Environment Change

...Coach brings in a 2x4 and puts it on the mat, asks the fighters to walk across it heel to toe.  They all get up walk across the 2x4 like it's no big thing.  The coach brings in 2 tall step ladders, hangs the 2x4 across them and asks who's ready to walk across the 2x4.  No one raises their hand.  The environment changed....the Act doesn't.  It's the same thing..the same 2x4....(Chael Sonnen)
This really hit home with me.  I have seen it so many times in the athletes I coach or am friends with.   What is it about race day that makes people forget the task at hand/ the goal they have trained for?  Is it the start/finish line, is it the clock, the crowds of people, the new racing outfit?
In triathlon and running the environment is always changing, every day brings a new route, a new bump in the road but in reality it is still just forward motion, one stroke, pedal or stride after another.  Where you are and who is around you shouldn't distract from the task that you are doing.  
I tell my athletes that Race day is just another day...except this time you have tonnes of other people around who will motivate you to push a little harder (you know that guy that passed you in the grey sweat pants...NO way are you going to let him beat you!!).  There will be people to hand out nutrition that you might have forgotten to pack, port a potties just in case, crowds of people cheering you on and telling you that you look strong (that NEVER happens in training) and someone is going to place a medal around your neck when you finish.  So much better than a regular training day!!
 The hard work and action that you put into every day of your life is what gets you to race day.  You CAN do this,  you do it every day in training.  The ACT is still the same!  Rather than letting the environment change of race day bring emotions of doubt/fear, embrace the actions that you have done to get there.   Keep the forward motion and enjoy every moment!

Refocus

It is easy to get frustrated when things don't go the way you want, to not have control or have a definite end point.  I've been doing my best to be patient and reminding myself that my body will be ready, but with my first half ironman 19 weeks away, the continued foot discomfort has been starting to plant doubts in my brain.  I see the numbers on the treadmill and want to push harder, to try to "keep up" with SV but I have to listen to the body and that is the source of my frustration.  My brain and my body aren't agreeing.   I've decided to trick my brain.  Time to refocus..rather than let myself get down about what I am not able to do (run fast) I am challenging myself to do things I normally wouldn't do.  I am practicing Yoga daily and letting my brain focus on the great things I can do.  All the extra Yoga is helping those sad running muscles feel better, totally win-win!!  So for the next 6 weeks I will be refocusing on the positive...can't wait to see what I can get into!