Endurance Versus Enjoyment

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“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

This was originally published on 4/26/2023. Heads up – you may have already read this.

I was recently reminded of the time I did a long-distance bike trip on a bike with mountain biking tires. Here’s how that colossal misjudgment came to happen.

The first time I did a really intense workout to prepare for an upcoming mountain climb, my legs were shaking, I thought I’d pass out or throw up, possibly both, and instead I hung in there with the thought, “I can do anything for 20 minutes.”

And I could. So when it came to the next progression in the training, a fast, steep hike, I was equally as wobbly but thought, “I can do anything for a couple of hours.”

By the time it came to actually climb the mountain, I arrived with a 50-pound pack and the mantra, “I can do anything for two days.” I didn’t summit the mountain on that particular attempt but I did prove that I could endure for two days.

So when a friend invited me to do a long-distance bike ride down the California coast and my work schedule meant I could only be on the trip for two days. I thought, “No problem, I can do anything for two days.” It seemed to me that biking is very similar to mountain climbing – takes a lot of leg strength and more importantly, the same endurance muscle.

But I didn’t think long-distance biking was going to be the mainstay of my hobbies so when it came to shipping my bike to the starting point, for reasons of time and money, plus a little ignorance, I just sent my bike that had mountain bike tires. Not super heavy duty, grip the trail mountain biking tires but grippy enough to have a high amount on friction on a paved surface.

By lunch on the first day of the bike trip, my legs were completely gassed. I don’t think I’d experienced that level of fatigue even on the toughest mountain climb I’d done. I made it to the end of the day and then had to immerse myself in an ice bath to have any hope of getting my muscles flushed and restored to ride the second day.

But hey, I can do anything for two days and I made it.

Which is to say, it was a good lesson in endurance. Now when I look at a particular phase with my children that is getting my goat, I think “I can do anything for two years.”

But, and this is a big one for me, I’ve learned that enduring and enjoying are two different things.

On a recent Sunday morning, I was at home with my kids who are now 7 and 3 years old, and they were happily engaged with each other on a project. It left me with 20 minutes of discretionary free time and I was thrilled. As I actually took my time with some self-care, I marveled at the feeling of freedom and enjoyment I was experiencing.

That’s when it hit me. I thought “I can do anything for 20 minutes.” But that’s “anything” said with a sense of wonder and good fortune of an unexpected gift. That’s “anything” that acknowledges the enjoyment that comes with a little lessening of the strictures I tighten around myself. That’s “anything” that remembers that life is to be enjoyed and not just endured.

I’m so good at putting my head down and grinding out the miles to the end of the planned route each day. But it’s completely different training to raise my nostrils to the wind and my eyes to the scenery and notice each mile as it goes by. It’s a practice that is a lot less of a dramatic story tell but instead makes for a story worth telling.

So on Sunday, with a nod to the authors of The Power of Awe, I intentionally savored having unexpected moments to myself and micro-dosed some mindfulness full of gratitude and enjoyment and that made the experience even more impactful.

So I’m entering a new phase of training, one where I’m allowing myself the freedom and unscripted time so “I can do anything for 20 minutes.” I’d like to work up to “I can do anything for 2 days” but I’m taking my workouts slowly.

51 thoughts on “Endurance Versus Enjoyment”

  2. “…life is to be enjoyed and not just endured.’ . . . an elusive reality that retirement has finally revealed Wynne, and I’m loving it 😋

    Lord willing, you will too someday . . . hang in there lady ☺️

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    1. I love that you call it an elusive reality, Fred. I suspect it’s one of those things that is hard to actualize. I love hearing that you are there! Be well, my friend!

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  3. I have a similar approach when out for a run and feeling unsure of myself. “I can make it another half mile.” Also, often, “I’ve done this before. I can do it again”.

    Another interesting thing I’ve noticed: endurance often comes before / leads to enjoyment. 😊

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  4. Oh Wynne, my mantra used to be, “If I can just get through this week, then things will be fine. I just have to get through this week.” But then I was saying the same thing the next week and the next… Enduring it. Definitely Not Enjoying it. I’ve been learning, forgetting, relearning to slow down, and Enjoy this Exquisite Life.

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    1. Oh, I love, “I’ve been learning, forgetting, relearning to slow down, and Enjoy this Exquisite Life.” Yes! Because you are so right – often we just endure one bit at a time! Thank you, Rose!

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  5. An excellent mantra, Wynne. You may have to wait until your kids are a bit older before your alone time moves all the way from 20 minutes to 2 days, but it’s worth waiting for! 😊

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  6. YES Wynne, I agree that the enjoyment and fulfillment of life goes hand in hand. It’s liberating to sometimes be unscripted with a sense of wonder and curiosity that makes you feel alive and so serene. Love this piece. 🥰🙏🏼😊

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    1. “It’s liberating to sometimes be unscripted with a sense of wonder and curiosity that makes you feel alive and so serene.” – That’s so good, Kym! Beautiful!

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  7. Enjoying vs enduring is a very interesting and important distinction indeed, Wynne. How I wish for those 20 minutes of time for anything too and when I receive them, they are a wonder and blessing.

    Despite the fatigue, that bike ride along the coast sounded amazing! What views you must have soaked up in those two days.

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    1. Oh, you are right about the views. The picture I put at the top of the post was one I snapped along the way. It was a cool trip, despite my exhausted legs!

      I know you know the struggle! Here’s to enjoying it along the way!

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  9. I love the gaming of motivation…setting those targets…20 minutes, 2 hours…2 days…whatever it takes to goose myself along. Just as Teddy Roosevelt said…believe it and you’re half-way there! Perfect quote for your post, Wynne! 🥰

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  10. Isn’t it interesting how easily we sometimes start confusing “enduring” and “enjoying”. This is such a great reminder to be present and attentive to how we’re feeling versus what we would like to feel, and a reminder that, yes, life is meant to be enjoyed. 😊

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  11. Thank you for your thought provoking post. For me it had two parts – the quote which I agree with and the second part about “enduring”.

    I believe “having a vision” is the first step to success, and that’s a set goal. To someone with serious illness it may be to envision health and attending a special family event like a graduation. It’s a starting point, the front door so to speak and everything leads from there.

    Enduring vs enjoying. This made me ask myself which do I do more? How do I change the ratio?

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    1. What a brilliant question, David. Which do I do more? Wow – that’s so good. I like how you’ve broken it down into two steps and included the vision piece. Love it. Thank you!

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  15. These are indeed good thoughts to hold when there are difficult moments, and as you point out, to learn to appreciate the good moments too!

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  18. I once made the mistake of having a carpet cleaning scheduled for the same afternoon of my first marathon. I could not move at all when he actually stopped by to get started haha I had to learn that same lesson too of “Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured.” When I first started running it was because I had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. I wanted to make sure I was around for my kids. Then it turned into a somewhat unhealthy habit as I kept pushing myself further and further. Pretty soon I was too sore or grumpy to really engage with my family. That’s when I realized it was time to take a step back.

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    1. I’m giggling about the carpet cleaning. Oh, just clean around me, please…

      But the second part of the story about taking your healthy habit too far also is so good. Right! Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  19. Oh how I love this post! One, it has the bike theme, the training sessions, and realizing live is not about putting your nose to the grindstone and just grinding. Right? It’s about stopping for a beatiful view, lingering in bed with your coffee and a good book, laughing until you pee your pants. Well done Wynne. Hugs, C

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    1. Not just grinding – well said, Cheryl. Even when (or especially when) we are on the back of the bike enjoying the ride! Hugs to you, my friend! ❤ ❤ ❤

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