Mindset is everything says Coast to Coast maestro Gurney
OPINION: Just as you all sit down to make a few New Year’s resolutions to improve yourself that little bit more in 2018 and get closer to the perfect score, I have to break some sorry news – perfect doesn’t exist.
Most of us already know that, but when the words come out of the mouth of nine-time Coast to Coast winner Steve Gurney, then perhaps we ought to believe it and accept it.
If anyone has a perfect score at what he does, it’s Gurney. But that number nine will haunt him for the rest of his days. Why couldn’t he get the perfect 10. The practical answer is injury. He was injured before he could reach double figures.
But this is the perfect metaphor for life, says Gurney.
‘‘It immensely bothers me, but that’s one of my best lessons of life, to accept that you don’t always get the perfect result. Life is not perfect; I have been chasing perfect, but it doesn’t exist.’’
Gurney isn’t a pessimist – in fact he is the ultimate optimist and so have I become – making speaking with this triathlete all the more motivating leading into the Coast to Coast 2018.
‘‘Mindset is everything’’, he kept telling me; you can be the fittest in the race, but if you don’t have the right mindset then you are going to get found out.
He found me out pretty quickly when I asked him, ‘‘how do I survive this thing?’’.
Well, first I need to change that attitude regarding whether finishing this race make me a better person.
How does it make me feel empowered, and how do I achieve this, all the while enjoying it?
‘‘The first thing that comes to mind is mindset is very influential, the very subtle things. It’s the little things. The key to winning things is changing your mindset.
‘‘How will achieving this goal improve my time on the planet?
‘‘It’s not about surviving Coast to Coast. That sounds like torture to me. How do I achieve this race and feel powerful and enjoy it?’’
Already, I am rearranging my thoughts around why I am doing this and what I want to get out of it.
I will admit I was one of the many who just wanted to tick it off my ‘‘to do list’’, so I could show everyone what a legend I am and perhaps prove a point to others.
But, really, I don’t have to prove a point to anyone but myself. Another of life’s great metaphors.
Gurney said he initially started racing to prove a point but, after winning one race, he got addicted to the feeling and when it came to winning nine – ‘‘that was an illness’’.
He’s a bit more relaxed nowadays. A day out for him now consists of sailing from Lyttleton Harbour to Akaroa and back.
There aren’t many like him and possibly we have seen the last of his type to win the Coast to Coast. Steve Gurney’s top tips for the Coast to Coast
❚ Skill before fitness. Understand that you can be the fittest runner or the fittest kayaker but you need the skills first. No point being the fittest but not being able to run on rocks.
❚ To finish first, first you must finish. Get really well organised with your gear. Bike service, comfortable gear.
❚ Have a good support crew. Practice with your crew so there is no worry for them. It is a really nervous time for them because they are worried they might stuff up your race. Give them a really clear instruction manual. What you want in your bag, what order and practice on the grass.
❚ Get the right mindset. If you’re nervous, then it is worthwhile doing. Nerves are OK. If you’re not nervous, then you’re missing something. On the other hand, you also need to enjoy it. Think of all the what ifs, and plan for things.
❚ Enjoy the journey. Really enjoy the camaraderie of the Coast to Coast. Focus on the people and the fun of it.
❚ It’s a journey more than a race. The journey starts a year out with your training. It ends when you stand on the finish line and look back with a great deal of satisfaction.