66 | AustrAliAn triAthlete
How do you control your thoughts and
motivate yourself to push through
when suffering?
Carfrae - For me, trying to quiet my mind
by focusing on breathing works best. I also
sometimes count my breaths. Doing this
gives me something simple to focus on
and that in turn quiets the angry voices
shouting all the reasons why I should
shop. Visualisation can help a lot also –
take yourself mentally to the race you are
training for and put yourself in a win or
lose situation. It’s easy to push on when
you have a clear picture in your mind of
that magical finish line.
McShane - Every race I do will have
specific physical processes that I plan to
maintain. For example, high elbow in the
swim and high cadence on the run. These
simple, controllable cues help me focus
on what I’m doing in the present moment
as opposed to how I’m feeling or what
might be ahead. I remind myself that I’ve
been here before.
Luxford - I try and take note of some
physical aspects of suffering. For example,
if I’m feeling hot, I remind myself to drink;
if I feel like I’m getting blown around in
crosswinds, I remember to keep peddling
and stay relaxed. I try not give too much
thought to how I’m feeling regarding
whether it’s worse than I anticipated.
Regarding motivating myself to push
through the pain, sometimes I think about
the prize money, at times I think about the
points or placing to qualify for another
race, other times I think about getting a
PB, and sometimes I just don’t think at all.not a thought I have during racing or
training) I see suffering in a race or training
as a positive. This is a suffering I’m
choosing to do, that ultimately brings me
success or joy. So many people are
suffering across the world through no
choice of their own.
Bell - I am a believer in being able to train
yourself to suffer - teaching yourself to be
“comfortable with being uncomfortable”.
Then each week trying to push it that little
bit further - just like training threshold.
That way in a race if you have increased
your pain threshold you push harder and
go faster.
Blatchford - It’s inevitable but also very
trainable. You can train your mind to get
used to suffering. After a long break from
training, I am pathetic and wonder how I
got through the constant
uncomfortableness of peak form and
25+hour weeks of training. But gradually, as
I train my body and mind to suffer a little
more each day, it comes back to being
“just the way it has to be”.
Angus – The day before a race I’ll run
through it in my mind - what I’m trying to
feel and look for. Often it’s related to
technique. Like on the bike remembering
to be smooth, aero and in the right gear.
It’s really important I’m keyed into that
level of discomfort to measure my effort
and get that balance right. When you’re
going through discomfort your body’s
telling you that you’re fatiguing – you have
to assess if you’re OK with the information- sometimes it’s important to respond
with more fluid, sugar or even slowing
down. Other times it’s having that strong
mind-body connection to know you can
keep pushing.
Legh - I enjoy the workload and challenge
of training, that’s something I have never
been afraid of. I also think that proper
rest and taper before key races helps
protect you from suffering in the lead-up
and therefore enables you to tolerate a
little more ‘hurt’ in race situations. You
need to be physically and mentally ready
to suffer when the big day comes
around. Accept that the race is going to
hurt at times.
lUke Bell (ABOve): “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
liz BlATchfOrd (ABOve righT): “Train your mind to get used to suffering.”
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