By Chris Carmichael's The Ultimate Ride
What separates talented athletes from champions? Oftentimes, the answer lies in the way they approach training and competition. Those who approach cycling as a solely athletic challenge often fall short of their true potential. True champions, on the other hand, understand that realizing their potential requires a holistic approach to success. Athletic success results from training the mind and body to work as one. Mental training is as critical to achievement as physical training, and an athlete's mental approach to training and competition often makes the difference between standing on the top step of the podium and watching the awards ceremony from a distance.
Sports psychology is important, because you have to be mentally prepared for the demands of training and competition. There are some aspects of cycling that are predictable: you will have to put in many hours of hard training, you will have to deal with he lonely nature of training, you will have to deal with high levels of sustained intensity, and you will have to remain focused and motivated through the duration of a long season.
Mental training helps you deal with both he predictable and the unpredictable challenges you will inevitably face. The best athletes I have had the honor to work with are well-rounded individuals. They are committed to their athletic goals, they train hard, and they keep a healthy perspective of the role of cycling in their lives.
Training is a matter of balance. You have to balance the physical and psychological loads with adequate rest and time away from the regimen of training.
No comments:
Post a Comment