...oh man Jack laughing a little over here...was reading this preparing to ask you if you ever thought about running without the machines prodding you and alas you made it!...i bring my phone with on runs but largely for podcasts/musics/books/calls/etc. ...i fell into the tracking trap, and similar to tracking likes on an articles, it is a TRAP!...the value is what you get out of it, not the value it tells you about itself...keep on running man!...
Makes me happy to hear you were going to prod me to try something new to break me out of my sometimes silly ways -- I'm one step ahead of you this time but please feel free to do so in the future :)
Your words are so true: the value is what you get out of it. In the age of the internet we seem to frequently forget what WE get out of it. Instead, we replace what we get out of it with how others approach it. That's what happened somewhere along the line with me and exercise. The masses focused on optimization and I set sail with them. I haven't fully escaped but I'm standing on the plank of the ship about to dive into the vast blue sea to swim my own direction. When I get fleeting tastes of following my own path, not the path of some Internet personality, life feels a lot better. That's the feeling I'm chasing.
Appreciate you man. Your words here mean a lot to me.
Really enjoyed this piece Jack. One theme I’ve begun to notice in your writing is the tension between wanting to enjoy exercise (as it’s already a difficult thing in itself) but also wanting to be in elite condition. It’s not an easy problem to solve.
But I love the theme of pushing back against optimization which seems to be so predominant, almost celebrated, in fitness culture right now.
I get to watch you walk the tightrope between the constraints of optimization and the freedom of joy - and it teaches me how to better balance them in my own life.
Your words here have really helped me understand the battle between my ears. I just copied this comment to my notes for future pondering and maybe essay writing. Thanks a lot buddy. You have read more of my writing than anyone and your ability to sometimes understand me better than I understand myself is a huge blessing. So thank you.
Glad you enjoyed this and makes me so happy to hear that I can help you live a better life, if even in the smallest way. Your approach to life certainly inspires and helps me to be better.
I have so much respect for your self awareness and ability to say no to things that will drive you mad... I sometimes think I purposefully do the things that drive me mad for the sake of rigidity or toughness or, most accurately, stupidity.
Appreciate you supporting the message here and glad it resonated with you. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your take Martha :)
“I’m tired of feeling like I need to optimize everything.”
The most joyous long run I ever went on was an 18 miler where I drove 15 miles to a trailhead and realized I had forgotten my watch. I listened to my body, I listened to the birds, I listened to my footsteps and my breathing. About mile 8 I fell into a runners high (never done drugs or pot in my life - a runners high is the ultimate cool experience). My analytical brain, which takes a while to turn off anyway, didn’t have any use after a while.
I commend your awareness Jack and the new stand you are taking for joy. 👏
BTW: my favorite definition of Joy is “happiness not attached to an outcome”. The data from your chest strap and in your watch is connecting you to an outcome. 😳
I love that story, thank you for sharing James. Runners high is the ultimate high. And in my experience, the high is a lot better when you're just running, no distractions or, as you point out, straining to achieve a certain outcome. I'm the same as you in that it takes a while to shut my brain off. But after enough miles are behind you on a long run or you run hard enough on an interval run, your brain has no choice but to shut off and let your body take over. It's one of the things that makes running such a beautiful activity that doubles as exercise and meditation.
I can't think of a better definition of joy than that. It seems that most of our problems can be fixed when we let go of future outcomes and return to the moment we're presently in. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me in the form of comments... they're a highlight of my week :)
Enjoyed reading this one, Jack. Our running training seems synced up at the minute. I understand the thoughts you are processing here. There's a fine balance to be navigated. I have similar thoughts on my runs. Heart rate is a core component of my training too. It can be a nuisance given how many variables impact your HR at any given time. I enjoy running for all the same reasons you noted. Even on my high intensity sessions I make the effort to take note of my surroundings. Helps me to stay grounded in what's important. What marathon are you training for?
