A chapter on "Lone Heroism" in High Altitude Leadership (Warner & Schmincke, 2009) begins with the following quote:
Q: Why do mountain climbers rope themselves together?
A: To prevent the sensible ones from going home!
Lone heroism on the mountain, in organizations, in families, in relationships is dangerous and often leads to demoralized, hasty and bad decisions with low accountability and misaligned direction that may lead to great peril and possibly demise. This past weekend a few hardy students and I volunteered at the CDA Ironman to raise funds for Peak7. I have followed the Kona Ironman since my youth and always wondered about the journey that contributes to the formation of an elite athlete. Is it about genetic predisposition, endless training, attitude, psychological toughness, perhaps adaptive coping, nutrition, discipline, social support, a certain philosophy on life or spiritual journey - what is it? The five hours we spent walking around reconnecting racers to their "pricey" bikes, observing supportive family members and friends, with the occasional glances at the finish line and earshot of the PA sound system announcing - "Congratulations - you are an IRONMAN", brought renewed clarity of what it takes to develop an elite athlete. The Ironman journey has little to do with Lone Heroism but rather about an entire team - 'Team Wallace'...'Team Godderz'...and many other teams that pull together to support and share a family dream, goal, purpose, and/or vision in training, competing, or simply completing the race.
What are some socially supportive mechanisms that you have surrounded yourself with in this course? How are these supportive interactions contributing to your training, lifestyle choices, goals, planning etc.?
16 comments:
I would relate my pursuit of my education to that of the Ironman. I have a lofty goal, that I am committed too, and while it certainly doesn’t require the same personal demands of an Ironman – it is the endurance race that I am currently running.
I draw on several support mechanisms, my immediate and extended family, my boss, my mentor, church, and my children. Each of these support units offer me different kinds of support, but in the end they keep me motivated, give me time, encouragement, and they provide a safety net when I forget that school is not my only responsibility.
For this particular course, my wife is my greatest supporter. She is understanding when I roll out of bed at 5 AM so I can get a work out in, she takes care of the kids, watches the mail for things we need to attend to, and looks at me cross-eyed when I go for a ride or run in the evening – while she again cooks and cares for the kids. Her support allows me to prepare and most importantly, carve out time for our kids each day.
I am sure all of us have adjusted our lifestyles in some way to prep for our climb, manage our school, work, and family commitments. While I hope to gain a lot more time when we complete our journey, I will likely adjust my exercise program to involve things that are less treadmill like and more outdoors with my family. But, overall the regiment has been good as I had given up on much of it during over the past 18 months of this degree program.
Volunteering with the Ironman was a great experience. The athletes had so much humility. I don't know how many times we were thanked for being there, with great sincerity. They thanked us! I was so inspired by their accomplishments and even in that moment they were seeing the bigger picture of what it takes to pull off such an event. Many of the athletes also displayed great humor. One guy said with a dead pan expression, "hey, when I left my ride here it was a porche!" I can't even imagine the physical endurance that is required to complete an ironman-140 total miles.
I do however know what it is like to have a team right there beside me rooting for the finish line. My family and friends are incredible. For me this class has been an incredibly emotional challenge. It has dredged up many unresolved issues, so much so that I have been "training paralyzed" at points. My girls keep me grounded and encourage me to take it at my own pace. My mountain is not Mt. Adams, it is within. I have no idea how much of the mountain I will physically be able to climb, but as Dr. Popa reminded me-ever step is one step higher than the one before.
The most important support mechanism that I employ for this course and my life in general is associating with good friends and my family. For instance, my friends upon hearing of the training and dedication that goes along with this course, agreed to train with me. They have been extremely helpful in motivating me when the LAST thing I feel like doing is working out. For those times that my friends are unavailable I have my family for support, not only in all my life decisions and choices, but also in supporting my education. Sense I was a young boy, my dad has taken my fishing in the mountains of Washington and I believe that has taught me a great deal about hardiness and the importance of planning. Many times I have experienced brutal hikes, bad weather, near hypothermia, snow storm, torrential rain, unforeseen overnights, thirst, and hunger that have ingrained a mental toughness I don’t think I would otherwise possess. Without these things to rely on, I would not be able to complete this course, and would certainly not be where I am in life.
Aside from reaching out to friends, family, and coworkers; I have joined a training team so to help be stay accountable and keep on track with my training and lifestyle choices in preparation for our trek. Since relocating to NC away from close friends and family, I have thrown myself into my job which can interfere with training when I am working through all hours of the day and night. This class is helping me to re-prioritize my life. I am hoping the addition of joining the training group will help to keep me moving in the right direction even after my return from the mountain.
I tend to error on the side of overly private in the context of my personal world and I consider this upcoming adventure and journey to the summit a persona/private experience. So, I have a very select few I have shared this with who have always been in my “balcony.” I did share with a couple of friends whom I thought were in my balcony – well, not really sharing any much with them as they looked at me like I had flipped my lid when I explained what the course entailed. While I understand, their intent was not malicious it still was not supportive by any stretch.
