Recalculating
A few weeks back, I went on a trip to LA a few weeks back with my best friend.
We threw our destination address into Google Maps and started following the directions for another adventure.
At one point, we missed a turn and our Google Maps monotone navigator got to announce somewhat passive aggressively, “recalculating.” Somewhat subtlety indicating that we had missed one of our turn-off points.
We had missed the mark, but sure-enough – we recalculated the next steps from where we currently were (instead of where we expected to be) and figured out how to get back on track and continue on towards our destination.
A few minutes back from our anticipated trip, but definitely nothing fatal.
If you’ve been on a road trip of any sort & used a GPS – you probably can relate. The destination hasn’t changed at all, but the routing has changed a bit.
Some people I’ve traveled with I know would get morbidly upset about missing the mark and blow it into a huge ordeal (do yourself a favor and don’t travel with these people). Luckily, I had a good travel teammate on board, so we made a joke of it every time our navigator piped up:
recalculating
Instead of it being an ordeal, it turned out to be fun.
***
About a month ago, I was down in Chile running the Patagonia International Marathon.
24 miles into 40 mile race, I rounded the corner, the 25–30mph winds shifted and came at me from the side.
It blew me halfway across the road and I lost my footing heading downhill. As I did, I rolled my ankle.
I’ve rolled my ankle in the past, but this was different. I had decent momentum behind me and since I was on a downhill, I rolled my leg past my ankle and hurt it pretty badly. It was different than anything I’ve had before.
I limped for a good 3–4 miles, before realizing I still had close to a half marathon left still and kept pressing on.
As I “ran”, I could feel the tendon grinding up against the outside of my ankle before snapping back into the groove and sending a shooting pain from the bottom of my foot, through my ankle to just below my knee. Every time I went up a hill, I could feel the tendon it pop back out repeat the process.
I finished the race and was happy to have 1/7 of the races done, but I was a bit worried about my ankle (as I mentioned in the wrap-up).
I took some time off in Chile after the race and when I arrive back in San Diego, I gave it a rest for a week before deciding to test out a run.
I could barely eek out a mile.
I thought maybe it was a fluke, so I iced & stretched and did some strength work before trying it again.
I couldn’t even make it down the street – I had to see a doctor.
I hate going to the doctor.
That was about two weeks ago.
Over the last two weeks, I’ve found out that I’ve pretty well damaged my peroneal tendon (which runs from the big toe, through the ankle, to just below your knee).
To explain exactly what’s going on with my ankle – think of wrapping paper ribbon. If you yank it really hard, it doesn’t break or snap – it frays. Instead of a ribbon, that’s my tendon.
I’ve been working with a physical therapist to rehab it pretty aggressively in order to get ready for my next race in Antarctica (and another in New Zealand shortly after).
While we’ve made progress, it’s still not in a place where I can actively put pressure on it or push off of it. In other words – I can barely start running a half mile without it acting up and making me run this awkward-jokey-gait that looks like I’m more of a comedian than an athlete.
After going through the options with my doctor and seeing if there’s anything we can do to speed up recover, the only answer that’s come back is “we need more time.”
I hate that answer.
This weekend, I had to make the tough call to push the Antarctica race and the New Zealand races for the 777 project.
I was supposed to be heading to bottom of the earth in 2 weeks to run 63 miles and now I’m going to be sitting in a doctors office moving my foot from side to side.
Bit of a different itinerary eh?
***
The more challenging your goal, the more unknowns there tend to be. That means the more difficult goal you have, the more you’ll have to recalculate throughout the process.
I’m convinced that one of (if not the most) useful skill in life, entrepreneurship, athletics. Anything. If you want to do the impossible – you gotta recalculate constantly.
The reason is that when you start out – you have such a small idea of what is out there. There’s a ton of known knowns (things you know you know), and known unknowns (things you know you don’t know), but there’s also a ton of unknown unknowns (things you don’t know you don’t know).
You get a goal, make some plans and start working on it, but if you’re a human living in reality with any sort of ambition, it’s not long until the situation changes and you have to start recalculating.
Plans change. Situations change. Life is a constant variable. The only thing that’s constant is you.
Rapidly learning, adapting and recalculating are the only skills that apply to every situation – no matter the subject. If you can do that – you can take on anything.
Learn. Adapt. Recalculate.
But keep going.
