Note: this is by NO means a comprehensive packing list, it’s more the “hmm” items that you might not think of. You can get a race day packing list from us right here!

The situation at Trans-Sylvania Epic, about 30 minutes from State College, Pennsylvania, was a bit unique: The race is centered around a Boy Scout camp, and we had a “rural cabin” setup. What we ended up doing was leaving our stuff in the cabin to keep it dry/secure and take advantage of the table so we could sit to work and charge phones, but we slept out in a tent. Breakfast and dinner were served in a mess hall, but no lunch. There were communal showers, and rural outhouses scattered around the campground, but real flush toilets in the mess hall and shower area.

At Quebec Singletrack, the setup was fairly similar: There’s a dining hall, a large area outside for tents/vans/RVs (we’ll be in our van) and there are washrooms and showers on site.

Essentials:

1. Snacks: Even if meals are provided at stage races, there’s no limit to how hungry you may get. Basically assume that you’ll need at least one extra meal and snack per day in addition to your on-bike food. We always have plenty of easy-to-eat stuff, then our cooking setup that lets us make basic dishes.
2. Flip-flops and drainable shower container: You’re walking where a bunch of other sweaty athletes, some with athlete’s foot, others with other gross “stuff” are walking. You want flip flops when you shower. Trust me. And a drainable shower container for your shampoo, loofah, whatever, is a good way to keep bacteria at bay—stuff gets soggy in a shower bag, so you want somewhere it can dry out every day.
3. Latex gloves. We don’t use these when we’re home and a sink is easy to access, but for post race bike cleaning and repairs when you don’t have easy water access, having gloves that prevent your hands from getting cakes in grease is a huge help.
4. Pre-wet Wipes: for your bike and your body! I love degreasing wipes for getting grease off my bike, but I also make sure I have some baby wipes for quick post-stage cleanups when I can’t get to the shower right away. (Note: I don’t use these unless we’re living out of the van, since I prefer skipping the harsh chemicals/single use stuff when there’s a simple alternative.)
5. Sunscreen: Obvious, but don’t forget it, especially if you’re in a fairly remote location. At TSEpic, we’re out in the woods and it would be a bit of a drive to get anywhere, so we tried to not leave camp unless necessary.
6. Surge protector: Between a thunderstorm that knocked out power and sparked outlets to just having one outlet for 10 people, it was awesome having a surge protector so we could power everything at once. If you’re really roughing it, stay tuned, since I’m also looking into some of those portable solar generators for more rustic trips.
7. Books/e-reader! Stage races can mean a lot of free time, and if you’re used to surfing the web or watching TV, you may find yourself at a disadvantage at night. I love having my iPad since it lit up so as it got dark I could still read, and I use my public library’s digital lending obsessively. I also will pre-download a few movies from Netflix or Apple TV (it’s how we got hooked on Ted Lasso recently!) because sometimes, you just need to veg in a tent and watch a show. Definitely ask your local library about digital lending if you’re like me and travel a ton! It makes packing light easier, and saves a lot of money on overdue charges…
8. Sheet: even if it’s cold enough to be in your sleeping bag, having a sheet in there will make it feel a lot more like home. And if it’s ultra-hot, it’s nice to have something, even if you’re just sticking it on top of your nylon sleeping bag to avoid sticking to it. (This one actually goes into a sleeping bag!)
9. Comfy clothing for warm / cool conditions. Having truly comfortable clothing for cold or warm conditions makes a big difference. And it sounds weird, but expect to end up feeling puffy by the end of these races, since your body is getting more inflamed by the day. Opt for those larger size sweats! This also includes some kind of slipper situation, like my favorite North Face Booties or Glerup clogs. So nice to get out of tight shoes after a day on the bike!
10. Toilet paper: Do I really need to say more?

