Steven Chasing Goals

I. Introduction

Picture this: you wake up to the chirping birds, lace up your trusty runners, and step out into the cool morning air. The world is quiet, but your heart is loud and clear. It’s the rhythm of a new runner’s resolve. You’re on a quest – a quest for endurance, stamina, and a healthier you. You’ve enlisted in the ranks of many who swear by the Maximum Aerobic Function (MAF) Training. It’s all about keeping that heart rate in the sweet spot, where each beat is a note in a melody of metabolic efficiency. A slow, steady pace to a stronger, fitter you! 

But oh, what’s this? A beep from your phone, a notification from Strava. Joe from next door just shattered his personal record, dashing through 5K like a gazelle in the savanna. And then there’s Sarah from the local running club who’s constantly showcasing her sprinting prowess with every dawn. Suddenly, your leisurely jog morphs into a race against unseen competitors. The slow, rhythmic beat of your heart is now a drumroll, escalating into a frenzied pace as your ego pedals the hamster wheel. You, my friend, have just stumbled into the snare of Strava anxiety and ego entanglement!

We live in a world where every stride, every sprint, is often a spectacle for virtual onlookers. Strava is the modern-day Colosseum where runners either bask in the digital applause or face the silent ghosts of comparison. It’s easy to get swept away in this tide of social validation, veering off the MAF trail into the wilderness of ego-fueled sprints.

But here’s the deal: MAF Training is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. A marathon where the only competitor is your former self. To truly thrive in MAF Training, one must steer clear of the Strava spectacle, unlace the ego, and race at a pace that spells progress. It’s about tuning into the sweet, harmonious rhythm of your heart, celebrating the personal milestones, however minuscule. Your MAF journey is not about how fast you outrun Joe or Sarah; it’s about how steadfastly you outrun the old you! So, are you ready to hit the trails, embracing the essence of MAF, with the only cheers coming from your own beating heart?

I have a YouTube video on this topic

II. The Strava Showdown

The Strava scene! It’s like the bustling arena of ancient Rome, but with less gladiator gear and more neon spandex. It’s where the modern-day athletes come to flaunt their prowess, each run a performance under the grand digital sky. Strava, the stage where every sprint is scrutinized, every mile is a medal, and every second shed is a shout for recognition. Amidst this scenery of speedsters, the calm cadence of MAF training seems like a quaint old tune, almost drowned in the roaring race for faster, farther, fiercer! 

The competitive spirit on Strava is like a wildfire, catching onto everyone who steps into this virtual vale. The relentless chase for better timings is the game everyone’s playing, knowingly or unknowingly. The moment you hit ‘record’ on that app, it’s not just your feet that hit the pavement, but your ego too, sprinting ahead with a mind of its own. Each ‘Kudos’ on your run is like a sugar rush to the ego, pushing you to pace up, race up, and face up to the invisible challengers. Oh, how easily the serene stride of MAF training gets lost in this hullabaloo!

And let’s talk about the “public display” of one’s fitness journey. Once upon a time, running was a solitary sojourn. Now, it’s a spectacle with a leaderboard. The more you flaunt, the higher you climb on this wall of who’s-who in the running zoo! 

Remember Tim? Oh, Tim was bitten by the Strava bug bad! He was all about MAF, slow and steady. But then, the Strava showdown happened. Each day was a race against yesterday’s ghost. Soon, Tim was not running; he was rocketing down the lanes, heart rate soaring like a startled pigeon, MAF principles thrown to the wind. His hilarious attempt to outrun his own shadow became a neighborhood legend!

Strava anxiety is real, folks. It’s that sneaky gremlin that turns the tranquil trot into a torrid trial. Amidst the Strava spectacle, the true essence of MAF training often gets swept under the rug. It’s a tough act, juggling between the slow-burn satisfaction of MAF and the flashy frenzy of Strava stardom. But remember, in the showdown between the hare and the tortoise, it’s the steady that wins the race!

III. The Ego Entrapment

The Ego! That sneaky little imp sitting on the shoulder, constantly whispering sweet nothings of comparison into the ears of the unsuspecting runner. It’s like having a backseat driver on a solo journey, leading one away from the serene trails of MAF Training into the turbulent terrains of competition. And oh, does the fitness realm provide a fertile ground for this ego to flourish!

Now, let’s saunter down the memory lane of humanity, shall we? We’ve been comparing and competing since the dawn of time. Who runs faster, who hunts better, who gathers more? Fast forward to today, and we’re still in the same race, except now it’s on a digital track with likes, shares, and ‘Kudos’ as the trophies. Fitness, a realm where personal progress should reign supreme, often turns into a battleground of egos, each trying to outdo the other.

Now, meet Eddie. Eddie was your classic tortoise in the MAF tale, slow, steady, and sure. His heart beat to the rhythm of patience, each run a meditative melody. But then, the Ego entrapment happened. Eddie stumbled upon Strava, the digital den of comparison. Suddenly, every run became a race. The calm cadence of his heart was replaced by the frantic beats of competition. The Ego had taken the wheel, and Eddie was veering off the MAF track at breakneck speed!

The quirky tales of Ego-driven workouts are many. There’s Sally who sprinted her way through a marathon, heart rate skyrocketing, MAF principles plummeting, all to outshine her virtual rivals. And let’s not forget Bob, whose detour from the MAF method led him on a wild goose chase after vanishing VO2 max values!

