Training Session #43- July 23: One negative thought
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:
12:00 pm- 1:05 pm
Conditions:
Indoor
Training Maxim:
No hurry. No pause.
Training Performed:
- Chest press 3 sets, 10 reps each set- 100 lbs
- Shoulder press 3 sets, 10 reps each set -70 lbs
- Inverted row 3 sets, 10 reps each set- 70 lbs
- Leg press 3 sets, 10 reps each set- 180 lbs
- Leg extension 3 sets, 10 reps- 50 lbs
- Glute press 3 sets, 10 reps each leg- 60 lbs
- 20 minute recumbent bike, hill training- 4 miles
Accomplishment:
This was a tough session. Life happened, and I had to squeeze my usual morning training in the afternoon. But by then, my motivation wavered. However, I did force my butt in the recumbent bike and pedal a 4 mile hill course.
Quote I’m Thinking About Today:
“Behind the mountains are more mountains.” ~ Haitian Proverb
Reflection:
The other day I was standing in the check out line at the supermarket ease dropping on the woman behind me.
She was telling the person on the other end of the phone how bad her kids are, how selfish her husband is, how corrupt the government is, and how expensive everything in the supermarket is. As I looked at her shopping cart full of food, I shook my head and laughed.
Things go wrong. Absolutely. And when one thing goes wrong we have a tendency to think everything is going wrong.
When I first got sick I didn’t have the maturity to compartmentalize my illness. Sure I was (and still am) sick but my illness is no one’s fault. And no amount of anger, resentment, or spitefulness will regenerate my atrophied cerebellar. My brain is damaged…so it goes.
When your life is compromised, the easiest thing to do is let one negative infest all your thoughts and blind you to the shopping cart full of food that you’re about to buy.
From The Previous Training Session- July 21: Getting punched in the mouth
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.
