In my last I Practice What I Preach article, I described how I will be focusing on my weaknesses—swimming and cycling—during the prep period leading into the 2024 triathlon season. I also did a deep dive into how I was going to improve my swim technique and speed by leveraging two pieces of swimming technology [...]
Note: I’m pleased to co-author this article with my exceptional coach, Dr. Greg Rhodes. Greg is Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology and an accomplished age-group endurance athlete in his own right. How you perform next season depends on what you do between now and then. The fitness gains you make and the technical, tactical, and mental [...]
It’s hard to believe the summer, what I consider Phase I of the ski racing prep period, is almost over. Hopefully, the summer was devoted to building the foundation for your success next winter. In all likelihood, your efforts focused on three areas. First, you engaged in an intensive physical conditioning program. The reality of [...]
It’s late September which means two things. You are in the middle of the fall training block in which you are engaged in an intensive physical conditioning program or are starting to get on snow in Europe for early-season skiing, or both. The next few months before race season will be physically and mentally challenging [...]
I suppose it goes without saying (though I’m saying it anyway) that what you do during the prep period that has just begun will largely determine how your 2022-23 race season goes. What you do related to your ski racing in the spring, summer, and fall will either make or break whether you achieve your [...]
The 2021-22 race season is now well behind you and you’ve likely storage waxed your skis and stored all your gear till you get back on snow (perhaps this summer). You’ve probably also pulled out your favorite non-skiing toys, whether mountain bike, golf clubs, tennis racquets, surfboards, or what-have-you. And the last thing you want [...]
It happens every winter. In December, January, and February, I get calls from national team athletes and parents of young racers who are struggling mentally in their ski racing and they have big races coming up. They want me to somehow fix them quickly. Though I think I’m pretty good at what I do, I’m [...]
It’s hard to believe the summer, what I consider Phase I of the ski racing prep period, is over. Hopefully, the summer was devoted to building the foundation for your success this coming winter. In all likelihood, your efforts focused on two areas. First, you engaged in an intensive physical conditioning program. The reality of [...]
The off-season is now underway and you are probably hitting the gym and, hopefully, hitting the slopes soon as well some time in the next few months. Though getting the miles on snow is very important, a key focus during the off-season should be on building your fitness that acts as the foundation for all [...]
Most sport psychologists work with athletes on the mental side of their sport in an office setting (usually one hour per week), providing them with mental tools that they can use during training and competitions. This approach makes about as much sense as a coach offering their athletes technical instruction and then telling them to go out onto the field, course, court, or what-have-you and work on it in practice. In either case, the transfer from inside to outside isn’t very good. I have found the most productive work I do with athletes is during their actual practice sessions. I’m able to go to training with athletes and show them how to incorporate mental skills, such as intensity, focus, imagery, and routines, while they’re actually practicing. But, over the last few years, I have discovered an even better setting in which athletes can begin to develop their mental skills: the gym. Yes, using mental skills as a part of your physical conditioning program is a great way to begin to ingrain those skills that will be of such benefit in the quality of your training and when you compete.
