Man and Machine

As an athlete, you’re constantly iterating on your training. Five years ago, my training was child’s play, at least compared to what I’m doing now. Whenever a new iteration comes about, I’m always disappointed I hadn’t been doing it all along. But I’m certain I’ll be thinking the same thing about my current training a year from now, so it’s best to just be content with the fact that the program has improved in the first place.

The most recent iteration upon my training could more aptly be called a transformation. Years ago, my goals were largely domestic. They didn’t require a crazy program, I wasn’t talking about moving away for training, I wasn’t competing with the best in the world. My training matched my level. I wasn’t working as hard as I possibly could, but I was improving. Recently, I’ve come to realize that the goal posts have shifted, and with that my training had to as well. There comes a point where you can’t keep admiring that distant, long term goal. Sooner or later, it becomes time to go get it.

The optics of the transition my training went through are actually really impressive-looking. I was so excited to get started; I had a new coach and there were no competitions on the radar for a while. It was prime time to step it up.