Our Memories

MUSINGS FROM A COACH - 20 May '25

I’ve listened to several podcasts over the past year that delved into the human mind and its memory. In numerous discussions, the prevailing notion is that we, as humans, are not intended to retain every detail of every moment. Our “computing power” is far greater than that of a mere “life storage unit.”

Furthermore, the process of memory recall is intriguing. Each time we revisit and “remember” an event from the past, we are actually accessing the last time we recalled it, not the actual event itself. Consequently, if we persistently recall a “remembered memory,” it becomes plausible to assume that our “reality” may not align with the “true reality.”

This explains why multiple witnesses to an event might recall conflicting scenarios.

Of course, most of us wish our memories were more vivid. However, it’s important to remember (ironically) that it’s also advantageous that we don’t recall many details. For instance, the intensity of a severe physical injury or mental trauma. As my wife aptly puts it, “It’s why women can have multiple children!”

For those of us engaged in endurance sports training and racing, this phenomenon manifests in our anticipation of future challenging training sessions or our determination to participate in exceptionally demanding events. Our memories of these mentally and physically grueling experiences often conflict with our recollections of accomplishment and perseverance.

In essence, we remember the emotional impact of these training and racing events. While we may retain fragments of the day’s events, we ultimately carry with us the “feeling” we experienced upon completing the event and celebrating with our friends, family, or coach. Most often, it’s this emotional memory that lingers, empowering us to boldly embark on our next challenging endeavor.

For those of us in the field of relationships (such as coaching), I find a quote by May Angelou particularly pertinent, which should serve as the guiding principle for our professions:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

In my opinion, endurance sports undeniably evokes a profound sense of well-being, regardless of the intensity of the event. And that's why I love it.

Gratefully,

Mark

CEO Team MPI