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I think we can all pretty much agree that motocross is not only just
physically demanding while riding the motorcycle over the rough track surfaces
and obstacles, but also mentally demanding with pain management while dealing
with injuries and the stresses of the sport overall. In a nut shell, motocross
is tough.
So the big question I have
is, if this sport is so tough, should not the rider be at the same “toughness
level” as the sport itself? Let’s take a look at some of the most common
“tough things” that are either physical or mental, and some ideas to make
you tougher.
1) Racing in Extreme
Temperatures. The obvious is to
ride in cold temps and hot temps. You need to expose yourself to the temps you
are training for, so running and other forms of training must be mimicked in
these conditions as well. Don’t always have you’re A/C on in the car, and
try to stay outdoors more.
2) Racing Rough Tracks.
The obvious is to ride on rough tracks you practice on, but you must ride longer
endurance moto’s and also faster speed and tempo laps for shorter periods of
time. You can also gain toughness by using a well planed and consistent
weight training program. Running and mountain biking will help to balance
the program.
3) Injury Management.
Dealing with injuries, even small nagging ones can wear on any rider, but you
need to find a way to make even an injury a positive learning period. Many
injuries are scrapes and bruises, strains, tears and broken bones leaving us
some parts of the body to train, but if you have a major injury and are just
reduced to just thinking, then think. You can think about things gone wrong in
the past, and try to find things that can make these negative problems positive.
You can re evaluated where you now stand and when and if you can come back. You
can set new and different goals and you can take time to do things for your
sponsors and give them a call. Plus you can catch up with family and friends and
just do something different until you can get back to motocross.
4) The Stress of
Performing. This can be both mental and physical. If you are a true
competitor and want to win and perform at your very best, sometimes this is very
hard on you. All the time spent training, riding, dealing with injuries, the
bike maintenance and all the costs, trying to eat right, and driving and
cleaning everything all the time, it’s a lot to ask, especially if you do this
all yourself. But in the end, the more you do yourself, the more it means to
you, and the better prepared you are, the better your results will be.
So who are the tough? I
would tend to say look two places, at the front of the pack, and the parents!
Riders are you listening?
PS, Be sure to read Coach Seiji’s column, he can be a great asset to
you. Seiji is training me to qualify for next years X-Terra World Championships
next October in Maui. This will consist of a 1 mile ocean swim, a 20 mile
mountain bike race, and a 10k trail run/scramble, plus the events and qualifiers
leading up to it. I am excited!
Larry
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