Prepare to be your Best on your Worst Days!
Most athletes shine when they “feel” perfect and the conditions are ideal when its time to compete. This is that golden moment where everything seems to be just right. You stand up on the blocks in your favorite lane at the Olympic Games and you feel like you are a million bucks. No one can beat you because you have never felt this good. In that case its easy to perform at the top of your game. But, what if you don’t feel perfect? You are in your least favorite lane. You are shaking from being nervous and feel like your legs are noodles. Are you still going to win like you would in your perfect world?
More often than not athletes fail because they are so accustomed to ONLY performing at their top when they feel perfect and the conditions are exactly what they need and want. The majority don’t feel perfect at race time and don’t have the exact conditions necessary for that perfect swim to just happen with ease. When that’s the case many fail because they didn’t prepare for it! More often than not you will not have ideal conditions for your race or you may not feel perfect. Maybe your plans may need to change on the fly seconds before your swim. Will you be ready for that and still not have it affect your perfect race?
On your worst day when you feel horrible from getting sick and the pool is to hot, will you be able to simulate your perfect mindset and perform at the level needed to be successful at the big meet? This is what you train for! Expect the best, but prepare for the worst! When you are put in not so ideal conditions learn to step up and perform at top levels. This is how you can increase your success rate at the big show. This will help you make sure no matter what happens you WILL succeed!
By: Nick Brunelli