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The Elite Endurance of Corporate Athletes
Celebrating Human Potential
The world of endurance never ceases to amaze me in so many ways. Endurance is not just "athletes" running marathons and the likes. Endurance spans far wider than that. The "corporate athlete" has always been one I have kept a close eye on. The outright "endurance" of the two may be far closer than we think.
The Endurance of Traditional Athletes
An athlete spends months preparing to summit Everest and on the final push can spend up to or over 12 hours just reaching the peak. They then have to do the route in reverse taking the "awake and under strain" time easily over 24 hours. Their result is celebrated as an incredible feat of human endurance. Along the way they have made huge sacrifices on many levels, two key ones, relationships and their health.
Other athletes complete ultra marathons or Ironman distance triathlons, ranging from 8 to 114 hours of physical labour solely on the event day. Before reaching the start line, they have made a number of choices which again may have some negative effects in other areas of their lives and on their health.
In 2022 I had the opportunity to coach an athlete to run 6.7km every hour for 89 consecutive hours. Forget about the training, the sleep deprivation and nutrition alone during those 89 hours took over 8 weeks to recover from.
Before reaching the start line the athlete made a number of choices, which again may have some negative effects in other areas of his life and on his health. We celebrated his feat of human endurance.
The Unsung Endurance of Corporate Athletes
When the world of athletic endurance meets that of social media, we see these achievements celebrated with only the cynical questioning the fall out. I do not recall such posts or celebrations for the corporate athlete that has worked a 90-hour week or pulled an "all-nighter" to get a business deal across the line or a court case prepared for a hearing. The athlete normally has recovery time away from their sport after big events. The corporate athlete normally is expected to be at the office at 9am on Monday morning ready to go again.
The Shared Challenges
The fall out is the same. For each athlete when it comes to sacrifices and negative impacts on their health. Some manage it others do not. In sport "longevity" is being spoken about more and more which is a huge positive. My primary goal for my athletes is that they are able to do these things that make them happy for a number of years. My primary goal for my corporate athletes is the same.
The considerations have to be the same. Perhaps heavier when it comes to the corporate athlete. It is very clear that they possess and continue to train and test a phenomenal level of endurance. Those who do not get help along the way, that do not periodize their work load and address their intensity, just like athlete who ignore the basics "burn out" early. They never really "make it". It does not need to be that way, with the right approach both athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours be it sport or business.
Every Human is an Athlete
I have long believed every human is an athlete, we just perform in different arenas. I feel that the sooner we are ready to accept this then the sooner we can deploy a high-performance mindset to the arena that we are performing in.
The Path Forward
With the right approach, both traditional and corporate athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours. This involves:
- Seeking help and guidance
- Periodizing workload
- Addressing intensity
- Focusing on the basics of health and recovery
By treating corporate performance with the same respect and strategic approach as athletic performance, we can celebrate and support the incredible endurance of all types of athletes.
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - MENTAL TOUGHNESS - Hard Work
ENGINE
Mikkos Over / Unders, but Every 2:00, double your calories from 3 weeks ago.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we start with ring dip progressions, an all-around amazing pressing movement that facilitates the strength and skill required for movements such as muscle-ups and handstands. We will then dive into double unders before finishing with some strength work. All abilities are welcome!
HYROX
Working on lunge volume and strength into 2 min intervals of Ski, Wall Balls, Row and Burpees.
MOBILITY
With the overhead movements in the mainline, it’s time to build on what it takes to hold & gain those positions. Ankle & thoracic mobility will be the main priority this week.
PURE STRENGTH
On Monday in Pure Strength, we are hitting our final week of banded deadlifts and progressing on the Bulgarian split squats and hip thrusts. Wednesday will be our final week of Banded bench presses and banded rows.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week, we will be working on the squat snatch with a spicy complex. Perfect session to complement mainline’s OHS work.
.jpg)
Monday Ride
A skills and fitness based ride at the BikeDXB track in Dubai. Some simply structured intervals to enhance cycling ability.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Wednesday - Brick Session
A brick session consisting of 60mins of cycling with 20 - 30mins of running. Great for all levels of triathlete.
Start time: 05:59 am
Location : BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - RAK HM
https://rakcalendar.ae/events/ras-al-khaimah-half-marathon/
Sunday - DCS Half Marathon
Group Long Run (Burj2Burj focus).
Couple of route options below with B2B in mind; based on the HM route going over the canal bridge).
