Philosophical

There are a lot of similarities between endurance training and job searching. In fact, as I think about it, there are a lot of similarities between endurance training and life in general.



1. Consistency is key - establishing good habits, repeating what works and most importantly, repeating at regular intervals is critical to success. In training, success cannot be obtained if one is constantly jumping from training plan to training plan with no structured approach. Every workout must have a purpose. Every week must have an objective. Similarly every job search, every resume submitted and every phone call made should have an objective, and specifically a plan of attack established beforehand.



2. Impatience is punished - it's vital to "build the base" before attempting the monster day - see the "Alton Half and fried leg syndrome". Be patient. Put in the time. Gains are incremental, not monumental, but after a long sequence of steps forward, you've still gone forward, not back. Going for the long run, or the big interview before you've put in the work and preparation is a recipe for disaster - injury, the sidelines or lost opportunity.

3. Don't try to fake it - you'll get busted, and crash hard. See #2 above. Put in the time. Build your base. Every step of the way, you have limitations. As the base builds and the engine gets bigger, the limits just get pushed farther out. On the job search front, do your research. Know what you're getting into, have your answers prepared, and come with a few questions of your own.

4. Know your weakness and work to improve it. Everybody likes to "dance with the girl that brought them" (or guy, if that's your preference). It's easy to work on the bike, because it's close. It's easier to work on the run, because most of the time, you just have to jump out the door. The swim is the hardest. It takes the most preparation and absolutely the most concentration to see results. After all, in the pool the scenery never changes, and with water resistance being ten times as great as air, the punishment for bad form is severe. Form work in the pool, on the bike and on the run is the easiest way to reap dividends. It's "free speed", meaning that at the same aerobic output, better form means you'll be able to go farther, or the same distance faster. Likewise, low-grade skills in a certain job area will inevitably be exposed in an interview, if the interviewer is at all worth his/her salt. And isn't it easier to "keep doing what you've always done"? Pick the obvious weakness and dedicate some serious time to making it better. It's the only way.

5. Sometimes, you just have to go for it. Does this contradict #2 above? Only if you let it. There's a time and place. You can't do it too often and this is certainly not the kind of well that you want to keep going back to, but the fact is, the only way to find your limits is to endeavor to bust through them. Take a big swing. Reach for the sky. Go for it. So you blow up - happens to everyone. Hopefully, then, you've come out way ahead of where you were before, because now you know where the limit is, and how close to it you are. Knowledge is power - knowing where you are is a lot better than not knowing.

6. Nobody is an island - draw on the resources you have around you. There will always be someone faster, smarter, taller, more aero, thinner, more experienced, blah, blah, blah. Work your network. If you don't think you have one, you'll be surprised. Ask around. Most people appreciate sharing their knowledge and experience, and like to be considered an expert in something. So ask what you want to know. Find out what works, and what worked for others, in triathlon and in life. Almost everyone will share their stories/experiences with you. What's it going to cost you if they don't? Nothing. And screw the pigdogs if they don't want to. Cross 'em off your Christmas list.

Pretty philosophical today - must be starving for adult conversation :). March break starts tomorrow - yep, that adult conversation is going to skyrocket.

Going to the bike show tomorrow. Report to follow.

Chill.