Letter To Our Juniors

This weekend is the opening of the junior elite race season.  The Endorphin Fitness Junior Elite Team (aka High Performance Team) will be racing back-to-back weekends in Florida with Clermont this weekend and Sarasota next.  This culminates six months of hard work and preparation to be ready for the race season; therefore, this is a big weekend for our juniors as we seek to set a tempo for the remainder of the season.  For this reason, I have decided to craft my writings this week specifically to them though my hope is that you all receive something from it.

You are Ready.  The big question on every athlete’s mind as we come into our first competition of the season is whether the training will transfer to race results.  Trust me, every one of you are ready!  You have put in the hard work this winter and I am confident you will be very happy with your results.  Erase all doubt and rely on the success you have had in the workouts.  Focus on your best workouts this winter and only this – allow it to build a confidence within you that you can take to the start line.  In the end, this confidence will fuel fortitude which will create results.

Its Not Nervousness.  You are probably feeling some butterflies in your stomach.  Don’t worry, it is not nervousness….it is excitement for the amazing race you are about to have.  See it as such!  This excitement is normal and good.  This excitement will lead to optimal performance.  Don’t let it boil over though – keep it at a healthy level using the skills that work best for you (laughing with friends, music, warming up).  The first step to this is not seeing it as bad at all – just a healthy level of excitement that should be embraced and harnessed.

Its All Mental Now.  The hard work is done, and the hay is in the barn. Now, you need to focus on how to get the most out of your mind.  Now, you need to get your mind prepared to fight, no matter what.  This is what will ultimately make or break your race.  When you see an opportunity arise during the race, take it even though you are tired. When you want to slow down, don’t.  It will all be worth it in the end.

Stay In The Moment.  Stay present and in the moment.  Tune out everything secondary – making it white noise in the peripherals – and focus all your senses on what needs to be done at the moment.  This will pull you into “the zone” and allow you to perform optimally.  This is crucial to your best performance.

Keep Perspective.  In the end, this is just triathlon and only one race at that.  Don’t lose perspective and place too much value on it as this will lead to poorer performance and perspective.  Have fun, enjoy the relationships that will come from this weekend, and be thankful that you are able to do something amazing that few will ever achieve.

I am proud of each and every one of you and honored to be your coach!