15km (out and back: 300m to canal bridge and back):
https://onthegomap.com/s/0g4t9vdq
18km (out and back: 300m to canal/tolerance bridge and back):
https://onthegomap.com/s/otrvk7bm
Start time: 05:59 am
Location: 300m on the beach track.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pwRmMPQJf775m3b99
.jpg)
Monday
Time: 5:59am and 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Mobility and Tempo
AM Session:
This morning we will focus on mobility to help you recover from your weekend of racing, running, or general training load.
PM Session:
This evening we will have our Tempo Run. We will hav 2x blocks of 10 mins at 7/10, followed by 1x 5 mins block.
Recovery: 5 mins after each tempo hold.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. The session today will be 200s, 400s, and 600s, which will vary in pace and be repeated.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you. Today we will run 400s at a 8/10 effort, each with a 60 second rest.
Friday
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be holding longer blocks of tempo (20 mins, 15mins and 5 mins. Each with a 2 min recovery to bring HR back down before dialing back into some pace.
Saturday
Time: 6:29am
Location: TBC
Session: RAK Half Marathon
Today we will be in RAK for the Half Marathon. Race startst at 7am, and we will host a warm-up beforehand. Keep an eye on the WhatsApp groups for pin location etc.
Sunday
Time: 05:59am
Session: Long Run
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pwRmMPQJf775m3b99
There will be a long run from the 300m mark on the beach track. The route is out and back so that you can clock up whatever distance or time you wish.
.jpg)
Monday:
Strength:
A) DB Bench Press
B) Standing DB Bent Over Row
Conditioning:
18 Min AMRAP
8 thrusters
Half Park Run
8 thrusters
Rest 1 min
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Romanian Deadlift
B) AMRAP Romanian Deadlift 20% of Top Set
Conditioning:
Every 5 mins x 6 alternate between:
A: 400/325m Row
12 Alt KB Hang Clean
10 Burpees To Target
B: 400/325m row
20 American KB Swing
10 Burpees To Target
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Pull Ups
B) Hollow Holds
Conditioning:
12min AMRAP
3 Bar Muscle Ups
6 Alt DB Overhead Reverse Lunge
9 Toes to Bar
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Power Snatch
B) Overhead Squats
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time
30 wall balls
20 deadlift
15-box jump-over
Friday:
Strength:
A) Hand Stand Push Ups
B) Bear Hug Sandbag Holds
Conditioning:
A Ski, a sandbag and a wall, these 3 things combine for an epic workout to end the week! Therapy!
The world of endurance never ceases to amaze me in so many ways. Endurance is not just "athletes" running marathons and the likes. Endurance spans far wider than that. The "corporate athlete" has always been one I have kept a close eye on. The outright "endurance" of the two may be far closer than we think.
The Endurance of Traditional Athletes
An athlete spends months preparing to summit Everest and on the final push can spend up to or over 12 hours just reaching the peak. They then have to do the route in reverse taking the "awake and under strain" time easily over 24 hours. Their result is celebrated as an incredible feat of human endurance. Along the way they have made huge sacrifices on many levels, two key ones, relationships and their health.
Other athletes complete ultra marathons or Ironman distance triathlons, ranging from 8 to 114 hours of physical labour solely on the event day. Before reaching the start line, they have made a number of choices which again may have some negative effects in other areas of their lives and on their health.
In 2022 I had the opportunity to coach an athlete to run 6.7km every hour for 89 consecutive hours. Forget about the training, the sleep deprivation and nutrition alone during those 89 hours took over 8 weeks to recover from.
Before reaching the start line the athlete made a number of choices, which again may have some negative effects in other areas of his life and on his health. We celebrated his feat of human endurance.
The Unsung Endurance of Corporate Athletes
When the world of athletic endurance meets that of social media, we see these achievements celebrated with only the cynical questioning the fall out. I do not recall such posts or celebrations for the corporate athlete that has worked a 90-hour week or pulled an "all-nighter" to get a business deal across the line or a court case prepared for a hearing. The athlete normally has recovery time away from their sport after big events. The corporate athlete normally is expected to be at the office at 9am on Monday morning ready to go again.
The Shared Challenges
The fall out is the same. For each athlete when it comes to sacrifices and negative impacts on their health. Some manage it others do not. In sport "longevity" is being spoken about more and more which is a huge positive. My primary goal for my athletes is that they are able to do these things that make them happy for a number of years. My primary goal for my corporate athletes is the same.
