The Complexity of Simplicity

Recently I have been told that it takes only endurance, not any disenable talent to be considered a runner or an investment banker. This forced me to think about how the simplest concepts are often in fact highly complex. First, let me state that I am not an investment banker, I am a runner. Most runners barely envision themselves going beyond three miles, the few that do train for half or full marathon, believing this is the pinnacle of running. Do not get me wrong, reaching these distances requires an immense amount of training and discipline. However, for those of us who have been cursed to never be satisfied with the status quo there are ultra-marathons; races covering distances from 50km to 100 mile and further, taking place on single track trails through mountainous terrain.

Attempting to complete these distances on difficult terrain requires a different strategy. Prior to these events my runs would consist of the distances my body felt like covering on relatively flat pavement. Now I had to not only ensure I was covering enough distance per week but that I was incorporating terrain similar to the course. Believing you are too good to train in either of these needed areas will certainly bring you back to awkward reality while on the course. Remember your joints, bones and muscles are being trained to withstand a minimum six hour race on an uneven environment covering 5,000 feet in overall evaluation gain.

Speaking of evaluation gains brings up the important ratio of energy consumed to time gained while conquering certain hills. At specific degrees of incline and length it makes more sense to walk up, as you are not losing any time yet are conversing tremendous amounts of energy, which is needed at later miles. Now as with anything that goes up it must come down, the same applies while on the trail. Endlessly climbing hill after steep hill will begin to wear down your endurance. The downhill portion punishes your muscles and joints far more than anything and you should take head to remember the veteran’s advice that an ice bath will aid in recovery. If your ego wins, you will be laying on the shower floor in agony. Furthermore, after eight hours on a course, your knees will begin buckle and the simple thought of running down another hill will bring you to pleading with your surrounding environment.

Moving on from the simple aspect of just running the course requires you to continuously refuel your body. Even though these races provide support, (volunteers provide food and drinks in the middle of nowhere) you must carry a certain amount of supplies if you wish to finish. Nothing is more humbling than having both legs cramp due to lack of fluids and nutrition then falling over on the trail in the fetal position while two women in their 50s run by laughing at your demise. Properly knowing how many, what type and when to consume your calories will save any runner from such embarrassment.

Even if you have checked off every box in your training, nothing will teach you more about yourself than spending eight hours running in the mountains by yourself. Sure, in the beginning of the race you are surrounded by everyone, energy is high and nothing can go wrong. Within 30 minutes you and everyone else have found their rhythm, meaning you are now alone for the remainder of the race. Exerting your body to its limit is difficult enough, to then add being alone for extended periods of time transports your psyche through every emotion known to mankind. As a grown man it is hard to picture yourself reaching your breaking point during the simple task of running; you have been doing it since you were a child it is not complicated. Yet, when you are standing in the middle of nowhere on a trail yelling at the grass to be gone, there is no other option but to continue. There are no roads, the next person is unknowingly how far behind and the shame that comes with being carted off is even more unbearable. It is at this point you either shrug this off as something to laugh at in the future or leave yourself on the course knowing you do have limit.

Generally speaking, the simplest of tasks are often the most complex. Running, investment banking or creating a single piece of sushi, all appear to require zero talent to those looking from the outside but it is only when we observe them being done by those who truly practice their craft that they appear simple. Regardless of the task, there is humility to be found. Anything worth having, requires hard work and anything worth doing, is worth doing to perfection. The greatest compliment you can receive is being told anyone can do that, while knowing otherwise.