Hey Niall, so glad to hear some of this resonated with you. I think it’s a balance any runner faces… even those trying to be elite must tire of the constant HR tracking and optimization. I do at least. I’m not training for any marathon in particular. Just training for the sake of training. How about yourself? Best of luck in your training and races!
Fair play man. I appreciate how you prioritize health and fitness. Right now the only race I have planned is the Dublin marathon. I have an ultra distance in mind that I'm keeping under wraps for the minute. You might hear more on that later lol.
Can't wait to read it, Jeremy. So glad that this resonates with you and I'm not alone in feeling that all this focus on optimization has begun to have some negative effects... the downsides seem to be virtually unrecognized by many of the docs and PhDs who push these ideas.
Thanks so much for reading and showing up in the comments -- it means a lot to me.
No kidding! A buddy of mine said: “the phrase ‘of it isn’t on Strava, it didn’t happen’ is wrong. It should be ‘if it isn’t on Strava, it matters more’”
Well done all around, Jack! All the while I was reading your essay, I was kinda anticipating the other shoe to drop, since I know you've previously discussed the mindfulness of working out.
On a related note, have you heard of Mike Spino? He's a renowned running coach whose approach combines the physical, intellectual and emotional aspects of training and blurs the lines between fitness and art. He has published books of poetry and transcendental thinking that is inspired by running. I wrote a bit about his philosophy: https://artfullyexercising.substack.com/p/the-athlete-and-the-artist
Adam, thanks so much for reading and leaving such a great recommendation. Your description of him sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Excited to dive into your post on him and his work.
I've almost made a 180 on optimization since I started to write. Initially, this newsletter was the simple, practical, and actionable version of all the longevity docs and PhDs. I was focused on making optimization easy and fun to implement. But after going pretty far with that extreme in my life and developing my thoughts in writing, I've pulled back the other way. It's still a process of figuring out for me but I'm much more aligned with sensible, unoptimized, enjoyable, and human training now. Doesn't mean I don't go hard and don't push myself to improve every day. I do. I just do it with a mentality that feels good to me.
Thanks for reading and for prompting me to help flesh out my thoughts more on this. It means a lot to me that you read my work and leave your thoughts in the comments!
I can identify with the trap of optimization. but in a very different way. I retired last August from a fast-paced job. For months I had to fight against optimizing my time. To reverse the years of multitasking. To be "busy". I had to learn to give myself permission, approval, to simply sit with my cats and stare out at the forest and bird feeder. I'm pretty much there now. I still make lists of all the things I need to do - that will never change - but Now I know it's no big deal if they don't get done today. Or tomorrow. Or this week. If it's good weather, I'm biking or hiking.
Thanks for sharing that, Larry. I can relate heavily to the impulse to feel like I need to always be busy. It's ingrained in us in Western society: our worth is our job, our production, our output. What we do is how we define and introduce ourselves. And it's how most of us figure out where we and others sit on the social hierarchy. Your ability to recognize that and slowly change pace after retirement is extremely commendable... it's not easy to change that pattern.
I'm in agreeance with you on the list front. I think having a list of the day's tasks is a great practice. It gives you a sense of orientation and purpose for the day. It's a record of how you spent your time. Every night I create a list for tomorrows tasks (3-5 things max, including exercise). Also love that you change your plan and push off tasks if the weather is nice. I'm trying to get better at doing the same. When it's nice outside, push delayable tasks to tomorrow and go enjoy it. We only get so many warm months a year up here in Canada!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. Truly means a lot to me... I always love to hear how you relate to my posts. Have a great weekend!
...oh man Jack laughing a little over here...was reading this preparing to ask you if you ever thought about running without the machines prodding you and alas you made it!...i bring my phone with on runs but largely for podcasts/musics/books/calls/etc. ...i fell into the tracking trap, and similar to tracking likes on an articles, it is a TRAP!...the value is what you get out of it, not the value it tells you about itself...keep on running man!...
