CONQUER TOUGH WORKOUTS
Training sessions that push you past your limits prepare your body to handle pain and discomfort when you need to drop the hammer and pull away from the peloton, bridge the gap to a lead group, or cement a podium spot. The hard work, determination, and discipline needed to accomplish these feats can be challenging on the mind.
"Hard workouts can require a lot of mental energy, especially if you're by yourself," says California-based track cyclist and 2024 Olympic hopeful Dalton Walters.
Here are some strategies for conquering tough training sessions.
PREPARE YOURSELF // Physical and mental preparation are key to getting ready for workouts, especially when flying solo. When you feel motivated, heading for a training session may not require much preparation, but when motivation is less than optimal, simply getting out the door is a win. "If I just pack up to train or put my kit on for a ride, the idea of knocking out my workout becomes much easier," Walters says.
EMBRACE DISCOMFORT AND VISUALIZE SUCCESS // Holding on for a few more minutes when your muscles are burning can be overwhelming. "There is a time and place to ignore the body's cues to shut it down. Challenging yourself to endure the discomfort is necessary," Walters says.
As you embrace discomfort, visualize performing or placing well, says Jess Cerra, Montana-based former pro cyclist and founder of The Last Best Ride. The same goes for visualizing quitting and the feelings that come with it. "When I want to give up, I imagine the feeling that comes five minutes after giving up, and it's one filled with regret, and that is worse!" says Cerra.
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