Paralysis by Analysis

Paralysis by analysis can be defined as the state of over-thinking a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome.  This type of behavior is common in all facets of our life.  Like so many other things this phenomenon manifests itself all over the Tough Mudder course.  Everyone has an obstacle that gets in their head and causes them to pause before completing.   One of those obstacles for us used to be "Arctic Enema".  You can see the type of reaction that this obstacle still brings out of us in the pictures below.

The difference with this obstacle is that there is no longer a paralysis before the obstacle.  There is no fear of the unknown anymore.  We know it will be cold and we know it will suck but we also know that we will survive.  The paralysis before is always far worse than the actual act itself.  We saw a gentleman who completely froze on top of the walk the plank obstacle.  We chanted, cheered, and counted him down countless times but he wouldn't move.  He eventually walked down the obstacle and went on his way.  He didn't face the challenge head on and instead was frozen in his tracks.  The actual jump would be far less frightening than standing at the top.

Right now my paralysis has to do with this year's World's Toughest Mudder.  I vividly remember parts of last year's adventure in New Jersey.  I had no idea what was ahead and plowed through full force until I couldn't move anymore.  I was ready for the return to WTM in New Jersey.  I had my gear and a sound strategy to attack the course that I now knew very well.  Unfortunately, Big Mudder had a change of plans and we will now be off to Vegas for WTM14.   This means many of my knowns are now unknown.  I have no idea what the conditions will be or what the course will hold.  I'm not sure of what gear to bring.  I also know that there is no chance of being relatively dry throughout since swimming will be a big part of the event.  I'm now over thinking my training which results in little training.  The paralysis by analysis has fully set in.  Fortunately, I discovered this new Internet tool called Google which has some helpful advice from biz journal.  You can read the full article here or read my stremalined version below.

4 tips for overcoming paralysis of analysis

Far From Perfect Form

1. Reject Perfectionism - I have yet to run a perfect race and WTM14 will be far from perfect.  Perfection only comes in the form of the true gazelle somewhere in South Carolina right outside of Emporia.  I'm going to fall, fail and flail during this journey.  There will be people faster, stronger and more ready to compete.  There will also be people slower, weaker and less ready to compete.  

2.  The Simplest Solution is Probably the Best - The formula for success isn't difficult.  Work your butt off and do everything possible to position yourself for success.  Don't over-complicate the formula.  WTM will be about running, climbing, swimming and a huge helping of mental grit.  The mind always gives up before the body does. 

3.  Focus on Getting Started - The first step is always the toughest one.  I typically hate the first couple miles of a race.  DC hates at least the first four miles.  The start doesn't seem to bother Pat at all. Something magical eventually happens at every course and we begin to enjoy the distance.  I always wish I could get to that moment earlier and not dread the start so much.  Finishing something others deem impossible or insane is worth the trepidation associated with starting. 

4.  Establish Milestones - I want to hit 50 miles this year at WTM.  That's my milestone.  I have no delusions of winning unless everyone else gets sick at the pre-mudder dinner.  Now I need to work backwards and figure out the plan moving forward.  

What kept me from hitting 50 miles last year?  

• Nagging injuries associated with running 5 Tough Mudder laps in the month leading up to WTM
• The world's dimmest headlight
• Lack of upper body strength
• Extensive time spent in the pit
• The wonderful hot chocolate served in the aid tent

All of these are within my control.  How will I train to control these variables and add to my 35 mile total of 2013?  That becomes part of the plan.

Paralysis by analysis is real but it doesn't have to be fatal.  The same approach that we use for Arctic Enema works for any situation.  Climb up, jump and keep moving fast.  We also do a manhood check immediately following Arctic Enema due to the frigid conditions.  This step may of may not also be applicable in every case.  

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Death Race V. WTM

Ok, so let me start off this post by stating that I've never actually done a Spartan Death Race, so take what I'm about to say with a huge grain of salt: I think I would actually hate doing a Death Race.  The idea of a competitive race that has no clear start or stop time, where competitors don't have the slightest clue beforehand what it will entail (aside from long hours and manual labor), and where you can be DQ'd at any time for either missing a cut or more arbitrary reasons doesn't sound all that fun to me.  There's something to be said for jumping into the unknown and doing something that you know will test your limits and make you uncomfortable, but I kinda like to know what the parameters are for these kinds of things.

Now, having said that, it would be kinda cool to try it once, but I am absolutely positive that I wouldn't finish.  I find the idea of being messed with to be a bit tedious.  The idea of having to find pennies in the snow, or building an ax, or pushing porcupine quills through logs, or carrying a bucket of water up and down a hill without spilling any, or any of the other crazy things that they're asked to do all seem fun individually, but stacking them on top of each other with no clear sense of purpose or completion time sounds like a test that I don't necessarily need in my life.

I'll stick with WTM.  I know what to expect from that - at least in the broadest sense of the word.  True, I don't know details about the course, but I know that it's a question of surviving for 24 hours.  As with most things in life, understanding the parameters of the challenge makes it much more likely that you'll succeed.  Having an unclear understanding of what the process will entail, and constantly having to battle for every little victory, only to have that victory be unappreciated and followed by another random challenge...all of these things are a recipe for failure.  Unfortunately, it seems that often we have to deal with this type of structure when we deal with everyday life.  I don't think it's because we HAVE to (after all, there's nothing inherent in life that makes it chaotic and frustrating - perhaps that's debatable, but it's not what I believe).  I simply think that we sometimes don't know how to do things any other way.  We get so caught up in reacting to our situations...putting out fires as they start...and "dealing" with things that happen to us when what we should be doing is creating our own situations...starting our own fires...and making things happen for ourselves.  But doing that means that we have to have a vision for what we want to accomplish and have a strong understanding of the process involved to get there.  Now, which of the two events (Death Race versus WTM) sounds more like my ideal?  Which sounds more like your ideal?

Plus, we get to go to Vegas, baby!

PS.  Just to be clear, I completely respect the folks who are willing to undertake the Death Race.  There's a special kind of madness involved with it, and anyone who signs up to participate (forget about finishing...) deserves respect.

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