For me, and many tens of thousands of others, this week has always been the week leading up to the CIF State Championship for High School Cross Country. This was always the week I was forced to hold back, to trust, to let go of everything that came before and everything that was to come after.
Because all the prep had been done, there was nothing I was going to do this week that would push my ability to go faster, in a physical training capacity. And almost nothing outside of a freak injury that would slow me down.
It was actually rest, and recovery, and holding back that allowed me to arrive next Saturday, the weekend following Thanksgiving, as primed as possible.
Well, rest and mental prep.
This entire week was always a test of the mind.
As
Ian Rice explained on our
last podcast, a technique I would use constantly was
reverse visualization. Seeing the ultimate result and working backwards to the present moment.
But so much of that plan that I envisioned, ended up changing. Shifting. Melding.
The weather, the ground, the diet, the van ride to Fresno, the hotel, the pillow, it was all out of my control. The only things I could control were my attitude and effort.
I heard this great anecdote once about framing everything as good. It's cold and wet, good. I left my preferred racing jacket at the hotel, good. There was traffic, and I got to the course late, good.
Imagine painting everything that happens that is not within your control as inevitable and merely part of the road to your best outcome. Your entire body, being, and energy will start to build stronger and stronger, regardless of the bumps.
This week, as we go into a week full of travel, and family, and unpredictability leading up to the biggest race of your high school career, there will be things that happen out of your control that could be painted as obstacles. Frustrations. Excuses.
Unless you reframe, let go of the uncontrollables, and shift your focus to the only thing in your control: attitude and effort.
Put your energy into your response. Good! That had to happen for me to get achieve my best outcome.
Not eating the exact meal I had planned because the restaurant closed due to construction, good, one meal doesn't affect the months of training and prep that's gotten me to this moment.
There is traffic and we are late, good, I needed more time to listen to my vibe track, get into the rhythm of the moment, and feel my body at its peak.
It's wet and cold, good, I'll keep my extra layers on during warm-up and use it as a mental advantage over my competition.
Reframe to ignite. Double down on your internal fire every time something challenges your path. And let it rip.
Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll. Now go run fast!
