The Central Governor, the Chimp Brain and the Professor Brain
The Subject traveled to the triathlon initially listening to FM radio. A flash memory stick was plugged into the USB port, and after losing the FM station, the stick was activated. It hadn’t been used in a while, but used often on a recent long trip. On those long trips, training related podcasts are played and they often become a vehicle for consideration, as in the following.
Arriving at the race site in Rexford, NY, the competition began. The competition was not necessarily triathlon based, but a battle began between the Chimp brain and the Professor brain, each battling within the Subject for dominance: https://www.velopress.com/chimp-professor-battling-inside-brain/
The Professor brain made the first move. The Professor brain arranged for an early arrival at the site. The Professor suggested that a half-hour walk, followed by a fifteen minute bike warm-up were appropriate; that recommendation was based on information from previous athletic events. Both recommendations were conducted and they paid-off. When the horn sounded, the subject was in “race mode.”The bike portion was 2 laps.
The Professor brain recommended started near the front of the pack, anticipating a finishing position based on previous race data. At the end of the first lap, the Chimp brain became alarmed; it observed that a collection of close riders, and they were moving away! The Chimp brain took over! Sensing that the paddling leg was near, the Chimp brain flipped on the “attack” switch!Previously, the Subject was directed by the professor brain to lay the spare lifejacket over the bike rack, making it easy to identify the spot to place the bike on the return from that leg.
The Chimp brain was smirking at that time, but the other paid no heed. If it had, it would have directed the Subject to place the lifejacket on the bucket seat, so that when the Subject changed shoes he would noticed, and then put on the mandatory life jacket.
However, the Chimp had pushed the “attack” button, and the Subject rushed to the water, chasing down those biker who now were now water-born, and consequently forgot to don the lifejacket. The jacket, fortunately, was procured by the subject’s manager, whose Professor brain was still in charge. The chase-down was now on to the delight of the Chimp brain! Next to the “attack” button is the Central Governor “override” button. With the Subject now on the water, the Chimp brain hit that button too: https://runnersconnect.net/central-governor-theory/
So, what is this Central Governor theory? It is suggested that the CG becomes active when an intense activity becomes a threat. A study was made of world record setters for the 10k over the years. It was determined that for most of these athletes, the final 1k of their race was the fastest. It was surmised that when these record setters hit the 9K, they had reached their physical limit, and that this point, those athletes shut off their central governor, allowing them to increased their pace in the final 1K.
The Subject raced that entire paddle leg, central governor off, well over the “red line.” The last leg was the run. The subject started to run but was unable to do so, forcing a walk for the first few minutes of that leg. Data!Returning to base camp, the Subject checked the data. A Garmin watch, and a cycling computer recorded pace, distance, and time. The data told the story; now, the Professor brain began regaining control. First, it examined the bike leg. The subject had done a bit of traveling over the winter; bike training time was down, yet the subject finished 8th OA on that leg. Next the paddle leg was examined.
There were only 5 training sessions prior to that leg. The Mohawk was low and “muscle water” was encountered, yet the subject finished that leg in third, with a best time for that course. The Professor brain advised spending more training time on the water, thus permitting a fast pace at an easier effort. The run pace was “off;” again, travel was a factor, and the Professor suggested that the Subject needs to get back to the track. The Professor brain subsequently reprimanded the Chimp brain and reminded the Subject that is just the beginning of a season.
The Chimp brain appeared remorseful, (albeit feigned) but he will be back, he was having too much fun!
