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LASER FOCUS
By Troy Jacobson
If there is one thing that separates a 'good' triathlete from a 'really good'
triathlete - beyond basic natural talent and ability, I'd say it is the ability to focus and stay 'in the moment' on race day.
Triathlons, as well as other distance endurance event or repetitive motion sports, are monotonous by nature. Doing the same movement over and over again for hours on end (like riding a bike 112 miles or running 26.2 miles) can be boring, even in the best situations. When racing, the natural tendency is to try to 'entertain' yourself by allowing your mind to wander by taking in the scenery or thinking about what you'll have for dinner after crossing the finish line. The problem in doing this when racing is that it takes you out of the present moment and when this occurs, you are no longer effectively racing.
By cause and effect, a wandering mind slows you down and you may not even realize it. Using the bike as an example -- focus on cadence and output is crucial in order to obtain your best possible bike split. When your focus is diverted from your cadence and your effort, your cadence drops or your gearing is not changed to accommodate for the terrain properly. This results in a momentary drop in both your effort and your cadence (the cause) and the bike slows down (the effect).
This same idea applies to your nutritional strategy. A focused athlete keeps their 'eye on the ball' and remembers when to hydrate and when to feed according to their plan. An athlete who allows their mind to wander and lose focus forgets to eat and drink, resulting in a race slowing bonk or dehydration.
Focus is an important skill set that can and should be learned. Competitive athletes at the highest level train their ability to stay focused 'on the moment' until they cross the finish line.
Troy Jacobson is a former pro triathlete and has coached triathletes since 1992.
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