Training Tips: How to Maintain a Positive Mindset when Injured
Being injured is a tough thing for anyone to take, let alone a triathlete, whose whole being revolves around being outside and staying active. Becoming a ‘couch-potato’ is not something they want to come to terms with.
The thing that a lot of triathletes have a problem with is maintain a positive mindset during their injury period. As the winter drags on and the summer racing season looms closer they begin to panic that they have not had the same base training as their rivals, giving them the feeling of being left behind, and in essence, not as fit. Here are five things to keep yourself positive during your injury and be beneficial to you as an athlete:
1. Stay Active –
Is your injury stopping you from doing all disciplines swim/bike/run? If not look at going more into depth technically with one of the sections that is potentially not being stopped by injury.
2. Keep a Goal –
Challenge yourself to get through the injury as best as possible. Look at how you can maintain your rehab program to the best of your ability. Set yourself a goal to not miss an exercise and focus on that, so you can get back to training as quickly as your injury will allow.
3. Maintain a Positive Attitude
Try to let the injury not get you down. You are so used to being active that your body and mindset can dip greatly if you are not able to stick to your usual exercise routine. It is important that you stay positive during this period. If needs be speak openly abut how you are feeling to a coach, training parter or friend. They will be happy to help you with whatever needs dealing with both physically and mentally.
4. Be Realistic
It is important that you stay realistic. If you try and rush the injury, you may only make matters worse. It is an obstacle that you must overcome and it is important you stay patient. Otherwise you could lead the risk of getting another potential injury on the side, that would only lead to more frustration.
5. Look into Other Hobbies
Use this time to look at other stuff you wouldn’t normally get to do if you were in full training mode. Triathletes have to make many sacrifices towards ‘normal’ everyday life events. So take this opportunity to do something you wouldn’t normally get to do.
