In Pursuit of a Wildly Improbable Goal by Anne Greenawalt
Chasing 4:59 Series: Part 1
April 2018: USMS Colonies Zones Meet.
When I took a break from my doctoral program, when I had just broken up with a boyfriend, when I was floundering and failing to find a meaningful career, I read a self-help book that suggested setting a WIG: a wildly improbable goal. The book’s author said something like, maybe you won’t attain the goal; but…what if you do?
Of all of the goals I could have set, in all of the different areas of my life – career, relationships, education, etc. – I chose, as a 32-year-old non-elite, non-professional athlete, to set a sports goal.
As an age group swimmer, one of my goals was to break five minutes in the 500-yard freestyle. I never did. I was more of a 100-yard, 200-yard freestyler. When I was 16 years old, I raced the 500 in 5:14. Converted from a 400-meter long course race, I got it down to a 5:11. But in competitive swimming, 11 seconds from a goal time is, well, not close.
So, I set my WIG to break 5 minutes in the 500-yard freestyle. My fastest 500 time as an adult was 5:50, over 50 seconds slower – and a lifetime away – from the goal time. I reminded myself that this project was more about the journey of attempting to achieve the goal, not actually achieving it. I probably wouldn’t attain the goal; but…what if I do?
April 2019: Colonies Zones Meet.
Over time, I made lifestyle choices to move me closer to my WIG: I consulted a nutritionist, swam more yards more frequently at a greater intensity, joined a local outdoor bootcamp, went to a 7 a.m. spin class on Saturday mornings, prioritized sleep over evening socialization, joined a marathon running group. I did all of those things because they would bring me closer to my goal; but, more importantly, I did them because I enjoyed them! I loved having that goal to guide and focus my day, to help me prioritize my multi-faceted life. I had purpose. My body and mindset transformed from casual to serious athlete.
At my goal swim meet, after the first year of working towards my WIG, I raced the 500 free in 5:36, still a lifetime away from the goal; however, 14 seconds is a significant drop in time. The following year, I raced it in 5:31, dropping five more seconds. Again, not nearly breaking five minutes but showing progress.
I planned to keep training and maybe get into the 5:20’s by the next year. Instead, I got pregnant two months later, unplanned and unexpected.
I don’t think it’s news to anyone that pregnancy, followed by childbirth and parenting, changes your body and your entire life. I stayed fit and active during pregnancy, swimming 4,000 yards per week and even running a marathon at five-months pregnant. But after my son was born, my progress stagnated even further. And rightfully so. I had a new priority.
June 2022: 9-Months Pregnant with Baby #2
My journey to my WIG, although not attained, was complete. I had transformed myself into a serious athlete, made major athletic progress, made new friends, and loved the journey. It doesn’t get much better than that, right?
I now have two children: an almost three-year-old and a seven-month-old. I find myself floundering again, but in different ways. In the past three years, I think I’ve gotten a total of 10 full nights of restful, uninterrupted sleep. My nutrition isn’t terrible, but I don’t eat a lot of vegetables and if I don’t have a bag of dark-chocolate barkTHINS in the house, I get a low-grade panic. I struggle to make time to work out. When I do, the workouts are more for mental health than sport training. I know I have other priorities, other obligations, other responsibilities. My children are hilarious, challenging, delightful people and fulfill me in other ways.
And yet, I can’t stop thinking about my WIG.
What if I bring back my WIG? Could I do that? What would that look like? If it’s about the journey not the goal, then what’s the harm? What’s the risk?
So, here I go. A mother of two very small children, with housework to do, a career to ignite, and bills to pay. I probably won’t attain the goal; but…what if I do?
Follow the Notebook at Sport Stories Press for more segments of the “Chasing 4:59” series.
