Stacey Richardson’s Weekly Workout Tip:
Show me your Iron Will
A few weeks ago, my athlete and I found ourselves doing timed repeats up the steepest hill in town, Lystra Road. Newly returned to training, Tony was full of self doubt, criticism, and worry about completing his workout. After a bunch of coaching pep talk and positive re-enforcement, I changed tactics on him and tried something new. Since then, it hasn’t left my thoughts. I call that workout “Will Repeats.”
“Tony, enough about how you aren’t fit enough, fast enough, or strong enough to do this climb. I”m tired of all that #@#%@!!! and negative self talk. This time when we climb, I want you to WILL YOUR SELF UP THAT HILL. Throw your heart into your climb and do not let go of my wheel!”
His climbing turned from half-hearted to astounding. He reached the top of the climb with a smile, despite the 3 previous attempts and related fatigue. He, too, acknowledged what he had lived for 4 minutes: He willed himself up the hill. Mind over matter, pure and simple.
When you hear the greatest triathletes speak of their racing and training, this refrain plays over and over again. Listen to Chrissie Wellington or Craig Alexander as they speak of the mind games and demons they face every year in Kona. Watch the suffering at both the pro and amateur level of our sport. And notice that those athletes who succeed are full of such Iron Will that no hill, rainstorm, or time deficit will deter them.
What if in your next set of intervals, you do them as WILL Repeats and be relentless in your execution. Wouldn’t race day come much easier if you knew you had trained not just your body but also your mind? Will yourself to the end of your next workout and build that will so strong it will carry you on race day. No walking. No quitting. No demons winning the battle. Just WILL training. WILL REPEATS.
