John’s Training Blog
Brain Work - Mind as well as body
As the first race of the season is this coming weekend this is a reminder that it’s not just a physical activity – the way you think and cope with the situation in your mind is often more important that how good you are at paddling.
The way you think and use your mind affects your performance in training, practice and racing.
Be positive – think why you can do it, not why you can not do it.
Imagery
Imagine you are paddling to victory with style and grace !! or looking at the results sheet with you name at the top.
Close your eyes and visualize yourself doing the race, each bend, what you will see, the finish whistle. Some paddlers do this as part of their race preparation just before the start.
Concentrate or ‘think about’
External things – weather, other paddlers, kit, water conditions.
Internal things – what you feel like, what may happen, hopes, fears.
Arousal
Low arousal = asleep
High arousal = extreme excitement – butterflies, sweating, etc.
You need to be somewhere in the middle to paddle at your best.
You can control arousal
Increase arousal – exercise, imagery, splash face, music.
Reduce arousal – relaxation, imagery, calm music, deep breathing.
Getting in the ZONE
Using the skills above will help you focus on your performance and will result in you doing your best.
John’s Training Blog
Brain Work - Mind as well as body
As the first race of the season is this coming weekend this is a reminder that it’s not just a physical activity – the way you think and cope with the situation in your mind is often more important that how good you are at paddling.
The way you think and use your mind affects your performance in training, practice and racing.
Be positive – think why you can do it, not why you can not do it.
Imagery
Imagine you are paddling to victory with style and grace !! or looking at the results sheet with you name at the top.
Close your eyes and visualize yourself doing the race, each bend, what you will see, the finish whistle. Some paddlers do this as part of their race preparation just before the start.
Concentrate or ‘think about’
External things – weather, other paddlers, kit, water conditions.
Internal things – what you feel like, what may happen, hopes, fears.
Arousal
Low arousal = asleep
High arousal = extreme excitement – butterflies, sweating, etc.
You need to be somewhere in the middle to paddle at your best.
You can control arousal
Increase arousal – exercise, imagery, splash face, music.
Reduce arousal – relaxation, imagery, calm music, deep breathing.
Getting in the ZONE
Using the skills above will help you focus on your performance and will result in you doing your best.