Going Longer - In a Different Dimension

The past few months I’ve been posting perspectives on Going Longer (than you’ve gone before) in endurance sport. I’ve touched on the central concepts of adaptation and patience, revering the chosen new distance, shifting views of success and solidifying your mental game, for your new endeavor. These are all aspects of ultra endurance sport I’ve worked to harness over the years, recently highlighting them in my book, Triathlon Revolution: Training, Technique and Inspiration. And in current months they’ve taken on an unwanted different dimension in my life.

I’ve watched many of you plan your upcoming seasons, gain the confidence to sign up for exciting new events, build your base, and see results from your commitment to training. This is the process that keeps me psyched and motivated as a coach—to see you, building a bigger you. And because I am typically taking on the same process for a compelling upcoming adventure, I’ve been asked frequently, “Terri, what are you training for?”

My response right now, “I’m training for life.”

There has never been a time when those trite words were truer.

Due to my Achilles tendon injury it has been 7 months and 4 days since I’ve gone on a “real” run. This is by far the longest period that I have not run for 38 years and it has required me to see shifts in my body and my psyche. In most ways I have not accepted, but conceded to my predicament. But in all ways I have made intriguing swings to different dimensions in my life.

Though I’d rather be running in Namibia, climbing a mountain, or training for a 100 mile trail race, I cross-train patiently and live vicariously through others doing the long stuff. I am even reticent to plan a future adventure, as having that big carrot on the horizon may cause me to push my leg before its ready. Yes, I have struggled with these requirements. Mostly I have learned that I can either remain in the struggle, or, I can accept and face the struggle while focusing on different areas of my little world. I don’t flail gracefully, so I’ve chosen the latter.

My vision is that I am circumambulating all other dimensions of Gong Longer and will come full circle in the near future and start prepping for a big novel physical endeavor (that I have already formulated).  As my good friend Charlie Engle says, some of us don’t wish to do things that we know we can do. I think for some, Going Longer requires us to toe the start line to a goal with a huge dose of physical ambiguity.

In the meantime I am going longer in my professional life, pushing forward new business projects and spending time on two new book proposals—all with no immediate financial return—in the worst economy we could muster. If I can’t experience the mood swings of a big mountain, I’ll settle for rolling the dice financially while enjoying my continued driving force toward the right passion focus for my current life. I’d like to round the bend at the end of the summer with a new book deal, a couple new biz projects in place, and ready to take on my next bout with physical ambiguity. We’ll see how it plays out.

In the meantime, if you have been physically sidelined and required to change dimensions in how you Go Longer in your life, I’d love to hear how that’s going for you. If you are solid physically and opting to Go Longer in your endurance life this season, I’d love to live vicariously through your goal!