title: Triathlon:  how to mentally prepare for the big race.
abstract: With the mastery of 3 sports required, a triathlon can be a daunting mental challenge. Some liken a triathlon to a physical game of chess. A triathlete must mentally assess their physical ability across 3 sports against their competitors, the environment, and, most of all, themselves. The mental preparation required for a triathlon is often minimized, but its importance should not be underestimated. Appropriate mental planning should be carried out during training. The need for nutrition, race planning, visualization, imaging, and possible changes in conditions should all be anticipated. Anxiousness at the start of the event is normal, but this energy needs to be channeled appropriately, or it can be detrimental. Athletes who arrive at race day with a sound mental strategy typically perform better.
authors.affiliation: US Air Force Academy, Monument, CO, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bales
authors.forename: Karrn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bales
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes; D012420:Running / Q000523:psychology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000523:psychology*