The considerations have to be the same. Perhaps heavier when it comes to the corporate athlete. It is very clear that they possess and continue to train and test a phenomenal level of endurance. Those who do not get help along the way, that do not periodize their work load and address their intensity, just like athlete who ignore the basics "burn out" early. They never really "make it". It does not need to be that way, with the right approach both athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours be it sport or business.
Every Human is an Athlete
I have long believed every human is an athlete, we just perform in different arenas. I feel that the sooner we are ready to accept this then the sooner we can deploy a high-performance mindset to the arena that we are performing in.
The Path Forward
With the right approach, both traditional and corporate athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours. This involves:
- Seeking help and guidance
- Periodizing workload
- Addressing intensity
- Focusing on the basics of health and recovery
By treating corporate performance with the same respect and strategic approach as athletic performance, we can celebrate and support the incredible endurance of all types of athletes.
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - MENTAL TOUGHNESS - Hard Work
Monday Ride
A skills and fitness based ride at the BikeDXB track in Dubai. Some simply structured intervals to enhance cycling ability.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Wednesday - Brick Session
A brick session consisting of 60mins of cycling with 20 - 30mins of running. Great for all levels of triathlete.
Start time: 05:59 am
Location : BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - RAK HM
https://rakcalendar.ae/events/ras-al-khaimah-half-marathon/
Sunday - DCS Half Marathon
Group Long Run (Burj2Burj focus).
Couple of route options below with B2B in mind; based on the HM route going over the canal bridge).
15km (out and back: 300m to canal bridge and back):
https://onthegomap.com/s/0g4t9vdq
18km (out and back: 300m to canal/tolerance bridge and back):
https://onthegomap.com/s/otrvk7bm
Start time: 05:59 am
Location: 300m on the beach track.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pwRmMPQJf775m3b99
Monday
Time: 5:59am and 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Mobility and Tempo
AM Session:
This morning we will focus on mobility to help you recover from your weekend of racing, running, or general training load.
PM Session:
This evening we will have our Tempo Run. We will hav 2x blocks of 10 mins at 7/10, followed by 1x 5 mins block.
Recovery: 5 mins after each tempo hold.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. The session today will be 200s, 400s, and 600s, which will vary in pace and be repeated.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you. Today we will run 400s at a 8/10 effort, each with a 60 second rest.
Friday
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be holding longer blocks of tempo (20 mins, 15mins and 5 mins. Each with a 2 min recovery to bring HR back down before dialing back into some pace.
Saturday
Time: 6:29am
Location: TBC
Session: RAK Half Marathon
Today we will be in RAK for the Half Marathon. Race startst at 7am, and we will host a warm-up beforehand. Keep an eye on the WhatsApp groups for pin location etc.
Sunday
Time: 05:59am
Session: Long Run
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pwRmMPQJf775m3b99
There will be a long run from the 300m mark on the beach track. The route is out and back so that you can clock up whatever distance or time you wish.
Monday:
Strength:
A) DB Bench Press
B) Standing DB Bent Over Row
Conditioning:
18 Min AMRAP
8 thrusters
Half Park Run
8 thrusters
Rest 1 min
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Romanian Deadlift
B) AMRAP Romanian Deadlift 20% of Top Set
Conditioning:
Every 5 mins x 6 alternate between:
A: 400/325m Row
12 Alt KB Hang Clean
10 Burpees To Target
B: 400/325m row
20 American KB Swing
10 Burpees To Target
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Pull Ups
B) Hollow Holds
Conditioning:
12min AMRAP
3 Bar Muscle Ups
6 Alt DB Overhead Reverse Lunge
9 Toes to Bar
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Power Snatch
B) Overhead Squats
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time
30 wall balls
20 deadlift
15-box jump-over
Friday:
Strength:
A) Hand Stand Push Ups
B) Bear Hug Sandbag Holds
Conditioning:
A Ski, a sandbag and a wall, these 3 things combine for an epic workout to end the week! Therapy!
ENGINE
Mikkos Over / Unders, but Every 2:00, double your calories from 3 weeks ago.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we start with ring dip progressions, an all-around amazing pressing movement that facilitates the strength and skill required for movements such as muscle-ups and handstands. We will then dive into double unders before finishing with some strength work. All abilities are welcome!
HYROX
Working on lunge volume and strength into 2 min intervals of Ski, Wall Balls, Row and Burpees.
