Survival of the Fittest

THIS WEEKEND, I’m playing rugby for the first time in what feels like ages. And having been training again for not even a month and a half yet (after a loooong break from the gym … and the track … and the field), I’m not feeling as physically prepared as would be ideal. Stupid motivation — why couldn’t you have come knocking at the beginning of December?!

But I know that with continued devotion to my program, my physical conditioning will come back (seriously, hurry UP already). Till then, it’s probably more important than ever that I tackle my mental game again, too, so I compiled the following READ TO WIN Book List. (Cue trumpet fanfare.)

I have a lot of reading to do before tomorrow morning.

Thinking Body, Dancing Mind: TaoSports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life by Chungliang Al Huang and Jerry Lynch — This book is a reread for me and came highly recommended by my former USA U-23 and club rugby coach Barb Fugate. I’m positive her pregame visualization and guided imagery sessions have played a part in the many victories she’s got under her belt. And oh right, the authors! They cover such topics as perfectionism and fear of success — solid gold info for many athletes, including myself.

In Pursuit of Excellence: How to Win in Sport and Life Through Mental Training by Terry Orlick, PhD (Human Kinetics, 2000) — Orlick has spent decades coaching Olympic athletes on mental skills, so he knows his stuff. But I think maybe the most amazing part of this book is that my edition (pictured — albeit rather wonkily — at left) has a photo of a jewel-encrusted, nonspecific championship ring, Super Bowl style, on its cover. Find out more on Orlick’s methods at www.zoneofexcellence.ca.

The New Toughness Training for Sports by James E. Loehr, EdD (Plume, 1995) — Yet another dude who has worked with high-profile Olympic athletes, Loehr offers tons of bulleted advice and puts you to work molding yourself into a “fearless warrior.” At first glance I thought the info was presented in too workbook-y a fashion for my tastes, but once I dug in, I felt Loehr’s grit coming off the pages. (Or oh god, was that dirt?!) Best quote? “Emotions respond much as muscles do. The ones you stimulate the most become the strongest and most accessible.”

Mental Training for Peak Performance: Top Athletes Reveal the Mind Exercises They Use to Excel by Steven Ungerleider, PhD (Rodale, 2005) — There’s a chapter on tapping into the power of dreams that I want to hit, and I see advice in there from 1968 Boston Marathon winner Amby Burfoot (Burfoot also writes the Footloose blog at Runner’s World). Another interesting part of Ungerleider’s book is that the third and final section is divided into sport-specific mental practice, so there’s a section on cycling, running, swimming and weight training, to name a few.

The Mental Edge: Maximize Your Sports Potential With the Mind-Body Connection by Kenneth Baum (Perigee, 1999) — Baum has worked with a range of athletes who’ve found success with his program. He covers defining your desire, visualization techniques, identifying and conquering obstacles, and committing to action.

Mind/Body Fitness by Tom Seabourne, PhD (YMAA, 2001) — Seabourne, a sports psychologist, was also a national tae kwon do champ. He teaches martial arts breathing as part of his sound-mind strategy. More at www.tomseabourne.com. Hands down best part of his Web site is the picture at right. Who doesn’t smile during shirtless biceps curls? (Also, do people still do biceps curls? I had no idea!)

I’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS on the topic of mental toughness. For instance:

• What are your favorite mental fitness books or other resources? What’s missing from my list?

• Do you use visualization and guided imagery before competition? If so, what techniques work best for you?

• If something goes wrong during a game/match/workout session, how do you right your mind?

If you don’t know much about mental training but would like to learn, these Experience Life articles can lay out the basics.

“Train Your Brain” from November 2006 — Covers breathing, affirming talk, and visualization and guided imagery.

“Mind-Body Synergy,” also from November 2006 — On the benefits of developing a strong mind-body connection.

“See It, Believe It” from January/February 2006 — How visioning works (really-really works)!

“Find Your Focus” from May 2005 — On staying amped for and during your fitness routine.

(disgusting image at top ganked from www.fitbuff.com)