Be Here Now: Let Go of the Past, Forget about the Future, Perform Your Best

Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling

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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, hosts Dave Schell and Matti Rowe delve into the complexities of athlete mindset, focusing on time orientation, the burden of past performance, the impact of aging, and the role of metrics in training. They discuss how anxiety and depression relate to future and past thinking, respectively, and emphasize the importance of being present. The conversation also touches on the dangers of comparison and fantasy in athletics, and the need for athletes to balance their expectations with reality. In this conversation, Matti and Dave explore the complexities of athletic training, emphasizing the unpredictability of training plans and the importance of adapting to various circumstances. They discuss the balance between past experiences, present actions, and future goals in training, highlighting the need for mindfulness and self-reflection. The conversation also touches on the psychological aspects of being an athlete and the importance of maintaining a healthy perspective on performance and progress.

Takeaways

• Time orientation affects athletes' performance and mindset.
• Anxiety relates to future concerns, while depression relates to the past.
• Comparing oneself to past performance can hinder current progress.
• Aging impacts athletic performance and requires a shift in mindset.
• Metrics can be misleading and should be viewed with caution.
• Reality often doesn't meet expectations, leading to disappointment.
• Fantasy can distort athletes' perceptions of their achievements.
• Coaching should focus on consistency and doing the work.
• Athletes often seek control through planning, which can be counterproductive.
• It's essential to appreciate how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Training plans rarely go according to plan due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Adaptation to training is more important than just following a plan.
• The coach-athlete relationship requires constant communication and understanding.
• Focusing too much on the future can hinder present performance.
• Athletes should aim for a balance between past, present, and future in their training.
• Mindfulness and self-reflection are crucial for athletes to manage their emotions and expectations.
• Fitness is not linear; it's a rolling average with ups and downs.
• Athletes should not overreact to day-to-day performance fluctuations.
• Perception and mindset play a significant role in athletic performance.
• Practicing mindfulness can help athletes manage intrusive thoughts and maintain focus.