It’s been a while but the progress never stopped. As some of you know, I have taken on the challenge to develop of becoming the best version of myself, in turn hoping to inspire others to do the same.
I have been doing this through physically challenging myself, developing my education through reading.
I continue to work and interact with hundreds of people each month, helping them improve their physical performance while also working on building the psychological strength to eliminate self limiting beliefs ( which we all have in some way, shape, or form). I have found the more people I am able to help develop change for improvement in their life, the more I find peace and purpose in myself.
Quote:
If we do not know where we want to go, any road will take you there. My interpretation to this, is if you’re unsure what you want. Begin taking actions in some direction and pivot until you find something appealing
Book I Read: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
This book was interesting yet different from most books I have recently read. To learn about his history was quite interesting but to see things from his perspective, even more interesting. The gist of what I understood from his story, is that we have choices in life. When we make the choices based on our core values and remain honest with ourselves and others, everything will turn out alright…alright…alright….
That we should not take our fears too seriously because our concerns of what could turn to red lights are ultimately yellow lights or yielding challenges that give us the green light or progress that propels our life and world experiences.
That even celebrities that we look up to as these perfect people, are just that.. people who grow up like anyone else with rules, challenges, shortcomings that lead to over coming successes. That being said, they like any one of us, are just individuals trying to figure out what to do with life. The difference is action and trust that success is possible.
Experience I have enjoyed: Run Woodstock “Hallucination 100”
I joined my oldest brother whom is here in Michigan, from Washington. He signed up for a 100 mile trail running race to compete for entrance to The Western States 100 Miler (The super bowl of ultras). His goal was within 30 hours. My goal for him was 24 hours. We compromised with his finishing time being 26 hours and 34 minutes. For the first 50 miles, I manned the start/finish loop aid station (6 loops total) being sure everything was ready for Jerry ( my brother) to successfully complete the next loop. Until eventually loop # 4-6. This is where I began to join him in this run. My movement began at 4AM, putting his first 50 miles at exactly 12 hours. First loop felt great, me being 16.64 miles in and Jerry being 66.64 miles in. It was dark, with head lamps ( I got to use my new 750 lumen light), complete darkness with the lights off.
When we come to an opening in the woods, you see a clear sky full of stars, minimal light pollution. Your lights reflect off spider’s eyes which look like sparkles all over the ground, I used to have arachnophobia but over the past years; I have gotten over it. We passed a few hours and the sum was coming up ( around 6:30/6:45AM) we were able to take off the head lamps and start the day with another 40.7 miles with some sun light.
Upon my second loop, one of the aid stations had breakfast burritos, which I regretfully passed on until the next loop. The were worth the indulgence by then. I kept nutrition consistent, fortunately for m because at mile 79-80 for Jerry (29-30 miles in for me) Jerry decided to run 11-12 minute mile pace which is quite quick for the terrain and trails we were on. I was able to keep up but concerned if this kept up later in the run, I’m going to be left in the dust! This burst did not last beyond mile 81/31. We came to a normalized 14-15 min mile pace to follow. We were then informed we would in fact be joined by our other Brother whom has very little experience with trail or distance running, however no stranger to physical exertion and physical pain through fitness efforts.
After enjoying my aid station made breakfast burrito 33.33 miles in, I exchanged my pacer bib and ran without access to aid stations, relying on my last 16.7 mile loop I packed up on the water/ Nuun tablets, and fruit that I had packed to fuel the last loop which turned into 17.17 miles due to rerouting as I ran out of water. Fortunately the MTB entrance to Pinckney Recreation’s Potawatomi trail had a water pump for well water which fueled the second half of this loop! 45 miles into the run for me 95 miles for Jerry and 11.64 miles in for Brandon, I had pushed forward to ensure I made it to the finish, concerned there was still a chance Jerry could have another burst of energy, only to leave me in the dust near finishing. All turned out well and Jerry completed his race with enough energy to “sprint” to the finish line as my niece suggested we do. (The sprint was no more than a 4mph pace). The outfit I’m wearing was impulsive as my shorts had a large hole in them and I grabbed my wife’s jersey that I thought was mine. Fortunately I had contingent cloths ready.
Triple Trail Challenge: A practically self supported ~48 mile mountain bike ride/race hosted on the not only the same trail (Potawatomi as well as DTE and the restricted Waterloo trail). I acknowledged why the trails are not ideal for mountain bike with a rougher ride than expected, however enjoyable none the less. My friend Bruce and I were able to complete the ride within my ideal time frame of around 5 hours (5 hours and 1 minute). Coming to the finish to the organizers prepping GFS nacho cheese and chips, as well as GFS pre canned chili, we hung out at the benches for about 15 minutes and decided to go on our way to fuel up with more ideal nutritious foods. Throughout the ride I consumed less than usual (2 Lara bars a fruit “that’s it” bar and 5 nuun tablets which were in my 3 liter pack of water.) In the end I will be glad to take a break from the Potawatomi trail, with all of the roots and sandy fun.
Book I picked up next: W1nning by Tim Grover
I look forward to hearing things from his perspective. If you’re unfamiliar with whom he is, he was a coach, mentor, and trainer to both Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. I have gotten a chapter into it already and already know it is going to be great. The gist from the first chapter expresses that success in winning is only rented and never earned indefinitely, eventually someone else will come by to take the trophy. That, to attain success in winning you need something more than just “want” or “effort” but GRIT to achieve something great.
Leave a Reply