In this enlightening discussion, Lou Davey, a Clinical Psychologist from High Performance Sport New Zealand, dives into the world of self-sabotage and race anxiety in athletes. Laura Siddall shares her swimming training adventures, showcasing her work with coach Tim Brazier. Brad George reflects on his thrilling Queenstown Marathon experience, navigating the unpredictable weather. Meanwhile, Shaun Beuth opens up about his training journey after winning a race entry to IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo, offering insights into preparation and perseverance.
Jared Harvey shares insights from the IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney race, emphasizing the competitive dynamics between top athletes like Terenzo and Sam.
The podcast highlights the necessity of mental preparation and self-motivation, encouraging athletes to manage their thoughts and expectations before races.
Lou Davey discusses mindfulness and visualization techniques as effective strategies to alleviate anxiety and enhance performance for athletes.
Jared analyzes performance strategies during the cycling and running segments, noting how transitions can significantly impact overall race success.
The discussion includes practical advice on maintaining a balanced diet during holiday seasons to support athletes' nutritional needs without deprivation.
Deep dives
Introduction of Roving Reporter
The episode introduces Jared Harvey as a roving reporter covering the Western Sydney 70.3 triathlon. Jared, a professional triathlete and former full-time teacher, shares his experience navigating the event. This role allows him to gather interviews and insights from fellow athletes, providing a firsthand account of the race environment. His involvement signifies a transition in his career and a chance to utilize his training and experience in a new context.
Jared's Transition to Professional Triathlon
Jared reflects on his journey into professional triathlon, having recently achieved notable success in his first event in Taiwan. He emphasizes the importance of careful race selection, choosing competitions that align with his strengths. His second-place finish at the Ironman has given him confidence that he made the right choice to pursue triathlon professionally. This experience validates his decision to leave full-time teaching and focus on his athletic career.
Race Dynamics at Western Sydney
During the podcast, Jared discusses the unusual dynamics observed in both the men's and women's races at Western Sydney 70.3. Immediately following the swim, the field quickly separated into distinct groups, indicating a competitive atmosphere. Key athletes emerged, like Terenzo and Sam Appleton, who took the lead early on, demonstrating their strength in the race. Jared's observations highlight the intensity and unpredictability of triathlon competitions, particularly at the professional level.
Athlete Performances and Strategies
Jared provides insights into the different strategies used by top competitors during the race. He notes that the cycling segment saw a significant lead by Terenzo and Sam, who quickly outpaced their competitors. Meanwhile, he also mentions the performance of other athletes, pointing to the strong tactics employed by contenders like Hannah and Grace. These strategies and performances are critical in understanding the making of a successful triathlete at such high-stakes events.
Insights on the Women's Race
The podcast delves into the performances within the women's race, emphasizing how Radka and Hannah established themselves early on. Jared observes how Hannah, despite a slow swim, capitalized on the cycling stage to secure her position. He highlights Grace's impressive run on the back end of the race, showcasing her skill in transitioning from bike to run effectively. This analysis underlines the multifaceted nature of racing, where performance in each segment is vital to overall success.
Holiday Eating Strategies
The discussion shifts to holiday eating strategies, particularly as events like Thanksgiving approach. The hosts reflect on how holiday meals can create challenges for athletes, particularly regarding nutrition. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to eating, allowing for indulgences without sacrificing overall health. Suggestions include preparing in advance, making smart food choices during events, and appreciating the festive time with family.
Reflections on Race Planning
In the episode, reflections on race planning are discussed, with an emphasis on mental preparation leading into events. The challenges athletes face in managing their thoughts and expectations are examined, highlighting the psychological aspect of competing. The idea of focusing on self-motivation rather than external validation is encouraged. This mental preparedness is touted as equally important as physical training in achieving performance goals.
The Importance of Mindfulness
The concept of mindfulness is introduced, suggesting that athletes learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without attachment. Noticing negative self-talk and reframing those thoughts as simply transient can aid in reducing pre-race anxiety. The hosts encourage listeners to establish a routine that includes mental strategies to boost confidence. This practice can foster a healthier mindset leading to enhanced performance.
Using Visualization Techniques
The podcast emphasizes the value of visualization techniques in race preparation. Athletes are encouraged to visualize successful race days, which can help in reducing anxiety and increasing confidence. By mentally rehearsing their race plan and visualizing their performance, athletes can reinforce a positive mindset. This strategy strengthens their connection to their goals, ultimately helping them execute their plans more effectively.
Closing Thoughts on Growth and Learning
As the episode wraps up, the importance of reflection and learning from each race experience is reiterated. Athletes are encouraged to analyze their performances critically, focusing on personal growth rather than just outcomes. Having a growth mindset allows individuals to see challenges not as failures but as opportunities to improve. The emphasis on continuous learning and adaptation reinforces the idea that success is a journey, not just a destination.
EXCLUSIVE PODCAST CONTENT FOR FITTER RADIO COFFEE CLUB MEMBERS: Fitter Radio ‘Roving Reporter’ (and Fitter coached Pro Triathlete) Jarrod Harvey, introduces coverage from the IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney race yesterday!
PREMIUM CONTENT: Jarrod collects interviews with Terenzo Bozzone, Sam Appleton, Casey Munro, David Mainwaring, Sam Douglas, Radka Kahlefeldt, Hannah Wells and Grace Thek. Go to our Coffee Club pages at https://www.fitter.co.nz/exclusive-content/ to listen.
FITTER RADIO COFFEE CLUB RACE WINNER: BRAD GEORGE (00:11:36) Brad talks to us post-race about the Queenstown Marathon.
FITTER RADIO COFFEE CLUB RACE WINNER: JEN HOYLE (00:31:05) Jen Hoyle is the winner of the free entry for the Rockman in Mount Maunganui, NZ. We find out a bit more about Jen.
FITTER RADIO COFFEE CLUB RACE WINNER: JASON CHESHIRE (00:42:26) Jason won the free race entry to the KiwiXtreme. We find out a bit more about Jason.
ONE STEP AHEAD: (00:53:36) Holiday Eating.
FITTER RADIO COFFEE CLUB RACE WINNER: SHAUN BEUTH (01:04:39) Shaun won the free race entry to the IRONMAN 70.3 in Taupo. We catch up with Shaun to find out how his training’s going.
WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: LOU DAVEY (01:28:19) We talk to Clinical/Performance Psychologist for High Performance Sport New Zealand Lou Davey about self-sabotage and anxiety around racing in sport.
SID AND TIM TALKS: (01:58:49) Laura ‘Sid’ Siddall is back in NZ and Fitter Coach Tim Brazier is helping her with her swimming. We have a 3-way with Tim and Sid and talk about how she’s doing.
