Champions do not become champions when they win the event but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character. Alan Armstrong
I have a number of people come to me with Championship goals - to compete in Age Group World Championships, to qualify for the Hawaiian Ironman, New York Marathon etc etc But as Alan Armstrong says a championship mindset is not just something that you should have on race day.
Depending on the event there are between 1 and 5 slots available for each of the championships - in some races you may be competing against 150+ plus people for one of those places. So a very simple question to ask is whether you are doing more or less than the other 150 people in your age group - or specifically the one to five people who could be taking your slot.
This is a Championship Mindset.
If you wake up in the morning and it is raining a question to ask is what are the other 5 people doing. Are they getting out there and running - are they getting on the bike inside or at the gym - are they heading to the pool instead. Or are they rolling over and going back to sleep…
Is your Championship Mindset reflected in your environment. Is it reflected in your diet. Are the other 3 people hitting the booze and sugars and inflammatory foods.
Is your Championship Mindset reflected in your attention to detail when it comes to equipment - is your bike maintained and clean. As Aristotle said - "Excellence is not an act but a Habit"
It is far easier to find a reason not to do something - an excuse, than it is push yourself out the door. A champion finds a way rather than a way out.
This is a Championship Mindset.
So when setting the goal of competing at a Championship the next question to ask yourself is whether you are one of the three that will live and train with a Championship Mindset or be a 'part time' champion. If you are the later you may want to start preparing a list of excuses you can live with when you miss out...
