RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF a+ EXECUTION = PROGRESS

By Coach Lisa Spink

There is an old saying –
 “If you only ever do, what you’ve only ever done, you’ll only ever get what you’ve only ever got!!”

So nothing new there and we all say we are growing as people and as athletes BUT are we…
“When was the last time you did something for the first time?”
How do you cope with NEW …… Is change something you embrace or something you fight sticking with the -
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” or “ Better the devil you know”.

When it comes to training and competing there is no argument we need to keep progressing to keep improving. Initially it might  be aiming to turn boxes green consistently, but then what… Progress doesn’t always mean further faster – but nearly always means better!!! It means getting out of the comfort zone. So here are some examples, in your swim sets are you following the breathing pattern, are you doing the stroke counts,  are you tumble turning ALL the time or just when you feel like it!! When you’re riding are you engaging core and glutes, are you maintaining aero-position, are you practicing cornering, climbing, descending and coping with wind?? In those run sets are you thinking of form, cadence, drive and posture? Is sleep and nutrition only important in race week for you?

“If you keep cutting corners, you’ll end up going around in circles”

Starting out, if you have never completed a structured prep, turning boxes green will probably see you improve dramatically. BUT after that it is the accumulation of doing little 1% percenters every session that produces improvement. Progress then becomes as much about how you do it rather than just doing it!  It is uncomfortable, it takes effort both mentally and physically to lift your personal standards higher and higher BUT the rewards are worth it!! Remember
“No one said it was going to be easy BUT it will be worth it”

Every preparation has a goal, every week has an objective, every session is meaningful and every rep counts, so the challenge is on – are you willing to step out of the comfort zone and dare to “live your potential”

So to finish with an extended cliché (aka poem) from Wayne Bennet’s book “The Man in the Mirror”

The Man in the Mirror (first 3 verses only – the first version of this was written in 1930’s so no gender PC in this one)

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day.
Then go to your mirror and look at yourself
And see what the man has to say.
 
For it isn’t your father, your mother or wife
Whose judgement of you – you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
 
He’s the man you must please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end.
And you’ve passed your most difficult and dangerous test
When the man in the glass is your friend

​Happy Days! Lise