292. How to Control Intensity and Get in the Right Mindset Before a Big Race
The Strength Running Podcast
How to Visualize Your Race
The longer the race, the more you can imagine. You can use different things like funky buildings or running by a park to kind of anchor parts of your vision. And maybe that's where you check in with, what am I saying to myself? Where is my level one to 10? Am I where I want to be?"
When race day arrives, having the right mindset can be the deciding factor in your success. This week’s guest on the podcast knows the importance of mindset, and has worked with athletes on the world’s biggest stages. Dr. Nicole Detling received her BA in psychology and sports science from Ohio Wesleyan University, her MS in sport psychology from Ithaca College, and her PhD in sport psychology at the University of Utah. She is a certified mental performance consultant and coauthor of the book “Don’t Leave Your Mind Behind.”
While we have glimpsed what the human body is capable of with extraordinary feats like a sub-2 hour marathon, opportunity for continued success comes from harnessing the power of our mind. In our conversation, Nicole and I discuss how to approach intensity and make mindset training part of your pre-race preparation.
She makes mental training practical and accessible, and will help you learn:
- How pre-race intensity levels vary for different types of races
- Ways to discover your optimal energy state
- How elite athletes approach mental training
- Strategies to get yourself up and calm yourself down before a race
- Exercises that can help prepare you for race day visualization
- How “Plan Z” preparation can help prevent you from ever having to use it
- The minimum effective dose of visualization for race day preparation
This is a fascinating discussion that will benefit runners of every level, and can help your approach to other challenging areas in your life. Enjoy!
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Learn more about HeadStrong Consulting
- Follow Nicole on Twitter and Instagram
- Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn
- Sign up for our free mindset series
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