Welcome to a new blog series that I am about to embark on. This blog will explain to you what the guts are as to how and why I approach each person I train differently and yet push them to the same reality. Along the way, I will let you know how this has developed into a way of life for me as well.
Everyone has a different edge. But the edge is the same. There is a continuum of life that we are all on. This is very clear in the fitness world. We are all on the same continuum just in different places.
When I’m working with an 87-yr-old woman I push her to her edge the same way I push a college student. The methods are certainly different, but she is working just as hard as the college student as far as perceived exertion is concerned and this is where it (the edge) is AT!
Going to the Edge
Finding my New Edge
A little more than a year ago I had surgery on my back. I couldn’t run for many months and my workouts changed drastically. I had to find my new edge. For many years my yearly schedule would include monthly running races and organizing group hikes both of which I have enjoyed immensely. This past year I was faced with 2 group hikes: Picacho Peak, the Grand Canyon and a race 7 months later. I have had to learn as I do with my clients that progress sometimes must be executed incrementally and with patience.
The edge shows up in other areas of life also. I used to drive my car very fast and erratically. I’m told sometimes I still do. But really, I’m much calmer. That edge became very dangerous to push so it had to change. Many other lifestyle decisions were made with the same reckless abandon. I’m glad to still be here and able to enjoy my life.
Going to the edge but not over
My job now is to understand each person that I work with and find their edge. Take them to the edge, but don’t push them over. (this is where injury can occur) After we hit that edge a few times then another edge invariably presents itself and progress is made by moving forward. This can be done whether the person is trying to run a 10-minute mile on the treadmill or do a plank for 30 seconds or bench press 200 pounds. The intensity that the person is experiencing as they hit these limits, dare I say, is the same.
There is an old saying. “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room”. This can be a dangerous edge to be on. When I’m working with a client my job is to dance gently on that edge until it becomes their new normal as far as conditioning is involved. It is then that we can advance and begin to seek their new edge.