***
I don’t have a history of getting injured. In fact, apart from some minor things I’ve had to ice over the years – I don’t have any major injuries I can recall at all.
It’s pretty embarrassing to even admit I got jacked up with a fluke injury caused by a gust of wind (okay, it was pretty strong, but still – wind!). I’d rather have a cool story about getting chased by a Puma or something.
I knew injury was going to be a factor in this project from the beginning, but I figured it’d be something like a hamstring, knee issue or some other problem from overuse. I didn’t think it’d be from a freak wind accident – but I’m rolling with it.
I cancelled some plane tickets (vouchers for the win) and am rejigging some of the schedule for the 777 project next year (we’re still on schedule to finish in 2015, but we’re working on figuring out new dates for Antarctica & New Zealand).
My days are currently packed with physical therapy, rehab, strength training and getting my tendon back to a point where I can put pressure on it & push off of it without hobbling.
In other words, I’m doing the best to do what I can, where I am, with what I’ve got.
***
I think we made a couple more wrong turns along the way, but my buddy and I finally made it to our destination in LA. Despite or because of the constant prodding of the Google Maps now-familiar voice: ”recalculating. Sure, we missed our initial time frame at first, but we arrived (and had a pretty good time along the way). It was definitely the scenic route and I’m glad we didn’t call off the whole trip because of one turn.
Which is a good reminder:
Just because you missed a turn, mile marker or goal doesn’t mean the trip is over and it doesn’t mean you have to start over.
You can still keep going. You don’t have to give up. You just have to recalculate a bit. That’s what I’m doing with 777.
Barely 1 race in and I’m sidelined by a stiff breeze (are you kidding me?!).
But…
I’m working on reminding myself:
Most people don’t really fail, they just give up too soon.
I’m still in the arena and it’s not over yet. I’m just doing a bit of recalculating.
Agreed. The ability to adapt is perhaps the best quality to have/learn. You’ll get there, you always do 🙂
Hey Joel,
Really sorry to hear about your injury, but I love the post and your positive attitude towards recalculating and not giving up. Many people in your shoes would toss in the towel and say “This wasn’t meant to be”, but guess what, IMPOSSIBLE things rarely are meant to be! Keep up the great effort and you will complete the 777 goal!
Minor setback brother. Love the transparency…you’re going to crush this. Give you more time for fundraising and PR!
Hey Joel,
Best of luck with your recovery. In high school track, I had a hamstring injury that would come back now and then at the worst possible times. I remember the most frustrating part was not knowing how much was mental vs. how much was physical, and if pushing through it would only make it more serious or not. It was a tough lesson for me in recalculating, so I share that with you. I hope your recovery goes well!
Hate to say it but time is the only cure for these things. Took me about 6 months to recover after a year of too many marathons, races, and long runs. It took me 6 months to recover. Since you’re young and virile, I assume you’ll be back on track in a month. But take your rest and don’t injure it
What a perfect reminder for me to see today. I’m getting better at remembering it’s the journey that makes the adventure, not just the destination. You’ve got this man. It’s just going to make the finish that much more awesome.
This was just what I needed to read today. Thank you! Your race is my job/project search. I’m pushing as hard as I can and I have experienced many setbacks along the way, so I’m just going to recalculate and keep going! Hope your ankle heals soon!
Hang in there Joel…you’ll get there!!
There is no doubt in my mind you will get there. Rehabbing a serious injury (and what you’ve done is serious) is a bear. But I bet you will come out of this even stronger than before. Best of luck!
Loved this article. I can relate cause I broke my wrist at the beginning of my most hectic skydiving season which put me out for the whole season. So gutted. Thank you for the inspirational article!
You’ve got the attitude correct, keep adjusting until you reach the goal my friend!
Sorry to hear about the injury Joel. It sounds like you’re in the right mental position though!
I suppose it’s important to remember when doing the impossible, that you can sometimes be knocked down by the improbable. But impossible is never supposed to happen overnight right? That’s why most people don’t even attempt it.
Hope you have a quick recovery
Thank you for this article. I do hope you recover soon. I will refer back to this whenever I think of giving up because of road blocks. I love that quote: “Most people don’t really fail, they just give up too soon.”
thank you for writing this xxx
a very good motivating write-up…just what i needed at this point in my life. And its true, travel reveals the true nature of a person.
Thanks for the encouraging reminder. Here’s hoping you will soon be going on track again.
