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Mental Toughness
Know your strengths, identify your weaknesses
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Mental toughness in athletes is a hot topic and we always hear of athletes who are “mentally tough” thriving over their competition. It has been at the forefront of many studies and research papers.
It can be a way for athletes to understand their own capacity, strengths, weaknesses. It also crosses over into the world of business and work, helping managers, leaders and individuals understand the problems people and organizations face when faced with change and more importantly how they deal with it.
So what is Mental toughness and do you have it?
In their book “Developing Mental toughness” Doug Strycharczyk and Peter Clough claim there are 4 pillars to MT that you should be aware of.
CHALLENGE: Do you see challenge as an opportunity?
CONFIDENCE: Do you have high levels of self-belief?
COMMITMENT – Are you able to stick at tasks without slipping or wandering.
CONTROL: Do you believe that you can control your own destiny?
Research shows that some people are genetically ‘tougher’ than others and that is just hardwired into us. But the good news is that if you are NOT mentally tough you are not necessarily mentally weak! We can say you are mentally sensitive.
Mentally tough deal with pressure by not letting it get to them whereas the sensitive will feel uncomfortable in times of pressure or challenge.
Think about how you react on a start line of a race. How do you let the pressure of racing or hard training sessions get to you? Can you keep focus, not moan, push through a pain barrier, not give up when it gets tough, remain relaxed…
Ultimately, we are looking for our ‘ideal performance state’ and there are a few ways we can work towards that.
IMPROVE SELF AWARENESS: know your strengths, identify your weaknesses. Action plan for difficult situations in competition and practice that plan.
BECOME RESILIENT: Develop a refocusing routine to use to bounce back quickly from mistakes. If… then… Your goal is to achieve the same winning mindset in every situation.
INCREASE CONFIDENCE: Have your mind full of past successes and remember these tough situations in training
TOUGH THINKING: Master your self-talk and chose what thoughts you use. Recognise negative thinking and reframe it to positive.
PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE: Identify what skills (technical, physical and mental) you need to show up at your best when you really need it. Write them down, stick them somewhere prominent.
Just like training there are a lot of moving parts to developing mental toughness and just like building your aerobic base it will not happen overnight. It’s a process that if you put time and effort into, you will reap the rewards.
ENGINE
Bring the energy and a friend for a high-intensity, super fun partner workout! Expect cardio machines, bodyweight movements, plenty of sweat, and loads of laughs.
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we’re dialling in on toes-to-bar progressions, followed by capacity work. We’ll then round out the session with core and lat supersets to build strength and control.
Thursday evening, we’re going BIG on bar muscle-ups! Whether you're chasing your first rep or fine-tuning your technique for cleaner, stronger sets, we’ve got you covered with progressions, modifications, and strength drills to help you level up. As always, all abilities welcome!
HYROX - NO HYROX CLASS THIS WEEKEND
MOBILITY
Going super low this session, all about the ankle & feet, the role they play for stability. Of course, with whole body flows to finish it off.
PURE STRENGTH
Monday, we start the week with some heavy bench press pause bench press doubles and some AMRAP sets, followed by some push and pull accessory work. On Wednesday, we continue our deadlift and Box squat progressions.
WEIGHTLIFTING
In weightlifting this week, we are working on snatch. Drilling the positions and building to a heavy single power snatch. Finishing with some front squats.
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Thursday - Endurance Strength
A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.
Time: 06:30 am
Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com
Friday -Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride. This ride always begins with 18 - 20km at 30kph before a longer segment with various formats. Expect the main group to ride around 34kph, slower groups will break off and form. Anyone is welcome to join.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 6 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 4x.
Tuesday
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 1km repeats this week off a 2 min rest.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast. This week the tempo blocks will be 4 mins in duration with declining rest.
Monday:
Starting the week with some pulling work and tempo push-ups, followed by a push-pull run workout to get the heart rate up and the sweat beads flowing!
Strength:
Every 90 sec x 6 - 8 8 6 6 4 4 Pendlay Rows
Rest 2 mins
EMOM x 6 - Min 1 - 10 Gorilla rows / Min 2 - 3-5 tempo push-ups @30X1
Conditioning:
For Time:
Olivara
21 pull-ups
21 KHSPU
Park run
15 pull-ups
15 KHSPU
Pool run
9 pull-ups
9 kHSPU
Tuesday:
We have some midline work, including GHD hip extensions, GHD sit-ups, and tuck hangs, followed by a longer workout that incorporates rowing and focuses on single-leg and core exercises.
