Mental Midgets Need Not Apply

This entry is about training and the difficulty with "going long" MENTALLY. Physically, you need to be able to complete the distances. You know, the 2.4 mile swim, the 112 mile bike and the 26.2 mile run. Individually, each is challenging, but putting them together is an entirely different beast.

Physically, you can have all of the tools necessary to complete this event. But if you don't have it mentally, forget about it. I, by no means, am saying I am one tough s-o-b physically or mentally, but I can tell you I have been pushed to my limits mentally.

Example #1:

• Try riding an indoor trainer or spin bike alone for 2+ hours. Yes, I have watched movies. Listened to music. Talked with others. Taken a class to mix it up. All of these are wonderful diversions, but sitting on your butt for hours gets old. Imagine driving in your car for hours only to find out you are still in your driveway. Fun, huh?

Example #2:

• Swimming in the pool. That should be enough, but I will share more. You swim, looking at the bottom of the pool. Swim 25 yards, head down, come to a wall, turn, repeat. Do this 80 to 100 times (on an easy day). Head down, nothing to see but the bottom of the pool. Yes, I do drills, mix it up, use tools but the view never changes. It's kind of like being the second dog in a sled dog race, the view never changes and it usually stinks.

Example #3:

• The wonderful treat of the treadmill. Yes, you have a TV, music and others around you. But you are on an human hamster wheel. I have run 13+ miles on the treadmill while watching Sports Center or others in the mirror. I play with the buttons, hoping it will help time fly by. Sometimes it does, but that is a rare occasion.

Example #4:

• Maybe the most challenging workout I did was pool running. When I was injured, my coach suggested pool running. I strapped on a life vest, jumped into the deep end and ran. And ran. And ran. I would "run" from one end of the deep end to the other. Back and forth, back and forth. Nothing to see, listen to or even watch. Can anyone spell b-o-r-i-n-g?

There are more "real life" examples I could give you about being mentally tough when training. Some days, it is just getting my ass out of bed and not hitting the snooze button. Other days, it is trying to get motivated, plain and simple. I am not sure what truly motivates me and I am trying to figure it out.

I know it sounds like I am whining, or maybe even complaining. I am not. Becoming mentally tough in training will only lead to success in an event. I think if you can train for hours on your own then race day will hopefully be a piece of cake.

I always ask myself this: Are my competitors doing this? Because if they aren't, then I know where they will finish...somewhere behind me.