Second 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, […]
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The First Races Shouldn’t Define Your Season (Unless You Let Them)
The start of the race season is emotionally charged. Months of preparation suddenly turn into results on Live Timing. For some racers, the season begins with confidence-building performances. For others, it starts with frustration, disappointment, or even futility. In all cases, it’s far too early in the season to think too much about what those […]
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Four Essential Lessons for Triathlon, Sports, & Life
I just returned from the USAT Multisport National Championships in Omaha, where I raced three events: the Super-sprint, Sprint, and Mixed-Relay. It was a demanding and deeply fulfilling experience—full of intensity, adversity, and insight. While I love racing, what keeps me coming back isn’t just the competition. It’s the life lessons that emerge on the course—powerful […]
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Ditch the Expectations—and Race Your Best
With USAT Multisport Nationals happening this week in Omaha (I’ll be racing three events myself!), I wanted to share something that could make or break your performance on race day: expectations. At first glance, expectations seem positive. The dictionary defines them as “a strong belief that something will happen in the future” or “a belief […]
Read MoreAre Your Expectations Helping or Hurting Your Young Ski Racer?
Setting expectations for your children is an essential responsibility of being a ski racing parent. Expectations communicate messages to your children about what’s important to you and establish a standard toward which they can strive. But expectations can be double-edged swords. They can be a tremendous benefit to your children’s ski racing and personal development, […]
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Two Approaches to Triathlon “A” Race Preparation
We triathletes are deep into the 2023 race season with many big races approaching rapidly. For me, those include the World Sprint Championships in Germany in a few weeks, the USAT National Championships in Milwaukee in August, and the World Standard-distance Championships in Spain in September. For long-course triathletes, it might be the World Ironman […]
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Dealing With Race-day Nerves in Triathlon: Global Triathlon Network Segment
As I mentioned in a previous post, I was in the UK a few weeks ago doing some work with Global Cycling Network and Global Triathlon Network. Part of my time there was spent shooting segments on the mental side of triathlon for the GTN Show with one of its excellent presenters, Mark Threlfall. I […]
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Let’s All Give Mikaela a Warm Hug and a Big Thanks
Mikaela Shiffrin’s results at the Beijing Olympics were not what we were all hoping for (least of all Mikaela herself!). At the same time, I have no doubt that, after some sadness and soul searching, she will be back stronger, better, and faster than ever. It’s easy in these situations to analyze, evaluate, and critique […]
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Expectations Can Ruin Your Triathlon Race Day-#7
In the sixth in my nine-part series exploring obstacles that are blocking your path to your triathlon goals, I showed you how having an attitude of “nothing to lose” will serve you well in your triathlon efforts. In today’s article, I show you how the previous obstacles I discussed in my series can create interfering […]
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Train Your Mind for Athletic Success Podcast: Episode #38-Perform Your Best in Big Events
Episode #38-Perform Your Best in Big Events of my Train Your Mind for Athletic Success podcast is the first of three that explores special topics that are often not addressed in mental training, yet have a real impact on athletic performance. Very early in my podcast, I introduced you to two important goals. First, to […]
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