Strength:
Every 75 sec x 16
M1 - 5-10 GHD sit-ups
M2 - 4/4 dual DB front rack step-ups
M3 - 5-10 GHD hip extension (weighted)
M4 - 20-30 sec Tuck/ L. Hang
Conditioning:
AMRAP 25
1500/1250m Row
20 DB Box Step overs
30 V UPS
Wednesday:
We have some heavy DB strict presses with high-rep RDLS, followed by a sandbag and erg interval workout.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 3/3 SA seated DB strict press
Every 2:30 mins x 4 - 15 DB RDL @ 30x1
Conditioning:
3 min window:
18/15 Cal Ski
12 Alt Sandbag shoulder to shoulder
AMRAP Cal Bike
Rest 2 mins
3 min window:
18/15 Cal Bike
12 Alt Sandbag shoulder to shoulder
AMRAP Cal Ski
rest 2 mins
x2
Thursday:
On Thursday, we will be back squatting with some AMRAP sets, followed by a simple rope climb and KB swing couplet.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 3 3 3 3 3 back squat
rest 2 mins
+
1 set - 1 min amrap @ 85%
rest 2 mins
1 set - 1 min amrap @ 75%
Conditioning:
12min AMRAP
10 Russian KB swings
1 RC
20 Russian KB swings
1 RC
30 Russian KB swings
1 RC
Every new round increase the Rope Climbs by 1 Rep
Friday:
On Friday, we have a big team workout that's going to be epic! Rally your squad and get booked in!
Conditioning:
In teams of 4:
20KM C2 Bike
80 Wall Walks
Every 4mins, the whole team performs:
1 round of Cindy
5 Pull-ups
10 Push-ups
15 Air Squats
Mental toughness in athletes is a hot topic and we always hear of athletes who are “mentally tough” thriving over their competition. It has been at the forefront of many studies and research papers.
It can be a way for athletes to understand their own capacity, strengths, weaknesses. It also crosses over into the world of business and work, helping managers, leaders and individuals understand the problems people and organizations face when faced with change and more importantly how they deal with it.
So what is Mental toughness and do you have it?
In their book “Developing Mental toughness” Doug Strycharczyk and Peter Clough claim there are 4 pillars to MT that you should be aware of.
CHALLENGE: Do you see challenge as an opportunity?
CONFIDENCE: Do you have high levels of self-belief?
COMMITMENT – Are you able to stick at tasks without slipping or wandering.
CONTROL: Do you believe that you can control your own destiny?
Research shows that some people are genetically ‘tougher’ than others and that is just hardwired into us. But the good news is that if you are NOT mentally tough you are not necessarily mentally weak! We can say you are mentally sensitive.
Mentally tough deal with pressure by not letting it get to them whereas the sensitive will feel uncomfortable in times of pressure or challenge.
Think about how you react on a start line of a race. How do you let the pressure of racing or hard training sessions get to you? Can you keep focus, not moan, push through a pain barrier, not give up when it gets tough, remain relaxed…
Ultimately, we are looking for our ‘ideal performance state’ and there are a few ways we can work towards that.
IMPROVE SELF AWARENESS: know your strengths, identify your weaknesses. Action plan for difficult situations in competition and practice that plan.
BECOME RESILIENT: Develop a refocusing routine to use to bounce back quickly from mistakes. If… then… Your goal is to achieve the same winning mindset in every situation.
INCREASE CONFIDENCE: Have your mind full of past successes and remember these tough situations in training
TOUGH THINKING: Master your self-talk and chose what thoughts you use. Recognise negative thinking and reframe it to positive.
PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE: Identify what skills (technical, physical and mental) you need to show up at your best when you really need it. Write them down, stick them somewhere prominent.
Just like training there are a lot of moving parts to developing mental toughness and just like building your aerobic base it will not happen overnight. It’s a process that if you put time and effort into, you will reap the rewards.
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Thursday - Endurance Strength
A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.
Time: 06:30 am
Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com
Friday -Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride. This ride always begins with 18 - 20km at 30kph before a longer segment with various formats. Expect the main group to ride around 34kph, slower groups will break off and form. Anyone is welcome to join.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 6 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 4x.
Tuesday
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 1km repeats this week off a 2 min rest.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast. This week the tempo blocks will be 4 mins in duration with declining rest.
Monday:
Starting the week with some pulling work and tempo push-ups, followed by a push-pull run workout to get the heart rate up and the sweat beads flowing!
