8 Days Since Warrior Dash New Hampshire Counting Down to Spartan Race at Fenway November 18th
So took a little look back at the my posts and really amazed at what I’ve accomplished over the past 2 months. First the measurables, 30 lbs lost, 4 inches off my waistline, and nearly $600 raised for St. Jude’s. The greatest thing I’ve accomplished is a new sense of accomplishment, pride, and confidence to take on new challenges.
The last I wrote about my preparation was 18 days left before Warrior Dash. At that time, I was beginning to get nervous. I really was unsure of what to expect and I still didn’t know what type routine to keep up before the race. Do I still push myself harder or should I just rest up? On top of that, I was starting a new job, heading back home for a wedding and getting accostumed to living in Massachusetts, all at once. When it came down to it none of that really matter because….
Race day was amazing!!! It started with an hour drive to the race from our hotel in Manchester. On the ride up , We were jovial and cracking jokes. Ben, my friend from back home, was giving my brother and I advice. Nick, my brother, was joking about how out of shape he is. I was starting to get jacked. When we got there, old school rap and general 90s music was in the air. people of all sorts of costumes were all around. There was a definite energy abound.
The build up to our start time was a complete blur. We started together in the back of the pack. As the race started, I ,on pure adrenaline, pushed myself up the first hill. It was rather inconsequential but a definite warm up of what were to come. After conquering the first hill came a gentle down hill. As we turned, the next hill emerged as if it were to reach the heavens. It kept going up and up and up. I reached what I thought was the summit only to find a very challenging last 50 yards. This would be the end of the hills but it very well could be the most challenging. After the hills came the obstacles. The obstacles were by far the best part. They gave me an extra shot of adrenaline after each one and were well needed breaks from the monotony of running up and down hills. My favorite obstacles were the walls. There’s something of a metaphor for climbing over a wall.
After it’s all been said and done, I’m happy I challenged myself to overcome these walls and I’m continuing the challenge by preparing for Spartan Race in November.
18 Days Till Warrior Dash New Hampshire
” Turn things you’ve always wanted to do into things you’ve done.”
-TS Elliot
So holy shit it’s only two weeks till warrior dash. I’m all sorts of getting pumped/nervous for it. It’s crazy to think it’s something I’ll have accomplished in the near future.
30 Days Until Warrior Dash New Hampshire
Continuous effort- not strength or intelligence- is the key to unlocking your potential.
-Winston Churchill
So as it is now less than a month away, Warrior Dash is getting realer and realer. It’s hard to believe where I came from and its even better to think where I’m going. I’ve decided that I’m going to keep working out and keep writing and keep getting in better shape.
As I wind down my time with Americorps, it becomes greatly bittersweet. Although, I look toward the future with greater hope and vigor. This past year has been a very special year for me. I started this year a dreamy eyed idealist. I end the year a weathered idealist knowing that it is not ideal to serve your country, community and world for just one year; it’s ideal to serve them for a life time.
Today was kind of rough and kind of great at the same time. I spent most of my morning hanging with Eric a student I’ve grown close with over the year. I know that as years go by I’m going to be left wondering what will become of him. I’ll wonder if he’ll succeed. I’ll wonder if he’ll turn out ok despite all the things blowing up around him in his life. Today I began to say goodbye to a community that I had no ties to 11 months ago. Now part of it will forever be sewn to my heart. I leave with greater resolve and knowledge about making the world a better place. I leave with a stronger will a bigger heart and a kinder soul.
Today, Eric and I raced. Goalpost to goalpost on the soccer field, the winner receiving nothing but a hand shake and bragging rights. That’s how we left it. A race between two buddies and a handshake. As I continue to work with children it becomes the hardest part, saying goodbye.
Keep Rising and Grinding Everyone. In the Warrior’s Heart There’s No Surrender.
32 Days Until Warrior Dash New Hampshire
If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.
-Booker T. Washington
So I’m writing this post workout that so I’m a little amped. My biggest draw when I started this Journey over a month ago was to get myself in better shape. I had hit a rut and recently ended a quasi-dating situation with a lady. I had not liked the person I was a month ago.
