Rest

Post Workout
Thursday August 12, 2010

Today's workout was hard, from the warm-up to my last rep, it was tough but well worth the pain. "Gun Show Days" are great. I'm still trying to get my bench up so I can look swoll, lol. I'm so far behind everyone else it isn't funny but luckily for me the guys I work out with are throwers, so I don't mind looking weak in front of them. They all know that they can't handle me on squats, lol. We have a bet, well not a bet but a competition to see who will hit 400 lbs. first on squats. so far I'm the closest. I hit 385 lbs. the last time we had a test. It's only up from there. In any case it's been fun competing against the other guys and pushing them to be better.

Now that I'm older and much wiser, in my own right, I see the importance of having like-minded people around you. The benefits are tremendous. When I was younger I worked out by myself and tried to be as individual as possible. I said I did it, "To be more focused" but really I was being selfish and a a-hole. I can only attribute my past attitude to wanting to be the best. Wanting to be the best made me an outcast but a fast one, lol. to each his/her own I guess.

I still have bit and pieces of that attitude and it comes out from time to time. Sometimes I just want to be alone. That can be interpreted as acting superior or different. So be it; these days I try my hardest to assist others to reach news level of success in their own lives. Getting better during training sessions or the classroom cannot be made possible without a strong support group to push you when you wanna give up or slack off. T.N.D.O has been pushing me for 3 months now and I can see the results. Not just physically but mentally as well. I'm more focuser and determined to be better than I was before I walked in.

If you know me personally, you know I'm a no nonsense type of guy on the track and in the weight room. I might joke around with you here and there but when it comes to my training, I'm all business. That probably why I was as good as I was. I didn't play around with my training. It was my life. My secret to being the best is not the weight room or the track, it's having the ability to pull yourself and your mind away from your sport when you're not doing it. Having some alone time. Some solitude, some rest helps you appreciate other things besides your training.

It's important to incorporate other things such as going out with friends, watching t.v., video games or even other recreational activities into your life so that you don't grow tired with the monotony of practice or lifting. I'm currently reading a book called, "Mental Training for Peak Performance". I picked it up in the weight room today. No harm in trying to pick up some tips from people who have changed their sports like M.J. Tiger Woods and Micheal Phelps. In attempts to grow stronger physically, I want to become more mentally tough and more focused not only on my training but in my life as well. Learning to separate the two is key.

Ralph Marston once said, "Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. then get back to work." there's nothing wrong with taking some time off to get back home mentally. I suggest you pick up a book, get a massage, go for a walk, nap (my personal favorite), or do something fun to take your mind off of your busy life. Trust me it will help you to be less anxious and more prepared to handle future tasks.
As of today I'm 221 days or 7 months and 9 days or 5304 hours or 31 weeks away from my first official meet however you look at it. Each day I'm getting better and each day I'm getting closer to earning the number one spot in the 100 and 200 meter dashes in school history and in the CAA. Everything after that can wait. I'm focused on reclaiming my titles and moving on to Regionals once again. But I'm taking it one step at a time. Don't rush your progress. Be patient and stay focused. Everything will take care of itself if you're holding up your part of the deal.

Good luck,

D