A pleasant recognition – solitude, reflection, gratitude

A podcast that caused self reflection and prompted gratitude

There is this thought –

This is a paradox that has guided me through the years – even before I heard this articulated. To myself, this is not a silent brag, because this ebbs and flows and often lands in the extremes of this spectrum. I seek and strive to keep the ‘thief of joy’ (comparison) framed properly. I was listening to the Daily Stoic and this episode made me feel like I was looking at the accountability mirror (David Goggins exercise). The biggest stand out to me that demanded my attention was a quote by General James Mattis as Ryan Holiday and Michael Erwin talked around a an Eisenhower story shared in ME’s book (see title below).

The above quote is an excerpt from Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude, a book by Raymond M. Kethledge and Michael S. Erwin General James Mattis

Essentially, if we don’t intuitively create and make space to think and reflect, we become taskmasters bearing a load. A concept I reflect on and refocused on because of my recent injury – “Focus on less so I can focus more on what’s most important” came hurtling to the front of my Shane brain! Liz and I were talking yesterday about a generalized conversation she encountered yesterday. I found myself saying, what you are seeking to describe is stillness. And in this podcast perhaps more clarity and refinement also includes solitude. Here’s a definition of solitude:

My preference is boiling it down to this: Solitude—meaning the state of being alone with one’s thoughts, without input from others. What is awesome in my triathlon play – I have come to be quite comfortable while spending lots of time alone during Swim, bikes and runs.

Triathlon and its role in my finding solitude

I have written about this in the past. I have shared for me here how disrespecting the theatre of swimming and the discipline required to enjoy it and how it’s become a sanctuary. I find it has the highest amounts of roi in triathlon because only 2 inputs matter, breathing and stroke (getting from a:b) everything else is noise. Cycling is a bit different, but looking back at IMCA in 2022, if I wasn’t ready for the mechanical and the uncomfortable hurt locker both physical and excruciatingly mentally and my own conflated expectations – lessons learned from all my cycling activities provided me a safe harbor to absorb that and make it through. So much time to think and work through and create discipline, and cultivate empathy and courage to act happens a lot here on the trainer or outside trying to not get squashed like a mosquito. The run is the most accessible and physically punishing and noticeable. Not to mention when I run at night with my noxgear 360 vest version 1 on. Bright. Running can be punishing and its something we all can do. In those moment of discomfort, everything I do is to limit all noise and only not get run over. Having local mountain lions and sometimes bear or deer or moose snap you right out of that place tho.

Capturing my activities and thoughts –

Minimizing where and how I can and controlling my journal from behind multiple paywalls

About my training categories.  In an effort to simplify too much data, I am simplifying things for me.  I have decided to use my blog to stay paywall free despite the applications I may use.  I use a Garmin watch to capture all my outdoor and swim training – Garmin Fenix 5.  This means my initial connection point is via Garmin Connect platform.  From there I cascade my info to  Trainingpeaks.  This is my preferred application and resource to interpret captured data metrics for triathlon.  I use ROUVY for my indoor and virtual training rides.  Sure, I use Strava but that is my least preferred application, but I have many Team Zoot and other friends that I connect with there.

The gem

What do you know about the Eisenhower method ?