Achieving Transcendence of Fitness

Transcendence: A state of being above and beyond the limits of material experience. An endurance coach's improbable attempt to rise above the ordinary activities of humans to achieve superhuman feats that can only be done through a purity of mental and physical discipline. He has touched transcendence as a 5-time Ironman finisher and as a hiker on 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Can he learn the tools needed to complete these feats and ascend to a level few humans have achieved?

Monday, July 23, 2007

Transcendence, a more detailed description.

I like to begin the blog with some examples of fitness transcendence...

1) Running 100 miles in one day.
2) Completing a triathlon well over the Ironman distance. There are those who have completed the equivalent of 10 Ironman races at one time.
3) Swimming the English Channel.
4) Cycling across the US or Canada without much rest.
5) Running across the United States. Run Forrest, Run!
6) Completing 4 of the most difficult 100 mile ultramarathons in 4 consecutive months. Take a look at the Grand Slam of Ultras link I provided.
7) Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (or Pacific Crest Trail).
8) RUNNING the entire Appalachian Trail (or Pacific Crest Trail).


These are just small samples of superhuman feats that have been done already by a handful of humans. A creative mind can create hundreds of other feats. And I have been creative. But I will not publish them here until I am definitely sure that I will try it. Why the secret? So that I can be the first to do it, of course! Most of the items listed above I would love to attempt in the future, as well as the ones I keep secret.

Why transcendence? A person who has transcended can only do these feats by living and enjoying the fitness lifestyle. These people will spontaneously go for a long run when they feel like it. They will get on their bike instead of a car to do everyday errands, and they will stay away from the potentially harmful foods that abound in the US today. While I do enjoy working out, I don't always find it easy to get up and work out everyday, and I rarely do any workout spontaneously without planning for it. And I am definitely not a saint when it comes to nutrition. Although I haven't had fast food for over 3 years now, I am a notorious soda drinker and tend to pick on some unhealthy snacks often. It is the small things here that I feel I need to improve to accomplish the impossible.


As for my posts, I will regularly update my progress on this blog at least 4 times per week. I've read that Blogger has mobile capability; if I can use my cell phone on the days I travel to post a blog, it'll be more the better. My next blog will show my current tentative schedule for the rest of the year. Until then, stay strong!

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