Four for the 4th

Four Insider Strategies to Race with Confidence at

USAT National Championships 

With USA Triathlon Nationals on the horizon, this month's Tri-Tips features a sneak peek at several strategies pulled straight from my USAT Nationals Blueprint. If you're interested in the full Blueprint, simply reply to this email and I will send you the full copy when it's released.

Some of these tips are race-specific to Nationals, while others are transferable to any race. Read on for some confidence-building strategies that support every limitless athlete!

1.  Pre-Race Planning for Your Best Nationals Performance

   Most athletes arrive at Nationals feeling excited and even a bit overwhelmed. The event is bigger, busier, and more structured than a local race, which can create some additional stress if you're not prepared. Pre-Race planning is your chance to remove uncertainty, reduce cognitive load, and set yourself up to execute your best race in a championship environment. Start by creating a simple “Race-Week Road Map” which might include steps like downloading the USAT app ahead of time, having a plan for your shakeout workouts, choosing when and where you plan to eat (Not today hangries), and outline a plan for your supporters! These small decisions made early in the week help you stay calm, organized, and ready to perform. And if you are looking to get a jumpstart on your shakeout plans, come join me and Addra Labs for a Nationals community shakeout run 8/7 @ 9am CDT - checkout the event here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BV1ApybPo/  

2. Know the Course Demands

   USAT Nationals is not your local sprint. This course rewards athletes who prepare for specific stressors, not just generic race fitness. A few demands worth focusing on this month include: preparing for variable start times, practicing in-water starts, managing wind-exposure on the bike, and getting comfortable with a sun-exposed run course. 

3. Mindset + Confidence Training

   Nationals is as much of a mental race as it is a physical one, and confidence isn’t just something you hope for. It’s something you train. Consider adding a few confidence boosting tools to your prep this month, such as: course familiarization (join my Virtual Race Briefing call on 8/2 if you want to check this box!), visualization practice, and preparing a simple pre-race anxiety protocol. These strategies help you stay grounded, focused, and ready to perform when the pressure rises. 

4. Avoid common mistakes

   As a seasoned veteran of USAT Nationals, I have made my fair share of mistakes over the years, and now you get to reap the benefits! The number one mistake I have made, and have seen many athletes make when racing Nationals in Milwaukee, is fatiguing yourself before the race even begins. Milwaukee is a beautiful, bustling city with so much to explore, and the simplest way to get around is on foot. The race expo is now separated from transition by about a twenty-minute walk, and once you get to the expo, there is a lot to see and do!  So, plan your check-in day wisely and aim to limit time on your feet before the race. The expo and city will be ready and waiting for you to explore after you cross that finish line.

Before you head into Nationals, take a moment to review these strategies and choose the ones that support your best race experience. And to help you plan a memorable and successful race experience, take a look below at the full calendar of Limitless Community events planned for Nationals weekend! There is something for everyone, and all are invited to join in.