How to Know When to Quit

First-time racer? Get Joe's advice for you.
 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
In today's edition, Joe shares:
  • Why Quitting Isn't Always Bad
  • First-Time Racer Tips
  • How To Maximize Your Training Time
 
WHEN TO QUIT
Spartans!

If you don't want to give up on your goals, you have to know your "why."

Years ago, I set out to run 300 miles in honor of my mom who had just passed. I knew that distance would wreck me. Sure enough, I was ready to throw in the towel halfway through and again and again.

I didn't.

My "why" kept me going. I did it for my mom, and I wasn't going to let her down.

Your "why" is the thing that carries you through weak moments. Fighting for a marriage, achieving weight loss, getting a promotion: Whatever your goal is, find a rock solid "why" that makes it impossible, or at least unpleasant, to quit.

In general, I don't like quitting. No one does! Modern life makes it too easy to quit when we need to persevere. And quitting in small ways over time can create bad habits that lead to bigger failures.

However, there are times when quitting can be positive.

I allow myself to quit when the thing I'm doing doesn't align with my "why."

Here's an example. Maybe your goal is to work on being a better parent. Your "why" is to improve quality time with your kids. Then, you set out on an expedition to climb Mount Everest and a snowstorm ravages your camp.

There's a good chance you're going to quit…and maybe you should! That's not your mission.

If your "why," however, is to be a world-class climber, you should try to weather the storm.

My personal "why" (one of many) is to change 100 million lives. If my company was owned by people who are only interested in profits, then I should probably quit.

Be careful, though! Our brains are constantly searching for reasons to quit, escape pain, and avoid obstacles. It will trick you if you allow it.

Dig deep inside to find your "why," align it with your life, and quit less.

Here's to The Hard Way!

Joe
 
HOW TO TRAIN 24/7

How can you maximize your full potential on the course? Spartan instructor Christian Bizzotto says most athletes don't optimize the hours that are spent not training. If your workout is an hour, that's 23 unused hours. "Visualize the person you see crossing the finish line. Ask yourself, 'What are this person's habits?'" Christian says.

Ask yourself:

  • How many hours do they sleep?
  • What do they eat?
  • How do they hydrate?
  • Do they use saunas or ice baths?
  • How long do they sit at work?
  • Do they take the stairs or the elevator?
  • Do they carry the basket or push the cart at the store?

Identify where you can fill in the gaps of your 23 hours. While everyone else is taking them for granted, you'll be training around the clock. Then you enter what Christian calls the "unstoppable realm."

 
You Ask, Joe Answers
Q: Hey Joe, My first race is in Bozeman, MT. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous about completing all the obstacles but have the drive and faith to try my hardest. What do you recommend?
– Jon V.

A: Hey Jon, You're committed, and that's half the battle. Embrace the fact that you're going to feel uncomfortable. Your legs will burn. Your grip will give out. But you'll also feel more accomplished than you ever have. Since your race is in June, focus the next month on building a solid endurance base by running two or three times a week. Practice increasing your grip strength during workouts with these moves. Then, set a goal for yourself — maybe that's finishing half the obstacles. No need to be perfect, just give it your all.

Aroo!

Question for Joe? Want to tell him what you think of The Hard Way? Email him at thehardway@spartan.com.
 
WHY I DON'T QUIT
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They Said It
"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm."
Winston S. Churchill
 
OUR LATEST
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"You gotta have fun. And if you're not having fun, it's gonna be tough."
 
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