Lessons from Macon 70.3

This was my 4th 70.3 distance & it was the longest one yet. It might not have turned out quite how I had wanted, but it was still a good day.

Every-time you go out and train or race you learn something. Something about yourself. Something about your nutritional needs, quality of training, ability to push your body physically & mentally... and the list could go on and on. I learned that I can push myself farther than I ever would have dreamed of 2 years ago.

The mind is such a powerful tool. With a strong mind you can accomplish insurmountable feats. A strong mind is far more important than a strong body. What? Yes, it is. The mind can push the body so much farther than what it would normally be able to handle, where as the body cannot push the mind beyond what it thinks it can do. Training the mind is a very important part of an athletes training & should not be neglected. How do you get a strong mind. Well, for one it's a slow process. Some people will go and get coaches to help w/ the cognitive side of training, while others will go get books. Even if you don't do that, it is important to surround yourself w/a supportive group of family and friends.

Another very important way to build that mental strength is by consistently getting your physical workouts in. Put trust in what your coach tells you to do. Believe that the program they have given you will work for you. Keep an open line of communications w/ them so they know how to adjust it. And then, stick w/ that program. Consistently. This will give you the day to day confidence that come race day you can do the distance. You can finish the race. And, you can do it well. If you second guess yourself, your ability, your coach, your training program ... you will crush your mental strength & you will not perform at your full potential.