Mental Toughness: Visualize your Race
Intro to the Amazing Sport of Triathlon!
February 2, 2019
Cycling 101: 8 Tips to Nail the Bike at Your First Triathlon
June 15, 2019
These last few months, I have been training news anchors Shanna and Laura to take on the Grand Rapids Triathlon. My coaching has been virtual since baby Cassidy arrived, but we did catch up in person to talk through final prep for race week.
A big part of their training this week is mental prep. I encouraged them to visualize the steps for the race – from pre-race meal and prep, race day arrival, setting up transition, the swim, T1, the bike, T2, the run, to the finish line smile!
Visualization is a very powerful tool that can help reduce race day jitters and actually improve your race outcome.
Visualization is one of the most important techniques used in sports psychology. The theory is that by visualizing a successful competition, athletes can actually stimulate the same brain regions as you do when you physically perform that same action. Visualization essentially programs your subconscious to move through the motions that will lead to success.
If you’ve got a big event coming up, give this simple technique a try:
1. Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably with no distractions for about 15 minutes.
2. Close your eyes and begin to mentally rehearse every step of your event from start to finish.
3. Picture yourself working hard, perfectly executing every part of your race plan, crossing the finish line and standing on the podium. This is your moment to be a pro!
4. Don’t leave any details out, and use all your senses – smell the fresh air, feel the sweat dripping, your legs pushing the pedals or your fingertips flowing through the water, taste your hydration as you visualize when you drink or take a gel, hear the crowds cheering and see yourself executing your perfect race. You are the amazing athlete that you trained to be!
If you want to learn some more about mental toughness, check out my blog post on Focus.
