Easy come, easy go!

This post I will break away from the normal trend of mumbo jumbo technical jargon and head down the path of attitude and the mental aspects of life that can be applied to endurance training...in my opinion of course.

The main premise I am building off is that external stresses can affect training and racing performance, it is a fact. If you are mentally stressed before a training session or race, you are not going to perform at your best and get the most out of the training session....you need to clear your mind.

Those of you who know me would say I am "intense" about everything that I do, a very serious individual, with a different sort of sense of humor (Note: our perception of what others think of us, often is not really the perception others have of you). If I had a dollar for every time someone said "relax" to me I would be a millionaire...true. You know, it must be age, but this kinder and gentler side of me is coming out i.e. more relaxed demeanor. Don't get me wrong, I still have a fire in the belly and if given the opportunity to destroy you, I am on it....I am referring to my fellow competitors of course.

For me, I have always let things get to me psychologically, people can easily get in my head, half the time there not even trying. Its me making it something other than what it really is, most of the time, and I don't let go easily, I usually come out swinging. Having said that...there are some legitimate head game players out there...you know who you are...and so do I. For the lack of a better way of saying this, I get in my own way...my mental game needs a new attitude...I need to clear the head space better.

Since, the beginning of January of this year my mantra has been "Easy come, easy go".....meaning I know shit affects me easily, but just as easy at it affects me, I need to let it go as easily.....get it out of my way.....tout suite!! I have applied this approach in all aspects of my life....personnel and professional. You know what is funny, it feels awesome, its like nothing really stresses me, and believe me my stress threshold is topped out baby. The other thing I find funny is that those who know me, are saying things like "how come you don't care?"..."your not the same Mike I used to know"....."you don't care about your training like you used to"...."your not as into all the details like you used to be"... all this is an indicator that I am being successful at applying my new mantra. Also, the awesome feeling I have as a result will transcend into better training sessions and race results, not to mention a happier existence.

Easy come, easy go.

Mikey