Mental preparation for a rowing race.

Preparing mentally for a race is just as important as preparing physically for a race. One of the reasons older more experienced rowers who may not be as fit and strong as their younger counterparts often win more is because they have the experience to know what to do at the right time and they know how to prepare themselves properly. If you lack this experience you can prepare yourself for races by doing the following things:

1. Have a race plan

The importance of having a race plan to keep yourself focused can not be understated. It can keep your mind from wandering and worrying. I will use the new zealand double at london Olympics as an example. After the first 500 meters they were coming last but they stuck to their race plan and executed it perfectly which ended up with them coming first. (Video at the bottom of the post)  

2. Visualize what you are going to do.

Go through the race in your head before you go out and race. See you self next to your opponents, pushing past them or attacking their position. Specific rates or calls at certain points of a race are also useful for keeping yourself focused.

3. Spend most of you time focusing on what YOU can control.

Many people go out and race and as soon as they get passed out by someone they find it hard to keep motivated and keep the fight going. If you focus too much on what the opposition are doing then you can get distracted and make mistakes that you otherwise wouldn't have made. But on the other hand I think its important to know where you are in the race and have a strategy to deal with the outcomes. Trust yourself and what you are capable of doing.

4. Only race if you WANT to race.

I feel this one is very important. If you are not going to enjoy yourself while you race then don't do it. Remember when you are on the starting line that you're the one who wants to do this and remember why you want to do this. 

5. Don't be afraid to loose.

So many people are afraid of losing. The underdogs in many sports can perform to their best as most of the time they aren't worried about losing. It doesn't matter if you lose so don't even think about it!  

6. Its not over till its over!

This is really important to remember. If your dead last and behind by 3 lengths its STILL possible to win! As long as you haven’t crossed the line keep fighting! One of the best things I ever heard on how to approach a race is this, if you are 6th attack the guy in 5th, if your in 5th then go for 4th, if you get to 4th go for 3th etc etc. such a good way of looking at a race in my opinion. A great example of this can be seen by the new zealand double at the last Olympics who went from 4th to 1st in the last 500 meters!