Extras:

1. Turkish towel: I love having one of these for chilly nights, but also to double as a skirt or wraparound top if I really need it. It’s cozier than a sweatshirt but doesn’t add a ton of bulk to your race bag. And you have a spare towel!
2. Rain boots: Even if there’s no rain in the forecast, it might happen. Regardless though, if you’re in a grassy area, it’s usually pretty dew-y out in the morning, and if you don’t have rain boots, your sandals/feet/sneakers/riding shoes are going to be soaked before you even make it to breakfast.
3. Detergent: Even if you don’t think you’ll be doing your own laundry, you never know what may happen, and being able to wash your clothes on the fly is always a good thing. Even getting a couple of travel-size packs before you leave and stashing them in your first aid or shower kit is a good move, if you’re trying to keep gear light.
4. Rice cooker/electric kettle/camp stove: Just something to warm up food/water. On chilly nights, it’s pretty awesome to settle into the tent with a cup of tea. Don’t forget the mug/bowl though! Again, while most stage races have a food setup, the more solo you can be, the better. Still eat the race food, but it’s nice to not be pacing angrily waiting for dinner or coffee in the morning!
5. Snacks (other than ride food): There are only so many bars you can eat. A break from them post-race is sort of amazing, and I was so happy to tortilla chips and avocados before dinner some days. Real food makes a big difference in how your stomach feels.
6. Can opener and eating utensils: Sure, there’s food there. But you never know when you’ll need that bonus can of beans that you brought with you, or need a midnight snack. Having your own eating utensils is a huge advantage when you’re starving post-stage and just want to eat that damn can of soup.
7. Fold-out chair/hammock: You race hard, you have a whole afternoon ahead of you before the dinner bell. Odds are you want to relax, and it’s a lot easier to do in a camp chair or portable hammock. I recommend the hammock for three reasons. A) It’s awesome. Obviously. B) Nylon hammocks are pretty inexpensive. C) In a pinch, it can double as an emergency blanket. I kept mine in my truck (you know, for hammock emergencies), and last year while truck camping for the Mont Sainte Anne World Cup, temperatures dropped like crazy overnight and I’m fairly certain I would have been hypothermic by morning if I hadn’t been wrapped up in that.
8. While it’s awesome to pack light, I also realized that it’s never a bad idea to have extra: gloves, socks, helmet, tires, glasses, toothbrush (you can be someone’s hero, or it’s there if you lose yours!), underwear, cycling shorts/jerseys… Basically, if you know you’re using it every day, don’t skimp on how much you bring.

Don’t bring:

1. That book you’ve been meaning to read for the past 5 years: You’re going to be exhausted. If you haven’t been psyched enough to read it yet, this will not be the week.
2. That new recovery drink formula you haven’t tried yet. You don’t want to be running for the outhouse at 2 a.m. or having issues during your training or racing.
3. Any clothing that you think you might one day wear. This is probably not that day, aim to use things you have tested in training (are you sensing a theme here?)

–

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TOPICS AND LINKS FROM TODAYS SHOW:

UPDATES

• Patagonia Talk  https://shred-girls.com/2019/07/16/come-watch-life-pie-patagonia-toronto-july-29/
• Peter at MTB Nationals for Canada
• Peter working on updating Training Peaks Training plans and 100% Custom plans for fall and cyclocross
• shred girls – site and schwag updated 

plateau

• testing article by Peter – Map My Ride
• Peter at Nationals as example of plateau with similar/less training but health?
• Linear Gains – normal to have fast/linear progress early then harder as more skilled
• Periodization/Planning
• Progressive Overload – training needs to get harder as body adapts (or different)
• Try something new, new routine, ‘Everything works for 6 weeks’ DAN JOHN

SUPPLEMENTS

Past podcasts that are relevant to supplements and studies

• Kyle Boorsma
• Alex Hutchinson – 
• Upcoming David Epstein and his book RANGE
• Dr. Bubbs – 

