One of the most difficult things about dealing with the mental side of triathlon is that its not tangible. Unlike physical conditioning where you can see yourself getting stronger by the amount of weight you=re lifting or technical training where you can see progress on video and on the clock, mental training can=t be directly seen or measured.
Prime Profiling helps you make your mental strengths and weaknesses more concrete. By having a better understanding of yourself mentally, you can more clearly specify the areas you need to work on. I have identified 12 mental and emotional factors that are important to triathlon success. To create your Prime Profile, rate yourself on a one to ten scale for each of the 12 factors listed below.
Motivation – How determined you are to train and race to achieve your competitive goals (1-not at all; 10-very). Confidence – How positive or negative is your self-talk in training and races (1-very negative; 10-very positive). Intensity – Whether your physical intensity helps (relaxed and energized) or hurts (get too nervous) your race performances (1-hurts, anxious; 10-helps, relaxed). Focus – How well you’re able to stay focused on performing your best and avoid distractions that hurt your performing (1-distracted; 10-focused). Emotions – Whether you lose control of your emotions and they hurt your races or you have control over your emotions and they help you perform well (1-lose control, hurt; 10-have control, help). Consistency – How well you’re able to maintain a high level of performance in races and throughout the season (1-very inconsistent; 10-very consistent). Routines – How much you use routines in your preparations including in training and before races (1-never; 10-often). Competitor – How you perform in races as compared to training (1-not as well; 10-better). Adversity – How you respond to difficulties you’re faced at races with such as bad weather or tough course conditions (1-poorly; 10-well). Pressure – How you perform in important races (1-poorly; 10-well). Ally – Whether you are your best ally or your worst enemy at races (1-enemy; 10-ally). Prime Triathlon – How often you achieve and maintain your highest level of race performance (1-never; 1- often).
Having completed the Prime Profile, you now have a clear description of your mental skills in triathlon. Scores below a 7 indicate areas that you need to work on. Write down the factors that you need to address, set goals related to improvement in those areas, and decide how you will develop the areas. Then consistently work on them until you have strengthened them.
Much like physical testing, take the Prime Profile every few months to see your progress. With time and effort, you can develop your mental strengths and alleviate your weaknesses so you can achieve Prime Triathlon.
