Releasing Expectations

As we start to hit the meat of triathlon racing season many athletes are fast approaching their key event(s). In the months and weeks leading in to those events we plan to execute training based on expectations of how we would like to race on the “big day”.

I believe it’s healthy to have expectations as it drives motivation and allows us to stay, “on task”, in our training. Though expectations are healthy, they can be a bit of a moving target at times. When life (injury, work obligations, travel, etc.) alters how you are able to prepare it would be wise if we consider adjusting our expectations. When we get to a point where our training is in the bank and we start building energy and emotion for race day, it’s a great time to (re)establish the final race day expectations. The KEY here is making sure; expectations meet reality. What do I mean? It means that our expectations are honest and based off of the training and races we have done in the lead up. Expectations should not be based on how things were 6 months ago or how good (or bad) we were eight years ago. (and I say that last part about eight years ago for my own brain) Over 15 years ago Mark Allen said one of the biggest reasons he couldn’t break through to win the Ironman World Championship because, “expectation did not meet reality” … those words sit deep and permanent in my memory.

If your expectations are set in place with honesty, you have a solid race and nutrition plan, and you feel confident you can adapt to inconsistencies race day throws at you then it’s time to release those expectations. Yes, release the expectations and simply “execute”. Execute your race day based on everything you know and everything you have done in preparation. Six weeks ago I had an athlete have a great race day and commented; “releasing expectations can be good”. Yes, releasing expectations IS good, it is powerful and it is calming.

Release yourself …

DL