Evolving

Well, last night was fun! I ate good all day long and had a really good dinner (to save money) before I went to the Ale house last night with friends. I ended up having 6 rather large draught beers, 3 Dos Equis and 3 Guinness. To my surprise, I woke up early (0530) feeling like a champ but to late and a little worn out to make it out the dawn patrol surf with the fellas! I guess your body sometimes needs some good healthy dark beer and some heavy sleep.

As the title of this post suggests, yes, I seem to keep evolving (with many things it seems lately). Surfing continues to humble me but, I'm becoming more fluid and somewhat smooth. I love it! I wished I lived closer to the ocean, the drive sucks. On the other hand, I could live in Nebraska and that would really suck! My workouts have become completely disorganized and it's awesome. I find now that when I do partake in an organized workout, I don't like it anymore. I've kind of always been this way sorta, I've never really known what I was going to do until the day or minute that I decided to do it, but I don't even really do that anymore; no more organized gym sessions, no consistent routinized progressions that cause overuse injuries, just none of that anymore, it's simply not needed. I am becoming the ulimate freestyler!

I've also realized that people are deathly afraid of change, and that from now on, even when asked (and I am asked a lot) about fitness, nutrition, running barefoot, having a positive attitude, and wanting to move somewhere (other than here), etc. etc., people just don't want the answers that I provide. I think most people want justification for the way they do or see things, to make themselves feel better..., I guess. I've just felt lately that most people don't want to see other people make positive, lasting changes in their lives and succeed. That is unfortunate. I refuse to join the ranks of people who act that way and I refuse to conform to the so-called "norms" of society and/or conventional wisdom (a Mark Sisson term for all the morons who think they've got it right but deep down have to know their dead wrong). I am learning to keep my mouth shut and only give advice to those who really ask and want it.

I'm trying, learning, practicing to show/use great restraint in all aspects of my life these days. Talking quieter (and not as much) not working out hard (see above) only enjoying really good beer and really good wine with really good friends and family and after I've put in a hard day's work of some sort. Not smoking cigars (I really hate tobacco, I don't know why I indulge in this from time to time..., it's rather stupid) Not being so cynical towards the ways of the world even though that now...uh, that's right, I won't go there. Just tyring to stray away from all the instant gratification and chronic indugences that most people partake in.

School will be starting up this Monday and I'm getting myself ready. It's tough to stay motivated sometimes, especially when surrounded by many negative people. I'm getting better at separating myself from such individuals but sometimes the negativity takes its toll. Nevertheless, I'll press on and try to get all A's again this term. There is a goal in sight. Whereas my goals use to lie in the health and fitness realm (I don't know what for) they now have moved to that of education and simply having fun with my life.

Other than that, I had a huge bowl of spaghetti with garlic bread and salad tonight at the fire station. This always seems to be the meal that allows me to sleep really good and wake up feeling totally refreshed. I hope this carries on because the surf is going to be big and clean tomorrow and I need some extra energy.

Not surfing dawn patrol session tomorrow because I'm currently drunk and will most likely be hungover in the morning. But, I will be going to good ol' Station 9 to get some much needed "hungover sleep" and recuperation from tonight's festivities.

Regression..., but not

It has been a while since my last post; just before I left for Cali, and Hawaii, actually. Just before I left I hit a big PR in the back squat, squatting 230lbs. 2o times! However, my deadlift took a serious nose dive. My 1RM was sitting at 380lbs. but I just barely got 320 a week ago today. I had to reset my new 1RM to 320 and work up from there. I don't really mind the regression in the deadlift though because I have felt a ton better from all of the walking and sprints. There is no formality to my routine anymore (guess that makes it "not a routine," either). I walk, for some distance or time (always varies) almost daily, sprint once or twice a week, lift something heavy a couple times of week and, intermittently play around with bodyweight stuff. I have discovered that I would much rather do hard work, i.e. working in the yard, surfing (which, by the way is hard work and fun at the same time) and something I have done for about 5 days straight due to the hurricane off the coast. I REALLY wished I lived somewhere where I could hike all the time, a place with big hills, mountains and a better variety of terrain, environment, etc, hmmm, maybe like San Diego.

Month three of 5/3/1 for Deadlifts and de-load on BP

Saturday 8/1/09

Walked and sprinted with Mar and Yogi; they both quit on me early today! For being very, very sore, my sprints were light and fast today.

Workout: Deadlifts: Warm-up: 135x5, 185x3, Work sets: 235x5, 270x5, 305x3 (WEAK, WAS SUPPOSED TO GET AT LEAST 5 REPS!!!!) All I can think is that I am still way too sore from the squat PR only two days ago, my lower back is a little tender and my CNS is now completely fried from the early morning sprints (very CNS intensive). This was my last official workout for about 10 days. I am actually looking forward to this time off, it will be fun and much deserved. However, I plan to do a lot of low, low level aerobic work, i.e. walking, hiking and swimming, and plan to do some surfing and the occasional hill sprint while out on the west coast and in Hawaii. This is going to be a great trip! I haven't decided if I will continue to week two of month three for the lifts when I do resume or just do a quick recap. I think I'm going to recap so that I can bring my bench up to date with the other lifts and start fresh with everything, including becoming proficient at the snatch and clean and jerk (the O'lifts).