Skip to main content

In my mind I’m the female version of Bradley Wiggins! So this blog is about trying to achieve peak performance… or as close as I can get in the time available! So just for starters if you are interested in peak performance go to amazon and buy Peak Performance’ by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness. The book combines the inspiring stories of top performers across a range of capabilities from athletic to intellectual to artistic with the latest scientific insights into the cognitive and neurochemical factors that drive performance in all domains. It explains the strong connection between mind and body and how everyone can apply certain techniques to enhance their own achievements.

And now I’m going to give you my take on ‘peak’ performance!….

Mind over matter

Your mindset is, by far, the most potent weapon in your arsenal. You can have all of the talent, skill, and ability in the world. If you don’t have the mindset to match them, those things will count for nothing because they’ll never be utilised properly, much less to their maximum. So getting yourself into the best mindset possible to perform to the maximum of your ability is essential.  To have the right frame of mind, you have to have the kind of mindset that acknowledges, embraces, and loves challenges and obstacles. The harder things become, the better you become. The tougher things get, the more your best comes out of you.

Sleep your way to greatness

This might sound like a contradiction of terms but in truth sleep is a very important aspect of everything we do. One third of our lives are spent trying to sleep. Most us have disturbed, restless nights and rely on a cocktail of caffeine and sugar to drag us through the day. Yet the hours we spend in bed shape our mood, motivation and decision-making skills – defining our performance in work, at home and while cycling.

We need a new approach to sleep. Take a read of Nick Littlehales ground breaking book Sleep: The Myth of 8 Hours, the Power of Naps… and the New Plan to Recharge Your Body and Mind will help you.

Understand how to map your own sleep cycle and why napping is actually good for you.

Eat well

This might seem like an obvious one but eating well is essential to cycling well… Whether it is a gruelling sportive or a long training ride, optimal nutrition is one of the key requisites for success. Get it wrong, too little or too much, and you may come to a  halt, reduce training benefits and significantly increase the time you will need to recover from the ride Take a read of Fuel Your Ride: Complete Performance Nutrition for Cyclists for more information.

There’s a connection between the mind, the body, and our physical actions where everything is interconnected and linked to one another. The ability to maintain focus, is often the difference between a great ride and a not so great ride!.


Sue Karran

Director at Manan/Milkshake Dental Marketing

Leave a Reply