Those in my balcony have been extremely encouraging and supportive in my endeavors to build up stamina, “break-in” gear and share words of encouragement. My running partner was great, knowing that her pace is considerably fast than mine, she stuck with me for three of the five miles we ran together (increased her pace because she needed to get to a meeting). The trainer at BioFit at Amgen has been great encouraging me and pushing me to just go a little farther each time I run or train. She like my running partner, help to keep me accountable to staying on track with my training commitments and call me on it when I falter. My running partner is ever the optimist and shares my optimism about this experience – even sharing my anxiety too and she listens which is more valuable than anything.
In addition, I have a friend who needed a push to get out and hike…well I needed a partner (safety first) – so it was great to have company along the trail. In walking along the trail, I encountered a husband and wife who were out for the day and he had actually hiked Mt. Adams and was very encouraging – even offering places in New England to hike as preparation – very torn as time is closing in as to which ones to complete before and what to leave for after.
My parents are visiting this week (30Jun to 08Jul) from Indiana and are very inquisitive about what this climb will entail. While my mother has certainly shared with many of her friends what her daughter is doing – it does leave me feeling a little exposed in the context of my need for privacy and my anxiety around “What if I don’t make it to the summit?” having to explain the circumstances if I do not make the summit. In the end they are both very supportive of my efforts and my pursuit of my MA degree.
The support I have received and continued to receive, serves as an anchor. While the purpose of an anchor is to keep a boat or ship from drifting out to sea, Team Aconcagua, my friends and family are preventing from drifting off course – away from my goal of making the summit and descent. I received a very nice e-mail from a former High School teacher, who has been following my running and hiking adventures on Facebook (mostly pictures and mileage shouts outs for runs and cycling) and her words struck me: “Amy, I am so admiring all the things you are doing....hiking and cycling are not what I imagined for you in high school, but that only says who we are as teens is not necessarily who are a few years later.”
While it has been more than a few years since high school for me (18 to be exact), it reminds of a personal philosophy I am shaping as part of my course work with Gonzaga and especially with this course: I firmly believe that as we move through life, we are evolving into the best version of ourselves and the point when we lose the desire to grow intellectually, physically and spiritually we must push through as these are the moments which define and test our strength of character…giving our lives meaning. Thank you Team Aconcagua, my friends and my family for being my anchor on this journey!
Without a doubt, I wouldn't be able to do half of things I do in life - whether it be any of my hobbies, grad school, my career etc, without the support of my husband. We have a small child and there literally is not enough time in the day to do everything PLUS be the sole caretaker of my son. As I write this, my husband is in living room being the parent - allowing me the much needed time to catch up on school work. I don't know what I'd do without him!
I would have to say that my greatest supporters are my kids. My son is 10 years old and I try very hard to be as active as I can in his life and to experience his interests with him, but the last two years have required a lot of time and commitment that would have otherwise been focused on him. Yet, he has never once complained. In fact he stands over my shoulder on occasion just to be close to me as I type fanatically on papers. At 10 years of age he is my rock. He centers me and when I look at him I have the courage, confidence, and commitment to take another step.
Then there is Divine intervetion. Just when I think I can't read another page, type another word, or pull together another thought, the good Lord places something directly in face as if to pull me up the metaphocial mountain that tests our inner strength and endurance.
Most recently I met a pastor named Dr. Harry Reeder and he shared with me a personal quote that I will never forget, "Circumstances do not dictate your character but reveal your character and then give you the opportunity to grow and refine your character".
This entire process, the triumphs and adversities have plainly revealed my character to me and I believe in my heart that I have grown as person and as a father. More importantly it has given me the confidence and courage to chase my dreams. How fitting to end this journey at the top of a mountain!
Volunteering for Ironman was a great experience. It was a perfect example of hardiness: commitment, control and challenge. Watching the athletes come back after they had completed the race was exciting. It gave me renewed energy in our task of climbing Mt. Adams. The most social support I have had during this course is from my husband. He has helped me purchase my gear, he has trained with me, going on long hikes for hours after a long day which has been increasingly difficult in the heat. He has both encouraged me mentally and physically by training with me and pushing me further and harder than I would have pushed myself had I been training alone. I have also had support from other members of my family through their encouragement and advice on things like how to break my boots in so they no longer cause horrible blisters :)
I ran cross country and track in both high school and college and competed at high level of competition. I’m in complete awe knowing that it takes 3 x the amount of training to compete and complete in an Ironman. It also takes dedication, endurance, and a little bit of fanaticism. I also know it takes a team effort and supportive atmosphere to accomplish the logistical nightmare that tri-athletes endure in every competition. I enjoyed a great deal of success in running and earned a scholarship to pay for my education and along the way I was fortunate enough to meet my college sweetheart and now wife, Amy. Amy has been extremely supportive of my post graduate studies and training and has shared in both. I recommended Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning to her and she was truly amazed by Frankl’s lessons learned and insight on perspective. With Frankl’s and each other’s help, Amy and I look forward to living a more fulfilled life together with a more positive outlook.
I have always been filled with amazement when thinking of the great determination and sacrifice it takes to be an Ironman Triathlete. My aunt Janny is a multiple time Ironwoman and actually appeared in the calendar once, and yet I still have no strong sense of what all it gave and took from her. Amazing!
