Triathlon, and really any endurance sport is primary mental. I thought about writing on this topic after I was at the near end of five 10 minute high intensity interval training on Trainer Road and I teasingly looked over at Matthew and faked being over it and wanting to just be done already. I was shocked at how quickly, my mentality changed to just what I was saying! Even though I hadn't felt negative before stating this, just merely saying the words and allowing that little seed of negativity in made it real. Luckily, I was able to shake it off within a couple of seconds but there have been times that I wasn't so lucky.
I remember my first time encountering the negativity monster when I was training for my first 100 mike bike ride. I went on a 75 mile training ride through an organized rally. It was crazy windy and the last half was directly into the head wind. I won't ever forget what that wall felt like. I was tired, I hated what I was doing, and I just wanted to get off my bike and walk. I cried the last 5 miles just wishing that it was over already. Thank God Matthew was there to encourage me to continue on. But once I got into that mindset, I wasn't able to get out. I was actually grumpy the rest of the day.
Now that's not the only time negativity has creeped it's ugly head and I have to admit that during my 70.3 training, I was really worried it would come back full force. But, it really didn't (at least not until I finished that one workout) and I think that had to do with my focus and determination of knowing that each workout was what I was going to have to do to get to my ultimate goal. I intentionally practiced staying positive and not allowing negative thoughts to reach my consciousness during workouts and it really worked!
You practice everything else, why not practice being positive?!
So here's to you not allowing the negativity monster into your training, races and life!