Position Stands and resources to learn HOW and WHY and WHO

• ISSN  https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-018-0242-y
• IOC  https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/7/439
• Examine.com =  https://examine.com/supplements/sodium-bicarbonate/
• Alex Hutchinson – Beet root juice , even for elites, + bathroom … also altitude  https://www.outsideonline.com/2387931/beet-juice-health-benefits-study
•  YLSM Sports infographic what may work https://ylmsportscience.com/2015/07/17/nutrition-supplements-what-does-really-work-by-ylmsportscience/
• Trent Stellingwerff has a lot of good content based on his extensive practical and academic experience

Globally on Supplements

• Additive effects (Trent Stellingwerff)
•  magic pill – looking for quick fix vs. longer-term focus – ignoring the skill/mental/tactical aspects
• Enjoy benefits of linear gains / being a beginner – well thought out training should elicit benefit

Things to ponder when considering a supplement

• Think who am I and what am I trying to do ? do you need more muscle? Are you not recovering as fast as you could be
• Is there a way to get this through diet? (ie. sleep!, whey / bcaa in dairy protein, improving the balanced diet of fats/proteins vs. high sugar/low quality)
• is there a mechanism for why this should work? (ie.
• Is it practical to use in your life/sport (ie. Side effects and time to use/apply)
• SIDE EFFECTS – GI distress, BLUNTING of adaptations, no/negative responders,
• Is this company selling something? influencer?
• Is it a proprietary blend or something odd or do you recognize the active ingredients (or the ingredients in general)
• Is it banned or from a reputable source (quality control / NSF)

Trent Stellingwerff supplement recommendations what works

• http://www.runhilaryrun.ca/Trent/GeneralInterestArticles/Stellingwerff-%20SupplementationRecommendations.pdf
• The vast majority of training and competition load and recovery is achieved through proper diet and recovery practices (such as recovery nutrition immediately post-training, quality sleep, afternoon naps, low surrounding external stresses and paramedical support). To aid in this process, athletes have looked towards supplements. However, only a hand-full of supplements have been shown to possibly aid in this process during very intense training and competition schedules. The majority of the supplement’s have no scientific support and just result in added and unwarranted expenses to an athlete. However, there are a few supplements that do have scientific support, which can be utilized by an athlete already exercising good general nutrition and recovery practices— this needs to be taken care of first! A poor diet and recovery practices cannot be compensated for by a supplementation regime. Further, regular blood analysis should be completed to check for any abnormalities. Finally, it cannot be stressed enough that when purchasing supplements the athlete needs to be extremely cautious regarding potential inadvertent doping. Look for 100% pure-products from reputable companies that have also been certified by either NSF: http://www.nsf.org/consumer/athletic_banned_substances/

Lying to Win—Placebos and Sport Science

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a515/112a3a2b0d08e9b1ae66e10ed9102ffaf218.pdf

• Trent Stellingwerff addressed an inconvenient truth in sport science; when it comes to performance-enhancing effects of popular ergogenic aids, marginal gains do not aggregate. The 1% to 3% improvements observed with many ergogenic aids are rarely additive.7–9 Why might this be the case? One possible explanation is that that many ergogenic aids ultimately act on a central mechanism that regulates performance. As a result, most evidencebased supplements merely allow an athlete to “dig a little deeper.” Sport scientists have often observed that just believing in a novel and exciting performance-enhancing treatment can produce improvements in performance regardless of introducing a real treatment effect

Science of sport  https://www.scienceofrunning.com/2013/10/the-placebo-response-belief.html?v=3e8d115eb4b3

•  the same article, I found the statements by a good friend, Trent Stellingwerff, very intriguing.  Stellingwerff brought up the fact that the effects of proven ergogenic aids don’t aggregate.  Meaning that if we get a 2% boost from caffeine, another 1% from beta alanine, and 2% from beet root juice, if we took all of them, we don’t get a 5% bump in performance.  They all act on different physiological systems, so why is there no additive effect?  The authors speculate that, they all act on a central mechanism that regulates performance (i.e. like the one talked about with fatigue above).
• What it means to me is instead of telling an athlete to take this drink that you know is a placebo to improve performance, give them something that actually seems to, and sell it hard that it does.  Don’t just say, this may or may not work, or give the research speak that in 10 studies it improved performance but in 3 it didn’t so hopefully you are in the 10.  Say that this stuff works really well, it’s strongly research-backed (10 vs. 3 is strong!), and it works because of X, Y, and Z.

