TrainAmazing

*Beep!* *Beep!* *Beep!* The digital alarm clock I’ve got in my kitchen (so I physically have to rouse myself and walk over there to turn it off) sounds at 4AM. Delta wave state successfully disrupted. 

I pass my image in the mirror, pause, strike a biceps pose with ribs lifted and say to myself, “I feel good!” And I do, despite the creaky soreness in my glutes, hamstrings and quads from yesterday’s epic hike. I’m walking like an old man to brush my teeth but I just feel brighter. 

In the bathroom mirror I notice a quarter-sized red splotch where the ant bit me on my clavicle yesterday. Hypochondria and death terror engaged. Quickly put some tea tree oil on it and notice it doesn’t itch or hurt which helps slow the tailspin. Quick search says it should go away in 24-48 hours. Please let that be the case. I’m alert now.

Run through a mental dossier… ‘Gym opens at 7,’ ‘But today’s the Lord’s Day -you’re supposed to be resting,’ ‘2 hours of yoga,’ ‘Make progress on the many books you’ve got in rotation,’ ‘Study anatomy,’ ‘Resist the urge to eat poorly,’ ‘Go on another hike??’ ‘Work on your business.’—There’s no way it’ll all get done but I’m happy the wheels are turning.

~7:15AM- parallel park on the curb around the corner from the gym, walk in, scan my barcode and get drawn directly to the bench racks. I welcome this start like a tall drink of cool-aid on a summer’s afternoon. Over time I’ve learned there’s no shame in going straight away to the comfort spot in the gym, especially on creaky days. Sometimes you interrupt the familiar routine by venturing over to other machines/stations, while other days it’s best to go completely by feel. To really feel at-home at the gym is a gift not all are given and I thank the muses that got me in the door today.

None of the reps for the hour or so I’m there feel truly satisfying like they normally do but I put in the work and know I’ll be grateful later. There’s something ineffable about how it feels on those good days. It’s pre-verbal. Maybe pre-human.

When I get home, I try my limbs at yoga for a good 20 min, taking many alterations and Child’s Poses. Nap for a bit, go out to get food, come back, read books and get around to some more mobile yoga for a good hour. Read some Spiderman comics on Unlimited, and close out my day by working on some fundamental snatch movements with my barbell as well as 35lb plate halo’s, pull-ups on a bar that hooks over the kitchen door frame, side-leans with the 50lb kettlebell and more overhead squats until I look like I just stepped out of a swimming pool. Mission complete.

And with that… 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read! I think I’ve realized that more than just being something I like to do, writing is something I HAVE to do in order to stay sane and if it’s entertaining or informative to someone else in some way, that is the cherry on top of a tasty 3-tiered vegan cake.

Wherever you’re at today with life, fitness, goals, dreams, relationships… be kind to yourself and in my eyes, it’s all training. So…

Might as well train amazing.

God bless you. Be good.