Life is GREAT!

So, I'm chilling out in fire camp, happy as hell to be out of the place I work and doing something that I really love.. I've got a ten day wildfire assignment, there is not much wildfire going on but I don't really care..

The wildfire community is much like the police and regular fire fighter community but I'd venture to say much closer knit than them even. Maybe because its a smaller community or maybe it just the breed of people but its hard for me to go anywhere else and find the sense of singleness and purpose that I fine at fire camp. There's not a ton of politics, almost everyone knows their job and each spoke fits and works.. I love it.. I think my whole demeanor changes the minute I get that resource order and know that I'm going to be headed out.. Then it changes again when I get my demob paperwork..

Why is it that we don't chase our dreams and that we allow extraneous circumstances to dictate our lives.. I suspect its fear.. Fear of the unknown.. Fear of failure.. Fear in all forms is said to be

a corrupting thread in the fabric of our existence.. Its a shame too because its so limiting... Maybe I really need to evaluate this and seek to push through that.. Its obvious that my current career is wrought with unhappiness..

So, what the shit does that have to do with CrossFit.. How many of you have found yourself in fear of the weight or let a workout scare you away because you knew it would kick your ass. Man, I have... One World's blog from a few days ago defined this mental block or Mind F*#K much better that I can.. But that's what it is..

So, what about getting through it? I'm going to start that process right now with my job (or I have good intentions too) and I think what it takes is support.. Family, friends, a support network... A BOX...A COACH..

Into Action You Lazy Bums!

My Thoughts On CrossFit: Life Changing Shit..Thanks Coach Glassman

BEFORE ........................................................................................................AFTER

Who would have ever thought at 33 I'd become an athlete yet here I sit, sore as shit from the beatings I took this week, aching to get back into the game when lunch roles around. The mark of an athlete - that desire to strive and achieve better, to be better than the next guy, to beat the clock, to boarder on obsessive or travel clean past that boarder in seeking increased performance..

What the hell is this thing which I have found myself controled by for a few minutes a day EVERY day?

CrossFit (http://www.crossfit.com/)

Someone asked me to tell them about this thing a while back. This was my response:

I have never been "into" fitness my entire life.. I did play lacrosse at SWT in the club but I never was really "athletic"... Anyway, I got in pretty good shape when I was fighting wildfire but right before I moved back to Texas a year and a half ago I was pushing 265..On top of that I had really high total cholesterol and ldl.

I started CF when a couple of special forces guys I know came out to WF to teach a night vision class.. One of them was in particularly good shape and I asked him what he did.. He turned me on to CF. That was almost a year ago.Within probably 6 weeks I could SEE the difference CF was making in my physique and my health. I was focused on just being "fit" not to look great or anything else. Just to have some level of good fitness..What I got was much more...

What CF gave me:

1) I'm sitting at 222# pounds and have been there for almost a year...My body fat continues to decrease but because of the lean muscle I stay about the same weight.
2) From a 42" waist to a 36"
3) CF + Zone Diet my cholesterol is NORMAL
4) I can dead lift 430#
5) I can squat 345#
6) I can vertical jump from a standing position over 3 feet high and land standing on the tail gate of my truck.
7) I can horizontal jump 7'4" from a static position.
8) I can run 1.5 miles with .5 of that being backwards in under 20 minutes.
9) I can do 10 dead hang pull ups with out stopping, I can kipping pull up about 17
10) I can row a 10k in 40 minutes.

What does 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10=??? HARDER TO KILL!

It also equals :) because I can pretty much do whatever I want.. If I want to run somewhere I can.. If I want to move some heavy crap I can.. If I want to go stalk after elk in the Rockies, I can..I can do a lot of things and I don't have to train for months to do it.. All I have to do is throw on a pair of shoes and go..Is it hard?? Heck yes.. Is it for everyone?? Heck no.. Is it for you?? Go see.. You won't regret it..

The other part -beyond fitness -is the amazing people you will get to meet.. I have been fortunate to meet some INCREDIBLE athletes that inspire you to drive on..to push yourself harder than you ever thought you would..AND there is always the humbling experience of a girl kicking you ass in a workout..That is not to be missed!

So, THANK YOU Coach Glassman