3) Runner waking up early to run, what to eat after for recovery while busy with kids and getting to work?

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Great questions from a variety of sports, activities this week – thanks for questions! Submit for Jan 2018 Q&A at www.consummateathlete.com/

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Show Notes and Links mentioned in the Episode:

Connect with Molly and Peter

Molly and Peter talk about their experience training for Ironman over the last year. They talk about what they liked about the process, hacks, learning and take-a-way skills and tactics you can transfer to whatever big scary event you are training for.

Check out Peter’s Post on BIG CRAZY GOALS on www.smartathlete.ca

And Molly’s top 10 takeaways over on Bicycling.com

Please look at the www.wideanglepodium.com DONAR DRIVE to help support the Consummate Athlete Podcast – any donation will help us keep improving the quality of the show!  (THANK YOU !)

•  http://theoutdooredit.com/a-few-pre-ironman-pieces-of-advice-from-the-homestretch/
• http://theoutdooredit.com/ironman-fueling-some-hard-earned-advice-and-tips/
• http://theoutdooredit.com/ironman-training-beginner-mistakes-tips/

BEST BOOKS FOR TRIATHALON TRAINING 

1) what’s your sport background? Carpenter?
nickname Turbo?!

Featured in Sports Illustrated, Esquire Network
-> started as a carpenter, then started a bike messenger service in 1990
Outside of sport and competition, I’m a pretty regular guy, going to work every day and coming home to my family. In high school, I ran cross-country and track. It wasn’t until I started a bike courier business that I got into cycling. Riding every day quickly got me hooked on adrenaline. I eventually sought out other sources of adrenaline and started competing in endurance races that combine every type of physical activity you can think of. During the Costa Rica Adventure Race, we biked for 20 hours, trekked for 60 and kayaked for 32. Off-season, I train three times a day, usually starting with a 6 a.m. high-intensity bike ride. When I am not training, I also love to take on new adventures as part of Boundless, a reality adventure TV show that I co-founded and host. While I’m obviously competitive, I’ve learned that the journey is more important. Of all the goals and accolades I’ve accomplished, my proudest is starting the Kids for Kenya Toilet Run which supports the building of toilets at schools in Kenya.

2) how did you start Boundless? The jump from two friends adventuring to a TV show is not a small one.

3) What was your favorite adventure/episode – was it the one you were most looking forward to before the show/in planning?

4) craziest moment? is there a method or mindset you use or have found useful during times of emergency or danger?

5) Training for being a ‘consummate athlete’ or to be ‘boundless’ … How can you be ready for these? (ie. ironman without being on the bike for months before?)

5) 3 seasons of a TV is certainly an accomplishment, where do you go from here?
– your back to MTB, is that the favorite?

6) For the 1/2 Ironman in Thailand – what did you learn about triathlon that you wish you knew before?

7) seems like you’ve made more of a dive into the wellness side of fitness now. Has this always been an interest?
-> you mention ‘small things to keep the body happy so it can go forever in one of the episodes’ … what are some of those little things?

8) BOOKS that have influenced you.

Conveniently, I had just watched this episode of Parks and Rec:

Yep, that’s about how I felt, minus Ron Swanson’s uncanny ability to think about nothing. (“I’ll stand.”)

But I sucked it up and downloaded the oft-mentioned Headspace app onto my phone and added Meditate Daily to my ToDoist app so I’d get an annoying reminder if I skipped it. (This is also how I made myself start spending time working on my French.)

