Adrenaline and the Mental Aspect of Competition
The Winners Edge is Back !
Adrenaline and the Mental Aspect of Competition
Anticipation of an upcoming run will cause you to get a surge of adrenaline . Adrenaline is a hormone and neurotransmitter that is part of our natural defense – fight or flight – mechanism . If you feel fear or excitement , adrenaline kicks in to help you survive . It ’ s the super-charged hormone flushing through our bodies that has literally given people enough strength in an emergency to lift a pickup truck to save someone trapped underneath .
Adrenaline is also called epinephrine , and it is produced by adrenal glands when stress or danger is sensed by the body . Impending competition stimulates this response and triggers what is commonly known as an adrenaline rush .
That rush turns off body functions such as digestion and boosts oxygen and glucose to the brain , then norepinephrine , increases blood pressure , heart rate and blood flow to muscles .
The excitement you feel when you are competing is the release of adrenaline into the circulatory system . Adrenaline is the body ’ s response to stress and at one point , centuries ago , may have made the difference between life and death . In competition it can make the difference between winning and losing .
The rush of adrenaline is welcomed when an athlete is about to do battle in the sporting arena . There ’ s an increase of energy sent to the muscles and the muscles response is to boost their ability to react . There ’ s an enhanced alertness brought about by an arousal of the central nervous system . The body begins to sweat more , in preparation to cool the
Welcome to a special complimentary issue of the new Winners Edge .
We started the Winner ’ s Edge in 1989 . It was very popular for the three years we did it , but it was a lot of work back then . Not only did we have to write each issue , we also had to get it printed , folded , labeled and mailed . It was labor intensive and expensive to produce . Now , with the internet and smart phones , things have changed . We can get the Winners Edge to you by e-mail or via Kindle – quickly and affordably .
One thing that hasn ’ t changed is barrel racers wanting more knowledge about training and competing . Riders now have muscles and the pupils dilate in an effort to take in more of the surroundings .
When you ’ re getting ready to go into the arena , this powerful stuff can also make your hands and legs shaky , and give you a panicked , frightened feeling . It can distract you and unnerve you .
But it can also make you stronger , faster , able to react more quickly during your run . Your challenge is to learn to take advantage of adrenaline instead of letting it work against you .
First recognize what it feels like to compete . It ’ s almost time for your run and you begin feeling the excitement that is the first sign of adrenaline hitting your system . Take the time to breathe . Take some deep breaths and let the air out . A lot of time people don ’ t breathe regularly during this time – make yourself breathe smoothly and evenly .
If you accept the presence of adrenaline as part of your “ this is what competition feels like ” mind set , it can make you stronger and able to react faster . Your goal is to feel excited to begin your run , not apprehensive .
Right before Martha ’ s tenth run at the 1980 National Finals she knew that she had to focus because if she knocked over a barrel it would cost the title . Sonny actually slipped on the first , causing him to fade going to the second . She remembers , “ I barely got him over for it . I had never over and undered him on the way to the third but I knew I had to make up time .” Her adrenaline helped her process all that and react . It resulted in the World Championship .
So how do you begin to control your
The Winners Edge is Back !
access to how-to books , on-line videos , and countless training DVD ’ s for training a horse , getting through the patterns , how to compete and all the mechanical aspects of the event .
What we still hear from barrel racers that they need is help FOR THEMSELVES . How do you get that winning attitude ? How do you overcome your nervousness ? How do you prepare and get stronger mentally ? How do you become a better competitor , a smarter barrel racer ? How can you be a better coach to someone or at least support someone in a more effective way ? own adrenaline rush and make it work for you ? You have to learn to control the mental aspect of competition .
It ’ s essential to understand how important the mental game is . One year , Sports Psychologist Gary Mack was working with some professional baseball players . He asked the group to stand . Then he asked if the mental part of their performance was less than 10 % and if so , to sit down . Then he asked those who thought it was less than 20 % to take a seat . He went on , “ if you think the mental part of competition is less than 30 %, sit down ”. Then “ if you think it ’ s 40 % sit down ”. At 50 percent , over half the roomful of professional athletes was still standing . These are people who make their living performing at a high level . They know how important the mental aspect of competition is . If you had been there , would you have still been standing ?
If your answer is yes , and you believe the difference between your best and your worst performance is at least 50 % mental , then how much time have you been spending on your mental game ? How much have you practiced the mental skills THAT CONTROL AT LEAST HALF YOUR CHANCE OF DOING WELL ?
Building mental muscle takes time and practice . But , as Mack so clearly put it , “ You will find that the more you work on the inside , the more it shows on the outside ”. If you want better results , you must change your thought patterns . You need to work on your mental game .
Adrenaline - Cont . on P . 3
That was the primary purpose of the old Winners Edge , and it is the sole focus of the new edition .
We hope this new Winners Edge resonates for you and invite you to subscribe to continue to receive your monthly issues for only $ 29.95 per year for the first year .
We wish you much success in your competition and in your life . Always remember that you are a winner !
Sincerely , Martha Josey & Cheryl ( Magoteaux ) Cody