+1: #720 Broken Monitors

In our last +1 we talked about the fact that, as per legendary tough guy Vince Lombardi, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." Then we operationalized a super-simple antidote to cowardice via a super-simple PM Bookend routine. (How'd that go for you?) I mentioned the fact that we'd connect that fatigue-coward phenomenon to my heart rate monitor. So, let's. Not too long ago, I introduced you to my Suunto watch. Love it. Works great. … Except when it doesn't! Every once in awhile, I'll be training at a mellow pace and my watch will be telling me that my heart rate is WAY higher than it could possibly be. To put it in perspective, my target Maffetone-approved aerobic zone is 131 to 141. I usually train in that zone every other day. On my mellow recovery days, I do the same trail at a slower pace and stay well below that 131. So, imagine my surprise one day when I'm going at a super mellow pace and look down at my watch to see it telling me that I'm at 160-something. I'm like, "Really? No way. That's not possible. I'm pretty sure I'm not blowing up right now." (Hah.) So… I got my strip detector things a little wet via a little spit. Didn't help. I took off my heart rate monitor strap. Put it back on. Still didn't help. I'm basically standing still and it's telling me I'm still blowing up. Hah! D'oh. Hmmmmmm… Now… As a Professional Optimizer/Lover of Wisdom, I'm not allowed to waste lemon squeezing opportunities so, after a moment of almost-frustration I carried on with my hike and decided to simply ignore the data. Which is when the metaphorical learning moment hit me. That data from the heart rate monitor was, for whatever reason, literally USELESS for me during that workout. So I ignored it. Guess what? You know that voice in your head that shows up when you're tired? You know, the voice that says: "Life sucks boo hoo yada yada yada blah blah blah. Etc. Etc. Etc." Guess what? When you're tired, that "data" your mind throws at you is about as useful as my broken heart rate monitor. IGNORE IT. Carry on with your day. Go build your Emotional Stamina muscles as you execute your protocol and practice having good bad days. Then figure out what "Needs work!" so you can wake up tomorrow feeling WAY better—with a working monitor that gives you good data. That's Today's +1. Happy Trails!