What's your experience of being 'really fit'
Discussion
Have had a brief but fairly serious illness which I'm recovering from and has interrupted my activity. I'm feeling better and today and a bit like I do when I'm really fit. Most of the posts on this subforum is asking about health or how to get fit. I'd be interested in what others' experience is of being really fit.
School sports never suited me being a physical late developer and really uncoordinated but having found endurance sports, I've kind of become a Jack of all trades and master of none. I've had decent placings and times for age group in triathlon up to half iron distances. My experience only applies to endurance sports. I assume the experience of peak fitness must have similarities and differences for strength training/competition.
My experience of 'fitness'
School sports never suited me being a physical late developer and really uncoordinated but having found endurance sports, I've kind of become a Jack of all trades and master of none. I've had decent placings and times for age group in triathlon up to half iron distances. My experience only applies to endurance sports. I assume the experience of peak fitness must have similarities and differences for strength training/competition.
My experience of 'fitness'
- Most of the time I'm fatigued and experiencing DOMS and other aches and pains. The objective is to maintain progression without fatigue or injury interfering.
- Don't really feel fit unless I'm at a healthy weight ie. nothing wobbles when running. Typically sub 15% BF
- When I'm into a decent cycle of training I don't find eating healthily difficult. Body feels like a furnace.
- I usually sleep well but legs can be restless getting to sleep and sometimes have to take paracetamol to shut the legs up.
- This is very elusive
- It doesn't last long
- Usually feel this way when I've finished an objective or race or begun a recovery or taper period
- Feel a real jump out of bed up for anything feeling on waking
- Deep feeling of bodily wellbeing and relaxation
- The sweet spot is combining peak fitness with a significant outdoor challenge for me this is ski mountaineering
Its hard balancing a career, family, life, responsbility and still maintaining a lot of training. The amount of hours needed to do an Iron man is vast and if you have completed it you are in a small minority of people I would class as incredibly fit who have accomplished such a feat.
I don't think you should compare yourself to s
t people in any form of life but take a cross section of the average at your work place and think how many could even get remotely close to what you can do.
I'm currently fitter than I have been in a long while, with a good way to go to be where I want.
I don't think you should compare yourself to s
t people in any form of life but take a cross section of the average at your work place and think how many could even get remotely close to what you can do.I'm currently fitter than I have been in a long while, with a good way to go to be where I want.
I used to box competitively. It’s not really possible to maintain match fitness all year round, so I’d “peak” before fights.
Off-peak I was still in very good shape, exercising hard most days, with weights, sprints, bag work etc.
It was great, being able to do a “gentle” 10k run in under 40 minutes, wearing 28 inch jeans and having a boxer’s physique.
Off-peak I was still in very good shape, exercising hard most days, with weights, sprints, bag work etc.
It was great, being able to do a “gentle” 10k run in under 40 minutes, wearing 28 inch jeans and having a boxer’s physique.
Never been fit. What fitness I did have must have been innate because I never really stuck at anything.
In some ways it's a benefit because I don't feel any less fit than my teens 30 years later, cos I weren't fit then.
However I'm coming up to an age where bodily neglect starts to have potentially fatal consequences so I do a lot more activity than I used to. I expect I'll end up far fitter in old age than I ever was before.
I would never want to be the type who slaughters themselves for multiple hours per day to create something that can't be maintained and will only go one way. Unless it was my job of course.
In some ways it's a benefit because I don't feel any less fit than my teens 30 years later, cos I weren't fit then.
However I'm coming up to an age where bodily neglect starts to have potentially fatal consequences so I do a lot more activity than I used to. I expect I'll end up far fitter in old age than I ever was before.
I would never want to be the type who slaughters themselves for multiple hours per day to create something that can't be maintained and will only go one way. Unless it was my job of course.
For 30yrs I've done endurance / cardio (cycling andf running)
When I've trained for an event and got really fit it gives me huge confidence and I feel invincable and very strong (on the bike or running).
It sounds obvious but pushing hard becomes easy, during very hard efforts on the bike I feel so relaxed I can wiggle my toes while pushing hard with a 170bpm+ hr.
As i get older I can only manage to get really fit and peak every couple of years.