MOBILITY
With the overhead movements in the mainline, it’s time to build on what it takes to hold & gain those positions. Ankle & thoracic mobility will be the main priority this week.
PURE STRENGTH
On Monday in Pure Strength, we are hitting our final week of banded deadlifts and progressing on the Bulgarian split squats and hip thrusts. Wednesday will be our final week of Banded bench presses and banded rows.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week, we will be working on the squat snatch with a spicy complex. Perfect session to complement mainline’s OHS work.
The world of endurance never ceases to amaze me in so many ways. Endurance is not just "athletes" running marathons and the likes. Endurance spans far wider than that. The "corporate athlete" has always been one I have kept a close eye on. The outright "endurance" of the two may be far closer than we think.
The Endurance of Traditional Athletes
An athlete spends months preparing to summit Everest and on the final push can spend up to or over 12 hours just reaching the peak. They then have to do the route in reverse taking the "awake and under strain" time easily over 24 hours. Their result is celebrated as an incredible feat of human endurance. Along the way they have made huge sacrifices on many levels, two key ones, relationships and their health.
Other athletes complete ultra marathons or Ironman distance triathlons, ranging from 8 to 114 hours of physical labour solely on the event day. Before reaching the start line, they have made a number of choices which again may have some negative effects in other areas of their lives and on their health.
In 2022 I had the opportunity to coach an athlete to run 6.7km every hour for 89 consecutive hours. Forget about the training, the sleep deprivation and nutrition alone during those 89 hours took over 8 weeks to recover from.
Before reaching the start line the athlete made a number of choices, which again may have some negative effects in other areas of his life and on his health. We celebrated his feat of human endurance.
The Unsung Endurance of Corporate Athletes
When the world of athletic endurance meets that of social media, we see these achievements celebrated with only the cynical questioning the fall out. I do not recall such posts or celebrations for the corporate athlete that has worked a 90-hour week or pulled an "all-nighter" to get a business deal across the line or a court case prepared for a hearing. The athlete normally has recovery time away from their sport after big events. The corporate athlete normally is expected to be at the office at 9am on Monday morning ready to go again.
The Shared Challenges
The fall out is the same. For each athlete when it comes to sacrifices and negative impacts on their health. Some manage it others do not. In sport "longevity" is being spoken about more and more which is a huge positive. My primary goal for my athletes is that they are able to do these things that make them happy for a number of years. My primary goal for my corporate athletes is the same.
The considerations have to be the same. Perhaps heavier when it comes to the corporate athlete. It is very clear that they possess and continue to train and test a phenomenal level of endurance. Those who do not get help along the way, that do not periodize their work load and address their intensity, just like athlete who ignore the basics "burn out" early. They never really "make it". It does not need to be that way, with the right approach both athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours be it sport or business.
Every Human is an Athlete
I have long believed every human is an athlete, we just perform in different arenas. I feel that the sooner we are ready to accept this then the sooner we can deploy a high-performance mindset to the arena that we are performing in.
The Path Forward
With the right approach, both traditional and corporate athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours. This involves:
- Seeking help and guidance
- Periodizing workload
- Addressing intensity
- Focusing on the basics of health and recovery
By treating corporate performance with the same respect and strategic approach as athletic performance, we can celebrate and support the incredible endurance of all types of athletes.
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - MENTAL TOUGHNESS - Hard Work
Monday
Time: 5:59am and 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Mobility and Tempo
AM Session:
This morning we will focus on mobility to help you recover from your weekend of racing, running, or general training load.
PM Session:
This evening we will have our Tempo Run. We will hav 2x blocks of 10 mins at 7/10, followed by 1x 5 mins block.
Recovery: 5 mins after each tempo hold.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. The session today will be 200s, 400s, and 600s, which will vary in pace and be repeated.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you. Today we will run 400s at a 8/10 effort, each with a 60 second rest.
Friday
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be holding longer blocks of tempo (20 mins, 15mins and 5 mins. Each with a 2 min recovery to bring HR back down before dialing back into some pace.
Saturday
Time: 6:29am
Location: TBC
Session: RAK Half Marathon
Today we will be in RAK for the Half Marathon. Race startst at 7am, and we will host a warm-up beforehand. Keep an eye on the WhatsApp groups for pin location etc.
