Once quitting becomes an option, it becomes a habit.
In every race there comes a moment of decision. You either say yes or no in that moment. Dreaming about it or worrying about it before or after does nothing. It is what you decide in that moment that shapes the outcome of your race. Practice saying yes in training and you’ll forget how to say no in races.
Avoid being seduced by the post race siren song of “would of, should of, and could of”. The time to do something about it has passed. Learn from it and move on to planning for the next opportunity to do it right.
Practice staying present and positive in training. Keep an eye on your internal dashboard and do a self scan frequently. This includes paying attention to the little things in your mechanics that can become big problems down the road. Use the discomfort to tell you what you could be doing better.
When you feel the panic creeping in during a hard effort smile and find something positive to anchor your mind to.
Racing is the best possible training. Even if things aren’t going well, don’t let go, it will still be the best workout you’ll have this week so make it count.
Improved performance is the direct result of taking your body to places in training and racing it has never been before. Only a rested body can break new ground. When you are training, your body is getting weaker. Only through the proper use of rest will you get stronger. Rest as hard as you train.
“Success is preparation meeting opportunity.” The achievements seen at the finish line aren’t accidents. They are the culmination of months and years of thoughtful and deliberately executed preparation. Every workout is part of what that finishing moment will look like for you. Everything counts, especially your rest days. Hold yourself accountable.
Good nutrition and technique are paths to free energy and performance. Neither requires you to get physically stronger, but both require that you pay attention. Make sure you focus on technique drills in practice the same as your intervals and don’t lose a race to something as controllable as putting food in your mouth.
So much in racing is out of your control. Make sure you have total control over the things that are in your control. Bike maintenance, tires, cables, housing, chain, etc., and poor wheel choice or forgetting to eat or drink are unacceptable reasons to lose a race.
Don’t blame bad luck for things that could have been prevented through better preparation. Always look back at root causes and change the things that could have prevented your “bad luck”.
A distracted mind is easily turned against you. Avoid the temptation to disassociate from your body when things get uncomfortable. Stay focused on the moment and stay in your body.
