Use Your Head to Become a Faster Triathlete

Updated OnNovember 29, 2017
Written by
Joann Dahlkoetter, Ph.D.

3. Identify negative attitudes that hinder performance. Do you frequently use any of the following self-statements that undermine your self-image and keep you from doing your best?

Self-Condemnation

  • "I tend to have bad luck; something always goes wrong."
  • "I do well in training but not in races."
  • "I keep making the same mistakes in my training."

Poor Self-Confidence

  • "My competition is so much better than I am."
  • "I'm too old, too slow, too short, too overweight, etc."
  • "I'm not prepared for this race."

Fear

  • "I'm afraid I'm never going to get any better."
  • "When the pressure is on I know I'll screw things up."
  • "I'm afraid I'll make stupid mistakes."

Perfectionism

  • "If I don't reach my goal, I won't be able to live with myself."
  • "I'm never content with my performance."

Lack of Competitive Spirit

  • "I can never get psyched up for a race."
  • "I dont have a killer instinct."
  • "I give up too easily during critical points in the race."
  • "I wimp out in the important competitions."

Anger and Blame

  • "I get so angry at myself that I can't focus on what I have to do."
  • "I get mad at things I can't control: traffic, the weather, my competition, etc."

Racing Mind

  • "I try to recall everything I've learned but it's all jumbled in my mind."
  • "When I get to a race I cant relax, I'm thinking of 10 things at once."

4. Rate yourself. Answer the following questions with a number between one and 10 (1 = definite 'no'; 10 = definite 'yes'):

Confidence: Do you have a high expectation that you will do your best in training and racing? Do you get excited about the idea of accepting a challenge? Do you have feelings of strength and being in control? Do you like yourself? Are you satisfied with your current level of sports performance?

Self-esteem problems: Do you have a strong system of inflexible rules? Are you a perfectionist? Are you extremely vulnerable to criticism? Are you nonassertive?

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, and there's no bottom line score to worry about. Once you've completed your self-evaluation, you then have a solid base of information to use in beginning to work on your confidence and self-esteem.

If you answered the first set of questions with mostly low numbers, and the second set with mostly high ones, it stands to reason that your performance may be suffering. It may seem difficult to overcome these barriers, but the reconditioning process for building your self-confidence is simple and direct. Just like your physical training, mental conditioning takes practice and patience.

Transform Your Weakness Into Power

If you are content with a mediocre performance, you'll never challenge yourself to achieve your full potential in triathlon. If you really want to improve your training and build confidence, you need to go out of your way to address and correct your weaknesses.