I’ve spent years—on and off, as a fairly average age grouper—training with numbers: pace, distance, heart rate, splits. Like many people, I learned to use data as the primary way to judge how I was doing.
But when I think about what has brought me the most joy, it isn’t the numbers—it’s how things felt. That feeling of elation deep in the middle of a long bike ride. The exhaustion and runner’s high after a half marathon. Those are the moments that made training meaningful and motivating to me.
And yet I keep wondering: is how the body feels ultimately more important than what the watch says? And sometimes I suspect the data gets in the way—holding me to a pace when my body wants to go faster—or slower.
So I’m trying something different.
Over the next five years, I’m training toward my first Ironman-distance race by feel. I’ll still record the data, but I won’t look at it while I’m doing a training session. Instead, I’ll pay attention to effort, breathing, fatigue, energy, joy, discomfort—whatever my body is telling me in the moment.
Only afterward will I look at the numbers.
Yeah, five years is a loooong time—and certainly not necessary. But I’m going to sprinkle in some other adventures along the way, including a Yosemite-to-Tahoe hike and a European bike tour.
I don’t know where this experiment will lead. That’s the point. I’m curious to find out.
I’ll share what I learn—and I’d love to learn from others too.
Feel good.
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