The Reach Out: Stuart Stevens
Just how many hours does the author, political commentator, and former campaign strategist spend cross-country skiing and long distance cycling?
Stuart Stevens is a political commentator, writer, and former Republican campaign strategist and media consultant. He is currently an advisor to the Lincoln Project.
He is the author of It Was All A Lie: How The Republican Party Became Donald Trump (2021). His earlier books include: The Innocent Have Nothing To Fear, The Last Season: A Father, a Son and a Lifetime of College Football, Night Train to Turkistan, Malaria Dreams, Feeding Frenzy: Around the World In Search of The Perfect Meal, and Scorched Earth: A Political Love Story.
Stevens has written for several television series, including Northern Exposure, I'll Fly Away, K. Street, and Commander in Chief. He has contributed to The New York Times, Esquire, Outside, The Washington Post, and Food & Wine.
After reading on his website that Stevens "has a long time interest in endurance sports, which he pursues badly,” I spoke with him about all things exercise and fitness.
Is endurance exercise still a major part of your life?
Very much. I work out at least 20 hours a week and I have done so for a long time. That ends up being about 800 to 1000 hours a year. My main sport is cross-country skiing, which is low impact and doesn't beat you up like running does. It’s been a really big part of my life. I like the Nordic racing culture, I love winter, and I chase snow in November.
I spent this past winter up in British Columbia. There’s an incredible place called Silver Star, near Kelowna, that is famous for both early season snow and ridiculous amounts of total snowfall. It also has the oldest Nordic game club in Canada, which is called Sovereign Lake. You can ski from Silver Star to Sovereign Lake.
One of my favorite cross-country skiing events is called the Canadian Ski Marathon, which is held in Quebec every year in the first weekend of February. Each day is divided into five ten-mile sections, and you can ski the whole day or split it up. It has happened for the past few years because of COVID, but whenever I’ve participated, it’s just been unbelievably fun.
Other than cross-country skiing in the winter, do you have another favorite workout?
I did triathlon training for a long time, but after a bike crash and that screwed up my shoulder, I started long distance cycling because I really couldn't run or swim. I got into a great subculture of long distance cycling that revolves around events called Randonneurs, which are races of anywhere between 200 to 1200 kilometers.
The big event, held every four years, is called Paris-Brest-Paris. It's a 1200 kilometer cycling event that begins in Versailles, and the goal is to complete the ride in under 90 hours. It’s a fantastic endurance experience.
I’ve also started to do more dirt road bicycling, which I really enjoy.
Did your workout routine change at all during the pandemic?
Since I mainly exercise outdoors, nothing changed too much. I used to go to the gym for CrossFit and hot yoga, so I’ve missed doing that. I did set up a small home gym, but other than that, and traveling less often, things are strikingly the same.
Do you listen to music or podcasts while doing endurance workouts?
When I’m out cycling, I’ll listen to audio books. After finishing the Romney campaign in 2013, I rode across the country with the Pacific Atlantic Cycling Tour (PAC tour). We went from Seattle to Virginia Beach in 30 days. So for eight hours (or 125 miles) a day, I would listen to a book. I remember listening to The Boys in the Boat. I’m very careful and keep aware of my surroundings.
When I'm cross-country skiing, I’ll listen to certain music playlists.
What motivates you to do these endurance events?
I just feel so much better and more alive. With the exception of a year when I had a back problem, I've ever not been active. I can understand how easy it might be to fall into a cycle of depression and pain when you can’t exercise.
Exercise has been such a huge part of my life and routine that it has become an organizing principle. If I want to do at least 20 hours a week of exercise, I will organize my life around it. I do it no matter what else is going on in my life. If I’m busy during the day, I’ll go night skiing.
When I was working on political campaigns, I would get up extra early to work out. I figured that I could sleep on the plane later. For me, working out is the best reason to feel tired. And I don’t feel the need to compete with other people. I’m just competitive with myself.
A kinesiology professor told me years ago that cross-country skiing was the very best total-body workout. He encouraged us to read about the training regimens of Olympic cross-country skiers. He was right — they are amazing.
I’m glad that Stuart Stevens has become such a fan of Canadian winters.😄
Thank you, @stuartpstevens
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