Optimizing your performance

Well fellas, I am starting this off with a simple question.

What are your goals?

You have chosen a sport that is great for so many reasons. Think about this. This is in my opinion one of the most difficult sports to conquer and master. Why are you doing this? It is painful, takes all your time away from things that could be viewed as more fun, there is no fan base, there is absolutely no monetary reward. I know why I do it and I know why I love it.

I am a has been football player with no stellar athletic qualities that could lead me to a job as a professional athlete. But not with this sport. I feel I can overcome all my deficiencies with my mind and my will. I can block pain from my mind and move on. Every time I run I am testing my will and determination. I am testing the kind of person I am. I am choosing this test because of it's so god dam hard. I want to know exactly what I am all about. Am I gunna puss out or man the fuck up. There is no middle ground. To achieve at the challenge you have to control your mind. You must stomp out the doubt that will crush your ability to achieve.

While in Colorado last weekend a thunderstorm moved in. There was this thought that passed through my mind that said, " maybe they will have to call it quits on the comp, then I don't have to do this". It took a slight moment to gather control of this negative energy I was putting on myself. Once I put that thought out of my head, another thought passed through, "I wonder what the elevation will mean to my run, maybe I should just cruise and pull a decent time get the win and go home" Yet again it was my mind fucking with me. It was my mind trying to sabatage me, its a defense mechanism, because you are putting yourself at risk.

I don't know about you but I get these thoughts before every run, I got them when I played football. Here is my philosophy:

You want to have a great run and you are not sure what the outcome will be, response is anxiety.
Some call it performance anxiety. Your brain is telling you to doubt yourself, if you fuck up you will look stupid, you will let your team down, etc. This is negative energy, you must learn to recognize it first, then replace it with other positive thoughts.

This is why practice is so important. Rep after boring ass rep of practice. If you find yourself saying "fuck I am tired of hoisting, starting and keisers and dummys" Then you are on the right track. Throw in a few more reps while your at it. WHY?

Because when you get ready for your moment in November while waiting in the ready tent. You can say I have done every possible thing for this moment, I am going to destroy this Run. You can only get that with tons of preparation. That is the only way. Being nervous is great if you are controlling it. Get in control of your mind and you will achieve.

Great things are upon us fellas. Don't squander this opportunity of finishing a fantastic year because you let you get to you. Embrace the sense of anxiety you will no doubt get and turn it into strength. Turn yourself into a fear eating machine.

Put yourself in some very uncomfortable positions and endure it. Example, put your body in ice water and see if you can stay in there for 10 minutes while controlling your breathing. Or anything else that comes to mind.

Eat fear for Lunch and pain for dinner.

I am not a writer so I don't know if this made any sense.