Whilst running I started to enjoy the freedom of just trusting my body and instincts to run at the intensities required for the session and this got me thinking about being tied into goals and sometimes losing sight of enjoying the process (on the way to the goals!).

On my thought path I recalled a radio programme about a group of walkers I had heard recently; it followed the walkers who combined their activity with producing art. Their normal routine was to go to a destination and create some artwork at that destination. On this particular day(of the broadcast) they came upon a field newly laid with snow(like a blank canvas) and the group leader told them that they were not going to do the usual thing of going to “somewhere” and then doing “something”, instead they were going to go on a journey with no end. He outlined the instructions which were to take 40 extremely slow exaggerated steps(ie like slo mo giant steps) in a circle and at some point in that circle they could stop and record artistically what they had encountered), and therefore enjoying the process of walking without being fixated on the end point.

The group of walkers all reported that, at first, they felt odd not knowing where they would stop(or where the end point was) but once they had overcome that, really enjoyed the slowness of the walk and also the freedom of choosing random points at which to stop.

Now, you are probably wondering what all this has to do with triathlon and the training run…

It occurred to me, that, in triathlon, we generally are a pretty goal orientated, self motivated and driven bunch of individuals…generally! I wonder sometimes if we get so fixated on our goals that we can lose hold of the fact that the process can be enjoyed and that sometimes we can just stop and enjoy the view. Now by this I don’t mean we  actually stop the training session and gaze adoringly at the hedges but rather enjoy the process of training and enjoy the fact that we can use our bodies in a fit and healthy way.

Obviously all the tools we use to monitor our progress are integral to reaching our goals but sometimes it can be fun to do a session without the “destination” overwhelming the joy of just doing  what we love.

I thought I would end with a quote from Coach Vern Gambetta, from his twitter feed last week - “Running, swimming, biking - human movement. Why do some people have to make it so complex? Keep it fundamental. More fun, less mental.”

Happy training!

Whilst I definitely prefer to be training outside there are some very valuable things that can be achieved when training indoors too. Whilst on the turbo and the treadmill I have been amazed at how much I do not have to concentrate on. There are no roads to negotiate,no other pavement/road users to think about or avoid.There are no weather conditions to consider!

If we can get through the thoughts of boredom when on the treadmill or turbo we can focus on many positive aspects of the performances we want to execute in our races.

It can be helpful to use past performances or training sessions that went really well to concentrate on and recall what it looked like, what it sounded like, what it felt like. You can mentally step right into that experience and use it to focus on what you want to feel like for future races. It has been proven that visualisation used in this way can help to improve how we feel about future events.

You can also practice positive self talk in indoor sessions. We can control those emotions in an event by controlling the inner voice.What do you say to yourself when you are feeling tired? If it tends to be negative then take time on the turbo to change this into positive statement. eg. “I am too tired to carry on” could become” I am tired here, time to think about good technique”.

I also have a bank of words that can be used like a mantra…some work for cycling, some are better for running. They should be rhythmic words that can be repeated with each pedal revolution or footfall or can be timed to your breathing. Different words will work each of us.If those words are repeated in training positively, it has been proven that when those words are used in competition they will act as a positive trigger and can raise performance.

The mind is a very powerful tool and we can train it to work in a really positive way for us. So next time you get on the rollers or the turbo or treadmill have a think about the mental training you can do too.

http://www.220triathlon.com/webform/220-triathlon-awards-2010-stage-2

You will be receiving this newsletter as part of our database, made up from attendees of camps and clinics, competition entrants or clients. We only send out newsletters when we have lots of news and do not believe in clogging up email boxes when we don’t need to!

Here it goes….

Bike Skills course
We are hosting a 6 week course aimed at the post novice to intermediate cyclist/triathlete with the objective of developing a wide variety of skills. We will be coaching skills such as how to use your gears, how to corner, climb and how to ride in a group. Sessions are at our base (The Walled Garden, Hildenborough) and are every Saturday starting 14th November at 10.30. Spaces are limited to 12 and the course cost £50. Please contact Paula to book your place, this is filling fast! paula@vo2maximum.com

New coach joins VO2 Maximum
We always aim to offer coaching of the highest standard using the most current coaching methods. The VO2 coached team has grown to a size where we have needed to bring in more coaches.This is great news and so joining our team is new coach James Stewart.
James has a long history in triathlon and a background in Ironman racing. He is currently a BTA Level 2 coach and is continuing his personal development as he develops his coaching.

2010 Camps
We are about to publish our 2010 training camp dates so keep an eye out for our next newsletter or please visit our website. It is going to be a great year for your training with camps including, swim clinics, ladies days, running courses and our pre season warm weather training camp for you to choose from.

VO2 Cycling
In the summer we launched our sister company VO2 Cycling. It is a bike brand with the ultimate goal to provide great products with great services. It is already showing to be a huge success and the bikes are getting some great feedback. To promote the bikes and to give riders a chance to see them we hosted  The VO2 Sportive in September. It proved to be a really good day and will now become a regular event on the sportive calender. Next sportive event for your diary is on 28th March  at The walled Garden in Hildenborough.
Check out the site www.vo2cycling.co.uk

Prepare for 2010
Many athletes are coming to us now to talk about their 2010 season. It is a great time to start with a coach if you want to achieve your goal next season. Starting structured training at this time of year gives you time to plan your training in a way that will bring you to your peak just at the right time ie race time! Contact us to talk about your plans and how we can help.

Till next time, enjoy training!