The Obsession...

[rayg1]

I've been thinking about this...what is it that drives us endurance atheletes to such lengths? I started erging in Sept of 2010 and I remember thinking I've just got to get my 2K time under 7:00. I rowed my ass off, put in long miserable sessions of 60min + just to build my "core endurance" for less than a 7 minute event. I remember being so dizzy after my "30 rate 20" sessions I would nearly fall off the erg. Even after all of that fuss I was pissed at not getting past the 8000m mark. How many L4 workouts at 18 spm??

Then came the time trial itself 10 January 2011. I felt this tingle of anticipation and nervousness from my Head to my fingetips as I reached for the resistance damper. Then came the first stroke, strangely although I was on pace right at 1:44.5 adrenaline must have been running full throtle because the first 500 meters almost seem easy. Breathing and heart race start to climb steadily by the 1000m mark, but still the legs still felt strong and the finish clean...hey this isn't so bad!

500 meters later it is a completeley different story, I'm in pain, bad pain legs burn, lungs burn, but the worst pain of all is that black pit known as my mind because I know I have to keep this pace for 500 meters more... I see the PM4 screen roll by with 499m left go with almost tunnel vision in a cloudy white haze as I know my heart rate is near peak.

What happens next I honestly can't explain. I'm pretty sure I closed my eyes for at least 300 meters, or did I? You are in so much pain your body goes into "auto pilot" pulling harder just so it can stop....and my God you want it to stop. Somewhere around 180m to go I just remember hazy vision and pushing as hard as I could, screw the pain. I was almost angry. Seemingly not being able to produce another stroke the PM4 finally rolls over to 0m. I've done it!!!! 6:58.4, my goal has been reached. Cool I think.

I take about 30 seconds to catch my breath, I'm happy, very happy. I go to the computer and I'm proud to record my new time. Just a second after it is entered then I'm not as satisfied. I think well, I've come this far why not shoot for sub 6:50?

And so the quest begins again, I know the pain is going to suck but I just can't help it. Why do I do this to myself? Why do we do this to ourselves?

Cheers,

Garrett

[Tinpusher]

I remember in the summer of 2006 when I first went sub-7. I thought I should be able to do it. So many others had done it. How could it be so hard? 6:58 later it was over. I could hardly stand. I was sucking air into my lungs at a prodigious rate.

How could I possibly go under 6:50? A few months later I did. Then it was 6:40 and then in 2008 I made it to 6:29.9 and a few months later 6:25.2.

A 6:22.2 PB in 2009 and a year later a 6:23.7 at the Crash-Bs. I still haven't managed 6:20. The obsession continues....

[jliddil]

Obsession isn't that a perfume? I've been OCD for years with exercise. For the last week I've done a HM almost everyday. I'm obsessed with meters not speed. It's the endorphin high, it is the fitness aspect, I can out endure any obstacle if I can do 21K a day or more. g this behavior was studied in runner is the 80's and somewhat related to an addiction or control thing like anorexia. You have to have it.

[NavigationHazard]

I hurt, therefore I am....

[Bob S.]

I hurt, therefore I am....

Have you ever seen the original with the g left out. Lousy Latin, but not a bad idea.

Bob S.

[AJx]

Thank you so much for posting this! Now i feel normal , fitness is definitely addicting! When i'm on the Erg I may hate it, but once the sessions over i'm incredibly disappointed (that its over) and have to force myself not to go again, especially when you see improvement