Stamina, endurance, vitality – I’m undecided as to what word I’m looking for here. When you read Robert Howard stories (the author of Conan the barbarian) it’s frequent for the character to be described as having “fierce vitality”, or “the endurance of a wolf”.
What is it that allows some to be up for days and able to perform?
You hear of it amongst those in war zones, or in survival situations. Combinations of up for days, little food, little hydration.
It’s not ideal, but throughout human history many have done it, many still must do.
Every so often you hear of or come across someone who lives basically without sleeping.
It’s my impression that ancient battles often were fought fasted.
Even if you’ve experienced a combination of lack of sleep, low calories, and/or large physical workloads – on a low level you know that they can be performance enhancers.
A large part is the mentality involved. Is it something you disregard and march through, or do you cry about it.
It seems that those who just do are of a different breed. Most choose to cry about it.
Reading stories like Conan, other Howard characters, or Jack London’s Call Of The Wild have you visualizing true rugged physicality.
You don’t see it much in the modern world, but you know it exists.
Imagine if your life was a 20+ mile march everyday followed by in the ancient world battle or in present day say ; a wrestling practice.
The above is a fairly accurate description of a bare knuckle boxer’s training camp.
A lot of pedestrian/walking miles followed by fight training.
Have you heard of Robert Barclay Allardice who walked a mile every hour for 1000 hours straight in 1809?
This is more the type of endurance/stamina/vitality I’m talking about.
Have you ever witnessed it? Experienced it?
You have it in you.
Persistence & Tenacity