Psychology of Adventure Racing

The following is an overview from Greyling Viljoen’s presentation at our adventure racing club meeting in 2002 on the Psychology of Adventure Racing.

Introduction
Sport psychology is a broad field of study and application. In what follows I have tried to be as practical as possible ad also to make comments and advice applicable to adventure racing in particular.

Sport psychology or the mind in sport
One myth:The mind and body can be separated – dualistic view i.e. Racing according to a heart rate monitor will not guarantee success because it does not take in to acount your mind. The heart rate monitor may say that you are over-doing it, whilst your mind has the ability to make your body continue regardless. One truth: Races are lost and won in the head. The “hero” and the “enemy” within.

ASP Prime rated Mr Price Pro Ballito confirmed until 2014

The Mr Price Pro Ballito will host the world’s finest surfers in the wave-rich KwaDukuza town through 2014, thanks to a three-year deal inked with the KwaDukuza municipality and ASP International.

The R1.9 Million ASP Prime event has grown from strength to strength at its Ballito home, entrenching itself into the hearts and minds of both surfers and spectators thanks to the unprecedented surf enjoyed during the event’s window over the past three years.

Married couple determined to win mixed category at this year's Absa Cape Epic

Married couple, Erik (29) and Ariane Kleinhans (28), of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, will participate in the Mixed category of this year’s Absa Cape Epic as Team Contego.

The Absa Cape Epic will once again take 1 200 riders through some of the Western Cape’s most unspoilt territory. The race, which takes place from 25 March to 1 April, will kick-off with a prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville and finish eight days and 781km later at the prestigious Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West.

The journey counts; the destination motivates

When we do not succeed, friends and family console us with words spoken to reassure that the journey is more important than the destination. This stands true for every sport in which we participate, where we enter to experience the journey; the race, environment and challenges. Even so, the destination – winning and prizes, the realisation of goals, competition and the finish – stands out as a key motivator.

Alban Lakata (Aus) back for 5th Absa Cape Epic after an unlucky 2010 race

Five-times Austrian National Marathon champion Alban Lakata (32) will participate in this year’s Absa Cape Epic with Robert Mennen (26) as team Topeak Ergon Racing. Lakata was unlucky at the 2010 Absa Cape Epic, when he had to carry his bike for the last two kilometers of stage 3 of the race. This year’s event takes place from 25 March to 1 April and will once again take 1 200 riders through 781km of some of the Western Cape’s most beautiful terrain.

Finding the time to train

With children come greater demands on your time and as such even people with a strong commitment to exercise struggle to maintain their pre-children level of fitness. As a parent with a full-time job, exercise is probably the last thing you want to do or feel that you have time for. Yet sport should remain an integral part of your life; for physical health, for mental wellness and so that you are an active role model for your children.

Valid short-term excuses
Time constraints, lack of sleep and shifted priorities (child comes first) will put a damper on training but new parents need to be mindful of how long they’re inactive.

Team Absa, ready for the 2012 Absa Cape Epic

Since their official introduction to the media and public on 25th October 2011, Team Absa has been undergoing strict preparation ahead of their participation in the toughest mountain bike stage race in the world - the Absa Cape Epic.

Team Absa is one of Absa’s most exciting elements of the 2012 instalment of the race and comprises ten unique and accomplished individuals. The team is as follows:

Surviving your half marathon training

-a workshop presented by SSISA in conjunction with New Balance and Safari

Have you always wanted to run a half-marathon – but you battle to get beyond the 10k distance? As South Africans, we are extremely lucky to have a plethora of beautiful half-marathons to choose from, one of which is the upcoming Safari Half-marathon in Wellington on 1 May 2012. How about making this your goal and getting some expert advice from the Sports Science Institute of SA (SSISA), to get you there.

Schalk Burger extends contract with Puma

Springbok and Stormers player Schalk Burger has extended his contract with PUMA beyond 2015.

Burger, known as ‘Schalla’ to his PUMA family, first signed with the sportlifestyle brand in 2005 – immediately after he was named IRB Rugby Player of the Year. Signing a player of Burger’s stature was a major statement by PUMA and kicked off the development of the company’s rugby business in South Africa.

Iakobidze vs Buirski at EFC Africa 12

The full fight card for EFC AFRICA 12 is now complete, with the recently signed Koba Iakobidze vs Gareth Buirski bringing the total number of bouts on the card to 12.

Iakobidze is originally from Georgia, where he was five time national boxing champion holding a record of 90 wins, 2 losses. He now lives in Pretoria and fights out of the renowned Team CIT gym. He has a professional MMA record of 1-1. According to Iakobidze, he’s looking forward to showcasing his dangerous hands in Africa’s premier MMA event.