The self-sufficient athlete

In these times of global climate change, self-sufficiency is in vogue as a way to long-term sustainability for ourselves and the planet. And although on a very different level, being a self-sufficient athlete is also a way to long-term success because in the real world, it's not always possible to have an entourage accompany you 24/7, so having a degree of self-sufficiency is not just helpful, but essential.

But what does self-sufficiency mean when it comes to endurance sports, how is a benefit and how do you become self-sufficient?

Self-sufficiency is having a competent grasp of all the aspects that contribute to your performance, and knowing how to manage those things at times when circumstances require it. It's not about being self-sufficient for 100% of the time as the role, influence, advice, support and more from coaches and colleagues is a necessary step in the process to being self-sufficient. To an extent, self-sufficiency is up there with taking responsibility for your own performance, and doing it under your own initiative rather than being prompted to.

As a real-life example, when an athlete travels to an event, being self-sufficient means spending time before leaving to ask questions, prepare plans, check equipment, buy supplies and more, so that once at the race the athlete is ready for most things which might arise. It's a lot like preparing for an expedition where you know you'll be cut-off (or at best with limited access) to the support networks which are usually on hand.

Self-sufficiency is important on a day-to-day basis where it is up to the individual athlete to be ready for training, from simple things like having your goggles, spare tubes (and knowing how to change them!!), and training nutrition to non-equipment things like being on time and ready for training, knowing the standard warm-up routine before training (or a race), through to managing how much sleep you have.

As with the expedition analogy, it's not possible to be 100% self-sufficient all the time. You need to return to base to review, re-charge, re-learn and prepare for the next challenge ahead - trying to push-on solo for too long can be a path to destruction. For athletes this will usually mean the support and guidance of a coach and/or support network, from where you develop further, learn more and grow as an athlete.

The periods of self-sufficiency are part of the process of growth, each being a test of what you've learned and a chance of independence. Remember as a kid you longed for freedom and self-sufficiency, well as an athlete you need periods where you break away on your own because, after all, in the heat of competition you're an individual competitor.

Becoming self-sufficient begins with wanting to be self-sufficient. Like a kid, you need to want to be able to break away from the comfort zone from time to time, and to take your own stand...even if you stuff up a couple of times. From those stuff ups you'll quickly learn what you need to know, learn, do, pack, prepare and more for the times you're on your own. In many cases a moral support line will only be a phone call away, but the physical separation is the obvious distinction of your situation.

In the end, self-sufficiency is not something to be afraid of although each person will react and respond differently. Regardless, it is a scenario you can prepare for through planning, practice and trial and error. Once you do master self-sufficiency your horizons will broaden, and your confidence in yourself will soar. You'll be on track to mastering your performance.