then drastically shortened (nothing wrong with cancelling the swim, but why couldn’t they leave the bike alone, and shorten the run? I mean come on, people…ha!) This is race day, this is why we train, this is GO time. How many times have you found yourself thinking, “I’ve come so far, and THIS gets messed up…how unfair!” These issues may be the toughest to deal with, but life will ALWAYS knock you down. The growth begins when you get back up (paraphrasing Rocky). This is when you’ve got to just go with the flow, suck it up, dig deep and either converse with yourself or better yet just focus on the immediate factors within your control. Never ever let it consume you. Every race is a learning opportunity which can and will prepare you for some future event, as long as you allow it to do so.
5. Now onto the CANCELLED RACE: 2020 is all about the CANCELLATIONS. This one is tough…but we will say that racing (in a big crowd) is not the end all, be all. Keep yourself motivated by doing challenges, keeping up with TGC virtual and in-person events, working on specific aspects of your swim/bike/run, hone your weaknesses, etc. Take the extra time this crazy year is offering and turn it into a catapult for yourself and your goals. We KNOW we will be able to race again. And won’t it be nice to come out of this faster and stronger, rather than fatter and weaker?
6. KEEP YOUR SMILE: As silly as it sounds, just smiling and encouraging others really makes a difference for us. If Coach Helen sees someone who looks likes she feels, she will say just that. She lets them know they are not alone. Which, hey, means that she in turn is also not alone. Boom!
These simple techniques are our way of handling the unexpected. Of course, there are countless other ways as well…
Ask around, for as many times as you ask the question, you will discover a new way. The key lies in finding the way(s) that work for you, so that YOU can be the best athlete that YOU can be.
Finish Strong!