Colorado is a haven for outdoor sports enthusiasts.  It’s woven into the culture of the front-range cities - on weekends and weekdays alike, you can reliably count on hiking trails in Golden being packed, encountering dozens of trail runners in the flatirons of Boulder, or cyclists and joggers whizzing by you on a walk through Denver’s Wash Park.  Athletes and outdoor lovers are drawn from all over the country to live in places like Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs.  Boulder county boasts at least 70 olympians live there due to the culture that is so supportive of athletics, in addition to the ability to train at high altitude.  For many people, the connection to nature and exercise is hugely beneficial for both their physical and mental health.  But sometimes, being surrounded by fellow athletes everywhere you look can bring up feelings of pressure, competition and perfectionism.  

Read on for a Denver therapist’s tips for dealing with perfectionism as an endurance athlete in Colorado.