6 tips to prepare you for your return to competitions
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May 24, 2021
Finally, it's all back: triathlons, competitions, and the adrenaline and nerves before the race starts. With these also come preparations, transitions...
Justus Nieschlag, Jodie Stimpson and Hayden Wilde are three of today's most recognized and celebrated short-distance triathletes (Sprint and Olympic) in addition to being Orca ambassadors.
Justus Nieschlag, Jodie Stimpson and Hayden Wilde are three of today's most recognized and celebrated short-distance triathletes (Sprint and Olympic) in addition to being Orca ambassadors. With their mind already set on their next goals for this 2021 season, we have talked with them and heard how they manage both their body and mind in training and in competitions.
Question: What is a motivational quote or a phrase that encourages you?
Justus Nieschlag: "Pain is temporary, glory is forever!"
Jodie Stimpson: "It's not how many times you get knocked down that count, it's how many times you get back up." — George A. Custer
Hayden Wilde: "Do the work in silence and let the results speak its volumes."
Q: How do you normally feel before the start of a race?
Jodie Stimpson: I mainly feel a mixture of nerves and excitement. I just want to get going. I much prefer a morning race than one I have to wait all day to start!
Hayden Wilde: It’s been so long since I’ve been on the start line but nothing gets the adrenaline pumping more than the sound of the heart beat drums when you’re waiting for the gun on an ITU start line. The rush of nervousness and excitement takes over.
Q: When you feel you can’t go any further, when you want to give up, what goes through your mind?
Justus Nieschlag: I try to dupe myself, by telling me the finish line is just around the next corner.
Jodie Stimpson: When things start to get tough in training or not going my way, I just try and focus on a race that’s coming up and what I want to achieve in that race and it always pushes me through. When you’re racing, you just have to be prepared to dig so deep sometimes knowing that you’ve put the work in to make it happen, both mentally and physically.
Hayden Wilde: When I’m at my limit, I know the other guy will also be suffering so it’s a battle of who can go the longest. I take a moment and think of all the training, support and how I got to this position and I’ll do whatever it takes to cross that limit and see how far I can push through that barrier.
Q: What do your body and mind tell you?
Jodie Stimpson: When your body starts telling you "this is hurting" and you start to feel the pain, the mind overtakes and gives me the strength I need to get through. The mind is such a powerful tool!
Hayden Wilde: Whatever you put your mind to, in some way you know your body can get to that place too, so when I aim for something big, I’ll put the work in to get to that place in mind and body. Come to the realization it’s possible, and I think when mind and body click it’s something special.
Q: Is there any difference between mental and physical strength?
Justus Nieschlag: You will see the difference on the final K. Everyone is physically nearly on the same level but the guy who wants to win the race the most will cross the finish line first.
Jodie Stimpson: I believe that the mental strength is far stronger than physical. If you don’t have the mental strength, it doesn't really matter how physically strong or prepared you are.
Hayden Wilde: I think mental and physical strength are very similar. If you mentally can think you can do it, you’ll physically do what you can to get over barriers or big goals. The mind and body are your best assets.
Q: What are your main goals this season?
Jodie Stimpson: 70.3 worlds is my main objective for the season.
Hayden Wilde: To be mentally prepared for my biggest season ahead. I’ve got big goals and ambitions and I’ll do what I can to make them happen. To stand on top at of the Tokyo Olympic podium, become world Triathlon champion, and take my first stage overall in super league.
At Orca we will be closely following Justus Nieschlag, Jodie Stimpson and Hayden Wilde, and we wish all of them the strength, both physical and mental, to accomplish all the goals they have set for this 2021 season.
May 24, 2021
Finally, it's all back: triathlons, competitions, and the adrenaline and nerves before the race starts. With these also come preparations, transitions...
May 3, 2021
If there is anyone with no time to spare who feels and lives triathlon 24/7, it is Ronnie Schildknecht of Switzerland, Orca’s brand ambassador.
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