This is a space dedicated to the pursuit of an Attainable State: a life where fitness serves us, not the other way around. We explore the balance between the raw power of CrossFit and the long miles of endurance off-road cycling, not for podiums, but for long-term health and the ability to eat pizza without guilt. It’s a journal for the 'everyman' practitioner, navigating the compromises between a busy life and the desire to be durable. Welcome to the search for what's good enough, because being 'good enough' is a pretty great place to be, in my opinion.`
But then there’s food. I haven’t quite found my rhythm there yet. My movement is consistent, and I generally feel good during the day, but I still tend to drift toward the easier, less helpful choices. That’s where things start to wobble.
Picture a typical Tuesday: full of meetings, shifting priorities, and family demands. The kids have exams and need help with subjects I hardly remember. My wife works in shifts and keeps reminding me that the garden needs attention. Since her shifts are unpredictable, I'm in charge of the school runs.
My wife and I planned a family trip to Girona, Spain: tapas, sightseeing, escaping the daily grind, and hopefully enjoying more sunshine than in the Netherlands.The Traka—100km of Girona gravel riding—was set for the very weekend we’d be there. It’s 79% off-road over gravel, and more importantly, something completely new for me.After a long day at work, I thought, "100km in Girona, a couple of climbs—how hard can it be?" Before I knew it, I'd signed up. Not to win—I'm no athlete—but for the CHALLENGE. It felt like the ultimate Attainable State experiment: just seeing what's possible.
On Monday, I’m building strength under a barbell. On Saturday, I’m building endurance on my Gravel/Mountainbike. Some say that the quest to effectively balance strength and endurance will leave you as either a weak cyclist or a weak lifter.
I'm not a sportsman, and I'm not going to pretend to be.
I'm a man with multiple roles, one of which is a husband and father of four teenagers.
All those roles come with responsibilities that can make life look busy.
In addition to this, I'm trying to figure out how to be resilient and be fit enough to be able to play actively with my grandchildren later.
This is a journal from the very real battle of combining the intensity of strength training (CrossFit) with the endurance of biking (and some running), without letting either one take over my life.
My philosophy is simple: I believe in the Attainable State. That's a place where fitness is a tool for a longer, healthier life, not a stress. It's about celebrating genuine effort, embracing the trade-offs, and understanding that consistency beats perfection, hands down.
What you'll get are notes on what works, what doesn't, and why most of it doesn't matter anyway.
As long as we stay consistent.
