Training Hacks of a Triathlete Champion
I am always grateful for the opportunity to learn from a winner, someone who has demonstrated measurable excellence. Recently I had the privilege of interviewing local triathlete champion, Rebecca Youngblood. As you probably know, a triathlon is a race that involves swimming, biking, and running….grueling, to say the very least!
While we may not be training for a triathlon or any athletic competition, each of us has an arena in life that we seek to exemplify measurable excellence, whether it be in our homes, in our businesses, in our communities, or in our relationships.
I was happy to have Rebecca shed some light on her personal journey to success in this intensely competitive sport.
“I had never considered competing in a triathlon until a friend of mine’s father convinced me to register for a race that was less than a week away. I was a strong swimmer but not an accomplished rider or runner.”
Despite making many mistakes, she finished the race and had a blast.
So how does a person go from stumbling her way through her first triathlon to qualifying and competing in the Half Iron Man World Championship? Rebecca shared with me her “4 P’s” of winning.
The 4 P’s of Winning
1. Philosophy: “I had to embrace the philosophy behind triathlon training which is, ‘triathlons are practice for life.’ You have to set goals, train hard, and keep going even if you cannot see the end result you want.”
2. Purpose: Her greatest disappointment came during one of her biggest races. “I had not been able to train well prior to the event, had mechanical trouble on my bike and was discouraged because I knew people would see my results. I had no fun, and even when I had the chance to make up for some lost time on my run, I gave up.” Rebecca’s honesty was so refreshing as she explained that it wasn’t that she didn’t place well, but that she had lost sight of her purpose for racing. “I usually race for fun, for community, and for myself, but it all fell apart when I raced for other people’s approval.” Knowing our purpose helps us avoid the trap of approval and pushes us toward accomplishment. As my friend and mentor John Maxwell points out, “Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment.”
3. Prepare Mentally: After her disappointing performance, Rebecca told me about her resolve to enjoy her next race. “Despite an injury which limited my training time and preparation, I focused on having fun, and pushing myself to race the best I was capable of.” It turns out that staying true to her purpose and staying mentally focused on that purpose was the strategy that lead to her win First Place Female Overall.
4. Partner Up: “The people around me are why I love this sport and are who push me to compete my best.” Rebecca looks to the group she runs with, her swimming coach, and biking partner to always come together to push each other to improve. Rebecca points out that this is always done in a positive and non-comparative way, citing Theodore Roosevelt’s famous sentiment, “Comparison is the thief of all joy.” The importance of “partnering up” is emphasized by Harvard social psychologist Dr. David McClelland, who explains the people we habitually associate with are called our “reference group.” These people determine as much as 95% of our success or failure in life.
So what about you?
Are you inspired to be the champion of your life? If you are not actively utilizing the “4 P’s” in your arena of competition, today is a great day to evaluate your Philosophy, Purpose, Mental Preparation, and Partnerships. Why not start out by asking yourself the following questions?
Is my philosophy one of determination or discouragement?
Am I acknowledging and focusing on my purpose?
Am I actively choosing my thoughts?
Are the people on my team/in my life representative of where I am trying to go?
Do we collectively improve each other?