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How to keep your head in the game when things aren’t going to plan: Tim Don’s tips for staying mentally strong on race day

Triathlon is just as much a mental game as it is physical. But when things start to go wrong on race day, how can you keep calm and carry on? Olympian and former IRONMAN World Record holder Tim Don shares his insights on how to keep your head in the game, whatever race day throws at you.

By Tim Don

Columnist

Last updated -

16 Jul 2025

In triathlon, you can train hard and race smart - but chances are something is still going to go wrong. Be it a minor hiccup, or a much bigger disaster. In my own experience from my pro years, and fro...

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Written by

Tim Don

Tim Don is a 4 x ITU World Champion, 3 x Olympian and a former IRONMAN World Record holder, with multiple 70.3 and Ironman titles to his name.

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