Finding Inspiration From Others
I recently came across the video below…
Included within is a powerful tribute to the Ironman Triathlon. Oddly enough, I hardly know anything about the Ironman. It is not an event that I’ve ever followed. I’ve never even seen it on TV. It wasn’t until I watched a few Youtube videos earlier this year that I knew the specifics of the event.
So, why bother posting the video to this blog?
The answer is really quite simple. Despite knowing nothing about the event, I am not ashamed to say that I am inspired by the athletes. No, I do not have interest in the event, but I do admire anyone who puts forth a true, all out effort.
I see so many athletes and coaches who argue over which sport is the most difficult. My answer to this debate is really quite simple however. There is no such thing. As I mentioned in a recent article, individual factors are much more significant. I know fighters that I do not consider to be “tough” athletes. They are involved in a tough sport, but their individual factors do not stack up to others in less contact based sports.
After watching Ironman footage, I see people from all walks of life who are giving everything they have, and then some. When you give 110 percent, there is nothing else for you to give. Such an effort is not dependent on the individual sport, but rather the individual person. A half ass effort can be applied to any sport or task.
When I see someone put forth a truly gut wrenching performance and effort, I’ll tip my hat in respect, regardless of the event. We do not all share the same interests in training or sport, but we should share the respect that is earned by those who go for it. What constitutes “it” is less important in my eyes.
The same logic applies to training. We may not perform the same workouts, or even the same kind of workouts, but that does not mean we do not share the same intensity and effort. We simply apply these factors towards different pursuits. The bodybuilder may work as hard as the fighter. The two simply apply their work in different directions. Each competitor deserves respect for the effort, not the event that they have chosen.
Ross
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Nice video. Randy Couture will be an excellent source of inspiration tomorrow night. 45 years old and still whipping ass. Keep up the good work Ross.
Grit.
Guts.
Ross,
Your perspective and respect for ALL athletes is commendable when some are less accepting to modes of training that differ from theirs.
An Ironman athlete who does dead hang pull ups for fun.
Ross your comments here, and in other places, is THE reason that I went with your training program. Yes I love the intensity of your program Being a former Marine your program stirs memories of boot through the dusty corridors of my memory. But, by far, it is your respect for others that sold me. When I read these passages I know that others who follow your program will learn lessons far greater than just training and intensity. Thank you. The world needs more people like you and I believe those who follow your advice help in this respect. Later Ross, Keep up the GREAT work!
Great entry. I competed in a half Iron Man last weekend with zero miles in any discipline to test myself, the weekend after attending a CrossFit cert and hearing all of the trash talk about Mark Allen (six time IronMan champ). If any of those ‘trainers’ tried to do even a quarter of an IronMan they would respect it.
It not only made me appreciate the poeple around me (everybody helps everybody regardless of age,gender, speed) it allowed me to find a new level within myself. This past week of training has been different. If anything starts to hurt or burn, it all just falls back to ‘well, it’s no where near the massive leg cramps I had at mile 40 of the bike or mile 12 of the run’.
I agree whole heartedly with you, respect others and their chosen path. Be happy for them that they are involved in fitness rather than being sedentary.
Awesome motivation – Age is no longer an excuse -
I’ve been a fan of your site and your training methods for some time. I stopped by today to order your materials to use for my strength related work this off season as I prepared for 2 Half Ironmans and my first full Ironman next year. You can’t imagine the size of the smile on my face when I saw this post and the video about Ironman. Sort of justified my decision to use some of your training methods in my own workouts right there.
I’ve really enjoyed your ideas and your blog. Keep up the good work and thanks. Train well.
I saw a youtube video of a young boxer doing 100 burpees in about 5 minutes. Exhausting just to watch. I rowed in college and don’t think I ever saw anything like that.