Leading with Your Energy

‘Movement never lies.’ ~ Originator of Modern Dance, Martha Graham.

Energy is what keeps us alive and allows us to express ourselves. How do you manage it, and lead with it?

The physical laws of energy are stated as: ‘Energy cannot neither be created nor destroyed’ and ‘Energy is converted from one form to another’. We lose much of our energy through our body heat, via conduction, convection and radiation. Nervous energy burns additional calories. Exceed your heart-rate zones, and you will dip into another energy system (aerobic versus anaerobic); one burn’s more fat, and the other sugar.

That is a real worry for endurance athletes when can lose huge amounts of heat (energy) through our three disciplines and its media: water, wind and mechanical action.

At your next endurance race:

1)    If the conditions permit, use a wetsuit in your swim. Cold water can deplete energy through shivering and the risk of early-stage hypothermia.

2)    Keep insulated, as windy conditions and wind chill factors can severely lead to shivering, cramping, hyperventilation and a false sense of adequate hydration.

3)    Fuel your body. Eat and drink at regular intervals. No fuel equals energy deficit. Work out your energy requirements per hour.

4)    Ensure your core body temperature stays stable. If it hot, stay in the shade. If it is cold, use additional clothing (stash in your special needs bag).

5)    Focus on positive energies and emotions. Nervousness, anxiety, doubts and worries lead to sub-optimisation of your movements. Tensed muscles fatigue easily. Get into comfortable rhythm, stroke gracefully in the swim, get your bike fitted, and relax your upper body during the run.

Your leadership, and how you express yourself through your values, involves energy. Being friendly and demonstrating humility enhances your energy, and radiates to others. Optimism, composure, faith, respect and flexibility are useful values to adopt on race day. Minimise energy wastage. Utilise it. Release it. Renew it. Enjoy other people's positive energy. Value your energies.


Photo credit: Bernard Sim