Embracing the Beginner's Mindset: Georgia Taylor-Brown's Journey into New Triathlon Distances
Even Olympic champions, adorned with gold, silver, and bronze medals, can feel like novices when venturing beyond their comfort zones. Georgia Taylor-Brown, taking a well-deserved "gap year" from Olympic training, is exploring the demanding world of longer-distance racing. Her candid reflections on being a "novice" in the T100 series offer invaluable insights for athletes at every level.
The British triathlon star's humble admission—"I am just an amateur in this, I don't know anything about it really"—might surprise those familiar with her triumphs on the biggest stages. Yet, her willingness to embrace a beginner's mindset while transitioning from short course to the 100km T100 format demonstrates why elite athletes continue to excel: they never stop learning.
With just three weeks between her London T100 debut and the upcoming French Riviera race, Georgia's rapid schedule offers a masterclass in adaptation, technical learning, and maintaining perspective under pressure. Her insights from London, combined with her predictions for the T100 championship race, provide a unique window into how the sport's best athletes approach new challenges.
The Liberation of Learning: From Olympic Pressure to Pure Racing Joy
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Georgia's approach to the T100 series is her complete shift in mindset. After years of racing with Olympic medals and national expectations weighing on her shoulders, she's discovered the freedom that comes from racing purely to learn and improve.
"It's nice to just step back and enjoy the racing for what it is," Georgia explains. "I can see how different I am going into races. Whereas at the minute, how I'm racing this year, I'm smiling, I'm laughing. I'm just enjoying it and taking it all in."
This psychological shift from outcome-focused to process-focused racing has profound implications for athletes at all levels. Sports psychology research consistently shows that when athletes reduce their attachment to specific results and instead focus on execution and learning, they often perform better while enjoying the experience more.
Georgia's transformation is particularly evident in her pre-race routine: "I've never really been able to have the time or headspace to do that, because I'm so focused on the overall outcome and result. You're a bit different on race morning because you're trying to focus and think about the race. Whereas at the minute... I'm almost just participating."
This "participation" mindset doesn't diminish her competitive drive—it redirects it toward process improvement rather than podium placement. For age-group athletes facing their own pressure (whether self-imposed or external), Georgia's approach offers a valuable lesson: sometimes the best performances come when we stop trying so hard to perform.
Technical Masterclass: Dissecting the London T100 Lessons
While Georgia's mindset shift might be the most inspiring aspect of her T100 journey, her technical analysis of what went wrong in London provides concrete lessons for anyone racing longer distances or non-drafting formats.
Swimming: The Critical Importance of Australian Exits
Georgia identified a crucial error in her swim execution that many athletes overlook: losing focus during Australian exits (the brief runs between swim loops).
"I lost a lot of time on the Aussie exit," she reflects. "I think sometimes I can switch off a bit on the Aussie exit and treat it like a little bit of a rest—but it shouldn't be! So I need to really attack the exit and run hard back in to the entry again."
This insight highlights a common mistake in multi-loop races. Athletes often mentally check out during transitions or brief running segments, viewing them as recovery moments rather than racing opportunities. In a sport where seconds matter, these seemingly minor segments can significantly impact overall performance.
Key Takeaway: Treat every segment of your race with the same intensity and focus. There are no "rest" moments in racing—only opportunities to gain or lose time.Bike Positioning: The Make-or-Break First 15 Kilometers
Georgia's most significant learning centered on bike positioning in the non-drafting T100 format, where the Race Ranger system groups athletes but prohibits drafting.
"I know on the bike I need to nail that first 10-15km and go way above the power and effort that I'd like to go. I think you just need to go harder to get a good position, because of Race Ranger and how it all works with the non-drafting, you need to get a good position so that you're kind of at the front of the group."
The consequences of poor early positioning became painfully clear: "The problem in London was I let everyone go past me, and then I was 6th wheel. And it's not like you can just move up one place, you have to move up five places and it's physically impossible in 45 seconds!"
This lesson extends beyond the T100 format to any non-drafting race. In IRONMAN or Challenge events, early bike positioning often determines race outcomes. Athletes who start conservatively, hoping to negative split the bike leg, frequently find themselves fighting against time rather than competitors.
Key Takeaway: In non-drafting races, the first 10-15 kilometers of the bike leg are disproportionately important. Go harder than feels comfortable early to secure good positioning—you can settle into your target power afterward.The Busy August Reality: Racing Multiple Formats as Cross-Training
Georgia's schedule between London and French Riviera reads like a triathlon fever dream: T100 London, supertri Chicago, then T100 French Riviera—all within a month. Rather than viewing this as overwhelming, she sees it as educational.
"I thought it was really cool because I can race on Saturday and then I can go and watch all of my friends on Sunday, racing the World Triathlon race," she explains about choosing French Riviera. The proximity to other racing allowed her to study different formats while maintaining race sharpness.
This approach—using races as training and different formats as cross-training—offers a valuable model for ambitious age-group athletes. Instead of focusing solely on one race distance, competing across formats can improve overall racing skills:
- Short course racing develops speed, tactical awareness, and quick transitions
- Long course racing builds endurance, pacing skills, and mental toughness
- Non-drafting formats improve time trialing and solo riding abilities
- Drafting formats enhance group dynamics and tactical racing
Georgia's willingness to race frequently also demonstrates the value of maintaining race rhythm throughout a season rather than building toward single peak events.
