Trail runner and children’s librarian Laura Clark reviews The Resilient Athlete A Self-Coaching Guide to Next Level Performance in Sports & Life, by Andrejs Birjkovs. Hatherleigh Press, 2023.
According to Andrejs Birjukovs, a coach and multisport competitor, the resilient athlete needs to perfect three interrelated areas: mindset, lifestyle and training. As such, his book is sectioned off into these components, almost making three separate reads. In fact, I would advise a contemplative skim of the entirety followed by a focus on whichever area you wish to tackle first.
While it may seem difficult to compartmentalize these completely different topics, it becomes easier once you realize that there are common threads throughout. For me, the most telling revelation had to do with the permission to make one small shift at a time, becoming comfortable with that, and then adding something else. According to Birjukovos, the reason most New Year’s resolutions peter out is that they encompass grand, formidable plans instead of readily followed bites. I am proud of how I have been transforming this approach into a successful cleaning routine. Each morning before work, I set aside five minutes to tackle one portion of a cluttered area, rather than shifting the whole project to, “When I have time.” It is amazing how satisfying daily mini-steps can be!
In a follow up to this stepping stone approach is the idea that, “The excitement of achieving something might last for a day, a week, or a few months, but it eventually fades because the peak is never the end destination.” Resilience is about being in it for the long haul and constantly getting excited about new goals and possibilities. It is more of a “What’s next?” rather than a “So what?”
Another principle first encountered in the Mindset section is the idea of Flow, “Moments when we are completely immersed in the activity and fully present…when everything clicked and fell into place.” You are running, but are barely breathing hard, with your feet seemingly floating above the ground. These moments are a letting go of self, not easily achieved. A classic example of that moment was when Joan Benoit glided through the stadium tunnel to victory during the first woman’s Olympic Marathon. If this intrigues you, delve deeper by reading Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who pioneered this concept.
An insight that makes the rounds at every race is the fact that while you may not have beaten your fastest opponent, you did receive an age group medal when pitted against those who showed up on that particular day during those specific weather conditions. Birjukovs’ injunction, “Just show up,” is worth executing every day whether you are honing your mindset, lifestyle or training skills.
But, carrying this concept one step further, Birjukov cautions that the resilient athlete will go beyond merely showing up. He will scan his bucket list for his own personal reinvention plan and dare to accept the challenge to embark on small steps to go beyond his comfort zone. Whatever bucket list item you choose, know that when examining your mindset, lifestyle and training program, it will be not so scary when approached one small step at a time.
Your self-discovery is a work in progress, giving you the confidence to tackle other life or training challenges you once thought impossible. Go for it!
Editor’s Note: Read more book reviews and articles by Laura Clark here.
