Thread by @BStulberg

Lots of amateur athletes need to CHILL OUT.

I remember back in my elite age-group (whatever that means) triathlon phase people would say things like, "Race weight is the weight at which you get a stress fracture plus one pound." You know what's dumb? That.

(A short thread)

Or, "You know you are in shape (for endurance sports) when people at the holiday party look at you like you might have cancer."

Guess what? This is a god-awful aphorism. It's terrible for your performance; terrible for your physical health; and terrible for your mental health.

Then there are the guys who train 30-hours a week on top of intense full-time jobs. At the doc, they test for low testosterone and get it replaced via artificial stuff.

How about stop training 30 hours a week and start sleeping more. Low-T isn't your illness. The lifestyle is.

Or the people who claim they need to be posting about their workouts all the time on social media for their "sponsors."

Give me a break! Unless you are making a living racing, this isn't for your sponsors; it's for your ego! Again: a very unhealthy pattern to get into.

I'm not saying don't compete or train hard. But do keep in mind that whether or not you qualify for Kona or Boston or get free product from a small energy bar company won't do jack for your long-term happiness. It will feed your ego, but eventually, it just makes you miserable.

I've been there. Spent a few years there, actually. And let me tell you, releasing from all that nonsense not only made me a better person (and friend, spouse, etc.) but it also made me a MUCH better athlete.

Eat food.
Have friends.
Sleep.
Rest when you're tired.
Chill out.

This thread was mainly about endurance sports but I know it exists in other sports too.

Don't take yourself too seriously. And if you're good enough to, get a coach—not a weekend certification one, but a real one—who can help you ride the razor's edge without being reckless.