Staying on Track

This chapter deals with navigating the uncertainties that occur in a race after the gun goes. This involves the skills of self-regulation, the monitoring of internal thinking, state and perceived effort, with external information processing of competitors, conditions, pacing, etc. A staying on track template synthesises race goals, pre-performance states, race tactics, pacing strategies and psychological skill management into a race plan. Athletes also need cognitive, emotional and behavioural strategies to deal with exercise-induced pain. But sometimes there is an overwhelming urge to ‘just stop’! Decisions on persistence, disengagement and re-engagement may need to be made in the heat of competition when an action crisis occurs. Mental contrasting (MC) and implementations intentions (IIs) have significant roles to play here. Mental fatigue from prior cognitive effort can affect emotional regulation and impair endurance performance. Various strategies and monitoring tools are presented for prevention. In the final analysis, self-reflection is an important tool to use after a race—no matter how the race went. Despite re-frames and potential learning points, some athletes may still believe ‘I really did fail’. The closing process in this chapter, a framework for engaging in self-compassion, can help turn negative rumination into personal growth.