Makes me happy to hear you were going to prod me to try something new to break me out of my sometimes silly ways -- I'm one step ahead of you this time but please feel free to do so in the future :)
Your words are so true: the value is what you get out of it. In the age of the internet we seem to frequently forget what WE get out of it. Instead, we replace what we get out of it with how others approach it. That's what happened somewhere along the line with me and exercise. The masses focused on optimization and I set sail with them. I haven't fully escaped but I'm standing on the plank of the ship about to dive into the vast blue sea to swim my own direction. When I get fleeting tastes of following my own path, not the path of some Internet personality, life feels a lot better. That's the feeling I'm chasing.
Appreciate you man. Your words here mean a lot to me.
Really enjoyed this piece Jack. One theme I’ve begun to notice in your writing is the tension between wanting to enjoy exercise (as it’s already a difficult thing in itself) but also wanting to be in elite condition. It’s not an easy problem to solve.
But I love the theme of pushing back against optimization which seems to be so predominant, almost celebrated, in fitness culture right now.
I get to watch you walk the tightrope between the constraints of optimization and the freedom of joy - and it teaches me how to better balance them in my own life.
It’s a battle worth fighting. Love it.
Your words here have really helped me understand the battle between my ears. I just copied this comment to my notes for future pondering and maybe essay writing. Thanks a lot buddy. You have read more of my writing than anyone and your ability to sometimes understand me better than I understand myself is a huge blessing. So thank you.
Glad you enjoyed this and makes me so happy to hear that I can help you live a better life, if even in the smallest way. Your approach to life certainly inspires and helps me to be better.
Exactly why I refuse to buy/use/ask for a Fitbit. For a bean counter like me, “that way madness lies”.
Just enjoy your run. Listen for the birds, notice and take in and appreciate your surroundings- UNPLUG!
I have so much respect for your self awareness and ability to say no to things that will drive you mad... I sometimes think I purposefully do the things that drive me mad for the sake of rigidity or toughness or, most accurately, stupidity.
Appreciate you supporting the message here and glad it resonated with you. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your take Martha :)
“I’m tired of feeling like I need to optimize everything.”
The most joyous long run I ever went on was an 18 miler where I drove 15 miles to a trailhead and realized I had forgotten my watch. I listened to my body, I listened to the birds, I listened to my footsteps and my breathing. About mile 8 I fell into a runners high (never done drugs or pot in my life - a runners high is the ultimate cool experience). My analytical brain, which takes a while to turn off anyway, didn’t have any use after a while.
I commend your awareness Jack and the new stand you are taking for joy. 👏
BTW: my favorite definition of Joy is “happiness not attached to an outcome”. The data from your chest strap and in your watch is connecting you to an outcome. 😳
I love that story, thank you for sharing James. Runners high is the ultimate high. And in my experience, the high is a lot better when you're just running, no distractions or, as you point out, straining to achieve a certain outcome. I'm the same as you in that it takes a while to shut my brain off. But after enough miles are behind you on a long run or you run hard enough on an interval run, your brain has no choice but to shut off and let your body take over. It's one of the things that makes running such a beautiful activity that doubles as exercise and meditation.
I can't think of a better definition of joy than that. It seems that most of our problems can be fixed when we let go of future outcomes and return to the moment we're presently in. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me in the form of comments... they're a highlight of my week :)
Enjoyed reading this one, Jack. Our running training seems synced up at the minute. I understand the thoughts you are processing here. There's a fine balance to be navigated. I have similar thoughts on my runs. Heart rate is a core component of my training too. It can be a nuisance given how many variables impact your HR at any given time. I enjoy running for all the same reasons you noted. Even on my high intensity sessions I make the effort to take note of my surroundings. Helps me to stay grounded in what's important. What marathon are you training for?