Team Vierck, my team for life's contests is an interesting one. I have such desire to achieve great things in my life, and yet as I have joined my life with another, my wife Trina, and we have begun raising 2 children, my team is growing in number and more specifically in need, possibly forcing me to tether in my goals.
My wife is an amazing woman and has sacrificed so much for me to pursue my dreams over the years, often to her own detriment. I have chased so hard my own goals that she has been de facto forced to put hers aside. This class has shown me that I do have some resilience, but my wife has an even more immense amount in having to deal with me and our growing family without my undivided attention.
I often play the lone hero in the world out of foolish choice. I need to step back and figure out exactly which sacrifices are necessary for happiness in my life going forward. Who will celebrate with me on the day of my triumphant "Ironman" title call if I leave my team behind? So what, I get a Masters, build a mansion, cure a rare disease and complete a "triathlon" and then return home to an empty home without anyone to share that with. And in truth, maybe they don't need a daddy or a husband with a Masters, or to live in a mansion, or a daddy who can complete anything. Maybe they just need me there.
If an Ironman completes the contest in the woods and no one sees or hears it, did it still happen...? I would do well to remember and reflect on that...
I think throughout any journey I have had over the past 14 years my wife has been the biggest source of support. She endures my lofty goals and is always there to tell me that she will support me in whatever direction I choose to head.
Particularly in challenging times, my faith in God has also been a source of support and guidance as well. The teachings of Jesus and his undying love for all of us has helped me to prioritize the things in my life and also has allowed me to exercise a great deal of grace towards myself and more recently to others as well.
More recently the birth of my daughter has had a large impact on my resiliency as well. When I look at her and her curiosity for everything it makes me realize how fortunate I am to have the life that I have and that most of it would not have been possible had my parents not sacrificed and worked hard when I was younger as well. I want to leave a legacy for her that she will not only be proud of, but that she will strive to leave for her children as well.
My social support comes from several different places. My family and friends who are always there when I need them for encouragement and support. The organization I work for who is supporting my educational goals. The members of my team for this class who have been encouraging and supportive of my crazy schedule and its demands and willing to work with me towards our common goals.
In preparation for the climb I spent a lot of time with my boss, mentor, mountaineer, and friend Scott Endres. I have known Scott for about 15 years now, and both of us started off in fairly low positions within the organization. Ironically, he is now the Plant Manager, and I am his Human Resources manager. In short, he and I have been together through thick and thin, and as a result I counted on him to give me guidance in all aspects of mountaineering to prepare me for the climb. Initially he had offered to loan me all of the necessary gear, and to even take me up Mt. Hood a week prior to the Mt. Adams climb to ensure I was prepared.
I should note that in addition to being a mountaineer, Scott is also an Ironman who completed the 2012 CDA Ironman in less than 12 hours. Needless to say he gave me encouragement, guidance, and answered all of my questions regarding Adams. I am fairly certain that if I had not added Scott to my social support for this climb I would have simply not been prepared to face the challenges associated with Mt. Adams.
My support came from my wife and son. When I felt tired and didn't want to train or when I wanted to eat or drink too much, my wife was there to encourage or discourage me. My son spent a lot of time walking, hiking, and working out with me over the last four months. He would push me to work harder and slow down for me when I couldn't. When I returned home from Mt. Adams they were both there to greet me with a hug and help unload my gear. They also told me how proud they were of me. They are now encouraging me to try again.
Thanks Brittknee! I will be your support mechanism anytime. Your awesome!
Some thoughts, in retrospect:
I made myself accountable to my goal by telling friends and family about it, and updating them on my progress along the way.
Our team had the benefit of being local to the Spokane area, so we were able to meet consistently to work on projects, go on a few hikes, and share stories of encouragement with each other. All of these activities supported our progress in the course.
In June I reactivated my monthly membership with my yoga studio, and did much of my training and preparation on the yoga mat. This place and form of exercise is familiar to me. The unknown often holds us back. It's scary.
My social support for this class has been from my family, friends, teammates and professor.
My family has supported me financially as well as providing mental encouragement. I climbed the mountain with my grandparents in mind the entire time. I had one goal for the climb and that was to see Mt. Rainier. To see Mt. Rainier, you had to summit. My grandfather had a love for that mountain and I wanted to see it up there, because I know how much it meant to him.
My friends provided support. I would spend many of my weekends training and they did not give me a hard time for missing the gathering or having to go home early. One morning I was tired and did not want to go hiking. My friend Anne said to me what do you want to say you did today? Do you want to sit on your a** or do you want to hike a mountain? They also inspired me not to fail. I did not want to say to them that I did not make it.
My team provided support every week during our team webcams. I was no longer motivated only for myself I wanted to do it for them. We discussed what helped us get to the finish and how they would be able to help when it started to get difficult. We discussed our fears. Being open and honest about our fears allowed my team to help me.
Last, but not least. My life has been more hectic now than it ever has been. My professors ability recognize these obstacles and try and provide relief, helped reduce the overall about of stress in my life make me more successful overall.
Without the support and encouragement from all these different individuals this journey would have been much more difficult.
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