I’m nothing like a marathoner. But I do know about project completion: The first half of the project takes 90% of the time, then the second half takes the other 90%. I expect a marathon feels a lot like that.
Groundhog day is the traditional middle of winter, although it isn’t quite. But’s it’s one of the pagan Quarter Days, and when “winter’s back is broken” (per folklore).
There’s a concept — I guess the word is concept, or maybe it’s ethos — among the Finns called Sisu. Take the American idea of Grit and cube it a few times and maybe you’re getting somewhere in the same county as Sisu. Or maybe the same continental land mass. You’re not going to get much closer. There isn’t an equivalent word in English. Sisu is …
Well, let’s go to 1939, when the Soviets welcomed Finland into World War II by bombing Helsinki to dust as nearly half a million Soviet soldiers — eventually more than 900,000 — invaded on the ground. The Finns in turn welcomed those soldiers into what would be known as the Winter War. For the Finns, the question wasn’t whether some of them would die. The question was whether any of them would survive.* They would fight in temperatures as low as minus 40, through 18 hours of darkness per day, and they would not stop. They would, in fact, die — 70,000 of them would — but they would fight. That’s Sisu.
I never want to be in the position to find out if I have anything resembling Sisu, and I fear I’d come up wanting. I have a friend who was a good, really good, Olympic-caliber, distance swimmer. His father explained to me that halfway through the race, the proverbial gorilla would land on his back just like it landed on everybody’s. But Iian didn’t dread it, and he didn’t say to the gorilla, “oh, you again.” He’d say, “I’ve been waiting for you. Climb on. Let’s go.” That’s still not Sisu, but it’s pointed in the right direction. Me? All too often, about 200 yards into the 500 freestyle, I hear gorilla footsteps and remember it’s just a race, nobody cares, I’m fit either way, and other thoughts that may well be correct and even realistic. And I suppose there may even be a word besides “head case” to describe the guy who seems to be able to go faster during practice than he can in a meet. But it sure as hell isn’t Sisu.
Concretionist over 4 years ago
I’m nothing like a marathoner. But I do know about project completion: The first half of the project takes 90% of the time, then the second half takes the other 90%. I expect a marathon feels a lot like that.
Old Girl over 4 years ago
Halfway is closer to Valentines.
Ceeg22 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Maybe that’s why I don’t like February. Not that Spring in Michigan pays attention to the calendar!Https:/days.to/until/spring
Ignatz Premium Member over 4 years ago
Groundhog day is the traditional middle of winter, although it isn’t quite. But’s it’s one of the pagan Quarter Days, and when “winter’s back is broken” (per folklore).
asrialfeeple over 4 years ago
You think you’ve seen the worst, but Winter was just warming up.
sandpiper over 4 years ago
Evidently, Frazz is more successful at finishing a song than whatever physical challenge he faces. But he tries, and that’s the main thing.
YatInExile over 4 years ago
In south Louisiana, the days are already getting longer; 1-1/2 minutes every day.
Herb L 1954 over 4 years ago
A Michigan winter triathlon uses ice skates and sleds,instead of swimming,and biking ;)
cervelo over 4 years ago
Miss. Plainwell is brutally honest today. I guess that’s Mr. Mallett identifying areas for self-improvement (in his training regimen that is).
childe_of_pan over 4 years ago
Oh look! Frazz being self-effacing! Didn’t some “clever fellow” say that “never happens?”
Bob. over 4 years ago
Spring training (baseball) starts in a couple of weeks.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 4 years ago
Blog PostsFrazz13 hrs ·
There’s a concept — I guess the word is concept, or maybe it’s ethos — among the Finns called Sisu. Take the American idea of Grit and cube it a few times and maybe you’re getting somewhere in the same county as Sisu. Or maybe the same continental land mass. You’re not going to get much closer. There isn’t an equivalent word in English. Sisu is …
Well, let’s go to 1939, when the Soviets welcomed Finland into World War II by bombing Helsinki to dust as nearly half a million Soviet soldiers — eventually more than 900,000 — invaded on the ground. The Finns in turn welcomed those soldiers into what would be known as the Winter War. For the Finns, the question wasn’t whether some of them would die. The question was whether any of them would survive.* They would fight in temperatures as low as minus 40, through 18 hours of darkness per day, and they would not stop. They would, in fact, die — 70,000 of them would — but they would fight. That’s Sisu.
I never want to be in the position to find out if I have anything resembling Sisu, and I fear I’d come up wanting. I have a friend who was a good, really good, Olympic-caliber, distance swimmer. His father explained to me that halfway through the race, the proverbial gorilla would land on his back just like it landed on everybody’s. But Iian didn’t dread it, and he didn’t say to the gorilla, “oh, you again.” He’d say, “I’ve been waiting for you. Climb on. Let’s go.” That’s still not Sisu, but it’s pointed in the right direction. Me? All too often, about 200 yards into the 500 freestyle, I hear gorilla footsteps and remember it’s just a race, nobody cares, I’m fit either way, and other thoughts that may well be correct and even realistic. And I suppose there may even be a word besides “head case” to describe the guy who seems to be able to go faster during practice than he can in a meet. But it sure as hell isn’t Sisu.
Ricky Bennett over 4 years ago
February 2nd is “officially” Midwinter’s Day.
childe_of_pan over 4 years ago
Anybody else’s page view failing to show likes and replies?