Push Yourself While Relaxing

It’s 5 am.

Jules and I have been up since 2:30. Little dude kept us up. Don’t worry, he’s sleeping peacefully now.

I’m reminded of a quote I heard the other day while Jules and I were working out. She rides her Peloton and I ride the rowing machine and we both listen to the instructors give out commands. I like having the instructor call out different pacing programs. Even though I’m on the rower, it mixes things up.

The other day our instructor’s name was Brandon. He was wearing a bright yellow hat. He was a long time endurance athlete. He said…

“Endurance is pushing while relaxing.”

I love that.

Stamina is having the ability to push yourself while using as little energy as possible. It’s a flow. It’s a vide. It’s like hang-gliding through a rainstorm.

You need to go somewhere else in your mind. You practice it and eventually you can train your mind to be completely blank. Even though your body is racked in pain, your mind feels nothing. Completely empty.

Pushing while relaxing.

It’s a skill that has done me well over the years. On days like today, with little sleep and a full day of work ahead of me, it’s good to know that I can always fall back on my stamina to get me through.