Posts Tagged ‘ cycling ’

by Stephen Walker, PhD, CC-AASP Podium Sports Journal Tour de France – Awards Best Team:  Garmin-Slipstream runs a clean race! It seems that every third day or so another rider is implicated in a doping scandal.  This brings to what seems like triple digits….the number of cyclists who have been busted for doping.  You...
More »

In a special effort to acknowledge the grueling nature of the Tour de France – this qualitative research on the experience of “suffering” in cycling will open your eyes. Editor’s note: The vast majority of literature in sport psychology involves quantitative research methods. These help in understanding trends and the prevalence of applied methods...
More »

Will Frischkorn, Tour de France stage 7 Podium’s Podcast of the Week Features an Interview with elite cyclist Will Frischkorn: by Dr. Stephen Walker, CC-AASP Will Frischkorn is one of those unassuming types that hang out in Boulder – a lot like your friend and neighbor his friendly yet calm exterior belies an aggressive...
More »

Listen to our Podcast of the week – An interview with Matt Reed after a training session this winter by Dr. Stephen Walker, CC-AASP Matt Reed was born in New Zealand but moved to the USA several years ago when his love for elite triathlete Kelly Rees brought him here.  Competing for the USA,...
More »

Our riding and racing can be profoundly affected by how we conduct our relationships. Teammates, competitors, training partners, coaches, employers, significant others: all can play important roles in the progress, fun and success we experience in cycling. As a result, communication is a crucial skill for the mentally fit cyclist. Last month, I explored...
More »

Goal-setting is a common weakness for struggling athletes and a common strength for successful athletes. Do it wrong – or avoid it altogether – and watch your chances for success plummet. Do it right, and watch your motivation and self-confidence improve. For many athletes, it’s the key to enhancing performance. Many years ago, psychologist...
More »

Unlike other aspects of cycling, climbing success is considered by most to be almost 100 percent dependent on fitness and natural ability. It occurred to me, however, that there is actually much more to it. Over the years, I’ve picked up numerous tricks and techniques that have allowed me to occasionally put one over...
More »

Your legs are burning. Your lungs are burning. Thoughts of flaming out, backing off, or giving up are dancing in your tortured mind. What will you do next? The mentally fit cyclist is highly skilled in responding to suffering, and thus has a distinct advantage over many competitors. When we cyclists use the word...
More »

“In a complete training program, the mind is as important as the body. Many top amateur and professional athletes know that mental fitness, as much or more than physical fitness, gives them an edge over their competitors. But just what is mental training and what is it not?” From an article in Pez by...
More »

Here’s a review of Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France by LAist.com. I saw this IMAX movie a year ago and I thought it was fabulous from a psychology standpoint. It’s extremely informative and overflowing with the expected beauty of an IMAX film. The Wired to Win website has some interesting content...
More »