Coaching Tip:  What’s Your Mantra?

We all have moments while training or in a race where we question and doubt ourselves. I will never forget during Ironman Louisville in 2013, I wondered why I was racing, why I even race at all!

I was lacking motivation in the moment. What we say to ourselves is SO important, as it becomes our reality. “If you want to change your life, begin by changing your words. Start speaking the words of your dreams, of who you want to become, not the words of fear and failure.” –Robert Kiyosaki

Becoming mentally strong takes training. It’s not just the swim-bike-run of the training; there is a huge mentor component to racing. During training sessions, try out different mantras – various phrases that are encouraging. Play with them; repeat them to yourself and see how you feel. You will, no doubt, discover one that suits you and that motivates you. Each season, a new mantra may appeal to you the most or be more applicable to where you are in your journey.

Some of my favorites are:

• If it were easy, everyone would do it.
• I am as strong as an ox. (Chrissie Wellington’s mantra)
• Beast mode.
• Only the strongest will survive. (Breaking Benjamin)
• Pain is temporary; pride is forever.
• She believed she could, so she did. (Mine from Ironman Florida 2013)
• She needed a hero, so that’s what she became.
• The body achieves what the mind believes.
• You’ve got this!
• Trust the training.
• You are stronger than you think!