Breaking Dawn: 5 Years, 1250+ Fitness Milestones

Welcome to a story about my journey of dedication and perseverance, captured in a few seconds. Over the past five years, I have embarked on a personal mission, achieving 1,250+ movement goals through running, rowing, and cycling. Inspired by endurance legends like Mark Beaumont I share my commitment, determination, and the discipline it took to get here as an inspiration for others.

The Beginning

Many Asics GT 2000

It all began with a simple decision—to move more than before, to move constantly. The journey started when my daughter began first grade in primary school. From that point on, I had to adhere to a strict schedule to get her to school on time, making punctuality a routine. As a dedicated early riser and sports lover, familiar with training from running half-marathons and completing short triathlons, I set out to achieve a movement goal every weekday. Rain or shine, I ran, rowed, and cycled, pushing my limits and embracing the challenge. I usually started, long before most others were awake, around 4:30 AM, to ensure we were all ready for the day ahead. In numbers, a goal means at least 30 minutes of training and 760 movement calories.

Routine

Cube Cross Race Pro 2015 - my favourite

Consistency was key. Each weekday, I laced up my shoes, grabbed my oars, or mounted my bike. Whether it was running through the woods, the city or cycling through countryside paths, every session was a testament to perseverance. I preferred training outdoors, embracing the fresh air and changing seasons – sun, rain, hail, snow, storm, you name it. During the harshest and coldest times in Austrian winters, I moved my workouts indoors, using a roller trainer and rowing machine to maintain my routine. Starting my day with a physical challenge set the tone for everything that followed. It sharpened my mind, likely due to the endorphins released during and after exercise, making me feel more alert and creative. Solutions to everyday problems often came to me during these morning workouts. Most days, I used my Apple Watch with the built-in Activities app to track my progress, but I didn't focus too much on chronicling every detail. I got up for myself, not for an app. By the end, I had recorded 1,250 goals on the watch – a visually satisfying activities calendar with an absolute peak on August 10^th 2022 in a 4 hour training burning almost 3.000 calories. Generally, I allowed myself to rest on weekends, some holidays, and during times of illness – balance is essential.

Challenge

Indoor setup

The journey wasn't always smooth. There were many days when my muscles ached, when the weather was unforgiving, and when motivation seemed elusive. During those tough moments, I would tell myself at the first flutter of my eyes upon waking, "Let's do this," pushing through the resistance. In the winter of 2022, a skiing accident forced me to stop running for a few weeks and focus on my roller trainer, enduring weeks of pain until my knee recovered. But each challenge was met with determination. These obstacles only made the victories sweeter.

Impact on Health and Body

wear & tear not only on cloathing

This journey had a significant impact on my body. Overall, my general health and fitness levels improved remarkably. Running, rowing, and cycling are predominantly endurance sports rather than muscle-building activities. As a result, my cardiovascular health improved, and my stamina increased significantly. I felt stronger, more energetic, and more resilient. However, the intense and consistent physical activity also led to some wear and tear, especially in my back. Despite the numerous benefits, belly fat largely remained, likely due to the nature of these endurance sports. Regular health checks with my doctor showed very nice and healthy values in my blood tests, reaffirming the positive impact of my routine. It’s a reminder that while striving for fitness, it's essential to listen to your body and take care of it. My weight fluctuated within a healthy range, from 89 to 94 kg, maintaining a balanced frame for my height of 190 cm.

Nutrition and Diet

Throughout this journey, my diet remained largely unchanged. I adhered to a normal, balanced diet, focusing on wholesome, nutritious foods. Towards the end of my project, I introduced intermittent fasting, following a 16/8 schedule. This change not only supported my fitness goals but also made me feel more energized and focused. It was a beneficial adjustment that complemented my active lifestyle.

The Achievements

Bulls Daily Grinder 2016 fully packed

With every movement goal achieved, I grew stronger and more resilient. Over five years, these small daily efforts accumulated into something extraordinary—1,250+ goals reached. It's a reminder that every step, stroke, and pedal push adds up, creating a tapestry of success woven with dedication.

Reflection

Looking back, this journey was more than just physical exercise. It was a mental and emotional commitment to myself. Maybe more than anything I had done before - It taught me the value of consistency, the power of perseverance, and the joy of setting and achieving goals. It's a testament to what we can accomplish when we dedicate ourselves fully. 

Conclusion

As this chapter closes, I am filled with gratitude and pride. This small sport project was not just about movement; it was about growth, resilience, and the unwavering spirit to keep going. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Remember, every step counts, and every goal achieved is a victory worth celebrating.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." – Lao Tzu.

Thank you for reading. 

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1250 fitness goals in 5 years: My Journey in 50 Seconds

Mainly used gear:

Bicycles: 

• Bulls Daily Grinder 2016 black n’ white (Gravel Bike with Shimano 105 groups et and custom Schwalbe Marathon 35mm tyres)
• Cube Cross Race Pro 2015 red n’ black (Gravel Bike in Roadrace custom setup with Shimano Ultegra groupset and Schwalbe Racing One tyres 28mm on noname aluminium rims
• Simplon Kiaro 2016 black n’ white n’ red (Road bike with Shimano Ultegra group set, Rim breakes and Schwalbe One tyres on mavic aluminium rims) 
• Riese und Müller Birdy Race disc with Shimano Ultegra group set Schwalbe Kojak tyres (folding race bike)
• Taxc Flow Roller Trainer combined with the Simplon Kiaro in winter
• Bike clothing: mostly running equipment in summer. Spring, summer autumn and winter: Gore Bike trousers, Gore Bike gloves, light Vaude bike jacket, Softshell, Giro Helmet, Vaude Bike Cap and helmet rain cover

Rowing machine:

• Concept2 Row-erg

Running:

• many many Asics GT-2000 all season
• Nike Running tights (dry fit) spring, summer, autumn
• Löffler Trans-Tex running Shirt (thin in spring and summer, thick in autumn and winter)
• Spring, Autumn from 3-13°C light Löffler Running jacket
• Below 3°C additional long ski underwear under running short and light softshell over running shirt
• Below -3°C long Löffler biathlon tights (simply the best in winter), long ski underwear shirt under softshell

Running light:

• Coquimbo work light from Amazon (rechargeable) perfect because you can hold it like a relay with very good and wide illumination in the dark (headlights just suck!)

Tracking:

• Apple Watch Ultra