I went round & round trying to narrow down my thoughts on the topic of "The Mental Game." There are so many aspects, so many theories, so many classes, so freaking many people with ideas about it...
But you know what?
Eh. I don't know either. It just seems like it's the "in" thing right now.
Now don't get me wrong, there is a mental aspect to agility. But the people I see failing at it, are the ones who fail at all aspects of mental management in their everyday lives. (Here's an excellent article on Mentally Strong People)
But back to the PACH-it is that I may be experiencing...
The big reveal: I'm not.
And that seems to wig some people out.
Porter & I are 2 QQ's short of earning it. Am I excited? Yes. Will I cry? Maybe. Will I take a victory lap? Damn right I will. And I'm going to grab a weave pole & run around the ring with it.
Will Porter be excited? Eh, no more than usual. Will he cry? Only because the race to the mackerel reward will be delayed by a victory lap...
Have I determined which trial I want to PACH at? Which trial has the best PACH ribbons? Which trial has the closest, best PACH cakes? Which one has the best PACH bars? How soon can I get this done? I can't just take a break when I'm that close to the goal?
No. I haven't thought about any of that.
What am I thinking about? Nothing. The same thing I think about going into every trial. Well, every trial with Porter, anyway.
If I thought about all that, not just now, but at any time: I would never be this close. Just let it go. It will happen when it happens.
All I want is for my friends to celebrate with me. And for Porter to have a good time. The same thing we try to do for every run.
Get out of your head, people! :)
For less rambling and more succinct posts on the topic, visit the rest of the posts on the topic here.
Some of my favorites:
- From an actual Sports Hypnotist: Days of Speed
- Some one I can definitely agree with: Training the Family Cheerleader
- Laura always has a good post: Team Small Dog
- Our former Trkman classmates: Duncan & Des
Seems to me that your mental game is perfect. It's all about letting go and enjoying the ride.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Agility is fun!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! We do this for FUN, people! FUN! That's all. Not for the glamour (is there any?). Not for the fame (laughing). We do this because it's FUN! If there is a title that comes with it, great! Bottom line is if it doesn't feel good for you and for your dog, then don't do it. Do it for the sheer joy of running and working WITH your dog.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I will be having larger than normal adrenaline rushes as I step to the line from here on out until the MACH. I do get worked up. But, you know, now that it is just one good agility day away, I don't want the journey to end! John keeps making little comments about how Jimmy will retire. Yea, like I'm gonna go cold turkey with no agility. :-) Look out eight-inchers, here we come! Just a little less often ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou & Jimmy will LOVE 8"! You haven't seen cardigan speed, until you've seen it in preferred :)
DeleteI totally understand not wanting the journey to end... I think that will hit me the hardest: the PACH journey will be finished :(
I think anyone with a "Peeing Across America" map on their page has their head on straight and a darned fine sense of humor! May your future victory lap be just the next step of fun you take together!
ReplyDeleteHa! Thanks!
DeleteWell, you know you don't have to worry about the best PACH bars because no club's bar will ever stand up to the awesome SDP-handmade-with-love-pizza-and-beer-PACH-bar! ;-) You know we just give you a hard time because you are so laid back. I'd love to have your attitude and laid back view on things and your calmness. It will be a party when you PACH, and we'll celebrate however you want to! (And it'll be awesome to see you running around with that weave pole!)
ReplyDeleteI just hope running with a weave pole doesn't get me disqualified!
DeleteIf my dog is grinning his fool head off, we are doing the right thing. There's no race -- just a delightful journey.
ReplyDeleteIs Chase ever NOT grinning his fool head off? :)
DeleteLove that, "It'll happen when it happens". It took us a year to get a single Q in jumpers. As much as I wanted it (mostly so that we could advance and do harder courses), I refused to allow myself to slow down and babysit and obsess just so I could get it. I wanted it to be fun and fast and ACTUALLY good, not "good enough to Q". I actually hate messy Qs, so I'm sure we'll be a long way from getting any significant titles, but I'm going to enjoy the runs we do between now and then a lot more.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hear you on this point! This has been my struggle with my young dog. Do I run him like I know he can? Or do I babysit to get those Q's?
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