Mental Training Lesson 1: Setting Goals

The Importance of Goal Setting

“If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.”— Lawrence J. Peter

Training your mind for optimal performance on race day is just as important as training your body.

This conversation between Alice and the Cheshire Cat in Wonderland reminds us of the importance of goal setting:

Alice: I was just wondering if you could help me find my way.

Cheshire Cat: Well that depends on where you want to get to.

Alice: Oh, it really doesn’t matter, as long as…

Cheshire Cat: Then it really doesn’t matter which way you go.

In the following videos, David Glover, MS, CSCS discusses the three types of goals – outcome, learning and process – then shares tips for setting successful time goals.

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Video 1: Goal Setting for Triathletes

In this video David Glover reviews the three different goal types – outcome, performance and process goals – then walks through an example. He then shares tips for goal setting and the importance of writing your goals down to make them real.

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Video 2: Tips for Setting Successful Time Goals

In this video David Glover responds to a client’s goal to finish an IRONMAN Triathlon® under 11 hours by sharing three tips for setting successful time goals for triathlons.