It's about fitness AND confidence

I read a Runner's World interview with Washington Huskies cross country runner Anita Campbell in which she discusses the amazing season they've been having.  She stresses the importance of doing all the little things:

Mentally, Metcalf has been telling us all season "this is the time when we’re working hard, this is the time when we’ve got to make sure we do all the little things." We made sure that each and every one of us was doing everything that we needed to do early on at the season so that when we get to this point where we are now we can look and say "you know what, we did everything we were supposed to do." And we have fill [sic] confidence that Metcalf told us the right things to do. That’s something that I learned over the four years, that it’s so important to [do] all those things so your confidence at this point in the season is so high. And now you can say "my taper is going to be of benefit because all that was done and everything is going to work the way it should work, and in a week, I’m going to be the best that I’m supposed to be." [italics mine]

All the strides, drills, stretching, weight training, diet management, sleeping, and lifestyle management has a physical benefit.  Though that physical benefit might not show in a day, a week, or even a season, it is there.  The mental benefit, however, is incalculable.

Stepping to the line in a championship race is as much about mental preparation as physical preparation.  Self-doubt will derail your chances of success, faster even than many physical ailments.  And the best way to eliminate self-doubt is to know that at every point leading up to the race, you made a choice to do the extra.  You are as prepared as you can be, and there is nothing holding you back from your best performance.

Most coaches stress this.  Many athletes try to comply.  A few consistently do.  Championship teams have built up a culture around doing the little things, the extra.  Washington is going to roll on Monday, and everyone on their team knows it.  And knows why.

Comments

[Jasonangiesmith]

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