At the end of 2021, we surveyed our audience about what they’d love to learn from our coaching team, and a common question we received was “how do I improve my concentration as a triathlete?” If you’ve found yourself struggling with your concentration, then this article is for you!
As triathletes, we spend hundreds of hours a year training to ensure that on race day we come in prepared, confident, and ready to rock. In addition to preparing our bodies, we must also prepare our minds so that we feel focused and sharp. A great way to improve your concentration and prepare your mind for race day is with visualization.
Visualization is creating mental images, you can recall past events with great detail and even “see” desired outcomes for future events. Creating these ideal outcomes in your mind can actually have a positive effect in real life, enhancing the likelihood of them happening.
For example, if preparing for a new race distance one thing I like to do as I taper is reflect on previous training sessions leading into the event and to think about how I will apply them to race day. Such as hill repeats that I felt strong on as I prepare for a hilly course. Or a long ride, that while it was tough I can reflect on how I am strong enough to train the next day.
Visualization is so helpful because not only does it improve your mindset and can enhance the likelihood of them happening in real life, but it also gives you something to concentrate on. As I shared above, visualization can be helpful when tapering when preparing for a new race distance.
In addition, visualization can take place within a training session. For example, a triathlon swim can be somewhat of a “washing machine”. Let’s say for example you get to the pool and you have to share a lane with multiple people or you come to find that there are no lane lines in at all. This is the perfect time to visualize the open water racing while training. As you find your way around other swimmers, battle the waves and splashing, envision yourself in the race staying controlled and keeping your mouth out of the water for breaths of air.
We all train hard and want to get the most out of our bodies. Reaching over to the mental side of training and racing will enhance our positive outcomes even more.
READ MORE: POST-RACE BLUES: HOW TO BEAT POST RACE DEPRESSION
Carly and Tyler Guggemos built Organic Coaching in 2014 with a simple philosophy that works. The idea is to take what you have and grow it to get faster, fitter and stronger. And to do it with the time you have – not the time you wish you had.
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