Training Session #42- July 22: Getting punched in the mouth

In 2013 I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disorder that chewed a hole in my cerebellum, atrophied various muscles, impaired my vision, balance, coordination and consequently stole my confidence and my ability to run. I have dedicated the summer of 2018 to regaining my strength, coordination, balance, and relearning how to run. I am participating in a 5k run on September 23rd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is my training journal.

This is my attempt to grow physically and mentally strong again.

Write on. Fight on.

The previous training sessions can be found here, under “Fight on- Summer Training Log”

Time:

7:15 am- 8:20 am

Conditions:

Indoor

Training Maxim:

No hurry. No pause.

Training Performed:

Today I developed and conducted a circuit consisting of 8 different exercises. Each exercise was completed 4 times. The picture below shows the different equipment I used:

Bosu Ball:

1 minute standing pose
1 minute kneeling pose
push-ups- 10 reps

15 pound Kettlebell:

Swings -20 reps
Thrusters- (hold the Kettlebell in both hands, at your chest, squat, quickly stand up and press the Kettlebell overhead) 20 reps

40 pound Barbell:

Curls-10 reps
Military press-10 reps

Exercise mat:

Sit-ups-20 reps

Accomplishment:

Kneeling on the Bosu Ball for 1 minute without any assistance.

Quote I’m Thinking About Today:

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” ~ Tony Robbins

Reflection:

We’re all guilty of being boxers who want world titles without ever fighting.

I want the good life. A pain-free, stress-free, heartbreak-free life. A life where I drain the marrow of the day until I fall asleep fat and happy and without scars.

But the moment we feel pain, whether emotional or physical, we forget the good life and focus on survival.

Like Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

In a lot of ways, the moment after being punched in the mouth often predicts the future.

You’re on your knees. Blood dripping from your mouth and staining the canvas. Your ears ringing. The earth, and everything in it, is spinning. Your hurt and scared and you know the moment you rise, your opponent will be standing there, seething, smiling, ready to punch you again.

This is your defining moment. A moment that will teach you more about truth then a library of philosophy books.

The immediate choice is simple: stay down or get up. But the extended consequence of moment, of your choice, decides if you’ll ever have an opportunity to live the good life.