Positive thinking and planning in the months and weeks leading up to an event are critical elements to setting the stage for a successful race. When I once asked a female friend of mine who was attempting to make the U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team in an email what she does to prepare mentally before a race, she replied back, “Visualization.” Visualization means visualizing the race in your mind as to how you want it to happen.

Before your next race, write a race report as if you had raced your perfect race. From start to finish, detail everything that you want to happen from warm up to swim start to climbing on the bike to pacing on the run. Revisit your story on a weekly basis. By visualizing a perfect race in your head before the race, you can make it happen on race day.

David Glover is a USAT Level 1 certified coach and certified race director. Visit his website at davidbglover.com.