Edward Walsh: Keeping your mind in check

by Edward Walsh

Everyone knows how to prepare for race day. All of your competitors, teammates and coaches know strategies that can be used so that you can perform. Where athletes all differ the most is in our mindset. Each person has their own rituals and ways of doing things. I like to always start races with shiny shoes, well-pinned numbers and a plan to have an impact on the race. Your mental game can be a huge factor when it comes down to race day. Riders who are lucky enough to have a full support team and a clear outline of what races they are going to be starting will have a huge leg-up on someone who gets a late call-up and is stressed out about maybe not being on top form.

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The real test of character comes when you are faced with setbacks. How will you let them effect you? I have a very recent example of this. The Tour de la Manche is happening for Team RaceClean right now in Northern France. We are now three days into the race, and just five days ago we did not know if we would be making the trip to France or flying home to Canada the next day.

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Due to the recent labour strikes in France there was a serious risk of not having enough fuel for the trip, we have since resolved the issue but much of France is still without fuel. The Tour de la Manche was a big target for us, a race we could go to and potentially win. However being away from home for nearly four months now was starting to take its toll and the prospect of going home early played mind games on a few of us.

I was adamant that we go to the race, I spent those days of uncertainty in Belgium reading all the headlines coming out of France hoping the crisis would be resolved. The three days we spent waiting to make the call, I continued to prepare as if we were definitely racing and that helped to keep my mind in check. When we did decide on the trip, I was switched on. It was a stressful few days of waiting but it was worth it now, we drove to France the next morning. I arrived in France filled with confidence, having known that I prepared correctly, especially during those days of uncertainty when I was determined not to lose my focus.

As an athlete you always have to make the most out of what you are given, never let anything go to your head and keep focused on what you want most. If a race gets cancelled, find another one. If you get dropped, fight to the end and if you’re losing motivation, just remember the best day you have ever had on the bike. The best motivation is remembering how much you enjoyed the journey and the results. No matter what level or bike rider you are, there are good days and bad days, it is how you deal with those bad days that defines you.