Mindset

3 components make up an attitude: 1. An Emotional Component: How the object, person, issue or event makes you feel. 2. A Cognitive Component: Your thoughts and beliefs about the subject. 3. A Behavioral Component: How the attitude influences your behavior.

Chaos! Pandemic! Isolation! These are words that have been streaming in our social media feeds and across our news boards, describing the current situation in our country. During this time of unknowns, it can be hard to find comfort and calm. As a therapist, many of my clients are struggling with their anxiety associated with the constant changes and transitions this country is seeing. As triathletes, below are some simple strategies I have discussed with my clients to help them stay grounded and find joy in this situation.

I ran my first marathon in 2013 with my best friend. At mile 23, not only was I questioning every life decision I had ever made up to that point (as one does when running a marathon) but I was ready to throw in the towel. I stopped running and said to my friend “this is the dumbest event ever, 26.2 miles of Satanic torture”. Knowing that I have a flair for dramatics, my friend turned, looked at me and said “you just pushed a baby out of you, you can do hard things”. I don’t know if it was the tone of her voice or the fiercely determined look in her eyes, but that was all I needed to buck up and finish the marathon. After we crossed the finish line, I thanked my best friend for providing me with my new life mantra “you gave birth, you can do hard things.” Mantras are powerful statements or words that help quiet the fluctuations in our mind and enable us to feel empowered to move forward.

Goals. We all have them. Do you have a bullet journal, a vision board, a to do list, a task chart etc. Anything we write on those things equates to a goal to be accomplished, no matter how trivial they may seem. It feels good to cross something off a list or check a box, regardless of how much effort it takes. Goals allow us to feel successful. Goals help us develop a plan, stick to it and provide us a locus of control for areas where there are unknowns. While goals are important in all areas of life, let’s focus on triathlon.

An editorial on why a self proclaimed feminist choosing to race like a girl.

2020 is a year we all want to forget. However, to grow stronger, to improve, to be a better athlete, a better friend, a better human, we must Remember.

“Just make it to the tree…once you hit the tree you can walk…just make it to the tree.” I repeat this mantra in my head until I reach the tree. I spot a stop sign 300 meters up the road. Just make it to the stop sign…you can stop then…just make it to the stop sign…”

For the holidays in 2016, my husband got a new road bike. His first nice road bike. He loved it and I loved that we had an activity to do together. He loved to go fast and he could crush me on any hill but if we rode longer than 10 miles, I started to leave him in the dust.

All triathletes, whether we are age groupers or professional triathletes, have habits that support our training and race goals.

Some easily applicable techniques for race day!

Why do I race? I thought it would be easy for me to come up with this answer but surprisingly it has been pretty difficult for me to figure it out.