It’s been eight days, and while I don’t have any definitive numbers to share—though I’m hoping to start monitoring my HRV soon, and we’re working on a podcast on that exact topic—I do have a few thoughts, largely positive. In general, taking 10 minutes a day to meditate has calmed me down, and it’s made my morning routine more pleasant. And I’ve found that even after a few sessions, during the day when I found myself getting stressed, I’ve been reminding myself to breathe, taking a few extra seconds, and recalling the morning session. And it’s worked! I’m a pretty high-stress person most of the time, but meditating has certainly helped to chill me out in those particularly anxious-for-no-real-reason moments.

I wanted to put together a few of my tips for getting started on meditation when you hate the idea of meditation:

Find a Time that Makes Sense
I’m not great at getting out of bed in the morning. I really, really like staying cozy. So for me, meditating first thing in the morning makes sense—it’s a really gentle wakeup, but it really does wake you up. So I do mine sitting in bed, and by the time it’s done, I’m much more alert and ready to get out of bed, versus my typically whiny self. I also like the idea of adding it to the end of a workout, when you’re a little beat and need to calm your system down, or maybe mid-day when you’re at the office and need a mental break… and I know some people love it before bed. Try a few times of day and see what works best for you.

Game the System
I’ve used Headspace for a few days, and I really enjoy the notifications and the reminders, plus the way it tells me how much I’ve meditated. The whole idea of ‘leveling up’ makes me not want to skip a day. There’s that great Jerry Seinfeld productivity hack too, if you want a simpler way to game it: on your calendar, give yourself a check mark—you won’t want to break the chain once you have a bunch of days in a row, so you’ll be more inclined to keep doing it.

Alternate Nostril Breathing
I’ve tried—and enjoyed—some advice that The Urban Monk taught me (in his book and in an interview we did for Bicycling): do alternate nose breathing for 5 minutes of your meditation. This is fantastic for someone who needs something to do in order to think about nothing, or if you’re like me and don’t really like doing the loud mouth exhalations that most guided meditations dig on. (I’ve gotten better about this, and I think it’s an important skill to learn, but I think starting with alternate nostril breathing is a great idea.)

Find a Guided Meditation
It doesn’t have to be Headspace—actually, I love the one The Urban Monk Pedram Shojai did for Bicycling Mag after our interview. Great for cyclists! (The audio file is embedded in the article.) I also remember my mom having a meditation cassette tape in the nineties. I can still recite the opening line: “You’re on a tropical island, surrounded by the Pacific.” Hilarious, yes. But I honestly repeat that to myself before the meditation time starts so I have that image in my head.

It’s Only 10 Minutes
I know 10 minutes can be really hard to find in your day. But it is only 10 minutes. It’s not going to kill you. And honestly—there is no downside to trying it for a few weeks, and if it still feels useless to you, then you can cut it out. But just try.

Look for the Upsides
Like I said: even after a few days, I was seeing some benefits from meditation. It might be minor things, like you didn’t shout at your dog, or you fell asleep a little easier, or you were a little happier in the morning. I definitely think it’s easier to keep up a habit when you see benefits, so be on the lookout for the perks!

Like this? Check out our Consummate Athlete Podcast with Ryan Leech for more on meditation!

Let me know in the comments: do you meditate? If so, what’s your best advice for newbies?

Know the Weather

Vans don’t really protect you from hot/cold at night. If it’s hot out, having a ventilation plan in place (we’re working on a permanent solution but for now, it’s a light fabric over the rolled-down front windows). If it’s cold, having a warm sleeping bag is way more important than the fashion-forward blankets that look better in photos. So before you pack, know the weather ranges for where you’re heading… And then, go broader in your planning. When we were near Louisville in November, we hit 85 degrees and 35 degrees, within the span of a week. And here in Rome, where I’m finally writing this, it’s snowing for the seventh time in the last century. A little unexpected, and I’m glad I’m not camping this week!

