top of page
Search
Writer's pictureJarod Ebenhack

Empowering Your Race Mindset




Building on the previous discussion, Helmstetter delves into the concept of the brain's silent controller in his book "The Power of Neuroplasticity," describing it as “...an invisible synaptic neurological process that goes on behind the scenes - choosing, selecting, and making thousands of your choices for you, day in and day out, and as a result, literally voting on, determining, and creating the life you live each day”(Helmstetter, p. 78). He states,” Most of your brain’s programming and most of your decision making - 90% of it or more- is handled on autopilot by your silent controller - without you being aware of it” (p. 86).For endurance athletes, especially those striving to overcome past performance struggles under pressure, understanding and harnessing this autopilot mechanism becomes crucial.


This morning at the Santa Clarita Independence Day 5k, I felt I successfully challenged this autopilot. As a masters athlete, I’ve had a long-standing goal of breaking the sub-17 minute mark in a 5k. I fell short earlier in the year at the Carlsbad 5k, which is billed as the fastest 5k in the world, since the road race 5k world record was set there. My recent training had been focused and rigorous, following innovative Norwegian methods detailed in my previous post (https://www.wildfireselite.com/post/norwegian-innovations-in-unlocking-endurance). However, disrupted sleep due to unexpected noise at 2 AM left me fatigued and with a pounding headache when my alarm rang. With only about five hours of restless sleep, achieving my goal of a sub-17 5k seemed threatened.


Drawing from my recent studies of the mental aspects of running, I knew my subconscious autopilot could sabotage my race if I didn't intervene. I consciously selected specific memories to forefront in my mind, aiming to influence the subconscious decision-making process during the race. I recalled moments like inhaling a moth during a challenging cross-country race in seventh grade yet setting a personal best. Then there was the time I lined up with forty other athletes from Reynoldsburg Junior High and Gahanna East and ended up winning the 800m run having no idea what I was doing.I recalled a college workout session when I felt dreadful, trailing my training partner by a daunting 100 meters during an interval session on the track. However, an inner spark ignited, fueling me to surge ahead and surpass my partner by the final lap. Additionally, I reminisced about a more recent experience where I battled through a sleepless night of coughing, yet managed to achieve a personal record in the marathon. These memories were ammunition against my brain's inclination to dwell on discomfort and past failures.


As I tackled the second-mile hill during the race, I sensed the internal struggle, but I was prepared. Despite physical fatigue, I committed to pushing through to the finish line, refusing to concede. By mentally reinforcing positive memories and overcoming adversity, I effectively tipped the scales in my favor. The result? I crossed the finish line fifth overall with a chip time of 16:54—a significant mental triumph as a masters athlete, now etched into my memory to bolster future performances.


When facing adversity in races, our minds often default to negative memories, potentially undermining our true capabilities. Therefore, I advocate for consciously "stacking the vote" in favor of positivity. Reflect on every past victory, every instance of defying odds, and internalize these moments before stepping onto the starting line. As Helmstetter suggests, since 90% of our decisions occur subconsciously, empower your subconscious with a narrative of resilience and determination. Let it resonate that you are capable—a force to be reckoned with, unwilling to accept anything less than success.

60 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

댓글


bottom of page