Exercise ‘without excitement, without competition or danger or purpose, didn’t strengthen the body but simply wore it out.’ William Finnegan, Barbarian Days
That quote caught my eye when I was reading the dazzling book, Out Of Thin Air: Running Wisdom and Magic from Above The Clouds in Ethiopia earlier this morning.
The book is about how the anthropologist, writer, and better than decent runner, Michael Crawley traveled to Ethiopia to study and train with top runners in order to learn and share what made them so good. Many of the athletes he trained with were stunned that he chose to endure such rigorous training without being a professional runner? However, he simply had a different reason to run with them, but one that would in fact earn him money (book sales). Nevertheless, the runners confusion, and sentiment from Mr. Finnegan noted above, made me think of a larger question… If we know our Why, embrace the How, and gain Value through the grind and glory, does the reason we do it need to make sense?
About eight years ago, a woman in her late 60’s I met in the locker room after a swim workout at my local YMCA practically yelled at me to stop training and racing Ironmans, “The stress on your body is unhealthy!” Naturally I replied, “That's okay, my goal in life is to wear myself out.” She stopped talking after that, and I never saw her again.
I believe that spending a handful of hours every day swimming, riding, running, and/or lifting weights builds me up rather than breaks me down.
Or, more accurately, (biologically) any and/or all of those activities are building me up by breaking me down.
Still, rest and reflection are vital.
And although annoying, I know they are the part of the equation that actually solves the problem.
Rejuvenating beach session with my family.:) From screen left, my sister Jen Cosgrove, and sister in law, Shannon Kelly. Photo credit: My amazing sister, Mary.
The last four weeks have been frustrating, but important.
I didn’t believe I used all or much of the fitness I built up going into Ironman Coeur D’Alene, so I didn’t believe I needed much rest and recovery before tackling intense training sessions after finishing it. But even if I thought my body could withstand anything I threw at it, I knew my heart and mind could not.
I needed time to let it all sink in, and then all seep out.
Anger, sadness, embarrassment, pride, relief, and disbelief have been fighting for my attention this past month, but passing hours filled with easy rides, runs, swims, smiles, and nights drenched with sleep have calmed them down, given them heavy hugs, and then shown them the door.
Impromptu birthday bash for my Dad last Sunday! From screen left: My brother Bo Fox, my step mom, Sally Kelly, and my Dad, Pete Kelly.
Every reason to endure is unique, important, and dangerous, because every outcome is unknown before we start, but the belief that fuels us to try is the ultimate value of an infinite paycheck, living life.
The song and video pick this week is a throwback to the Summer of 1997, P-Diddy's dedication to The Notorious B.I.G, "Ill Be Missing You."