Adaptation & Coping With Adversity

I watched a Discovery Channel program last night; it was on the special forces. I watched how one former-Navy SEAL and another ex-Israeli special force trainer endure crippling conditions and tested for their alertness. The scientists featured were impressed, and so was I.


The history of Ironman triathlon was initiated by former Navy SEALS officers; thus, I was attracted by the program's content and extent of the experiments. The Navy SEAL was tested under ice-cold conditions and, amazingly, he did not suffer severe hypothermia - enough to perform the exact obstacle course and shooting test. The other specialist lost 6 pounds of sweat, about 3 percent of his bodyweight, and he performed splendidly in his shooting test while dehydrated. The bottomline of the program was that training plays a major part in the physical and mental conditioning of elite military forces. We can control how our body response to extreme conditions when we train specifically for it. 


Our body adapts to specific training, especially if this is repeated often enough. Muscle learning occurs when we perform bodily tasks that engage both fine and gross muscle movements. Playing the guitar and shuffling cards are fine motor actions; running up a hill and riding a bicycle involve gross or large muscle groups. According to the Specificity of Sports, we are what we train ourselves. If you swim more, and spend more time refining your techniques, your fitness in the water will show clearly. If you spend more time preparing for the marathon, you will run better than you will swim or cycle, if the latter two comprise a small proportion of your total training time. Therefore, a sprinter should train more powerfully for the short, anaerobic burst of effort than a marathoner who will focus on endurance and sustainability.


I am intrigued with how some endurance athlete can train for years, without injury, defying convincing scientific explanation. How is it that barefoot runners may not get injured while protected runners still injured with the best shoes money can buy! Why is it the Tarahumara runners of Mexico can run like gazelles over rugged terrain with minimal nourishment and scanty footwear? I am very curious.


I am doing extensive research on myself and hope it will bear more insight towards my appreciation and understanding of my body. I have undergone Chi Running workshops and corrected my running gait. I am working hard at my long overlooked core stability, and I am activating my weak major muscles like my glutes, abductors and Transverse Abdominus (TVA). I see the assistance of partners like my coach, chiropractor and massage therapist to ensure I develop capability and reduce the chances of injury. I hope that my race performances will indicate clear directions for my future endurance goals.


At 7.30am tomorrow, I will run a 10km race that involves a climb over a hill. I hope I will improve over last year with my enhanced running base; it will be exactly two weeks after my last race - my first 84km venture. I hope for the best, and intend to embrace the race with a sense of joy, abandonment and curiosity. Come what may!