When I've trained for an event and got really fit it gives me huge confidence and I feel invincable and very strong (on the bike or running).
It sounds obvious but pushing hard becomes easy, during very hard efforts on the bike I feel so relaxed I can wiggle my toes while pushing hard with a 170bpm+ hr.
As i get older I can only manage to get really fit and peak every couple of years.
One of my cousins does door security, retained firefighter and boxing coach. 6ft 4" tall and ridiculously fit. Co-incidentally he's mad keen on cars. I remember him putting a bigger engine in a Vauxhall Carlton GSi3000 and changing the panels so it looked like a Lotus Carlton.
ETA Thinking about it, it's a chicken and egg situation - he enjoys staying fit and he's working in jobs where he has to stay fit. For example him ad his door security mates will go regularly to the gym, or he'll be at the boxing gym. So basiclaly I guess it's a way of life for him. Whereas if you've got an office job it's something you need to make time for and put a special effort in.
ETA Thinking about it, it's a chicken and egg situation - he enjoys staying fit and he's working in jobs where he has to stay fit. For example him ad his door security mates will go regularly to the gym, or he'll be at the boxing gym. So basiclaly I guess it's a way of life for him. Whereas if you've got an office job it's something you need to make time for and put a special effort in.
Edited by Countdown on Sunday 19th May 14:45
Was quite a decent sportsman when young. Got fat when I could drive. Got into cycling, lost 25kg, got to 1st category in about 1.5 seasons. Placed top ten in national championships in time trials, was quite a fun period. Was always ‘too big’ to be a properly decent cyclist, I never got below 75kg despite being very lean at times.
It was basically my life during my early 20’s> 30 or so. But met lots of people via the sport - many I raced with are world tour pros today, good photo of me battling Ethan Hayter and Fred Wright for the win at Crystal Palace (ok they were 16 haha) in my archive.
Experience of it was quite a funny one because lots of people think they’re decent at cycling but to be actually good is so far away from the general level. I did ride100 twice and it was fairly trivial to be in the first 10 riders both times, and 25,000 people or so do it. The level of a world tour rider or someone who will become that is so incomprehensible to the average person it’s scary. And I say that as having ridden with mannnnny 2.30 level runners and Olympic rowers, they still despite being decent were never anywhere near a top level rider.
I’ve had a kid since, never got anywhere close to that since then really, still could be a decent club rider with a bit of training, suspect I’d get to 2nd cat with relative ease but have no inclination to do 10-14 hours a week training, every week, as I did for so many years now.
It was basically my life during my early 20’s> 30 or so. But met lots of people via the sport - many I raced with are world tour pros today, good photo of me battling Ethan Hayter and Fred Wright for the win at Crystal Palace (ok they were 16 haha) in my archive.
Experience of it was quite a funny one because lots of people think they’re decent at cycling but to be actually good is so far away from the general level. I did ride100 twice and it was fairly trivial to be in the first 10 riders both times, and 25,000 people or so do it. The level of a world tour rider or someone who will become that is so incomprehensible to the average person it’s scary. And I say that as having ridden with mannnnny 2.30 level runners and Olympic rowers, they still despite being decent were never anywhere near a top level rider.
I’ve had a kid since, never got anywhere close to that since then really, still could be a decent club rider with a bit of training, suspect I’d get to 2nd cat with relative ease but have no inclination to do 10-14 hours a week training, every week, as I did for so many years now.
Edited by okgo on Sunday 19th May 14:53
Been fit all my life. Loved it, felt great, thrived on it. Competitive MA (fought at national level), competitive club runner until about 8 years ago when age (52) caught up with me. Now it's weights/calisthenics x4 pw, dog walks and short runs the rest. I found it an easy lifestyle to follow, I suppose I'm addicted to exercise which helps.
In the 90s I was in good shape and did Olympic distance triathlon in 2hr 9mins and Ironman in 11hrs 18mins. OK - not absolutely top of the class but pretty decent I think.
I typically trained 10-12 times a week and my main memory is that I used to tire myself out each time but would always be ready for the next session. I'd eat very healthy and get plenty of sleep but I could eat endlessly and was always half asleep in the middle of the afternoon. A bit tricky in the office before the WFH days.