You’re awesome. And I’m glad you didn’t get chased by a Puma.
Joel, sorry to hear about your injury. Hope you heal up real fast. I have no doubt you’ll see this project through.
I have found that when one project gets stalled, it gives me a great opportunity to re-assign some time to another priority focus. Maybe now you can make leaps forward in the fundraising part of the 777 Project? This week, I’ll do some sharing of that awesome video you made after Patagonia!
Cheers,
Elaine
I have lots of injuries. The real trouble starts in ones 60’s. I’m now 73. I’m still surfing and paddling canoes and playing golf but I have to nurse many injuries. My worse are my hips and knees. Of course I should add in my neck, shoulders and back. I’m real careful with my ankles as I’ve hurt them in the past. I’m about to go paddling my one man canoe and later we plan to play golf.
so good luck, but be careful. I’m still taking cold showers.
Joe
Loved this, and exactly what I needed as I contemplate picking up some long-held (and frequently discarded) dreams again. Like Elaine’s comment above about how this might be opportunity to work on another part of your overall mission. Thanks for the inspiration, and hope your ankle mends well.
Hey Joel! You’re genius, finally found someone who discovered the right words and the right order to put them in which catalyzed activating my will, I’ve always had immense potential but just needed a spark to inact it. I’m on day 7 of the cold shower challenge and everything is improving, memory, temperature control, more energy and even my decisiveness which was my biggest problem. Your cause is something I truly believe in and had a suggestion in mind to help with your recovery. Sensory deprivation tanks(aka Restrictive Environmental Stimuli Technique) would decrease the immense stress gravity (the biggest stressor of the human body) exerts on the muscles, tendons & organs as well as reduce the amount of information we absorb & interpret through our senses, in order for your body to heal as if you were sleeping but more efficiently since gravity is out of the equation. It will relax all your muscles, tendons and organs as well as your mind. As an idea of how well it worked for my friend who displaced a tendon in his shoulder, he was so excited to use it, that he didn’t realize his arm was in no pain and he had full range of motion. Although eventually the pain gradually comes back, but not as pronounced, so I believe if you continually had this experience, it would help you in the recovery process.
Hey Joel! You crazy guy :p Finally found someone who chose the right words and put them in the right order, your content is allowing to put the potential I knew I had, (but could not will myself to do anything with it), to good use. As for recovering from your injury, I do have a suggestion, continually using a sensory deprivation tank (aka Restrictive Environmental Stimuli Technique) which reduces the immense stress, gravity exerts on our muscles, tendons and organs which in turn will allow your body to heal with the constant bombardment of information we absorb and interpret. As a way of showing you what I mean, when my friend displaced a tendon in his shoulder, I brought him to have the experience and without realizing it, he had full range of motion in his arm with any pain or pressure while he was in the tank and couldn’t believe it. Thing is, eventually the pain comes back, but not as bad. I believe if you continually do this, you will recover at a faster pace. Then again, you might already be using it.
Joel,
Really sorry to hear about the injury. A setback like that before just one big race can be a huge blow to morale, so for it to cause recalculation of two races in the middle of such an amazing project must be really tough. Good for you to not get too discouraged.
Now it’s just part the story, and making 777 that much more epic. Best of luck with recovery, I look forward to following along.
Oh, and for people who haven’t been to the Patagonia, maybe they don’t understand, but that wind down there is gnarly! An injury from the Patagonia wind is just as badass as getting mauled by a puma. 😉
Great stuff! I’m a week out from Ironman Arizona, and when I signed up for this race I was planning to have a PR day. In April I started a new job that involved significantly more hours and travel than I expected. It simply wasn’t reasonable to keep my personal expectations so high, given the time & energy I had to work with. I went through my own recalculating period. Now I’m focused on having a fun time, giving my family a good show, and getting to the finish with a big honkin smile on my face.
Just a suggestion on your injury. I had a similar tearing injury to my Achilles tendon, and went through PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy. I was back to running hard in about 4 weeks. It may or may not be appropriate for you injury, but it’s worth asking about…
Perhaps we make too much of calculating and planning. It can be part of the enjoyment, and it can be utterly worthless and so much time wasted.
As always, inspired by your post, and remembering that once you can fully envision the goal in your mind, the planning becomes simple. The doing is hard, but as long as you don’t lose sight of the endgame; the journey can be a spontaneous and unintentional series of amazing misadventures.
Get well soon.