Sunday
Time: 05:59am
Session: Long Run
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pwRmMPQJf775m3b99
There will be a long run from the 300m mark on the beach track. The route is out and back so that you can clock up whatever distance or time you wish.
Monday:
Strength:
A) DB Bench Press
B) Standing DB Bent Over Row
Conditioning:
18 Min AMRAP
8 thrusters
Half Park Run
8 thrusters
Rest 1 min
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Romanian Deadlift
B) AMRAP Romanian Deadlift 20% of Top Set
Conditioning:
Every 5 mins x 6 alternate between:
A: 400/325m Row
12 Alt KB Hang Clean
10 Burpees To Target
B: 400/325m row
20 American KB Swing
10 Burpees To Target
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Pull Ups
B) Hollow Holds
Conditioning:
12min AMRAP
3 Bar Muscle Ups
6 Alt DB Overhead Reverse Lunge
9 Toes to Bar
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Power Snatch
B) Overhead Squats
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time
30 wall balls
20 deadlift
15-box jump-over
Friday:
Strength:
A) Hand Stand Push Ups
B) Bear Hug Sandbag Holds
Conditioning:
A Ski, a sandbag and a wall, these 3 things combine for an epic workout to end the week! Therapy!
ENGINE
Mikkos Over / Unders, but Every 2:00, double your calories from 3 weeks ago.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we start with ring dip progressions, an all-around amazing pressing movement that facilitates the strength and skill required for movements such as muscle-ups and handstands. We will then dive into double unders before finishing with some strength work. All abilities are welcome!
HYROX
Working on lunge volume and strength into 2 min intervals of Ski, Wall Balls, Row and Burpees.
MOBILITY
With the overhead movements in the mainline, it’s time to build on what it takes to hold & gain those positions. Ankle & thoracic mobility will be the main priority this week.
PURE STRENGTH
On Monday in Pure Strength, we are hitting our final week of banded deadlifts and progressing on the Bulgarian split squats and hip thrusts. Wednesday will be our final week of Banded bench presses and banded rows.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week, we will be working on the squat snatch with a spicy complex. Perfect session to complement mainline’s OHS work.
Monday Ride
A skills and fitness based ride at the BikeDXB track in Dubai. Some simply structured intervals to enhance cycling ability.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Wednesday - Brick Session
A brick session consisting of 60mins of cycling with 20 - 30mins of running. Great for all levels of triathlete.
Start time: 05:59 am
Location : BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. This run is currently gearing run fitness towards the incoming half marathons. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - RAK HM
https://rakcalendar.ae/events/ras-al-khaimah-half-marathon/
Sunday - DCS Half Marathon
Group Long Run (Burj2Burj focus).
Couple of route options below with B2B in mind; based on the HM route going over the canal bridge).
15km (out and back: 300m to canal bridge and back):
https://onthegomap.com/s/0g4t9vdq
18km (out and back: 300m to canal/tolerance bridge and back):
https://onthegomap.com/s/otrvk7bm
Start time: 05:59 am
Location: 300m on the beach track.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pwRmMPQJf775m3b99
The world of endurance never ceases to amaze me in so many ways. Endurance is not just "athletes" running marathons and the likes. Endurance spans far wider than that. The "corporate athlete" has always been one I have kept a close eye on. The outright "endurance" of the two may be far closer than we think.
The Endurance of Traditional Athletes
An athlete spends months preparing to summit Everest and on the final push can spend up to or over 12 hours just reaching the peak. They then have to do the route in reverse taking the "awake and under strain" time easily over 24 hours. Their result is celebrated as an incredible feat of human endurance. Along the way they have made huge sacrifices on many levels, two key ones, relationships and their health.
Other athletes complete ultra marathons or Ironman distance triathlons, ranging from 8 to 114 hours of physical labour solely on the event day. Before reaching the start line, they have made a number of choices which again may have some negative effects in other areas of their lives and on their health.
In 2022 I had the opportunity to coach an athlete to run 6.7km every hour for 89 consecutive hours. Forget about the training, the sleep deprivation and nutrition alone during those 89 hours took over 8 weeks to recover from.
Before reaching the start line the athlete made a number of choices, which again may have some negative effects in other areas of his life and on his health. We celebrated his feat of human endurance.
