I recently commented on a New York Times article Running Hard at 66 and Living With the Consequences
Having just returned from a 24 Hour Bike Race in Florida I had both the time and occasion to ponder the issue of `motivation.' The wind and cold of this race made it an absolutely brutal experience for those participating.
I chose to stop racing after 14 hours and 212 miles. I confronted what is, for me, a simple logic: "What do I gain by persisting in the pain and misery of pushing through for 24 hours?!"
I have (we all have) the physical capacity to push on.
Is the decision to suffer on proof of `something?' In my case, it wasn't. I didn't need it for my ego. I didn't need it to prove to myself that I can endure pain. Been there. Done that. Old news. (Besides, the worst pain takes place between our ears.)
So, reading the NYT article the other day came at the right time.
------------------------------------
A common limiting factor/problem with running and many other bone/muscle pounding activities, as we get older, is that of this-or-that use-related injury. These injuries increase in frequency and take more time to heal.
While each use-related injury is healing you are typically sidelined for weeks or months at a time. If you're lucky it will just take a ridiculously long time to regain fitness. If you're not `lucky,' and get a serious injury that further pushes you toward inactivity ... so the spiral begins.
So, the `yo-yo' of on-again-off-again injury with these kinds of activities puts a big dent in one's motivation to be fit.
There is a dangerous `if it hurts I must be a stud' mentality that needs to be reconsidered by sincere athletes and fitness afficionados. (Or, as a friend stated recently: "There's too much masochism and suffering in this stuff -- for what?!!")
The `best' part of your body is from the neck up. Put it to better use so that you can continue to enjoy your body from the neck down.
Work at finding a way to enjoy and express yourself in a sport or activity that adds life, spring, bounce and years to your life. Don't look down the barrel of a gun and pull the trigger just to see "if it works."
"What do I gain by persisting in the pain and misery of pushing through for 24 hours?!"
ReplyDeletePossible considerations:
Nothing, you were smart enough to avoid injury.
Learn more about how your body and mind cope with a full 24 hour effort and more importantly the experience of recovery.
Reach the positive conclusion that it is not pain and misery but 'endurance to complete' you were experiencing.
Elation at having achieved the personal goal set.
Develop and consolidate coping skills no matter the conditions.
Reflect and compare why you stopped and others finished.
Reflect on how to be better prepared to complete the event.
Great and wise perspective, Brad.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I don't test my capacity for, say, going without water for several days, is not because it can't be done, or that it can't be coped with, endured, or that I wasn't prepared.
Been there. Done that.
As many well known and respected ultraracers have stated in the past: "It wasn't worth it." A reasoned and valid calculation. Not the end of the world.
Not sure if I'll be climbing 670,000 feet in the AZ mountains this year again. But ... if it's worth it I will. Maybe do more, too.