One of the easiest ways to improve relaxation and improve your economy is to keep your face relaxed at all times when you are training and racing. It is very hard to have tension in your body when your face/jaw/shoulders are relaxed. Start by working your Lance Face in your lower intensity training then extend it into your higher intensity work.

The office and driving are really good situations to maintain your Lance Face -- they provide sudden stressors. Give yourself time, you will have to unlearn a few response patterns.

Use your Lance Face in the pool, on the bike and when running. It's a great tool. Very effective.

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Breathing

In combination with your Lance Face, start to pay more attention to your breathing patterns. You will likely find that when you lose your Lance Face, you have also stopped breathing in a deep and relaxed manner. Bring back the face, deepen and slow your breath. Another simple way to give yourself a little edge over your stressed out competition.

When your breathing is relaxed you will have better economy, clearer decision making and improved aerobic function. At the start, it could take up to ten deep breaths to recenter. Your goal is to train a physiological response to a cue word (breathe). As you gain more practice, you will be able re-center with a single breath. This is a great skill for racing and when you are doing intervals. It can also be your secret weapon for areas of your life that cause you to fall into habitual patterns.

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Going Hard

A great tip coming out of the ASCA Clinic. Never "go hard".... why? because relaxed breathing and the Lance Face are not "hard" -- instead... go "fast and smooth"

Think fast and smooth in your races and higher intensity sessions. This is an outstanding tip and very useful for all sports.

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Going Flat Out