The Unsung Endurance of Corporate Athletes
When the world of athletic endurance meets that of social media, we see these achievements celebrated with only the cynical questioning the fall out. I do not recall such posts or celebrations for the corporate athlete that has worked a 90-hour week or pulled an "all-nighter" to get a business deal across the line or a court case prepared for a hearing. The athlete normally has recovery time away from their sport after big events. The corporate athlete normally is expected to be at the office at 9am on Monday morning ready to go again.
The Shared Challenges
The fall out is the same. For each athlete when it comes to sacrifices and negative impacts on their health. Some manage it others do not. In sport "longevity" is being spoken about more and more which is a huge positive. My primary goal for my athletes is that they are able to do these things that make them happy for a number of years. My primary goal for my corporate athletes is the same.
The considerations have to be the same. Perhaps heavier when it comes to the corporate athlete. It is very clear that they possess and continue to train and test a phenomenal level of endurance. Those who do not get help along the way, that do not periodize their work load and address their intensity, just like athlete who ignore the basics "burn out" early. They never really "make it". It does not need to be that way, with the right approach both athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours be it sport or business.
Every Human is an Athlete
I have long believed every human is an athlete, we just perform in different arenas. I feel that the sooner we are ready to accept this then the sooner we can deploy a high-performance mindset to the arena that we are performing in.
The Path Forward
With the right approach, both traditional and corporate athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours. This involves:
- Seeking help and guidance
- Periodizing workload
- Addressing intensity
- Focusing on the basics of health and recovery
By treating corporate performance with the same respect and strategic approach as athletic performance, we can celebrate and support the incredible endurance of all types of athletes.
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - MENTAL TOUGHNESS - Hard Work
The world of endurance never ceases to amaze me in so many ways. Endurance is not just "athletes" running marathons and the likes. Endurance spans far wider than that. The "corporate athlete" has always been one I have kept a close eye on. The outright "endurance" of the two may be far closer than we think.
The Endurance of Traditional Athletes
An athlete spends months preparing to summit Everest and on the final push can spend up to or over 12 hours just reaching the peak. They then have to do the route in reverse taking the "awake and under strain" time easily over 24 hours. Their result is celebrated as an incredible feat of human endurance. Along the way they have made huge sacrifices on many levels, two key ones, relationships and their health.
Other athletes complete ultra marathons or Ironman distance triathlons, ranging from 8 to 114 hours of physical labour solely on the event day. Before reaching the start line, they have made a number of choices which again may have some negative effects in other areas of their lives and on their health.
In 2022 I had the opportunity to coach an athlete to run 6.7km every hour for 89 consecutive hours. Forget about the training, the sleep deprivation and nutrition alone during those 89 hours took over 8 weeks to recover from.
Before reaching the start line the athlete made a number of choices, which again may have some negative effects in other areas of his life and on his health. We celebrated his feat of human endurance.
The Unsung Endurance of Corporate Athletes
When the world of athletic endurance meets that of social media, we see these achievements celebrated with only the cynical questioning the fall out. I do not recall such posts or celebrations for the corporate athlete that has worked a 90-hour week or pulled an "all-nighter" to get a business deal across the line or a court case prepared for a hearing. The athlete normally has recovery time away from their sport after big events. The corporate athlete normally is expected to be at the office at 9am on Monday morning ready to go again.
The Shared Challenges
The fall out is the same. For each athlete when it comes to sacrifices and negative impacts on their health. Some manage it others do not. In sport "longevity" is being spoken about more and more which is a huge positive. My primary goal for my athletes is that they are able to do these things that make them happy for a number of years. My primary goal for my corporate athletes is the same.
The considerations have to be the same. Perhaps heavier when it comes to the corporate athlete. It is very clear that they possess and continue to train and test a phenomenal level of endurance. Those who do not get help along the way, that do not periodize their work load and address their intensity, just like athlete who ignore the basics "burn out" early. They never really "make it". It does not need to be that way, with the right approach both athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours be it sport or business.
Every Human is an Athlete
I have long believed every human is an athlete, we just perform in different arenas. I feel that the sooner we are ready to accept this then the sooner we can deploy a high-performance mindset to the arena that we are performing in.
The Path Forward
With the right approach, both traditional and corporate athletes can continue to achieve great things in their chosen endeavours. This involves:
- Seeking help and guidance
- Periodizing workload
- Addressing intensity
- Focusing on the basics of health and recovery
By treating corporate performance with the same respect and strategic approach as athletic performance, we can celebrate and support the incredible endurance of all types of athletes.
Fun - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - MENTAL TOUGHNESS - Hard Work
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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