I think triathletes get an accurate rap for complicating things beyond what is really necessary. Though, its not unlikely that you've over thought something simple in your life before either. How many times have you been dating someone and asked yourself, but WHAT DOES THAT MEAN after they say something, as if all words have a secret code.
The fact is that, with three sports to keep track of easy days, hard days, and cumulative training effect, it all gets a little confusing. I don't mind the complicated process, I think it makes things interesting A difficult puzzle to solve, especially when you consider how individual training can be for any given person. I've spent a lot of time thinking about the best way to do this, or the best way to do that, and I think that mental effort could really be better spent trusting your instincts, and just DOING.
I think there are so many places and situations where this type of thinking helps you in racing, and achieving goals that you set for your self. Initially it takes the acceptance of something really important to you, whatever that may be for you. The relevant training situation starts with a goal, finish your first Ironman/Marathon/Triathlon, hit a time goal, or a place goal at a specific race. My situation is focused on the outcome at Las Vegas this September.
So many situations, ways to do this or that have been raveling through my head. Things that I need to change, things that I could do better. Add your own opinions on to what you see Pro athlete's doing and thinking THAT is the ONE way to get the results you want out of your training, and it can be a handful to organize. I've heard this kind of thinking described in a rather bad movie before, but it's really relevant.
"You're playing and you think everything is going fine. Then one thing goes wrong. And then another. And another. You try to fight back, but the harder you fight, the deeper you sink. Until you can't move... you can't breathe... because you're in over your head. Like quicksand."
Quick sand in racing is bad, usually I would think that is from a lack of training, and not knowing what to expect. Quick sand in training is a tougher battle to overcome because you aren't necessarily being pressured like in a race setting. The pressure is on yourself, and only your daily decisions can alleviate it. I've thought more about the topic I wrote about last time, about thinking about how a "world champion" acts or trains. It's amazing to me that professional Quarterbacks can spend so much time talking about their game and how they'll do better in front of cameras and still go out and play on instinct. While watching Tom Brady, all preferences aside, I could tell he was a true professional by the way he separated himself from the questions and didn't over think them.
Another great example, that I honestly believe EVERYONE has experienced is trying to force yourself to sleep. No matter how hard you close your eyes, no matter how hard you try to think of "nothing" the thought process keeps you up, and away from your goal. I'd go into detail, because I've spent a lot of time NOT being able to sleep in my day, but I think we all get this one.
The important part of this is to accept the goal, know the basics of the process to get there, and apply them. Three steps and there you go, you're well on your way. With a little patience of course. It doesn't take a complete understanding of the human physiology to be a professional athlete, and it doesn't take a mathematician to help you solve a problem sometimes.
So I'm hoping with this thought in mind that I can get the most quality possible out of the next base block of training, by thinking less. I'll be sure to update you on how well my ignorance correlates with bliss the next time I write!
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