Training teaches us how to be uncomfortable — physically, psychologically and even spiritually. It’s an essential life skill ….one most people easily, and unknowingly allow to atrophy.

There’s an old mirror in our garage.

I’m thinking of putting it in front of the new Carpenter-inspired Q65 treadmill so I can check my form as I go. On second thought, imagining such immediate, intimate feedback makes me a little uncomfortable.

Don’t worry, I haven’t hung any mirrors over the ‘mill, which remains unplugged. Wiring wires and screwing screws all fall into the same bin of things I dislike doing — like going to the dentist. One of the perks of getting older is you don’t have to answer to anyone, so I can opt for writing and workouts instead of finding out how much tarter build-up I have.

Or can I?

On Saturday, I snuck onto the Battle Mountain High School track and conducted my first real ‘speed session’ in more than a decade. The following morning, I recovered with perhaps the last ski of the season. Both were just OK — on the surface. Of course, I wouldn’t be a skieologian if I didn’t try to peel away some philosophical point from those high heart rates.

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