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I'm sorry, but this is all gobbledygook. Nice ad for "sword" sportfood products, though. For one thing, running 100 mile races isn't a very good standard for
by jmull 9y ago
I'm sorry, but this is all gobbledygook.
Nice ad for "sword" sportfood products, though.
For one thing, running 100 mile races isn't a very good standard for willpower or self control.
There is virtually zero use for this capability, so whether you spend 5-10 hours a week to do so or not isn't really a question of self control.
It's a question of what activities/hobbies you want to pursue in your free time.
Staying fit is a good-for-you type of thing, but you don't have to do anything close to that level of training to stay fit.
My advice, whether you want to get/stay fit or achieve some athletic endurance goal is to make sure you find a way to enjoy the training.
It takes consistent long-term training and you wont't have to worry about your willpower Or self control if you enjoy doing it.
Along those lines: start slow - the hardest and most painful part is getting started. E.g., use a C25K program; find your own goals - whether that's completing 100 mile runs, or a 5K PR, or 1000 miles this year, or an 8:00 pace or a 365 day running streak or whatever.
- majelix 9y ago> There is virtually zero use for this capability [running 100 mile races] That's a major point of the article, given it's discussion of the spillover effect: "The bottom line: Practice self-control in one area of your life, and you can apply it in other parts, too."
- jmull 9y agoIt's nice that practicing willpower improves willpower, even across activities. But that doesn't suggest that's the best way to do it generally, or that running in particular is an effective or efficient way to do it. Look, I get it. I run and it takes time so there's pressure to justify it. But I don't see why the basic truth isn't enough: he enjoys it and it staves off his feelings of impending mortality. (In this case, I suspect he may also be trying to monetize it, but who knows.)
- rickpmg 9y agoI'm not so sure that's true... the example he gave about the non-dominant hand users being able to suppress their anger was questionable. Plus, a whole slew of writers say that willpower is an expendable resource.. resist the cookie in the morning, and you will be less likely to resist a candy bar in the afternoon..
- JackFr 9y ago> There is virtually zero use for this capability, Oh really? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_hunting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_hunting "Lacking guns and even bows, they could hunt only by digging traps or pursuing prey across the mountains until the animals collapsed from exhaustion. Dmitry built up astonishing endurance, and could hunt barefoot in winter, sometimes returning to the hut after several days, having slept in the open in 40 degrees of frost, a young elk across his shoulders." http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/for-40-years-this-russian-family-was-cut-off-from-all-human-contact-unaware-of-world-war-ii-7354256/#V4tfOMbXELEBMmbF.99 http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/for-40-years-this-russ...
- jmull 9y agoI understand the evolutionary role, I mean in today's world.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- jpmattia 9y ago> Nice ad for "sword" sportfood products, though. Not even. At the top of the sword page: > FORGET SUGARY SPORTS DRINKS The simple solution for hydration and fuel is here. Follow the link to find the ingredients: > Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Fructose, Citric Acid, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavors
- olleromam91 9y agoExerting your willpower and self control is where the enjoyment comes from for many people. Proving to yourself that you can do something you never thought you could.