Impact of Stress on Performance

Both cycling and triathlon are incredibly difficult sports that test the limits of human endurance and strength. The percentage of people who race as their primary means of employment is miniscule compared to the number of us who do these sports for the love of them. Because of this most of us may keep full time jobs, go to school , or have families to provide for and spend time with. These activities outside of our sport put a tremendous strain on our performance when situations are not ideal. There are some of us that ride specifically as a stress reliever to get away from life’s other commitments, but is it really conducive to performance? The short answer is yes and no. Let me explain, there are some riders that excel when they are “stressed out” or in a “bad mood,” they can actually use that negative energy to propel themselves farther and faster. Getting home from their ride or race, the stress has escaped their body and they feel much better. However, the majority of us suffer when things are just not right in the rest of our lives. Sometimes spending that time alone on the bike to dwell on the negativity that is going on causes more stress than what we left the house with. This actually happens because stress or any true emotional turmoil can actually act like a sickness to the human body. It is truly amazing and disturbing how a bad day at work or home can break down your natural defenses and impact your performance. No one can completely eliminate stress from their life, but the goal is to try and minimize that stress through planning and becoming more flexible, kind of an oxymoron if you think about it. Our sports should never be the cause of stress, remember we do this for fun and not out of any obligation. There are some tricks to help limit stress from our sports. I know people that hate to have life all planned out for them and others who cannot wake up without a plan. The goal is to actually try to fall halfway in the middle. For me, my training schedule is all planned out, but if I miss a workout or have to move it to another time, I try very hard not to stress about it and just “go with the flow.” This is quite a change to how I used to respond. Knowing what I should be doing on certain days helps alleviate the unknown which can inadvertently lead to additional stress. Communicating with family members on plans can also help those “YOU ARE RIDING HOW LONG THIS MORNING?” wonderful conversations. The moral of the story is use all the tools you have to be happy and healthy and you will perform better on the bike which for most of us, just leads to more happiness!

Now go ride!