The Way of the Cool Impossible

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I coach because I love to help athletes explore their own potential and the rewarding part of this for me is witnessing the self-discovery that my athletes experience throughout the process.  Writing my book, The Cool Impossible, was the culmination of a life long dream and a way for me to continue to help more and more runners.  And, just like with my coaching, the most rewarding piece of writing a book is hearing from all of the  readers around the world about how their running has hit new levels and how stoked they are to embrace their Cool Impossible.

Here is a quick story I received from a runner just this week after just two weeks of his Cool Impossible training.

Eric,

Just a note to update you on progress - I finished the Cool Impossible book and will re-read it from time to time.

I'm now into my new training program - workouts 6 days a week, including hills and sprints. I actually laughed at the thought of doing sprints at my age (61 in two weeks), but then I tried it and it was like turning the clock back!

So I did my first serious 6-miler with the new technique this morning, a low Level 6 workout. My best previous time on the course was a 9:16 pace - today it was 8:48! Form was good, with a bit of a sprint at the end. When the book talks about the kind of Cool Impossible that makes you get goose bumps, I knew what that was for me ... qualifying for Boston in my age group. Now that I understand how to get there, I'm excited to start the journey.  

Thanks again and just wanted you to know what a difference Cool Impossible has made for me, physically and mentally.

-Bob
SIP (Strong, Interconnected, Persistent)
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The proof that The Cool Impossible works keeps rolling in. 20 min HR test gone from 4.63km at 170 bpm to 5.30km at 170bpm.
That's the equivalent of going from a 21m35s 5k to an 18m50s 5k. Hard work works.
Thanks - Andrew
 
This is what is it about.  We can all get better no matter who we are.  Whether it is thru better form, bomber foot strength, proper run training, clean eating, or approaching a new way to think.
Bob's mantra is Strong, Interconnected, Persistent.  This drives his Cool Impossible, just like it drives Chris Sharma's cool impossible way of life and climbing.  Everything is a project and the goal is to make it a game, a game to see how close you can get to impossible.
 
In The Cool Impossible, I use Chris as an example:

Be Chris Sharma. Heard the name? He’s one of the world’s best climbers. On one route in Spain, he made one hundred unsuccessful tries before reaching the top. One hundred attempts, one route, no ropes, and every time he failed he would fall thirty to forty feet into deep water below. Chris fell in love with seeing how far along the route he could get each time. He fell in love with what climbers call the “project,” the present effort. Think Chris Sharma whenever the fear of finishing a race or training session comes into your mind. Think of Chris, and refocus on your foot hitting the ground for your next step.  - The Cool Impossible

Here is Chris in action and words.  I have started A Cool Impossible Group for those interested in sharing their stories and their own Way of the Cool Impossible.

 

 

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Comments

  • Eric, I know your a busy man, but have you had a chance to look at the 1 mile speed times and speed zones as listed in TCI that I have converted to Km times and posted via a blog a few weeks ago. If this is approporiate for TCI site what is the best way to post it so that those that want to use it can. It's a word document. Cheers Robert

  • Eric! Count me in for one of those jackets too, size - medium, or Men's, or MM.  :-}

                                                                                                                 

  • and I want a training jacket too.

  • So my big year...my Cool Impossible...My Project this year is pretty much finalized...The US Skyrunning Series. I am terribly excited and terribly frightened! First up, Cruel Jewel in May, a 55ish mile race in Georgia with 15,000 ft of elevation gain and 15,000 ft descending over the course. Then Speedgoat, La Maratona, Angels Staircase, The Rut, UROC (not in the race series, but want to if the legs and brain are up for it), and the final in the series, Flagstaff Endurance. These events are all 31-55 miles with 10,000 to 15,000ft of climbing. #myveryowncoolimpossible #getstrongtogolong #msh 

  • Looks like I might need to have more training jackets made up?  Ken wants one too.

  • I want one of those jackets you're wearing! :-)

  • I was having some issues and pains running, so i got out my five fingers and went out to the beach, run about 10 miles and guess what. Pain? What Pain?
    Thanks Eric. I will get my B2R to Chile, want to try them.
  • I am reading the book now and I love it! I have been running for a few years but only the last year more seriously. This past year (from July '12 - June '13) I committed to running 1000 miles for the Wound Warrior Project. I was able to raise some money and awareness and I learned a lot about myself this past year. Now, I am ready to learn more. Thank you Eric for opening up the possibilities of the Cool Impossible!

  • I have just read "The cool impossible" and am about to start the process, I am very exited to be doing this. I have been running for about 9 years and began as a neutral mid foot striker and have ended up as a pronating heel striker due I feel to the orthotics I was prescribed and I  am still injured a lot! I experimented with my first 5 min bare foot run in the park today and it felt so different.  I would love to wear lighter shoes but if I manage to ditch the orthotics and reduce my injury rate that would be incredible ! So here we go and lets see what happens ! Thank you Eric for writing such an inspiring book

  • Stick with it Leon and focus more on zone 2.  Zone 1 is primarily for warm-up/cooldown and recovery.  You could also do another 20 min test this week and see if your HR avg improved.

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