Hey Niall, so glad to hear some of this resonated with you. I think it’s a balance any runner faces… even those trying to be elite must tire of the constant HR tracking and optimization. I do at least. I’m not training for any marathon in particular. Just training for the sake of training. How about yourself? Best of luck in your training and races!
Fair play man. I appreciate how you prioritize health and fitness. Right now the only race I have planned is the Dublin marathon. I have an ultra distance in mind that I'm keeping under wraps for the minute. You might hear more on that later lol.
Dublin sounds like a great marathon! Enjoy. Would love to read posts about both the marathon and a possible ultra… incredible efforts.
Oh man. I’ve got an essay in the works that hits on a number of these things, Jack. Glad to know I’m not the only one who has these feelings.
Can't wait to read it, Jeremy. So glad that this resonates with you and I'm not alone in feeling that all this focus on optimization has begun to have some negative effects... the downsides seem to be virtually unrecognized by many of the docs and PhDs who push these ideas.
Thanks so much for reading and showing up in the comments -- it means a lot to me.
No kidding! A buddy of mine said: “the phrase ‘of it isn’t on Strava, it didn’t happen’ is wrong. It should be ‘if it isn’t on Strava, it matters more’”
I love that. Your buddy is wise... and I completely agree with him. Stuff done in the shadows without telling anyone counts 10x more.
Well done all around, Jack! All the while I was reading your essay, I was kinda anticipating the other shoe to drop, since I know you've previously discussed the mindfulness of working out.
On a related note, have you heard of Mike Spino? He's a renowned running coach whose approach combines the physical, intellectual and emotional aspects of training and blurs the lines between fitness and art. He has published books of poetry and transcendental thinking that is inspired by running. I wrote a bit about his philosophy: https://artfullyexercising.substack.com/p/the-athlete-and-the-artist
Adam, thanks so much for reading and leaving such a great recommendation. Your description of him sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Excited to dive into your post on him and his work.
I've almost made a 180 on optimization since I started to write. Initially, this newsletter was the simple, practical, and actionable version of all the longevity docs and PhDs. I was focused on making optimization easy and fun to implement. But after going pretty far with that extreme in my life and developing my thoughts in writing, I've pulled back the other way. It's still a process of figuring out for me but I'm much more aligned with sensible, unoptimized, enjoyable, and human training now. Doesn't mean I don't go hard and don't push myself to improve every day. I do. I just do it with a mentality that feels good to me.
Thanks for reading and for prompting me to help flesh out my thoughts more on this. It means a lot to me that you read my work and leave your thoughts in the comments!
I can identify with the trap of optimization. but in a very different way. I retired last August from a fast-paced job. For months I had to fight against optimizing my time. To reverse the years of multitasking. To be "busy". I had to learn to give myself permission, approval, to simply sit with my cats and stare out at the forest and bird feeder. I'm pretty much there now. I still make lists of all the things I need to do - that will never change - but Now I know it's no big deal if they don't get done today. Or tomorrow. Or this week. If it's good weather, I'm biking or hiking.
Thanks for sharing that, Larry. I can relate heavily to the impulse to feel like I need to always be busy. It's ingrained in us in Western society: our worth is our job, our production, our output. What we do is how we define and introduce ourselves. And it's how most of us figure out where we and others sit on the social hierarchy. Your ability to recognize that and slowly change pace after retirement is extremely commendable... it's not easy to change that pattern.
I'm in agreeance with you on the list front. I think having a list of the day's tasks is a great practice. It gives you a sense of orientation and purpose for the day. It's a record of how you spent your time. Every night I create a list for tomorrows tasks (3-5 things max, including exercise). Also love that you change your plan and push off tasks if the weather is nice. I'm trying to get better at doing the same. When it's nice outside, push delayable tasks to tomorrow and go enjoy it. We only get so many warm months a year up here in Canada!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. Truly means a lot to me... I always love to hear how you relate to my posts. Have a great weekend!
Amen!
Thanks so much for reading, Amanda :)