What are you training for? Feeling powerful, motivated, and more.

People are training for things all the time. Sometimes it is obvious and exciting like a race on the calendar, a climbing trip coming up, or the start of a sport season. Other times it is quieter, like better sleep, less back pain, or having the energy to keep up with friends on a long day outside.

Here at Summit, we see all of it. Someone is preparing for their first 5k. Someone else wants to feel stronger on the bike this summer. A climber wants a better summer season so they put in work all winter. Another person just wants to feel healthier walking up the stairs. Different goals, same idea. A reason to show up.

Goals matter because they give effort a direction. It is a lot easier to do hard things when you know why you are doing them.

Tess enjoying the view on top of a 14er in colorado

Things I have trained for

Growing up I trained for competitive tennis. Practice had a purpose. Matches were coming whether I felt ready or not.

In college I trained for climbing competitions. Strength sessions had meaning because I wanted to perform on a specific day.

I have trained for outdoor climbing trips too, but honestly not very well. I mostly just wanted to have a nice time with friends. The training was casual because the goal was the experience, not performance.

I trained for a 5k run once. That alone would have shocked younger me. I used to hate running.

And for a long time I trained for weight loss (or at least I thought I did). What I was really training for was an unrealistic look. I cared more about that than what I could do. It never felt good and it never lasted. The motivation came from pressure, not curiosity or pride. A lot of us have been there.

What changed in my training

For the first time I am following a real coached program for a half marathon. I still cannot believe I am typing that. Growing up, running used to be punishment in gym class. Now it is a skill I am building.

But the half marathon is not the only thing I am training for.

Additionally, I am training for my health, both physical and mental. I feel calmer on the days I move my body with intention.

I am training for my future. I want to keep hiking, climbing, traveling, and trying new things as I get older. That requires strength and capacity now.

I am training my willpower. Each hard session is proof that I can do uncomfortable things and come out better on the other side.

Somewhere along the way the focus shifted. I stopped asking how my body looks and started asking what it can do. How far can I go. How strong can I get. What skills can I learn. Everything changed when the goal became ability instead of appearance.

coach kubi training outside with single arm kettle bell snatches

Your turn

You do not need a race to train with purpose. Instead, you just need a reason that feels real to you.

Maybe you want your first pull up. Maybe you want to finish a long hike without your knees hurting. Maybe you want to feel confident joining friends for an active weekend. Maybe you simply want to feel better day to day.

The best training plan is not the most intense one. It is the one connected to something you actually care about.

So ask yourself a simple question:

What are you training for?

If you are not sure yet that is okay. Sometimes you discover the answer after you start showing up. And when you do find it, training stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like progress.

Megan Lambrecht-Scasny