So to sum it up, I felt great but when I wasnt training, I was hungry and sleepy.
I typically trained 10-12 times a week and my main memory is that I used to tire myself out each time but would always be ready for the next session. I'd eat very healthy and get plenty of sleep but I could eat endlessly and was always half asleep in the middle of the afternoon. A bit tricky in the office before the WFH days.
So to sum it up, I felt great but when I wasnt training, I was hungry and sleepy.
Thanks for the replies.
Looks like a broad spread of serious athletes; never fit; fit when young and always trying to keep fit (this is probably me).
What I was interested in is 'How does fitness feel to you?'. Also does your experience match mine? ie. training and building fitness associated with soreness and fatigue and the feeling of being 'really fit' though very pleasant and enjoyable is frustratingly elusive and short lived.
I think there are extra dimensions to some sports that go beyond the nice feeling of being fit. For me ski mountaineering is something that can only be done safely with companions and sharing a challenging objective without competing is rewarding. Also skiing off something that has been type 2 fun to climb and getting into a flow state in beautiful scenery, when still slightly buzzed from the exertions of the ascent, is pretty special.
Looks like a broad spread of serious athletes; never fit; fit when young and always trying to keep fit (this is probably me).
What I was interested in is 'How does fitness feel to you?'. Also does your experience match mine? ie. training and building fitness associated with soreness and fatigue and the feeling of being 'really fit' though very pleasant and enjoyable is frustratingly elusive and short lived.
I think there are extra dimensions to some sports that go beyond the nice feeling of being fit. For me ski mountaineering is something that can only be done safely with companions and sharing a challenging objective without competing is rewarding. Also skiing off something that has been type 2 fun to climb and getting into a flow state in beautiful scenery, when still slightly buzzed from the exertions of the ascent, is pretty special.
One ‘feeling’ was constant ache in legs - which only really abated when I took a day off then a really easy spin pre-race. I never tried to properly peak more than a couple of times a year so was basically always on so was always fit. I think that lasted without a break of more than a week or two for injury for 7 years straight.
I commuted to work and back which was a lot of the ‘bulk’ of my riding (about 2 hours per day) so it didn’t feel like a total chore. I never felt particularly tired from it all but I was young.
Standing up too quickly when I was very fit was a dangerous game, very dizzy, my heart rate was so low, mid 30’s common when awake and into high 20’s during sleep. Hungover currently but happy to see even a bit of training has got my night time resting back to low 40’s.
I commuted to work and back which was a lot of the ‘bulk’ of my riding (about 2 hours per day) so it didn’t feel like a total chore. I never felt particularly tired from it all but I was young.
Standing up too quickly when I was very fit was a dangerous game, very dizzy, my heart rate was so low, mid 30’s common when awake and into high 20’s during sleep. Hungover currently but happy to see even a bit of training has got my night time resting back to low 40’s.
Edited by okgo on Monday 20th May 08:32
oddman said:
Thanks for the replies.
Looks like a broad spread of serious athletes; never fit; fit when young and always trying to keep fit (this is probably me).
What I was interested in is 'How does fitness feel to you?'. Also does your experience match mine? ie. training and building fitness associated with soreness and fatigue and the feeling of being 'really fit' though very pleasant and enjoyable is frustratingly elusive and short lived.
I think there are extra dimensions to some sports that go beyond the nice feeling of being fit. For me ski mountaineering is something that can only be done safely with companions and sharing a challenging objective without competing is rewarding. Also skiing off something that has been type 2 fun to climb and getting into a flow state in beautiful scenery, when still slightly buzzed from the exertions of the ascent, is pretty special.
Looks like a broad spread of serious athletes; never fit; fit when young and always trying to keep fit (this is probably me).
What I was interested in is 'How does fitness feel to you?'. Also does your experience match mine? ie. training and building fitness associated with soreness and fatigue and the feeling of being 'really fit' though very pleasant and enjoyable is frustratingly elusive and short lived.
I think there are extra dimensions to some sports that go beyond the nice feeling of being fit. For me ski mountaineering is something that can only be done safely with companions and sharing a challenging objective without competing is rewarding. Also skiing off something that has been type 2 fun to climb and getting into a flow state in beautiful scenery, when still slightly buzzed from the exertions of the ascent, is pretty special.
