Athletes are an extraordinarily driven bunch of people. Whether they be elite, amateur, age-grouper or junior they all have one thing in common and that is the will to succeed and the pure desire to constantly better themselves. This drive and desire is very important to use and is needed for better performances, results and PB’s. The only problem with this is that the constant slog and result orientated mindset can become addictive, almost like a drug. 
I’ll flip this to a triathlete-perspective. About a year ago I woke up one morning with a scratch-like feeling in the depths of my throat and lungs, routinely, I headed to training all the while a little voice was in the back of my head saying “Lorcan, don’t do this!! This is obviously some little dirty bug you have picked up…. you will definitely get worse if you push through”. Me being me, I chose to do the dumb thing and ended up being bedridden for a whole week with a respiratory tract infection. This could have been avoided, to some extent, if I had been smart and made the “Instinct call”.
This is a small example as to why we all need to drop the DRIVE and DESIRE mindset every now and then. One thing in particular that my coaches have constantly told us short course and long course athletes is that “Great results and performances come from a constant and consistent slog over a number of YEARS, despite what people may say, there are NO shortcuts, only hard(and easy)work.” This is very important to remember and does not come from being in the DRIVE and DESIRE mindset all the time. To be consistent it is important to mix up the RELAXED and DRIVEN part of yourself every now and then.
Not every training session will be amazing, races are the time to shine, they are the days to put everything on the line. Race-day is the time to give 110% both mentally and physically.
Bringing this all down to one point:
- Despite what others may believe.. from MY point of view: Not every day, session or workout needs a goal or focus. Enjoyment is the key to longevity and that may come from simply being outside on your bike and rolling around the streets, cutting laps around an athletics track or swimming fluent laps in the pool. You don’t need to download and obsess over your times, splits, speed, heart rate and whatever other fumbly jumbly numbers there are after every session, at least not all the time.
I encourage you to get outside by yourself or with some mates… whichever YOU prefer. Swim, Ride or Run as fast or slow as you like. Forget technique, forget cadence, forget heart rate, forget power… just do it for the sole feeling of pure enjoyment.
The time will come when 110% is required.
Peace out and forget the science every now and then,
Lace up,
Pick up your watch,
Turn your watch OFF,
Enjoy yourself,
Lorcan Redmond
Lorcan Redmond 