Sunshine pro: Develop mental skills to maximize your performance

If you’re an avid cyclist, chances are that you’ve faced your limits before. In those challenging moments, what happens? Do you crack? Do you get stuck in negative thoughts or do you strive and power yourself to new heights? If you’re looking to improve your performances, developing mental coping skills will help you push through your limits with more ease. I’ve always been interested in sports psychology and I think this has become one of my strength so I’m sharing with you some of my tips on the topic, from the theory in the books to my own experience. Replacing thought Negative thoughts and doubts won’t make you go far. Depending on the situation, we often have the same pattern of negative thoughts that arise in our mind when we’re facing difficulty. The first step is to recognize them. “Oh that’s a negative thought”, or “oh I’m doubting my ability, my plan, etc..” Then replace it by a positive one. Help your brain to remember positive thoughts during those key moments by preparing them, so they are ready to use as soon as you realize you’re going the wrong way. Here are some examples of negative thoughts with their replacement : I’m gonna blow up | It’s good now (stay in the now, right now is okay) I can’t do another one | I’m an animal! (pretend you can) I’m too slow, my power is too low, I don’t have legs | I can only do my best, just do your best (no judgment, just honest best effort) I will never be able to reach my goal | Make the most of today, just today, this session (can’t worry about the future, focus on the task at hand, on the process, reaching today’s mini-goal) It hurts, I want to […]

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