Played sports my whole life, latterly ten yers of squash until I was forced out with injuries in my mid forties. Swapped that for mountain biking but looking back, I was highly fit through that & never really realised it until I stopped.
I felt great more or less all the time, rarely fell ill & never suffered bad backs & the like which I guess was a result of being supple. Mid fifties now & the years are catching up a bit, both shoulders & ankles are knackered but still feel the need to get sweaty three times a week, can't imagine a time when I'll do nothing, it seems anathema to me.
I remember chatting with the consultant ahead of a shoulder operation & he said in his line of work, people ended up in front of him in one of two ways; exercise damage or years of inactivity & that you have knackered joints either way but the former is way better than the latter. A truism if ever I heard one but I know which one I prefer.
I felt great more or less all the time, rarely fell ill & never suffered bad backs & the like which I guess was a result of being supple. Mid fifties now & the years are catching up a bit, both shoulders & ankles are knackered but still feel the need to get sweaty three times a week, can't imagine a time when I'll do nothing, it seems anathema to me.
I remember chatting with the consultant ahead of a shoulder operation & he said in his line of work, people ended up in front of him in one of two ways; exercise damage or years of inactivity & that you have knackered joints either way but the former is way better than the latter. A truism if ever I heard one but I know which one I prefer.
Edited by President Merkin on Monday 20th May 08:48
Took up triathlon in Covid in my early 40s and kept it going (so 4 years now). Did Barcelona Full Iron Man (+ some halves). My experience of peak fitness is very close to what you listed. I would also add the feeling of not being fat / wobbly and generally just feeling "strong", combined with all your clothes fitting better which for me is a great feeling. On the negative, I would say peak fitness normally coincides with me falling asleep on the sofa in the evening at about 9pm (even if just for a micro nap). Thats normally because ive been up at 530am running of cycling around a London Park
oddman said:
Thanks for the replies.
Looks like a broad spread of serious athletes; never fit; fit when young and always trying to keep fit (this is probably me).
What I was interested in is 'How does fitness feel to you?'. Also does your experience match mine? ie. training and building fitness associated with soreness and fatigue and the feeling of being 'really fit' though very pleasant and enjoyable is frustratingly elusive and short lived.
I think there are extra dimensions to some sports that go beyond the nice feeling of being fit. For me ski mountaineering is something that can only be done safely with companions and sharing a challenging objective without competing is rewarding. Also skiing off something that has been type 2 fun to climb and getting into a flow state in beautiful scenery, when still slightly buzzed from the exertions of the ascent, is pretty special.
I've always found flow state easy to achieve in MA - still do. Used to be sparring, now it's mostly bagwork, but when everything kicks in I can get lost in peak flow and put quite creative combinations together pretty much continually as if no effort. Don't even need to think about it, a wonderful experience, but a high state of cardio fitness is taken for granted. Pretty much all boxers experience this I imagine. But fitness also means I've the belief in myself to take on physical tasks that seem impossible when I first think about them: running a marathon, learning advanced gymnastic moves etc . Self-efficacy is a wonderful thing lol.Looks like a broad spread of serious athletes; never fit; fit when young and always trying to keep fit (this is probably me).
What I was interested in is 'How does fitness feel to you?'. Also does your experience match mine? ie. training and building fitness associated with soreness and fatigue and the feeling of being 'really fit' though very pleasant and enjoyable is frustratingly elusive and short lived.
I think there are extra dimensions to some sports that go beyond the nice feeling of being fit. For me ski mountaineering is something that can only be done safely with companions and sharing a challenging objective without competing is rewarding. Also skiing off something that has been type 2 fun to climb and getting into a flow state in beautiful scenery, when still slightly buzzed from the exertions of the ascent, is pretty special.
Used to run quite a bit. Feeling fit basically meant feeling stiff and a bit achy. Take a few days off sitting on my arse and I'd feel like a god. Then I'd do 10k, which would feel normal and pretty easy, and the following day I'd know I'd done a bit of exercise ... bit stiff, but achy as I got out of bed.
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