PG or College Next Year?: That is the Question
It’s hard to believe that another ski racing season is coming to an end. It’s time to hang up your skis and take your mind off ski racing for a while. Yet, if you’re a soon-to-be high school graduate, the end of the ski season may not offer an immediate respite from our sport. Why? […]
Read MoreHow to Prepare Mentally for Triathlon Season
As the off-season winds down and the first triathlons of the season approach (or have already begun), most triathletes naturally shift their focus toward physical readiness. Training volume increases, intensity sharpens, and race calendars begin to take shape. But if you want to perform at your best when it matters most, your mental preparation deserves […]
Read MoreMaybe You Don’t Have Anxious Attachment
How often have heard this from people explaining their relationship challenges: “I have anxious attachment?” Attachment theory has become a part of what I call the “Relationship-industrial Complex” and is an essential part of our relationship vocabulary. It suggests that relationships demonstrate one of three patterns: anxious, avoidant, and secure. It’s used as both an […]
Read MoreSki Coaches Set Minds, Not Just Courses
Ski coaches do far more than train racers physically, technically, and tactically. They also, and more importantly, shape the psychological environment of ski racing more than any drill, workout, or training session. Every word, cue, and reaction from coaches sends powerful messages to racers about what matters and how they should approach every aspect of […]
Read MoreSecond Runs Are a Different Sport: How to Reset, Regulate, and Charge (No Matter the Stakes)
First runs and second runs may take place on the same hill, but psychologically they are very different competitions. Racers who treat them the same often struggle. Racers who recognize and respect the difference gain a real competitive advantage. In the first run, uncertainty dominates. Racers do not yet know where they stand. Pressure exists, […]
Read MoreBuilding Confidence When There Are No Races to Prove Yourself
For many triathletes, confidence is tied almost entirely to racing. Good race = high confidence. Bad race = doubt. No races at all? Confidence quietly erodes. That’s why the off-season is such a vulnerable time mentally. There are no bib numbers, no rankings, no finish lines to confirm that you’re on the right track. Training […]
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