The Weight That Comes With Age

Segre River, La Seu d’Urgell, Catalunya, December 10, 2018

I feel it every time I begin a conversation with a seasoned athlete. There is a respectful hint of fatigue and familiarity that says, “Maybe I should be looking at other options.”

The veteran athletes of the sport of canoeing have much to think about. Some of them are “so veteran” that they even competed with me — and I haven’t competed in an international race in almost 15 years.

Most of these athletes no longer need the regimented and every-day supervision of a coach. Of course they need guidance and feedback, but they know what to do. They have performed at a world class level for decades.

If age has taken away even the slightest bit of physical performance, every one of them has more than what is needed in experience and wisdom.

All they have known since being in their teens is to pursue “best in the world” performances. Now in their late 20s and 30s, with a few notable high performing exceptions in their 40s, they have earned some freedom. And sometimes they need to be reminded to take advantage of this freedom.

From my many conversations and coaching sessions over the past few months with seasoned athletes, I find that the sheer weight of adulthood responsibilities adds unexpected resistance to their pursuits.

Many of these experienced athletes are mothers and fathers who hold full-time jobs or are entrepreneurs building businesses.

Some seek advice. Others need to vent. Most of these older athletes value empathy not commonly found among their young and up-and-coming teammates.

In the course of our conversations, I lend an ear or gently offer some advice — not as a coach but as a guide who is removed from the noise.

Here are the most common themes in our conversations. You will immediately see the parallels to life beyond sport:

1. Urgency masks the most fulfilling aspects of a journey: You have time to slowly and strategically create change. Let others chase urgent.
2. Run ALL of the life experiments that you desire to try: Do not leave a stone unturned.
3. Winning at recovery beats winning at training: Before you dissect what happens between morning and evening, break down what happens between evening and the next morning.
4. Train for now: In the early stages of one’s career, a part of development targets the far-away future. When the far-away becomes near, it is a luxury to let go and place all that you have into what simply matters most right now.
5. The gift: Each day, become a slightly better version of yourself as the pursuit of personal excellence is more valuable than any medal stand.

That 5th one? Pay attention to it. It’s worth its weight in gold.

With gratitude,

-Joe

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