Today, I feel amazing and now my focus has shifted to St. Jude’s. So far I’ve raised $315 and I know that number is going to grow. I have a goal of a $1,000 and I have now shifted my focus to demolishing that goal. I have also began to focus my efforts to race in honor of two of my best friends’ moms that have been diagnosed with cancer. I have been fighting off soreness and fatigue on certain days the pull to get back into bad habits and the temptation for quick easy meals. Their fight is much greater than mine and as I feel a bit of a rumble in stomach I can’t give in because they can’t.
Right now at this moment, I feel an odd peace. I have had all this stress finding a job and planning for my future and looking for a moment to be reflective. I think I might have found it. It feels good to have that rush in my finger tips as if the blood pumping from my workout appears on the page. It is something to feel this great after a workout and notice the difference from when I started. It is great to know that as I begin to feel better about myself by getting in shape it is no match for how great I feel in helping others.
Keep Rising and Grinding. ALL IN. In the Warrior’s Heart There’s No Surrender.
34 Days Till Warrior Dash New Hampshire
Without self-discipline , success is impossible.
-Lou Holtz
So it’s been awhile old friend. First off progress. Down to 265 for the first time since high school hoping to be down to 240 by the time I do spartan race at Fenway. I’m keeping with everything still eating well and keeping with the workout program and staying fit.
It’s been hard to write things are hectic as my final two weeks of Americorps are approaching. It has been a wonderful and wild experience. I have learned about self control and what it really means to struggle. I have learned about being brand new in a whole different place. I have learned mostly that there are amazing people out there trying to make the world a better place.
Anyways keep rising and grinding. In the warriors heart theres no surrender.
Living in this moment
As I’ve ventured down this avenue of life, I recognize that I live to think each moment.
Engrossed, in thoughts of of others.
Worried of their perception and tongue.
Worried of what might become of their perceptions.
I become a puppet if my thoughts if their thoughts.
I become their fool.
I become my own fool.
I mustn’t over think these moments but live with in each.
Declaring to this world this is me….
This is whom I am.
This is what you get .
Epiphanies come on bar stools as much as they come on sober walks.
Photo reblogged from SportsNet New York on Tumblr with 56 notes
Going viral is this ‘shopped pic of Olympic divers on a toilet. - @digitaljournal
This is crazy hilarious .
44 Days Till Warrior Dash New Hampshire
Believe….
-Eric LeGrand
So it’s been a long time since I’ve posted. Just grinding out workouts and getting better each day. Getting better with my wind getting better at fighting through and pushing myself. I’ve got some new goals I’m working towards.
I chose the believe motto because as Eric LeGrand works toward his goal daily I can work toward my goals daily. I look to stories like that to motivate and inspire me. Believing is the first step to accomplishing everything.
55 Days Till Warrior Dash New Hampshire
I hated every moment of training, but I said,”don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
-Muhammad Ali
Today and this weekend it’s been tough keeping with the diet and staying away from bad habits. Now close to 16 days smoke free and feeling better definitely getting my wind. Still everyday is a struggle going cold turkey. Yesterday, I had three slices of pizza and some fried fish today. It’s becoming more difficult to keep to my training regime.
I need to look at this quote and realize that at some point I will reach my goals. As of right now, I’ve raised $165 for St. Jude’s and I will hopefully be raising more. I’m in the 260s for weight. I’m going to register for Spartan at Fenway. I’m going to destroy all of the obstacles in the way of my goals.
Keep rising and grinding everybody. In the Warrior’s Heart There’s No Surrender.
56 days till Warrior Dash New Hampshire
It’s not wether you get knocked down; it’s wether you get up.
-Vince Lombardi
So I’ve been fighting a nagging knee injury the past few days so I haven’t written. It started about a week ago and is just nagging. I’ve been stretching it and whatnot. The Vince Lombardi quote is just a reminder to keep getting up.
I’m definitely going to run the spartan race at Fenway on November 17. Just have to get money together for it. So now I’m prepping up for two races. Which will be good for my continued training. I’m going to tear into my men’s health book and destroy some of those workouts in preparation.
Blogging from the phone today so no song of the day
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