Over the years, I’ve had a handful of people ask me if the sport of skeleton is simply a race of chance, not realizing how much effort it takes to find your balance point—both physically and mentally.
“Do you even do anything on your sled? Or do you just lie there?”
To be completely honest, I’m pretty sure the first hundred times down on my sled, I just laid there, prayed for safety and held on tight. So I think there is some truth to that question! Those first hundred times weren’t very fast. And they definitely weren’t injury free. But the lack of speed and the constant bruises made me determined to figure out how to be the best in this sport.
Is Skeleton Just a Sport of Chance?
In the sport of skeleton, to ensure elite performance, there are many aspects that need to be tested and fine-tuned. We check the weight of our sled every day, in case water or ice is trapped inside of it. When this happens the sled becomes heavier than allowed. Then we examine our runners. These are the metal bars that we slide on. We want to make sure that there aren’t any scratches or debris that might slow us down. We also check our helmet, speed suit, gloves, and shoes. It’s essential that everything is aerodynamic and ready to perform at their highest level.
Among the various details tested is something called “the balance point”.
What Is the Balance Point—and Why Does It Matter?
The balance point allows an athlete to focus on what is in front of them and not worry about what is beneath them or around them. Staying balanced allows them to eliminate unnecessary stress and anxiety as the world flies by what seems to be 1,000,000 miles an hour.
Did you ever play on a teeter totter when you were younger?
The balance point reminds me of watching two kids playing on a teeter totter. For a while, these kids will go up and down and up and down. But eventually, they might try something new. You might even see the kids try to hold as still as possible as they try to balance their weight on the apparatus. As the kids lift their feet up off the grass and shift their weight forward and backwards they diligently try to get the toy to lift them both off the ground at the same time. If they do it carefully, they can stay level with the ground without touching the grass beneath them.
This is called “the balance point” and is the same concept on a skeleton sled.
The Importance of Balance in Skeleton Racing
The balance point is a critical aspect of sliding headfirst, with your chin less than an inch from the ice, and flying 90 miles an hour down the icy track. The balance point ensures that you are neither too far forward on your sled or too far back. Positioning yourself too far in either of these directions can cause the sled to lose control. Then it could steer straight into a wall and keep you from reaching your final destination.
To find an athlete’s balance point, they place their sled on solid ground and lie on top of it in a comfortable position. Well, as comfortable as you can be when you’re lying on something that feels like a cookie sheet. Once the athlete does this, a long broomstick handle is positioned beneath their sled. It is placed in a perpendicular direction, in the center of their runners. The idea is to find the perfect position where the sled balances on the broomstick without touching the ground on either side.
If the sled touches the ground in the front, the athlete has to inch back on the sled. When the sled touches in the back, the athlete inches forward on the sled. If it is drastically lopsided, lead weight plates must be adjusted within the sled.
Oftentimes, in order for me to find my balance point, I had to close my eyes so that I could pay attention to where my body actually was on my sled. I had to pay attention to my breathing, my head placement, my grip on my handles and many of the small details that I rarely even noticed at any other time.
Finding the balance point is a very simple process but it makes a huge difference.
How to Find Your Balance Point in Life
How often do you feel that your world is flying by at what seems to be 1,000,000 miles an hour? Do you sometimes feel that your life is completely out of balance? Do you feel overwhelmed by your to do list, never ending emails, kids activities, or house projects that never seem to end? Maybe you are feeling guilty for not spending enough time in your home and too much time at work? Or maybe your life feels out of balance because you feel stuck and unsure about what to spend your time doing?
No matter what the reason is for feeling out of balance, we all experience this at different stages in our lives. Balance in life allows us to eliminate anxiety and stress and create the life that we want.
Three Simple Steps to Reclaim Your Life Balance
Here are three tips to consider when the world around you seems to be out of focus.
Slow Down
- In the speedy sport of skeleton, we have to slow down and take the time to check our balance point in order to improve. This is no different in life. Take time to slow down and consider how you are balancing in the following 8 areas: finance, relationships, physical health, personal growth and learning, spiritual wellness, family, career, fun/entertainment. (I do this every month and it typically takes 20-30 minutes. It’s worth it!)
Is there an area that you are spending too much time in? Is there another area that is struggling because of it? Where would you like to improve?
Make personal adjustments
- In skeleton, small adjustments make a huge difference. Instead of looking at our competitors, we learn to focus on ourselves and how we can personally improve. What does this look like in everyday life? Take a break from endless social media scrolling. Stop comparing yourself, your relationships, or your kids skills to others. Instead of comparing your balance point to someone else, focus on your own position, how you are feeling and what you can do to improve your situation.
What is a small adjustment that you can make in your life to alleviate any stress and anxiety that you are feeling?
Focus on what matters most
- In skeleton, once we slow down, make adjustments and simplify the process we can then focus on what matters most. We can focus on our goals and see more clearly what is right in front of us. Simplify your life. Cut through the clutter and the unnecessary time constraints. Take hold of your life and spend your time focusing on what matters most to you.
Just like finding the balance point on a skeleton sled, finding balance in life is a very simple solution that will bring you great rewards.
Quote to Ponder
“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” -Jana Kingsford.
Question to Consider
How often do you intentionally strive to find balance in your life and make time for the things that matter most?
Click on the Links Below to Learn More about How to Find Your Balance Point
Time Management Tip: Every time I use this time management tip, it takes a weight off my shoulders and helps me find my balance point and see where I need to place my priorities.