Confidence is an important factor in the mind games athletes play: The power of positive thinking as it relates to more than success in business. One study of skiers training for the Olympic team showed that those who didn’t make the team had negative or tentative feelings about their abilities, and successful candidates were more positive. Does confidence breed success, or were the less successful skiers simply realistic about their talents? A little of both, probably.

Confidence is an important factor in the mind games athletes play: The power of positive thinking as it relates to more than success in business. One study of skiers training for the Olympic team showed that those who didn’t make the team had negative or tentative feelings about their abilities, and successful candidates were more positive. Does confidence breed success, or were the less successful skiers simply realistic about their talents? A little of both, probably.

Hal Higdon, in “Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide”

Confidence is the lesson this week. We had the mile time trials at track club yesterday, and I gave it my all. I did 8:07, which was a 13-second improvement over my best mile time 2 months ago. I felt like it should be more, because 2 months ago I didn’t really push myself like I really pushed myself last night.

But hey! I’m pushing that negative thought from my brain. I probably will never see a 13-second gain in my mile time again in a two-month period. That is a big accomplishment.

Update on the bike — I was able to get it fixed before the duathlon. So I won’t have to do the duathlon on the cruiser.  Which, by the way, I totally would have done, but I’m really glad I don’t have to.

I’m spending the last few days before the race focusing, relaxing, and reminding myself how totally effin’ ready I am for this race.

Pattie Reaves

About Pattie Reaves

I'm a new mom and renegade fitness blogger at After the Couch. I live in Brewer with my husband, Tony, our daughter Felicity, and our two pugs, Georgia and Scoop.