In the months leading up to the 11th running of Ironman Coeur d'Alene, Derek Garcia will be writing a monthly column keeping the community updated on his journey as well as what the hundreds of athletes from the Inland Northwest are doing in preparation for the race.

I remember growing up watching baseball games on television with my dad. We would talk about strategy, our favorite players, and often how it translated to what I was doing when I was on the field.

I remember a particular second baseman for the Yankees who previously had been a solid defensive player, who out of nowhere began to overthrow the first baseman.

It got so bad that it became a nightly edition of sporting shows to laugh at the ridiculous throws he was making. He had all the talent in the world, however you could just see the doubt in his eyes every time the ball was in his hands and he was just hoping that he wouldn't mess up.

CURRENTLY, I am in rest week for my first race of the season in California. I will be doing a few shorter Half Ironman races prior to our local Ironman to get my body and mind ready to handle the grueling 140.6 miles in beautiful Coeur d'Alene.

Pre-race jitters often accompany this week. There are many false senses of injury as the body and mind are completely alert and aware of every tweak or twinge, and are trying to detect if there is anything to worry about.

What it really comes down to is fighting off a level of doubt that all athletes encounter when leading up to a race. I am experiencing it as I enter my race season, but many in the Northwest are surely experiencing the same doubts as winter continues to linger into spring.

THERE IS often doubt of whether the level of fitness is where it was last year. New athletes question whether or not they will ever be fit enough.

There is doubt about there being enough time to really get ready in race conditions, when most miles are spent on indoor training equipment.

There is doubt about whether or not our lake will have ice chunks on race day.

Bottom line is that doubts will creep in no matter how prepared and fit an athlete is. The question then often becomes how to fight against this unseen force?

Little victories have to be won and recorded as frequently as possible. Negative thoughts and workouts gone wrong, need to be evaluated, learned from, and then thrown away.

That is what I resort to when I doubt. I think about the amount of training under my belt and I remind myself of all the victories. Anytime I break through a barrier physically or mentally I try to make note so that I can draw on all of those when the doubts creep in.

It is really just rehearsal for the big race right? Focusing on what "might" happen will only cause mental havoc. The applications of this can be endless. It doesn't just have to be sports. One would be foolish to think that doubts will not be present during an event.

So if doubts cannot be quieted pre-race, how in the world will it be possible in the heat of the moment? Daily reinforcement and practice of focusing on the positive, taking one step at a time and controlling what only what you can control, is what will pay off in the long run.

It could be trying to lose 20 pounds for summer, or finishing an Ironman. Needless to say this is not easy, but crucial for the success that every person is looking for.

DOUBT IS powerful because it often grows quickly, and if not opposed can get out of control. On the other hand, confidence takes a long time to build. My hope is that when my big moment comes I choose to rely on the confidence of all the little victories and silence the inevitable opposition that comes from self-doubt.

So rather than hoping to not mess up like that poor second baseman, I plan to rely on what I know to be true; I am prepared and am ready for whatever the day brings. Whatever your challenges may be, remember your little victories as you fight off doubt.

Derek Garcia is a husband, father of three boys, cancer survivor, professional triathlete and coach. Derek has coached hundreds of triathletes to successful Ironman finishes. This year he will race Coeur d'Alene Ironman as a professional for the first time. Contact Derek at dg@derekgarcia.com