Coach Carter

I’m currently reading “The Art of Being”; a book designed to be read one chapter at a time, giving thoughts to reflect upon. I write in my journal each day, and having this book alongside my journal is good food for thought. This morning, the topic under contemplation is taking oneself ‘over the edge’, stepping out of our comfort zone. As the book details "like the new born chicks who must fly out from the cosy nest in order to reach their potential". The life of an athlete often requires this stretching: each day in training, we request our bodies to stretch to new targets (one more rep, just a little longer, just a little more power) – we understand that we must overload our bodies incrementally so that the body can re-build stronger. However. I know many of those same athletes struggle to utilise that same psyche in the race situation.

At Saturday’s PBscience pre-season workshop, we were fortunate to have Louise Broda along – a sport psychologist. It provoked some discussion around mental strategies, in particular ‘focus’ during races. I meet Louise through Paddy, the "face of PBscience" (if you have seen Mobie, you know why I say that!) who had volunteered for Louise’s MSc thesis. When we first spoke, we immediately connected: in part because we both hold a view that an athlete’s belief systems shape their world (generally and in sport). It was that issue that I flagged up at the workshop after Louise's presentation – how our sporting performance starts first with our ability to truly know what we want / desire – what we dream about. Putting your dreams out there is the best way to take yourself out of the comfort zone: often, its hard enough letting ourselves dream, but when we tell other people “oh no, I might fail and look silly now”. But, why not? At the end of the day, what is actually wrong with failing? Look around you, think of the people you know who have gone for their dream and ‘failed’ – do you see them as ‘failures’ or do you see them as courageous, brave? To top it all...sometimes people are brave and win HUGE dividends from that risk taking. I shared with the group my race mantra, written on the stem of my handlebars: DREAM, BELIEVE, DARE – it helped me focus on what was important in the race – firstly, to think big; then truly believe it can happen, and finally in times of doubt to just go for it.

When you have stepped over the edge, it can be hard re-entering the “old zone” where you were once very comfortable. I had a few very interesting discussions with athletes this week that in fact show life from the ‘other side’. The athletes in question have taken the leap, deciding that this year is about making positive steps towards their dreams in sport: maybe just coming to coaching was their brave step (especially with my Dr Evil reputation!); making commitments toward their nutrition is another example. Recounting to me in phone conversations or emails this week, athletes’ commitment had been tested – for example, my athlete Chris had gone out for a meal with his family to celebrate the birth of his new baby, Daisy: late night, rich food, alcohol fuelled: he realised the next day you don’t train too well on that mix! It cemented that the ‘new life’ is the right one for him. Another example: Martin races the ‘Grizzly’ endurance event each year with friends. He came to PBscience for coaching in order to focus on his Duathlon goals, so entering this race event doesn’t match his overall plan. He told me on Tuesday how even though he enjoyed the time with friends and the social experience, he was pleased to “have it out of the way” so he could be serious again.

It is time to 'get serious' now, as the race season is truly upon us. Don't forget, you can keep track of how the PBscience athletes are doing this season by also checking in to read the athlete blog.