Nearly 30 top-level professionals are competing in the second annual Fittest Executive Challenge, presented by In Business magazine. Who will earn the healthiest marks? Find out at the In Business Expo & Conference on Oct. 23.
This week, Darren Fortney, principal at Short Elliott Hendrickson, shares his experience participating in the “Fittest Men Under 50” challenge.
Why are you participating in the Fittest Executive Challenge?
I am competing primarily because I was encouraged to apply. Once I heard of the event, I was curious to know more about it. In general, fitness is personal to me and I never think I am competing against someone else’s fitness. In fact, I am typically one who encourages others to give fitness a try or make lifestyle changes if needed. I like to look at the Fittest Executive Challenge as a matter of degree and perspective. I think anyone trying to better himself or herself and “competing” in the Fittest Executive Challenge has already won. We are all in this together. In the end, we’re all winners if we live a healthier lifestyle and improve through the process.
Tell us about your fitness regimen.
My weekly fitness regimen generally consists of the following:
- 50-70 miles of running
- Two miles of swimming
- Three to four hours of cycling
- Two 30-minute sessions of core and pushups
- One session of TRX
- One session of hot yoga (if I can fit it in)
In the winter I back off on some of the running and add in some cross-country skiing.
How has your workout changed?
My workouts change depending on my race schedule. For instance, I just completed my third Badwater (135-mile) Ultramarathon last week. The training leading up to the race involved quite a bit of running and training at a slower pace. In order to accommodate the extra time spent, I did less swimming and cycling the past few months. My next event is the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon in October. My running will now pick up intensity quite a bit and include more recovery swims. However, my training is generally consistent month after month. I do allow for a few one- or two-week breaks during the season just to keep my body and mind fresh.
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What are you doing to prepare for your evaluation?
I am not doing anything special for my evaluation other than my normal fitness routine each week. I am comfortable with what I do and how it relates to my body and general health.
How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated primarily because I now value my health and fitness. Ten years ago, I was not healthy at all. I weighed 30 pounds more and was not active. Once I found fitness and a healthier lifestyle, I promised myself that I would never go back. My motivation is simple: When I am fit, I feel good (both mind and body). With that said, I do have to push myself to get off the couch some days and I don’t necessarily enjoy every workout. That is part of the game. The good news is that there has yet to be a workout in my life that I have not felt better afterward than I did before. My mantra is “the best workout is one that happens.”
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