A chunk of what it takes to do an Ironman distance triathlon (from what I'm told) is mental toughness. Your body is capable of doing the distance, it's just whether your mind wants to push through the discomfort, pain, and the overwhelming distance before you. It's one of the reasons I love practice. When I workout on my own my mind is full of excuses. "I could just walk. I can just do it tomorrow. I think I'll cut it short." But at practice I'm with my team. I have to do it. I enjoy it too. The camaraderie, the cheering for each other, and sometimes running or biking along side a friend is the best encouragement. Plus, a little of that competitive edge kicks in and you push a little harder to beat your friends which is nice too. I'll have a little of that at my race, but for the most part I expect to be by myself. It'll hurt. It'll be uncomfortable. Lonely. I will need some tools under my belt other than some Gus and Accelerade.
I recently read an article on CNN by Chrissie Wellington.
I love Chrissie Wellington. Not only is she a 4 time World Ironman Champion (Pros, btw, finish the Ironman distance in under NINE HOURS. I'll be lucky if I finish in 15) but she's known to smile the whole way. In her bio it says she volunteered for the homeless after college, then while working in Nepal she raised money for an orphanage in her spare time (*swoon*), and she stumbled into the sport of triathlon.
Anyways... in the article Chrissie lists some of the techniques she uses to keep on keepin on.
- Have a mantra and/or a special song to repeat
All of these have gone through my head at some point. "I can, I can, I can". "You can go hard, or you can go home." "I matter". "This just makes you stronger." "I'm a dolphin". "Run like a gazelle!". "This is easier than chemo!"
- Keep a bank of positive mental images
I haven't done this. I'm not sure I'm an image person. Hmmmm, how about an image of a skinnier me? A flat stomach? A cure for cancer?
- Practice visualization beforehand
Pre-race jitters are my enemy. They're worse than the race. I stand there with a bottle of water and my mini Altoids and I don't speak. I'll acknowledge you but I can't really carry on a conversation. I just stand there, wait, and make someone hug me. But I have tried this. Imagining how great it feels when I'm done with the swim. Imagining swimming and flowing through the water instead of flopping around and fighting it. Meditating on being triumphant instead of panic.
- Break the race up into smaller, more manageable segments
My first coach always told us to go buoy to buoy on the swim. Each buoy the next goal. My race has loops in it so that my be either torture or help. Torture because I'll be passing where people are turning in to finish and help by cutting the race into pieces.
- Remember that training is about learning to hurt
Ouch. I'm not good at being uncomfortable. Have I mentioned that?
- Get people to support you
You dear readers! Everyone who's donated to my fundraising! Those who have bought a mile of my race. I'm debating on whether to write your names on my arm or tape that will go on my handle bars.
- Mentally recall inspirational people
Like Chrissie Wellington? Or better yet, Uncle Rich.
- Consider racing for a cause that is bigger than yourself
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Kicking cancer's ass!
As the race gets closer I'll be fine-tuning these thoughts and adding them to my arsenal of Ironman weapons of mass motivation. But for now... maybe I should take up meditation again?
Wildflower 21 days and counting!!! *shudder*
Probably the dumbest video I've put up so far but it goes with the theme, and of course, the chorus was a mantra that I've used.