The Humility Advantage: Learning from Veterans in a New Discipline
Despite her Olympic pedigree, Georgia approaches T100 racing with genuine humility, actively seeking advice from long-distance specialists.
"It's really cool. It's really scary! But I'm super grateful," she says about lining up against experienced middle-distance racers. "I'm just learning from everyone else and asking questions, seeing what everyone else does."
This beginner's mindset—what Zen Buddhism calls "Shoshin"—proves crucial for high-level learning. Georgia continues: "It's really nice to come in as a bit of a novice... I'm like an open book, taking everything in and learning from everyone. And if I sound stupid, then it's ok because I'm just trying to learn!"
This approach offers several advantages:
- Eliminates ego barriers that prevent learning
- Opens opportunities for mentorship and advice
- Reduces pressure to perform immediately at a high level
- Encourages experimentation with new techniques and strategies
For athletes transitioning between disciplines or distances, Georgia's approach provides a roadmap: embrace being a beginner again, ask questions without shame, and focus on learning rather than immediate results.
Race Predictions: Why Short Course Athletes Might Dominate T100
Georgia's predictions for T100 championship winners reveal fascinating insights about skill transfer between race formats. Her picks? Both short course specialists.
"You can't look past Hayden [Wilde] for the men. I think Hayden's probably got it in the bag," she states confidently. For the women: "I think I'm going to say Kate Waugh, I think she's probably going to win."
This short course bias isn't accidental. Georgia believes their racing backgrounds provide specific advantages in the T100 format:
- Higher sustainable power outputs from short course training
- Superior tactical awareness from pack racing experience
- Mental toughness from high-intensity competitive environments
- Adaptability from racing varied conditions and courses
Her analysis suggests that T100 racing, despite the longer distance, rewards the explosive power and tactical sharpness developed in short course racing more than the steady endurance traditionally associated with long course events.
Course Analysis: French Riviera's Unique Challenges
The French Riviera T100 presents a dramatically different challenge from London's urban circuit. Georgia's preview highlights key tactical considerations:
"If it's super windy, that could play a big part in the race and it could make it a bit sketchy. I think everyone's a bit nervous about the wind because we're on the coast and it's inevitable."
The single-loop 80km bike course offers different dynamics: "The climb isn't a really steep one where people can get away, but I think if people are more confident they might try and get away on the descent."
Georgia appreciates the course's variety: "It's got a bit of everything, and I think we can actually spend quite a bit of time in our aero bars which will be nice compared to London where we were dodging the potholes. I think it can play into everyone's strengths."
This analysis demonstrates how elite athletes evaluate courses not just for physical demands but for tactical opportunities. The lack of steep climbs means pure climbers won't dominate, while descent opportunities favor technically skilled and confident riders.
Equipment Lessons: The Importance of Backup Planning
One aspect often overlooked in race reports is equipment failure. Georgia's London experience included a rear wheel puncture complicated by compatibility issues with spare wheels—a problem that cost vital minutes.
This highlights crucial preparation elements often ignored by amateur athletes:
- Wheel compatibility checks between race and spare wheels
- Mechanical contingency planning for various failure scenarios
- Support crew communication protocols for equipment issues
While age-group athletes might not have support crews, the principle remains: thorough equipment preparation and backup planning can make the difference between a successful race and a disappointing DNF.
The Mindset Revolution: Lessons for Every Athlete
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Georgia's T100 journey isn't technical—it's psychological. Her transformation from pressured performer to curious learner offers a roadmap for any athlete feeling stuck or stressed about their performance.
"It's nice to just step back and enjoy the racing for what it is and appreciate everything," she reflects. "It's very different for me to be here... whereas everyone else is obviously doing it for a result and they want a good overall result at the end of the season in Qatar."
This perspective shift—from external validation to internal satisfaction—paradoxically often leads to better results. When athletes stop trying so hard to achieve specific outcomes and instead focus on process, execution, and learning, performance improvements naturally follow.
<What is Georgia Taylor-Brown's approach to the T100 races?
Georgia Taylor-Brown approaches the T100 races as a learning experience, using them as an opportunity to enjoy racing without the pressure of achieving specific results. Despite being an accomplished Olympian, she considers herself an amateur in longer-distance races, where she observes and learns from more experienced competitors.
What did Georgia Taylor-Brown learn from her London T100 race?
From her London T100 race, Georgia Taylor-Brown learned the importance of maintaining focus during segments like the Aussie exit and pushing hard at the beginning of the bike leg to secure a good position. She noted losing time during these sections and planned to improve her performance in these areas for her next race.
How does Georgia Taylor-Brown feel about competing in longer-distance races?
Georgia Taylor-Brown feels both excited and slightly intimidated by competing in longer-distance races. She relishes the challenge of racing against seasoned long-distance triathletes and enjoys embracing her role as a novice in these formats.
Who does Georgia Taylor-Brown predict as potential winners of the T100 overall title?
Georgia Taylor-Brown predicts Hayden Wilde could take the overall men's T100 title due to his motivation following a recent crash. For the women's title, she anticipates a close race but leans towards Kate Waugh to potentially win.
What is the course like for the French Riviera T100 race?
The French Riviera T100 race features a 1-lap 80km bike course for professionals with a mix of coastal rollers and a significant climb. The course is noted for its scenic but potentially windy conditions, providing a variety of challenges for the competitors.
Source: https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/georgia-taylor-brown-french-riviera-t100
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