For most of us, we haven’t seen or thought much snow all summer and that is not all that bad. In some cases it’s a good thing getting rested for the season ahead, however alpine racing is more than just locking into a binding, getting on the lift and letting it fly recklessly down the hill. Although fun, it has a good chance of not getting you where you want to be. That’s where dryland training comes into you game.
Dryland is the preparation an athlete must undertake prior getting on the lift for their 1st run of the season. This includes the evaluation of your physical skills, mental skills, equipment, goals and planning. Let’s look at some questions to ask yourself and if need be act upon:
Physical: What is my current strength level in terms of endurance and cardio? What do I need to do improve my current levels? Do I have an exercise routine that I adhere to? Am I working with a personal trainer? Use the gym as much as I could?
Mental: What ski technique articles have I read lately? What are you prepared for? Not everything is going to be as envisioned. Are you ready for it? How flexible am I mentally? Visualization, meditation, stress relief techniques? What is and is it for me? Are there others? Do I need outside help like sports physiologists? The travel requirements, highs/lows of racing, fear, risk taking and other pressures put on you whether self imposed or outside interest. How are going to handle it? What exercises are you doing to prepare yourself?
Equipment/Resources: What condition is it in? What repairs where needed but not made last year? What is required to make you successful? What new equipment do I need? What is my coach telling me? Have I investigated other resources and camps?
Goals/Planning: What are they (training schedule, camps, races..)? Have I set achievable goals and is the timeframe realistic? What resources do I require? Where can get them? What camps should I attend? What is my financial budget? What backing and/or support team do I need? What am I willing to sacrifice to make it all happen?
Dryland is so important! It is the time to get focused on what it will take to make YOU successful this season. Here are some next steps that I hope will help you get going:
- Start today! What are you top 3 goals this season?
- Evaluate your current status.
- Plan and execute! Be honest with yourself and get help with a positive support group.
- Start your Exercise routine; both mental and physical.
- Investigate and commit to outside camps and coaching.
- Get your equipment in race condition.
- Think positive and view yourself getting to where you want to be. Put success pictures up around you home/office.
Have a great season and let us know if we can help you get off to a great start.
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