The Ego, dear runners, is a whimsical wizard, casting spells of speed, luring one into a labyrinth of comparison. It’s a mischievous monkey wrench in the well-oiled machinery of MAF Training. But fret not, for awareness is the antidote! Recognize the Ego, chuckle at its childish antics, and steer the ship back to the tranquil waters of MAF. Remember, in the grand tapestry of fitness, it’s your personal journey that weaves the most beautiful patterns!

IV. Embracing the MAF Mantra

The sweet serenade of self-awareness, it’s like the gentle dawn breaking through the dark night of ego-driven endeavors. Transitioning from ego to self-awareness in the realm of MAF Training is like finding an old friend in the chaotic carnival of competition. It’s about swapping the relentless race for a rhythm that resonates with the real you. MAF Training isn’t about the fanfare on Strava; it’s about the quiet symphony of your heartbeat, each thump a testament to your growing endurance, your boundless potential.

Now, imagine the liberating moment when you finally hit the mute button on the Strava cacophony. It’s like stepping into a serene meadow from a bustling marketplace. The noise fades, and all you hear is the music of your muscles, the whisper of your breath, and the rhythmic drumming of your heart. It’s a tune that doesn’t clamor for applause but resonates with the gentle hum of personal progress. Oh, the joy of tuning into your body’s rhythm, it’s like dancing to your own tune amidst a crowd swaying to a different beat.

Let’s saunter along the MAF path with Lucy. Lucy was once entangled in the Strava web, her every stride shackled to the shackles of social approval. But one fine dawn, Lucy decided to embrace the MAF mantra. She shrugged off the Strava shackles, and oh, what a magnificent metamorphosis it was! Each run was now a rendezvous with herself. She reveled in the gentle grace of gradual progress, the joy of jogging to her own jubilant tune. The gains were glorious! Not just the bolstered endurance and the burgeoning health, but the blossoming of a bond between her body and her being. 

Embracing the MAF mantra is like coming home to a realm where your pace paints your personal narrative of growth, endurance, and the ecstatic embrace of one’s own journey. It’s about basking in the sheer joy of running free from the fetters of futile competition. So, are you ready to ditch the blare of external applause and delve into the harmonious haven of MAF? Your heart is ready to sing the song of serene strides, are you ready to listen?

V. Tips to Stay True to Your MAF Journey

The path of MAF, paved with patience and peppered with personal triumphs! It’s a journey that requires a companion called commitment, especially when the siren call of Strava tries to lure you into the turbulent waters of competition. But fear not, for here are some friendly, actionable nuggets of wisdom to keep you anchored on the MAF trail!

First off, unplug from the digital display, at least during your runs. Let your heart rate, not the pace of peers, guide your strides. It’s about your rhythm, remember? Treat Strava like an acquaintance, not a bosom buddy. Check in occasionally, but don’t let it dictate your daily dalliance with MAF.

Celebrate the snail pace, the turtle tempo! Every tiny milestone is a mighty moment in your MAF memoir. Did you stick to your heart rate zone? That’s a high-five right there! Managed to trot a tad longer? Break out the virtual confetti! The tortoise wasn’t a sprinter, but he’s a legend, and so are you with each patient pace forward.

Ah, the solitude of the MAF sojourn, it’s a sweet space where self-discovery sprouts. Away from the Strava spectacle, it’s just you, the trail, and the tales that unravel with each rhythmic run. The whispers of the wind, the chatter of the chirping birds, they are the true companions on this trail of tranquility. Embrace the solitude, let it seep into your soul, soothing the streaks of competition that may try to creep in.

Remember, MAF is not about the race, but the rhythm. It’s not about the pace, but the personal journey. It’s a call to enjoy the slow, steady, and serene path to a stronger, sassier, and smarter self. So, mute the Strava circus, tune into your own tune, and trot along the tranquil trails of MAF. The real race is with the old you, and guess what? You’re winning with every mindful mile!

VI. Conclusion

Ah, the journey we’ve traversed, from the bustling bazaars of Strava to the tranquil trails of MAF! It’s been a narrative of shifting gears from a high-speed chase to a harmonious jog, from chasing virtual validations to cherishing personal paces. The essence? Celebrate your personal journey, resist the Strava spectacle, and tuck that ego in bed to truly bloom in the MAF garden!

We’ve laughed at the antics of ego, shushed the clamor of Strava, and tuned into the sweet symphony of self-progress. The road might be long and winding, but oh, the vistas of victory it holds for the patient and persistent!

Now, dear reader, the trail doesn’t end here. It loops into your own path of MAF mastery! Have you too, found humor in the hurdles, triumph in the trials? Have you danced to the beats of your own heart amidst the cacophony of digital cheers? Ah, the tales you must hold! Share your giggles and gains, your tips and triumphs. Let’s create a camaraderie that carries us through the trails, far from the madding crowd of Strava, closer to the heart of MAF.

As we sign off this chapter, let’s chuckle at the cheeky ego, wave a friendly goodbye to the Strava spectacle, and stride forth into the serene sunset of self-progress. Remember, in the MAF marathon, it’s not about the sprint, but the soulful stride, not the race, but the rhythm, and definitely not about the digital applause, but the personal applause that echoes in the heart!

So, lace up, laugh off the lapses, and leap into the lush lap of MAF. And whenever in doubt, just remember, slow and steady doesn’t just win the race, it wins hearts, health, and hoots of self-happiness! Until next time, keep trotting to the tune of tranquility!

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