I'm strange it would seem but everybody has their own methods I guess. In training I'm always thinking about my competition and what they may be doing that very moment. How I have to remain diligent and consistent in my approach so that I can increase my abilities more than they are (since these are the guys who beat me more often than not). I think about my short comings and what training I'm not doing that I've heard can be beneficial to endurance sport. The last thing I focus on, and the most important thing, is the session's goals. I've also been known to belt out a "F*#K YOU (INSERT COMPETITOR NAME)" while really pushing myself.

Racing is a bit different because I'm no longer alone and in my own head. I see people at turn arounds, racks in transition, and noise from the crowd. When I am swimming I think about my wife/dog being in trouble and I need to get to them before any harm comes to them. On the bike I'm thinking "SHUT UP LEGS I OWN YOU" and finally on the run I am thinking something/one is chasing me with ill intentions and if I don't pick up my pace I'm going to wind up a victim of horror. Every one of these mental "tricks" give my body a real sense of urgency during events and allows me to perform outside myself at times.

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"Train so you have no regrets @ the finish line"