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for half an hour every day. After a month, the first group showed a definite improvement in their basketball skills, as you would expect. But the second group, who had been doing imaginary practice, actually improved more! The researchers conducting the study had no choice but to conclude that the power of the mind is greater than the power of the body.’
    â€˜But we’re not playing basketball against Northwest West Academy,’ said Clive. ‘It’s an athletics competition!’
    â€˜Same difference,’ said Mr Brainfright. ‘It doesn’t matter what the sport is—you’re using the same brain.’
    â€˜Oh, that’s going to be hard for Clive, then,’ said Jack. ‘Seeing as he doesn’t have one.’
    â€˜I’m telling my brother you said that,’ said Clive.
    â€˜Actually, Clive,’ said Jack, ‘it was your brother who told me that you didn’t have a brain in the first place.’
    Clive looked confused.
    â€˜That’s enough of that,’ said Mr Brainfright.‘There are more powerful uses for our brains than using them to accuse each other of not having them.’
    â€˜It’s the truth!’ said Jack. ‘A recent study of the inside of Clive’s head showed that it was completely empty.’
    â€˜That’s a lie!’ said Clive.
    â€˜Clive! Jack!’ said Mr Brainfright. ‘Come now. We don’t have time for this. The competition is fast approaching. If Northwest Southeast Central is to have a serious chance at winning we need to get started right away. Everybody sit up straight and close your eyes.’

22
Visualisation

    We sat up straight and closed our eyes.
    Mr Brainfright started speaking in a very low, soothing voice. ‘Imagine that you are on the running track. You are crouched at the starting line. You can feel the spongy surface of the running track through the soles of your running shoes. Your fingers are touching the ground lightly. Your leg muscles are coiled like powerful springs. Electricity is shooting through your body. You can hear the roar of the crowd. You can smell your opponents’ sweat.’
    â€˜Euww!’ said Jenny.
    â€˜You can feel the sun on the back of your neck.’
    â€˜Ouch, it’s burning,’ said Newton.
    â€˜No it isn’t,’ said Mr Brainfright in his soothing voice, ‘because you applied sunscreen just before you left the changing rooms.’
    â€˜What strength was it?’ said Newton. ‘I don’t think it’s working.’
    â€˜Thirty SPF,’ said Mr Brainfright.
    â€˜I need fifty SPF,’ said Newton. ‘I have very sensitive skin.’
    â€˜Fifty it is then,’ said Mr Brainfright, sighing.
    â€˜Thanks,’ said Newton.
    â€˜The starter’s pistol fires,’ said Mr Brainfright. ‘You take off. You run like the wind. Your legs are pumping like pistons. Your arms are pumping like . . . um . . . er . . . pistons. You look around. Your competitors are a long way behind. You feel the ribbon break against your chest. You mount the winners’ podium—’
    â€˜Can I just stand on the second-place block, please?’ asked Newton.
    â€˜No, it’s the winner’s block for you, Newton,’ said Mr Brainfright. ‘You won the race!’
    â€˜But it’s too high on the first block,’ said Newton.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Newton,’ said Mr Brainfright, ‘but in the Brainfright Program for Sporting Excellence, you are a winner, and winners have excellent balance and nerves of steel. Trust me.’
    â€˜I’ll give it a try,’ said Newton.
    â€˜Good,’ Mr Brainfright said. ‘So—now that we have that straight—you mount the winners’ podium and climb to the highest block.’
    â€˜I’m doing it!’ said Newton excitedly. ‘I’m actually doing it!’
    â€˜Good for you,