Strength:
Every 90 sec x 6 - 8 8 6 6 4 4 Pendlay Rows
Rest 2 mins
EMOM x 6 - Min 1 - 10 Gorilla rows / Min 2 - 3-5 tempo push-ups @30X1
Conditioning:
For Time:
Olivara
21 pull-ups
21 KHSPU
Park run
15 pull-ups
15 KHSPU
Pool run
9 pull-ups
9 kHSPU
Tuesday:
We have some midline work, including GHD hip extensions, GHD sit-ups, and tuck hangs, followed by a longer workout that incorporates rowing and focuses on single-leg and core exercises.
Strength:
Every 75 sec x 16
M1 - 5-10 GHD sit-ups
M2 - 4/4 dual DB front rack step-ups
M3 - 5-10 GHD hip extension (weighted)
M4 - 20-30 sec Tuck/ L. Hang
Conditioning:
AMRAP 25
1500/1250m Row
20 DB Box Step overs
30 V UPS
Wednesday:
We have some heavy DB strict presses with high-rep RDLS, followed by a sandbag and erg interval workout.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 3/3 SA seated DB strict press
Every 2:30 mins x 4 - 15 DB RDL @ 30x1
Conditioning:
3 min window:
18/15 Cal Ski
12 Alt Sandbag shoulder to shoulder
AMRAP Cal Bike
Rest 2 mins
3 min window:
18/15 Cal Bike
12 Alt Sandbag shoulder to shoulder
AMRAP Cal Ski
rest 2 mins
x2
Thursday:
On Thursday, we will be back squatting with some AMRAP sets, followed by a simple rope climb and KB swing couplet.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 3 3 3 3 3 back squat
rest 2 mins
+
1 set - 1 min amrap @ 85%
rest 2 mins
1 set - 1 min amrap @ 75%
Conditioning:
12min AMRAP
10 Russian KB swings
1 RC
20 Russian KB swings
1 RC
30 Russian KB swings
1 RC
Every new round increase the Rope Climbs by 1 Rep
Friday:
On Friday, we have a big team workout that's going to be epic! Rally your squad and get booked in!
Conditioning:
In teams of 4:
20KM C2 Bike
80 Wall Walks
Every 4mins, the whole team performs:
1 round of Cindy
5 Pull-ups
10 Push-ups
15 Air Squats
ENGINE
Bring the energy and a friend for a high-intensity, super fun partner workout! Expect cardio machines, bodyweight movements, plenty of sweat, and loads of laughs.
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we’re dialling in on toes-to-bar progressions, followed by capacity work. We’ll then round out the session with core and lat supersets to build strength and control.
Thursday evening, we’re going BIG on bar muscle-ups! Whether you're chasing your first rep or fine-tuning your technique for cleaner, stronger sets, we’ve got you covered with progressions, modifications, and strength drills to help you level up. As always, all abilities welcome!
HYROX - NO HYROX CLASS THIS WEEKEND
MOBILITY
Going super low this session, all about the ankle & feet, the role they play for stability. Of course, with whole body flows to finish it off.
PURE STRENGTH
Monday, we start the week with some heavy bench press pause bench press doubles and some AMRAP sets, followed by some push and pull accessory work. On Wednesday, we continue our deadlift and Box squat progressions.
WEIGHTLIFTING
In weightlifting this week, we are working on snatch. Drilling the positions and building to a heavy single power snatch. Finishing with some front squats.
Mental toughness in athletes is a hot topic and we always hear of athletes who are “mentally tough” thriving over their competition. It has been at the forefront of many studies and research papers.
It can be a way for athletes to understand their own capacity, strengths, weaknesses. It also crosses over into the world of business and work, helping managers, leaders and individuals understand the problems people and organizations face when faced with change and more importantly how they deal with it.
So what is Mental toughness and do you have it?
In their book “Developing Mental toughness” Doug Strycharczyk and Peter Clough claim there are 4 pillars to MT that you should be aware of.
CHALLENGE: Do you see challenge as an opportunity?
CONFIDENCE: Do you have high levels of self-belief?
COMMITMENT – Are you able to stick at tasks without slipping or wandering.
CONTROL: Do you believe that you can control your own destiny?
Research shows that some people are genetically ‘tougher’ than others and that is just hardwired into us. But the good news is that if you are NOT mentally tough you are not necessarily mentally weak! We can say you are mentally sensitive.
Mentally tough deal with pressure by not letting it get to them whereas the sensitive will feel uncomfortable in times of pressure or challenge.
Think about how you react on a start line of a race. How do you let the pressure of racing or hard training sessions get to you? Can you keep focus, not moan, push through a pain barrier, not give up when it gets tough, remain relaxed…
Ultimately, we are looking for our ‘ideal performance state’ and there are a few ways we can work towards that.
