6 Reflections on a 72-Hour Leadville 100 Training Camp

read on:themovementmemo.com

read time: 6 minutes 

Welcome to The Movement Memo, a bi-weekly newsletter where I share actionable tips to help you live your best day ever, every day.

Today's Programming 

• Movement: 40 Minute EMOM 

• Quote: T.S. Eliot on how far you can go

• Lesson: 6 Reflections on a 72-Hour Leadville 100 Training Camp 

• Optimization: The importance of nitric oxide and vasodilation

Today's Movement 

Compete as a 40-minute EMOM (every minute on the minute)

• Minute 1 - 15 calorie row

• Minute 2 - 30 double unders

• Minute 3 -15 burpee box jump overs

• Minute 4 - rest

Today's Quote

If you want to run fast run alone.

If you want to run far run together.

The people you surround yourself with will push you further than you can imagine.

Be conscious of those you keep in your corner. (and those you don’t).

Today's Lesson Learned

6 Reflections on a 72-Hour Leadville 100 Training Camp: 

Last week I hosted a training camp in Leadville, Colorado for a group of high performers, entrepreneurs, and athletes. The majority of the crew is preparing for the famed “Race Across The Sky”, which entails 100 miles of running with 15,000 feet of vertical and descent. A few of us are getting ready for the 100-mile mountain bike race and 2 crazy individuals will be completing both races within 6 days. 

The time spent training with this group was incredible, inspiring, and humbling. Here are 6 reflections from the hours we spent with our heart rates over 130 BPM in the mountains:

1. Bringing people together for an in-person event creates unmatched fulfillment.

Nothing compares to the feeling you get from curating an experience to bring others together.

Ever since I was a kid, I loved having friends over to play basketball or ping pong. In college, I wanted to throw the biggest parties. Now I curate wellness experiences around the country. 

There is a ton of planning and prep work that goes into hosting any event, and sometimes the day of can be stressful, but the feeling you get watching others grow, connect, and build relationships is unique. 

It’s when I know I am operating in my “zone of genius”.

Do you know yours?

2. Shared suffering builds deep bonds quickly.

This is not a new idea. (But it’s one that continually gets reinforced).

Prior to arriving in Leadville, many of the crew had never met before. Most were nervous to see how their training had prepared them.

Over the course of the 15 hours, and the 60+ miles, they completed together, they built lifelong friendships.

(By the last night everyone was making fun of everyone and the group chat hasn’t stopped since).

When they toe the starting line in a couple weeks, and inevitably end up deep in the pain cave, they will get to see familiar faces and have friends to carry them on.

This will be the ultimate cheat code.

3. You don’t need to be a professional athlete to train for competitions. 

No one who attended was a “professional” athlete. Everyone works full-time and has other responsibilities outside of training. Many have a wife and kids.

To get ready to attempt the race, these athletes have been training 15-20 hours a week for months. This meant waking up at 4:00 a.m. to run 20+ miles in the rain before heading to work.

What this proves is that you do not need to be a professional athlete to find time to take care of your health.

It comes down to prioritization.

4. You’re entire life can change in 1 year of dedicated effort.

18 months ago 3 of these athletes had never run more than a couple of miles. 

Now they are 3 weeks out from one of the hardest ultra-marathons in the world.

(And these are the 3 athletes who led each of the training runs).

Change is not complicated; it’s hard. 

It comes down to the decisions you make each day, especially when you’re tired and you don’t “feel like it”.

These compounding consistencies will either change your life or keep it the same.

5. There are infinite levels to every game. 

Everyone has their own goal for the upcoming race.

Some are working to finish.

Others are trying to hit a specific time domain.

One is going for the win and course record.

But the beauty is that each goal is equally hard for every athlete.

That’s the beauty of playing infinite games, there is always room for progress.

No matter how good you become, there is always another level.

6. You are only as strong as your weakest member on any given day.

On Saturday, day 3, the runners tackled the hardest section of the course, running from Twin Lakes up the 3,500 ft climb to the top of Hope Pass (~12,500 ft), down the backside to Winfield, and then turned around and ran back.

This is the section that everyone came to see before the 100-mile race. Round trip this was 21.55 miles and 7,218 ft of vertical.

Everyone made it and built a ton of confidence, but one of the runners got hit with severe altitude sickness before making it to the top of Hope’s Pass (the first time).

He couldn’t hold down any food or water. His target paces went out the window and it became a battle between his mind telling his body that it must keep going and his body telling his mind it needs to quit.

After 6.5 hours, the group began to worry so 3 of the runners (who had already finished their grueling training session) laced up their shoes and headed back out.

They met up with our last training partner one mile from the end, who proceeded to peel over, throw up, ask “How much further?”, and run it into the finish.

The mental fortitude he demonstrated was remarkable.

But most importantly everyone made it to the finish line.

Today's Optimization

Today I wanted to explore the benefits of citrulline, a natural amino acid known for its vasodilation properties, which is extremely valuable for individuals looking for natural ways to boost their cardiovascular health, athletic performance, and sexual wellness. Enhanced blood flow aids in better athletic performance, supports faster recovery and can improve endurance while reducing fatigue. I recently started taking Joymode, which contains science-supported doses of L-Citrulline, Arginine Nitrate, Ginseng, and
Vitamin-C. 

The Importance of Nitric Oxide and Vasodilation

• Nitric oxide, produced from citrulline, is a potent vasodilator that improves blood flow.
• It is beneficial for various cardiovascular functions and physical activities.

But, there is a common misconception that vasodilators are only for sexual health. In reality, they enhance overall cardiovascular health. 

Boosting blood flow through natural means like citrulline supplements contributes significantly to overall well-being. And I’ve felt significant improvements in both physical and mental health since I started taking Joymode. This is why, I am excited to share: Joymode is offering Movement Memo Subscribers a Deal: 20% off their order using code HINMAN20 at checkout!

Know friends, training partners, or co-workers who would take value from weekly tips on a healthier lifestyle, enhanced accountability, and improved routines? Thanks for sharing!

WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU? Sign up here!

QUESTIONS OR THOUGHTS? Reply to this email!

Publisher: Eric Hinman

Editor-in-chief: Bobby Ryan