How To Train Your Brain: Staying Relaxed When The Trail Tries to Break You

If you ride suffer enduro, you know the feeling well. That moment on the ride that may just break you in half, an ego death if you will. The moment you realize you may be in over your head. Maybe you're riding a fresh, loamy trail. Maybe you got invited for a ride and the group is really testing you. You're frustrated, sweaty and if you have to push your bike one more time you might just launch it off a cliff instead. Hard enduro is a physical and mental game. So how do you snap out of that headspace? How do you collect yourself in the moment and finish the ride off strong.

Here are 5 tips that have worked for me (most of the time):

1. Breathe! On purpose, not by accident. Sometimes during difficult maneuvers, we hold our breath. Force yourself to take some slow, calm deep breaths as you work your way through tricky terrain. I always notice an instant relief in my body when I take intentional breaths. Controlled breathing during extreme sports helps muscles by ensuring an adequate oxygen supply. When in doubt, breathe it out!
2. Take Bites! Think of the trail as a bunch of small sections. Each one you're working on a different skill. Instead of trying to survive your way through it, take the challenge of working out the sections and being intentional with your movements. I like to pick an object to work towards and go from there - maybe its a root, a rock or just the top of a hill. Micro goals! Once you get up the section, congratulate yourself!