IMPROVE SELF AWARENESS: know your strengths, identify your weaknesses. Action plan for difficult situations in competition and practice that plan.
BECOME RESILIENT: Develop a refocusing routine to use to bounce back quickly from mistakes. If… then… Your goal is to achieve the same winning mindset in every situation.
INCREASE CONFIDENCE: Have your mind full of past successes and remember these tough situations in training
TOUGH THINKING: Master your self-talk and chose what thoughts you use. Recognise negative thinking and reframe it to positive.
PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE: Identify what skills (technical, physical and mental) you need to show up at your best when you really need it. Write them down, stick them somewhere prominent.
Just like training there are a lot of moving parts to developing mental toughness and just like building your aerobic base it will not happen overnight. It’s a process that if you put time and effort into, you will reap the rewards.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 6 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 4x.
Tuesday
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 1km repeats this week off a 2 min rest.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast. This week the tempo blocks will be 4 mins in duration with declining rest.
Monday:
Starting the week with some pulling work and tempo push-ups, followed by a push-pull run workout to get the heart rate up and the sweat beads flowing!
Strength:
Every 90 sec x 6 - 8 8 6 6 4 4 Pendlay Rows
Rest 2 mins
EMOM x 6 - Min 1 - 10 Gorilla rows / Min 2 - 3-5 tempo push-ups @30X1
Conditioning:
For Time:
Olivara
21 pull-ups
21 KHSPU
Park run
15 pull-ups
15 KHSPU
Pool run
9 pull-ups
9 kHSPU
Tuesday:
We have some midline work, including GHD hip extensions, GHD sit-ups, and tuck hangs, followed by a longer workout that incorporates rowing and focuses on single-leg and core exercises.
Strength:
Every 75 sec x 16
M1 - 5-10 GHD sit-ups
M2 - 4/4 dual DB front rack step-ups
M3 - 5-10 GHD hip extension (weighted)
M4 - 20-30 sec Tuck/ L. Hang
Conditioning:
AMRAP 25
1500/1250m Row
20 DB Box Step overs
30 V UPS
Wednesday:
We have some heavy DB strict presses with high-rep RDLS, followed by a sandbag and erg interval workout.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 3/3 SA seated DB strict press
Every 2:30 mins x 4 - 15 DB RDL @ 30x1
Conditioning:
3 min window:
18/15 Cal Ski
12 Alt Sandbag shoulder to shoulder
AMRAP Cal Bike
Rest 2 mins
3 min window:
18/15 Cal Bike
12 Alt Sandbag shoulder to shoulder
AMRAP Cal Ski
rest 2 mins
x2
Thursday:
On Thursday, we will be back squatting with some AMRAP sets, followed by a simple rope climb and KB swing couplet.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 3 3 3 3 3 back squat
rest 2 mins
+
1 set - 1 min amrap @ 85%
rest 2 mins
1 set - 1 min amrap @ 75%
Conditioning:
12min AMRAP
10 Russian KB swings
1 RC
20 Russian KB swings
1 RC
30 Russian KB swings
1 RC
Every new round increase the Rope Climbs by 1 Rep
Friday:
On Friday, we have a big team workout that's going to be epic! Rally your squad and get booked in!
Conditioning:
In teams of 4:
20KM C2 Bike
80 Wall Walks
Every 4mins, the whole team performs:
1 round of Cindy
5 Pull-ups
10 Push-ups
15 Air Squats
ENGINE
Bring the energy and a friend for a high-intensity, super fun partner workout! Expect cardio machines, bodyweight movements, plenty of sweat, and loads of laughs.
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we’re dialling in on toes-to-bar progressions, followed by capacity work. We’ll then round out the session with core and lat supersets to build strength and control.
Thursday evening, we’re going BIG on bar muscle-ups! Whether you're chasing your first rep or fine-tuning your technique for cleaner, stronger sets, we’ve got you covered with progressions, modifications, and strength drills to help you level up. As always, all abilities welcome!
HYROX - NO HYROX CLASS THIS WEEKEND
MOBILITY
Going super low this session, all about the ankle & feet, the role they play for stability. Of course, with whole body flows to finish it off.
PURE STRENGTH
Monday, we start the week with some heavy bench press pause bench press doubles and some AMRAP sets, followed by some push and pull accessory work. On Wednesday, we continue our deadlift and Box squat progressions.
WEIGHTLIFTING
In weightlifting this week, we are working on snatch. Drilling the positions and building to a heavy single power snatch. Finishing with some front squats.
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Thursday - Endurance Strength
A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.