Have Extra Lights

I have a secret headlamp that Peter doesn’t know about. It’s my backup, because he is, quite honestly, hell on headlamps for some reason. Keeping a spare lamp, flashlight, headlamp, whatever around gets more important the more rural your camping spot gets, especially if, like me, you have a bit of an overactive imagination at night. When you can shine some light on the scary stuff/find a bathroom, it’s much better. And one of your lamps will die, I can practically guarantee it.

Extra Tarps!

We didn’t plan to use a tarp, but we had one packed just in case. And I was amazed how handy it was for a bunch of different things. Extra straps (to attach the tarp) came in handy as well, when a sudden rainstorm meant we either both sat in the van to work in the somewhat cramped space, or figured out a waterproof solution. A van, a tarp and a couple trees later, we had an admittedly ugly “porch” off the side of the van. It also came in handy for covering bikes that we locked outside at night, and as a sun shade the next day!

Know Your Drinking Water

This is way more a camping tip than a #vanlife thing, but I think some of us (ahem, me included) forget stuff like that sometimes, especially for shorter stays. Having a couple water jugs filled before you leave, and knowing what your local water options are, can be a literal lifesaver, or just save you from a post-ride dehydration headache and (in one particular instance), a three-mile hike into town because I didn’t want to move the van since we had it perfectly dialed in place.

Vent Your Van

Just… trust me on this, especially if you’re sharing a sleeping space. Even if it’s chilly out, some fresh air in a tiny van makes a big difference for comfort levels.

Plan Your Time

This one could also go in my #VanLife without a breakup article, but it’s important enough to drop in twice. If you’re not camping solo, discuss jobs and do some together, some separate. If you’re just on a weekend trip once in a while, this is less urgent. If this is something you’re planning to do a lot, it becomes more and more critical to staying happy and sane the whole time!

Make sure your under-seat bag zips

This is a more female-focused tip since most guys use a backpack, but it also can help guys! I used to bring the cute tote or cool purse on plane rides. And a few months ago, I realized I was spending most of the flight trying to make sure that stuff didn’t slide out during the flight. So, I went on an insane hunt for a tote bag that would work, since I wanted a purse that held everything I needed (a lot) but also worked as my dream purse in terms of aesthetics. (It was this great one from AWbyAndreaWong from Vancouver.)

Have something non-electronic to do

I always use my iPad for reading, but I’ve been on flights where they actually told me I couldn’t use the iPad during takeoff/landing. Between that and the occasional battery-drained-too-fast problem, I’m a huge fan of bringing a real book, or even a notepad, so that way I can still get something accomplished even if I need an electronics break. (And for a long overnight flight, I find reading a print book makes my eyes drowsier faster than reading on a screen.)

Leave space in your overhead stowaway carry-on

I usually pack a backpack rather than a roller bag, but whatever I’m bringing, I make sure I have some extra space in it. There are two reasons for this. 1) If my checked bag ends up being overweight, which happens occasionally, I can move some stuff into the carry-on. 2) If I end up with souvenirs on a trip, I have space to put it!

Bring a scarf (or sweater)

Places can get chilly, so even when it’s hot out, a scarf will never be a bad idea. Especially on overnight flights, where they tend to lower the temp on the plane so it’s more conducive for sleep, it can be a lifesaver. Also helps as a spare pillow, cover spills on your shirt if you hit turbulence while you’re sipping your red wine (true story), or can be used to wrap a fragile souvenir on your return flight.

Make sure everything is spillproof

Be more neurotic about this than you likely need to. Liquids should be in a baggie not just for security, but to avoid a lotion explosion in your bag. And definitely find water bottles/travel mugs that are leak-proof!

Have your stuff ready to pull for security

When you pack your bag, know what has to come out at security (liquids already put in a plastic baggie, laptops, etc.) and have your boarding pass and ID tucked somewhere secure but easy to grab. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stuck behind someone who just checked in yet somehow lost his boarding pass, or packed their liquids at the bottom of a stuffed bag.

