#2001-01 - Is It Possible To Overcome Tiredness During A Race?
YES!!! Your body is designed to be able to do this. This is often referred to as "getting your second wind". When your body is being over-exerted, your immune system is designed and often triggered to come to the rescue, by releasing powerful, natural adrenalin into the bloodstream which boosts energy and performance. Adrenalin gives the body an incredible 'turbo-charge' and is simply life's natural form of 'fuel injection' for human beings, very much like a fuel injection for a car.
An adrenalin release is one of our body's naturally-occurring functions which humans have used throughout the ages for self defence - for instance, if we need to move very rapidly to escape mortal danger, we're able to access instant energy and strength - because of adrenalin being released instantly into our system. This is triggered by the mind.
There's a famous story of a mother who saw her injured son pinned under the wheel of a car. Without any thought whatsoever, she instinctively ran over to the accident, and using nothing but her bare hands she raised one end of the automobile and released her injured son. She broke several ribs in the process, but the fact remained that she accessed an amazing level of power and strength, right at the time when it was needed most. (By the way, I highly recommend you DON'T go out and try this!). This means that you have the ability within you right now to use this natural energy-boost in your races.
Your mind is the control-centre of this function, and so in order for your body to receive an adrenalin boost, it's dependent upon one thing; the 'command' from your subconscious mind. This means that if your mind is focused and consumed with thoughts of tiredness and pain, its goal becomes "I can't wait for this race to end", and this means that adrenalin is regarded as 'unnecessary' and not used.
However, if your thoughts remain totally positive during the race, and completely focused upon your goal (such as winning or swimming a PB), your mind will quickly realise if your body requires an extra boost of power to achieve your goal, and it will signal the release of your body's natural adrenalin.
Your mind also has the ability to release the natural painkiller 'morphine' into the bloodstream in exactly the same way, to reduce or completely relieve the pain from the swim! The key is in your mind, to keep your thoughts ultra-positive during the race - keeping them directed totally upon the goal (and not the obstacles), and simply refusing to allow the nagging doubts and negative thoughts to dominate your mind.
Your mind and body are together a wondrous, incredible machine which can do almost anything you ask it to do, as long as you give it the right instructions. So look after them, and they'll look after you. |
