Self Imposed Limits

What if your true potential remains untapped due to mental limits? At Tristar Athletes, we find regularly that our athletes reach physical limitations imposed by their brains. What is actually possible is never or rarely reached because we dont believe it can happen.

In this coaches corner we detail some of the real world scenarios that play out that limit upward potential and how you can overcome and avoid them.

The mind is a terrible thing to waste

When you think you can only go so far, know that physically your body can go MUCH further. The brain will often times try to limit how far the body can go in order to self preserve and make sure you don’t “hurt” yourself.
But what’s too far? At Tristar we like help stretch and pull you towards getting faster. Consistency is certainly more important than getting injured from going all-in all the time, however at times we also need to race and see what’s possible to break through. Too far is only so far as your brain will allow!
“We tell you how to think”; Yes, as coaches we provide physiological bumpers in your plan to keep you safe from overdoing it. From time to time we also like you to use “feel” or RPE to unwind things a bit and see what’s under the hood. We are not suggesting that you go so hard as to break down your body …however, we need you to work through “good pain” (not bad pain) with best form and execution in tough sessions.
When you think you cannot go on? This fleeting moment in your hard efforts will pass. Dig deep and be rewarded.
Take the tools away; pace, power, heart rate… leave it all behind at the door and break free from time to time on a session. When you DYOT “do your own thing” follow these guidelines for reentry into training.
Set a big target and fail during training; yes, go out there and set a lofty goal to one up a segment on a course, ride your fastest split or hit your best power for 20minutes. If you dont go to failure, you may not produce enough load on the body to break through. Tristar coaches push you to go after critical power and pace as well as heart rate targets regularly. ….it is ok to fail at these and grow. You won’t be growing the most when you hit all your targets and feel like a million bucks!
Today is today; Keep in mind that what happens today is only one day in your endurance life. You have many unwritten days of training where you will ride high and ride low. This is normal for the journey and process!
You have the control; As the CEO and master of your mind, you determine and decide each day what thoughts are allowed to enter you consciousness and be acted on. Dont let self imposed limits stop you from long term and big goals.

As Tristar Athletes and coaches, we must reach our limits and smash them. Fortify your mind with strength and conviction and you will be rewarded not only on raceday but in your day to day lives.

~The Tristar Athletes Coaching Team

Featured