Pack snacks

Even for a short flight, and especially for a long flight: assume you’re going to need a (healthy) snack so you don’t end up nauseous from hunger, or buy a junk food snack because you’re desperate. It’s easy to just have a couple protein bars (I love Epic Bars for this!) and a healthy-but-tasty treat ready. That way, you’re not at the mercy of the stuff on the plane, or what’s in the airport. And if you’re traveling with someone, the snack might come in handy if your travel buddy gets a little hangry.

Let me know in the comments: what’s your best in-flight tip?

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advice!

In this podcast episode, I got very excited about the idea of a “Big, Scary Goal.” I also love more habit-style resolutions, but there’s something so awesome about underlining a major event or specific accomplishment as the thing you’re working towards.

It Has to Be a Big Freaking Deal—And You Have to Name It

Not lose 5 pounds. This is a goal that, at first glance, seems somewhat crazy/impossible/freaking hard. It should be daunting in a way that makes you wonder if it’s do-able. It should feel like you have no idea where to start, or you’re just too petrified to start because there’s so much to be done. That’s how you know it’s scary.

It also has to be something you can write down. Get in shape isn’t a big scary goal because it’s too broad. (Do an Ironman is a better one: it encompasses the getting-in-shape, but there’s an actual moment where you know you’ve accomplished it. Getting in shape can be a lifelong mission that you never really know if you’ve fulfilled.)

One of mine, and I’ll be talking about this a lot in the next few months, is to finish my first fictional book. Because the idea of writing it has scared me so much in the past, I hadn’t made much progress. Now, PUBLISH YOUR NOVEL is on the whiteboard, underlined, and it’s happening (slowly but surely).

The Big Scary Goal is Long-Term

The Big, Scary Goal (I’m going to call it the BSG) might take a decade to accomplish. But having it looming is usually enough to force you to make those smaller resolutions and form specific habits along the way.

Case in point: I’ve been working on a novel for eight years now. Honestly. I had a brainstorm in college, wrote the first chapter, got terrified of it, and dropped it. Since then, I’ve had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to write it. This year, with 30 looming in just a few short months, I knew I wanted to make it happen before that (arbitrary but still scary) day. So, I made a plan.

The Big Scary Goal Doesn’t Work without a Smaller Plan in Place

Forget the novel for a second, let’s think about the obvious example: you don’t just sign up for an Ironman as your BSG and then show up that day with a wetsuit, a bike and a prayer. You train and you prepare, building slowly towards that goal.

With the novel, it was similar. I knew my main block wasn’t the plot—I had the outline. It was the writing itself that was the hangup, and so I made it a daily ‘to-do’ to write a paragraph. Just a paragraph—it could be a sentence, two words, two thousand, whatever came out. I started that six months ago, haven’t missed a day, and the rough draft is almost done.

Our podcast guest, by the way, discovered that the original BSG was actually completely within her reach and hit it three years before her original due date, which highlights another key point:

The Big Scary Goal is Usually Not So Scary

Once you’ve put the processes and habits in place, the goal itself gets closer and closer, bit by bit, and before you know it, it’s accomplished. Obviously, we’re still talking about a ton of hard work, blood, sweat, tears—but when you break it into smaller, manageable chunks, it’s usually not as daunting as it seemed when we dreamt it up.

The 5,000 words I had for the novel is up past 30,000 now (close to the right length for the type of novel it is), and it’s surprisingly ahead of schedule… Because as it turned out, writing one paragraph wasn’t as hard as I thought, and with just that small mini-goal, it’s not really that daunting.

I’m really stoked for the podcast to go up, so check back here for an update when it does: I think you’ll love it, if you’re intrigued by the idea of picking something that scares you.

OK, now you: what’s your big scary goal ?

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