Now is a good time to get your game together. The winter season in AZ is just getting underway. I personally have found a valuable tool in getting my game on for any event is to mentally rehearse the outcome the way it should go. Of course with all the hard work that goes into getting ready for an event I envision a positive outcome. Seems like common sense but how many people rehearse a negative race? You know, you tell yourself “am I good enough”, or “I am going to get my butt kicked” . . . or half a dozen other bad things your brain is whispering. Do you realize you are mentally rehearsing the situation? Good athletes practice mentally in real time. You know it’s a gift that you had as a child and were told “Stop that day dreaming”.  Problem is day dreaming is a valuable gift that should be nurtured into adulthood. You should practice seeing yourself doing things like succeeding & living the life you deserve. This is not hocus pocus, it has scientific principals.  Olympic coach Jerry Lynch has worked with countless athletes over the years & coaches them in positive thinking = positive outcome. Read his book THINKING BODY DANCING MIND. The book gives you some tools that really help. This guy works with professional athletes in all sports ~ Football, Baseball, Marathons, bicycle racing . . . good stuff.  

I remember years ago I was working with a friend trying to complete this really tough climb. For most of my younger years I was really into rock climbing. Back then at the time I was working this really boring job stuck in a truck for hours a day and would find myself day dreaming about solving this particular climb. In my minds eye I would go through the steps to solve the climb.  One day I just flashed the route! It was because I had been practicing while day dreaming.  We had been working very hard to solve this route and I had every hand hold memorized and I would mentally solve the climb. At the time was unaware of the fact that my mental rehearsal was having such and impact. In fact I don’t think it really crossed my mind. This happens with all really good athletes. They are consumed with their sport. They are constantly rehearsing in their minds eye.  Scientist say your central cerebral cortex benefits from visualization. Perhaps one of the most convincing pieces of research to verify the power or imagery in sport was an experiment performed with two groups of basketball players who were trying to improve their free-throws percentage. One group shot one hundred free throws every day for three weeks: the other group simply visualized doing the same. The study found that the visualizing group showed significant improvement over those who actually shot the ball. This works as your visualizing making the basket.

 You have a race to do and you have been putting in the time and feel ready? Go out and & pre run the course. Stop and walk the tough parts and see your self riding as a pro. Visualization can then be rehearsed off the course while sitting in traffic or on the bus. Do this and see what a difference it makes on race day.

I also recommend THINKING BODY, DANCING MIND Author Jerry Lynch.

Good luck!