Time: 06:30 am
Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com
Friday -Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride. This ride always begins with 18 - 20km at 30kph before a longer segment with various formats. Expect the main group to ride around 34kph, slower groups will break off and form. Anyone is welcome to join.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Mental toughness in athletes is a hot topic and we always hear of athletes who are “mentally tough” thriving over their competition. It has been at the forefront of many studies and research papers.
It can be a way for athletes to understand their own capacity, strengths, weaknesses. It also crosses over into the world of business and work, helping managers, leaders and individuals understand the problems people and organizations face when faced with change and more importantly how they deal with it.
So what is Mental toughness and do you have it?
In their book “Developing Mental toughness” Doug Strycharczyk and Peter Clough claim there are 4 pillars to MT that you should be aware of.
CHALLENGE: Do you see challenge as an opportunity?
CONFIDENCE: Do you have high levels of self-belief?
COMMITMENT – Are you able to stick at tasks without slipping or wandering.
CONTROL: Do you believe that you can control your own destiny?
Research shows that some people are genetically ‘tougher’ than others and that is just hardwired into us. But the good news is that if you are NOT mentally tough you are not necessarily mentally weak! We can say you are mentally sensitive.
Mentally tough deal with pressure by not letting it get to them whereas the sensitive will feel uncomfortable in times of pressure or challenge.
Think about how you react on a start line of a race. How do you let the pressure of racing or hard training sessions get to you? Can you keep focus, not moan, push through a pain barrier, not give up when it gets tough, remain relaxed…
Ultimately, we are looking for our ‘ideal performance state’ and there are a few ways we can work towards that.
IMPROVE SELF AWARENESS: know your strengths, identify your weaknesses. Action plan for difficult situations in competition and practice that plan.
BECOME RESILIENT: Develop a refocusing routine to use to bounce back quickly from mistakes. If… then… Your goal is to achieve the same winning mindset in every situation.
INCREASE CONFIDENCE: Have your mind full of past successes and remember these tough situations in training
TOUGH THINKING: Master your self-talk and chose what thoughts you use. Recognise negative thinking and reframe it to positive.
PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE: Identify what skills (technical, physical and mental) you need to show up at your best when you really need it. Write them down, stick them somewhere prominent.
Just like training there are a lot of moving parts to developing mental toughness and just like building your aerobic base it will not happen overnight. It’s a process that if you put time and effort into, you will reap the rewards.
Mental toughness in athletes is a hot topic and we always hear of athletes who are “mentally tough” thriving over their competition. It has been at the forefront of many studies and research papers.
It can be a way for athletes to understand their own capacity, strengths, weaknesses. It also crosses over into the world of business and work, helping managers, leaders and individuals understand the problems people and organizations face when faced with change and more importantly how they deal with it.
So what is Mental toughness and do you have it?
In their book “Developing Mental toughness” Doug Strycharczyk and Peter Clough claim there are 4 pillars to MT that you should be aware of.
CHALLENGE: Do you see challenge as an opportunity?
CONFIDENCE: Do you have high levels of self-belief?
COMMITMENT – Are you able to stick at tasks without slipping or wandering.
CONTROL: Do you believe that you can control your own destiny?
Research shows that some people are genetically ‘tougher’ than others and that is just hardwired into us. But the good news is that if you are NOT mentally tough you are not necessarily mentally weak! We can say you are mentally sensitive.
Mentally tough deal with pressure by not letting it get to them whereas the sensitive will feel uncomfortable in times of pressure or challenge.
Think about how you react on a start line of a race. How do you let the pressure of racing or hard training sessions get to you? Can you keep focus, not moan, push through a pain barrier, not give up when it gets tough, remain relaxed…
Ultimately, we are looking for our ‘ideal performance state’ and there are a few ways we can work towards that.
IMPROVE SELF AWARENESS: know your strengths, identify your weaknesses. Action plan for difficult situations in competition and practice that plan.
BECOME RESILIENT: Develop a refocusing routine to use to bounce back quickly from mistakes. If… then… Your goal is to achieve the same winning mindset in every situation.
INCREASE CONFIDENCE: Have your mind full of past successes and remember these tough situations in training
TOUGH THINKING: Master your self-talk and chose what thoughts you use. Recognise negative thinking and reframe it to positive.
PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE: Identify what skills (technical, physical and mental) you need to show up at your best when you really need it. Write them down, stick them somewhere prominent.
Just like training there are a lot of moving parts to developing mental toughness and just like building your aerobic base it will not happen overnight. It’s a process that if you put time and effort into, you will reap the rewards.
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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