Tag: cross training

Mastery of the Aircraft

Whenever training on a new aircraft, pilots are put through a rigorous training program consisting of aircraft systems knowledge, training procedures and flows, and ultimately both normal and emergency operations in a simulator. There is a whole slew of things that evaluators look for including ; knowledge, skill, good judgement, proficiency, and mastery of the aircraft. That last item, mastery of the aircraft, is obviously a subjective term, but I think we all know it when we see it, someone who is calm and in control regardless of the scenario, and who can think a few steps ahead.

I was listening to JRE episode #1392 the other day with ultra runner  Zach  Bitter and it got me thinking about this concept as it applies to athletes. How much training and experience does it take for a pilot to be the master of an aircraft, and how much time do we devote as athletes to being masters of our own bodies?

On the podcast zach talked about his recent 12 hour and 100 mile record breaking performance, as well as his diet and training plan leading up to it.  The thing that surprised me the most about Zach was his training based on perceived effort which is an arguably more  subjective criteria as opposed to something more objective (like heart rate zone training)

The difference of course is that Zach has put in the time, energy, and effort, and has the discipline to be a master of his body and can honestly and accurately assess his training based on perceived effort.  How many of us age group traithloners, or casual BJJ practitioners, can say we have the discipline and understanding to do that?

Yoga practices often remind us to be aware of our breathing and tune in to what our body needs. I’m relatively new to yoga and after about twenty minutes in the hot room the only thing I feel tuned in to, is how much longer I can hold chair pose before my yoga mat has transformed into a slip’n’slide. (Incase the blog title didn’t give it away I’m a pretty sweaty dude) I can’t tell you how many interval runs or rides I’ve done where I’m unable to maintain my interval pace through the final interval. Even with a wrestling background and a lot of competition experience, I still remember going out way too hard in my first BJJ tournament match and almost running out of steam.

Part of the journey towards Serenity through Sweat is being aware of our lack of knowledge of our own body and working to better understand this vehicle we have through life. Working to develop the discipline and putting in the effort to become masters of our “craft”. For me anyway, that journey makes me a better husband, father and friend, and it’s a journey I’m happy to share with all of you. Stay sweaty my friends.

Today’s Serenity through Sweat was my first time through Pavel tatsoulini’s Simple and Sinister kettlebell workout followed by 15 min on the spin bike.

Sweat through the small $h!t

I remember as a kid one of the first times I flew looking down and thinking how small everything was. And then my next thought was once you’re up in the air, things on the ground don’t really matter anymore even if only for that short period of time.

Looking back on that memory helps me understand what keeps me coming back to aviation and why I look forward to going to work. Being both something I’m passionate about and enjoy as well as a space for me to compartmentalize all the other drama away is almost like a mental vacation, how many people can say that about their job. As aviators we tend to be very good at compartmentalizing our problems to complete the mission, but those problems or worries are always waiting for us on the ground like a checked bag you wish you didn’t have to lug through the parking lot.

The very heart of Serenity Through Sweat, is that most of the time once I’m done exercising, that drama is gone, or at least toned down. The blood starts flowing, the heartbeat elevates, the sweat drips and then whatever background bull$h!t that seemed important before is lifted like a morning fog to reveal a beautiful day.

Last night I got sucked in to a super negative conversation. Every time I tried to exit I got pulled back in and kept slipping further into the weeds. I didn’t sleep great (the hotel bed didn’t help), and I was thinking about it almost immediately when I woke up.

Getting on the bike first thing was the best mental therapy I could think of. After a few tabata intervals everything else is background noise and even if it does come back it comes back muted. I was able to find Serenity even if only for a few moments through sweat. I hope you can all find your own moments of Serenity, stay sweaty my friends.

My morning Serenity Through Sweat: a peleton tabata ride where instructor Robinnyc helps me get reaquainted with my hustle

Travel Tip Tuesday: Pocket Monkii

All alliteration aside, travel tip Tuesday is something I plan to make a weekly thing. I’ll try to cover things I’ve learned spending my entire professional life and a decent part of my childhood living out of a suitcase, especially as it relates to fitness, diet, relationships, and overall travel saavy.

I often joke with other pilots that the three most important things in the hotel are the three W’s: Wi-Fi, water pressure, and a workout area. If any one of the three are mediocre chances are your stay will be mediocre. I don’t know how many times I’ve been to a hotel with a broken down workout room and been left to my own imagination to get my sweat on.

The Pocket Monkii in it’s case next to my suitcase for a size comparison.

I’ll start by saying I am not affiliated with this company and I’m receiving no compensation for this post. (Although if you are part of the Monkii team and want to show me some love, please reach out) This is something I was excited to buy and something I use both on the road and at home. To me, it is an insurance policy against the broken down hotel workout room.

The Pocket Monkii (https://monkii.co/collections/pocket-monkii) has been my go to for a great hotel room workout, especially when the weather is bad and I can’t get outside for a run. The trx style workout is great for it’s variety and scalability. I can do light stretching and range of motion exercises, all the way up to a full on sweat session. It also folds up super compact and doesn’t take up a ton of space in my suitcase. The company has a companion app that also helps provide instructional material, pre programed workouts, and a glossary of movements so you can get inspired and create your own.

Movement library in the companion app with gif animations to check your form
Turn your planks up to 11 with the Pocket Monkii

I really enjoy using the Pocket Monkii both on the road and at home, and coming in at roughly the size of Coke can, it’s a great insurance policy against crappy hotel workout rooms. Thanks for joining in on travel tip Tuesday, stay sweaty my friends.