Author: davecriswell

Photo credit: AndreikaI was at a retailer recently and as I was going to pay for for the items I was buying I was in the position we have all been through – which line do I choose?  Instinctually we all want to choose the line that’s going to move us through the check-out process as fast as possible. In reality, the difference of a few minutes on way or another doesn’t make that big a difference. Most of us waste that much time on our Blackberry or iPhones every hour.

Of course I chose the wrong line and my frustration grew as I saw customer after customer fly though their line while the customers ahead of me seemed to have the most complicated of transactions.

So here is my suggestion to retailers with multiple checkout lines.  While it was my choice to pick the line I did, and while I should not have gotten as frustrated as I did, it still affected my experience with this retailer. An experience that this retailer can 100% control.  Instead of letting the customer choose their line, create a single line that feeds into all of the available registers. This is no breakthrough in retailing as I’ve seen it done at other stores.

What is your customer’s experience? This is just one example but highlights the fact that a business can and should consider every facet of their customer’s experience and optimize it.

This year I was looking for something big to do. Over the past several years my perspective on what big is has changed. Signing up and running a 5k was big 10 years ago. That 5k progressed to a 10k, triathlon, half-marathon, marathon, half-Ironman and finally the Ironman.

Next on the goal list is a 50-mile ultramarathon and as the springtime training has begun and people start asking eachother what races they are signed up for, I share my 2010 aspirations and sometimes get the same reaction I did after signing up for my first Ironman five years ago – “Why?”

Some people who ask are genuinely interested in my internal drive while others ask the question with a tone that has the subtext “there is something seriously wrong with that guy”. Both have valid perceptions. In my relatively short experience with endurance sports, some athletes have incredible internal drive while others could probably be certified as insane.

The “why” question is not an easy one to answer and I figured that I wasn’t the only endurance athlete that had been asked that question so I started a couple of online groups, Why I Run and Why I Tri, to see what other athletes thought.  Those communities have been inspiring and entertaining to interact with and helped me to see there are as many answers to the “why” question as there are people. Actually, there are probably more answers than people because many people I’ve heard from experience a change in their answers over time.

I think my answers to that question have also changed over time but I have been noticing a common theme as I more closely scrutinize why I continually am pondering the next bigger challenge. There is an attraction to discovering my physical limits.  Inherent in that statement (and maybe more importantly) is discovering mental limits also.

I know there are 40 year old guys out there who have the same build I do, weigh about as much as I do that have run 50 miles.  Logic tells me that with the right physical preparation I should also be able to complete the same task.  So the challenge becomes, do I have the discipline to prepare, the ability to properly fuel and hydrate myself, and the mental fortitude to complete the distance?

At all the distances I’ve attempted so far, the answer to these questions has been yes (after completing my first Ironman, the 2nd didn’t go as planned but I know I can complete the distance). When it comes to 50 miles, I’m certainly confident I’ll be able to do it but won’t know for sure until crossing the finish line.

In the end though, the race is just an attempt to answer that question for myself – what is my limit?

Photo credit: Rob Web

I noticed a new feature on Google search results today. The ability to view a PDF search results through Google Docs.  I have tried out Bing and a few of the other search engines but this is one reason I haven’t found a compelling reason to move from Google as my search engine of choice.

I’ve been trying to bring my Flip video camera on more runs to capture my ultra training experience. I’m glad I brought it on this run because after about 15 minutes into a 5-miler I saw Abe Lincoln!  Sometimes you never know what you’ll come across while running!

Unfortunately the day after this recording I re-injured my calf so this will be the last running video blog post for at least a few weeks.

 

The run mileage for my first week only totaled 34 this week when it should have been a little over 50, but considering I was barely able to walk after a calf injury 3 weeks ago, I’m feeling pretty good about the week.  I had some residual calf pain this week, except for today so it feels like I’m moving in the right direction.

As for the rest of my leg muscles, they are feeling pretty beat up after about 9 1/2 miles on Saturday and 10 miles on Sunday.  Frankly, I missed that feeling. Part of the draw to endurance sports is having the option to push myself a bit. The muscle pain is the physical proof that I’ve done that and I actually find it fulfilling.

One thing I’ve found that is helping my muscle recovery is the recovery socks I’ve started using.  I was pretty skeptical giving them a try but after a recommendation from my doctor to help speed the calf injury and my impatience to start running again I picked up a pair by 2XU at the Trek Store.

Even though they aren’t the best looking fashion accessory (as noted below!) they’ve done what I needed them to do by helping my muscles recover from the quick increase in training mileage.

2XU Recovery Socks