Fitness Conjuncture

By definition, conjuncture is a combination of events or circumstances, especially one creating a critical situation. It is a joining together, whether it involves people or a series of actions and occurrences that may produce a result. Fitness is the combination of both
the parts and the pieces - small steps necessary for the result of the bigger picture. It is a conjuncture of an adequate amount of physical activity, clean nutrition, consistent action, rest and recovery.



This past Saturday I witnessed my first endurance trail race. Participation a possibility in the future, however this Saturday I was a mere spectator and an occasional filler of water bottles when athletes would run into the aid station. Endurance running is a sport I have quite frankly always chuckled at....remember I am genetically composed of fast twitch muscles and the gift of a vertical jump that wows the participants of my Cardio Core class. Running for nine hours or even longer- honestly- still doesn't get me lacing up my sneaks to adventure out on the trail, yet I can absolutely appreciate the athlete's who do decide to begin a 50 mile race at 5am and endure several ups and downs while they are pushing their body beyond what is normally acceptable and expected of an individual.



Like endurance running, fitness is also the conjuncture of hard work, discipline, commitment, consistency, motivation, and intelligent decision making. Results surface when you dig in and put forth the effort necessary for your body to under go the physiological changes we demand of it. One has to be disciplined and committed to a consistent exercise training plan in order for results to occur.



As I witnessed all kinds of athletes attempt to finish a 50 mile race, of course I tried to bridge the gap between the sport of endurance running and the incredulous attitude I have had when my special someone sends me his training/racing itinerary for the Spring/Summer season. "Fitness" and endurance running are more similar than I wanted to admit and if you are ever lacking motivation or that spark inside of you that drives you to lace up your sneaks and get a workout in when you do not feel like it at all, spectating and or crewing at just one race is likely to light a fire under your ass and inspire commitment to the fitness goals that have filled your thoughts and hung over your head for years.



As I continue to be in awe of the sport of endurance running and the accomplishments of the athletes who commit to participating in a race longer than a marathon, I cannot help to be all fired up about the capabilities of the body and the mind. Though I have always been an athlete, what I have struggled with most is the mental toughness required to push your body when it has no more push left. Sound familiar? Between long hours at the office, family obligations, school requirements, and social gatherings one can find themselves with little energy to exercise, let alone the mental intelligence to know if you just start moving you will most likely feel better. Excuses are easy to make. There will always be a reason to not go to the gym or to hit the trail for a run. Your bed will at times be more tempting than the conditions you may have to endure when training your body and mind to constantly step it up a notch and challenge your physical capabilities.



What I took from my day of watching the competitors endure 50 miles is that there's a whole lot of feeling like hell in order to wear a metal that claims you are a finisher. No, seriously. Imagine moving your legs one in front of the other for at least eight hours, enduring less than fleeting moments of nauseousness, "I can't do this", "why do I do this", "okay, I feel better", "where's the next pit stop", "shit, it hurts!", and many more mental and physical moments of what seems like torture. It goes beyond the quest of a six pack and sculpted triceps, at least I think it has to for anyone to run 50 miles. I like to think that what I witnessed on Saturday - aside from the unconditional love for running - is the inherent need some have to see how far they can really push their bodies and minds in order to accomplish what they hoped to accomplish when they signed up for the race.



I understand that the average person may not possess this need and that exercise may be about a six pack and sculpted triceps and the mental game can be altered by listening to an Ipod or staying right below the line of discomfort. However, maybe if we did approach our fitness as if it was a 50 mile race we would all be a whole lot fitter - and I'm not just talking about physical fitness.



The best thing I heard on Saturday was, "Do not make a decision to quit the race in the aid station. Get back on the trail and then decide." Brilliance! Of course if one is unable to take in calories or see straight, then stopping is the only right thing to do, but if feeling bad is your reason to quit, then it's just not a good enough reason.

My friends, there will be many many times when our legs are heavy, our minds are full, and our ability to continue to persevere through feeling like crap is challenged. It's what you do in that one particular moment that will determine how badly you truly want to succeed at the goals you have set for yourself. You don't have to run 50 miles to find your physical and mental strength. You just have to possess the will to go beyond the preconceived notion of comfort and stamina, put one foot in front of the other, and strive for a level of greatness that cannot be reached if we settle for good enough.


What are you working for?