"Human Machine"? Maybe so, in many respects. But I think that title sells David Goggins short. He's a little bit controversial in the ultra community, for several reasons, and he often speaks his mind when questioned; his views aren't always popular or what people want to hear, yet they are often accurate. No, he's anything but your stereotypical runner, but his authenticity makes me a fan.
Another reason I'm a fan? Along with being an accomplished ultramarathoner, Goggins is also an active duty Navy SEAL who has completed BUD/S training (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training) three times (once to become a SEAL, twice just for the challenge!) and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Though he is in a whole-other-world catagory of athlete than I am, he runs and trains for many of the same reasons that I do. The video below explains some of those reasons.
I've enjoyed watching his career from afar and his continued notoriety in the media ("Runners World" and "Outside" magazine, just to name a couple). Recently, I've found it inspiring to watch how he is dealing with his most current challenge, recovery from heart surgery to repair a hole in his heart that he has had since he was born and never knew it was there. A guy who had not missed a day of training for YEARS, now has to deal with being unable to train until he heals - if that doesn't present an opportunity to bring out your best, I don't know what does.
You can check out his web site at: www.davidgoggins.com
At any rate, enjoy the vid!
Peace,
Chris
4 comments:
wow, love what he says about hitting a wall, then making a decision - left or right, and then looking for the door, and THEN opening the door. every decision, another chance to find out more about yourself...
No doubt. This is one of the things that really drew me into a very physical form of yoga practice, intense physical training and endurance running - being confronted with your "self" and your inner limits and then deciding what you are going to do once you get there. Then again, I'm just a huge "Doors" fan : )
fantastic - thanks for sharing that, Coach Chris!
Sure thing! You got it!
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