I am currently re-reading one of my all-time favourite books, David Loyn’s excellent Frontline. The subject of cameramen wearing flak jackets comes up whilst Loyn is covering the Balkans conflicts of the 1990s. Most figure this protection as a must given the bullets both stray and intended flying around what was then coined as “the most dangerous place in Europe.”
The experienced and versatile Vaughan Smith tends to eschew this notion, reasoning that the jackets are too bulky and relying on his past military background to assess when to move or stay put. The fact that Smith does in fact don the heavy outer shell on two separate occasions is testament to his instinct and reasoning thereof, deeming these isolated situations as suitable to "follow the herd" so to speak. Only his background and experience could have allowed him to made that call, where such split-second decisions could have been the difference between life and death. More important to note however is Smith's well-developed personal instinct.
Instinct: a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency; natural intuitive power.
A friend recently asked if I can actually feel pain and tight spots when performing massage treatments. I replied that I can before adding that it took – and continues to take – an extended period to develop this sort of instinct, something which can't be taught or quantified. Just like a well-developed intuition, a therapist's instinct takes time to acquire and is wholly tangible, that is feeling the knots, knowing where to start, when to linger, when to smooth over, when to skip.
The late Laurent Vidal talked about a similar phenomenon in the context of elite triathlon, recounting his own experience as an athlete and later a coach. Knowing you are in great shape and are a medal contender is not simply a process of following ABC. he said. Rather it is a rough template that constantly oscillates, moving with the ebbs and flows of life eventually honing the athlete into peak shape, both physically and mentally, on D-Day.
Fellow French hopeful David Hauss understands this process, as recounted in a recent blog post. Google Translate does a great job in making English out of French – the muddled word order and exacting phrases may not make for ideal literary sense but actually deliver Hauss’ message better. Terms like regeneration, rhythm and momentum are central to his “January Chronicle,” telling at the start of Olympic Year.
With a little over six months to Rio 2016, the medal contenders for the triathlon discipline are going about their business with true purpose. I say contenders because every sport has those top performers earmarked for success. But there are sure to be a few surprises on race day, no doubt about that. The Olympic Games always seems to have a lottery feel in many respects, the events being more tactical and about head-to-head racing. That said, each and every athlete seems to be going about their preparation in their own unique way.
In late 2015, Hauss relates how he “regenerated” his body, mind and spirit at home in Reunion, absorbing the more temperate spring-time conditions of the typically tropical island. A seemingly spiritual and naturalistic fellow at heart, he explains that although his aspirations remain unchanged, his approach in realising them has been modified after the tragic loss of his dear friend, coach and mentor Vidal. His Olympic path seems to be more self-driven than most, relying on feel and instinct rather than numbers and instruction. Almost romantic as could be expected from a Frenchman.
Closer to home, 2012 silver medallist Lisa Norden is immersed in a training camp in the African sun. Under the tutelage of Australian coach Darren Smith, Norden’s approach is seemingly at odds with Hauss’, adhering to seemingly more structure and group training in the idyllic athletic hub that is Stellenbosch, South Africa. Then there is defending London 2012 champion Nicola Spirig, forging her own campaign with strategic training camps and home preparation amid her busy family-orientated life, her husband and young son never far away from her side. The Brownlee brothers are happily ensconced in the rugged hills and dales of northern England with their local cycling chain-gangs and Tuesday evening running groups while Richard Murray and Mario Mola are putting in the yards with the JFT squad and miles in the Canary Islands. And Javier Gomez Noya? No doubt preparing his body and mind under somewhere in Espana.
Self-directed but not too selfish. Investing in the journey as a collective (coach, squad, family etc) all the while being focussed and at times introspective. Great things happen when motivation is pure, no matter the approach. The road to Rio is long and winding and would make many a fascinating memoir once the dust settles.
Look for the book?
*Note: Header image of Nicola Spirig and coach Brett Sutton courtesy of Nicola Spirig.
**Note: Footer image of Richard Murray jogging behind the Fuerteventura training pack courtesy of Tommy Zaferes.
