• Finishing top ten in your age group
• Qualifying for World Championship events
• Completing the race in a specific time goal
• Winning a race

These are goals that athletes share with the Purple Patch team on a daily basis but if you've been following our recent posts this month on racing mindset, you'll know that these goals are 'outcomes' and that it's a much better strategy to focus on the process when it comes to race-day. In fact our best racing advice is to show up fresh, aim to do as many of the things in your control right, and see what happens.  

Your race plan should be about personal performance and not the competition, whatever your race goals, whether it's winning IRONMAN Hawaii or setting a PR. Even for professional athletes, the individual race plan should always be the primary priority with the race dynamics playing a secondary role. For amateurs, the individual tasks at hand are almost always the priority.

The swim start is a great example of something 'externally driven' and I often hear athletes talk about their plan to 'draft off X's feet'. However, this race plan is dependent on someone else's successful swimming and navigation. I prefer that athletes focus on effort, line-up and sighting in the swim that is, execute an appropriate effort with great form, ensure they are swimming the right line and then sight to be aware whether it is appropriate to join another swimmer or group of swimmers.

The idea is to be aware of what is going on around you without being distracted so that you can continue to focus on your own effort and strategy. The focus should always be on performing well. This is something you can control. Self-performance. When you have control, you have an ease of mind. When you chase something out of your control, you will likely panic, fret or worry. So, let that slide away and retain focus and energy on the execution of things you can control. These include:

• Your warm up
• Your equipment readiness
• Your race day fueling and hydration (and following through with the plan)
• Your pacing and effort
• Your form and posture
• Your emotional breakdown of the race and execution of those parts on the day

If you focus on these, then it becomes pretty simple. If you commit to this focus, all others become a blur or, at most, a helpful source of inspiration. Nothing is for free, and nothing is guaranteed, but narrowing your focus will ensure you enjoy race day and give your body the best chance of paying you back. Don't get in your own way. Simply go there and execute.

Show up fresh, aim to do as many of the things in your control right, and see what happens.

Cheers,

Matt