November 11, 2024
Today, I feel an incredible sense of accomplishment. As promised, with no training or warm-up, I tackled Murph this morning, and now, I'm back at my desk, ready to dive into work. I got what I was hoping for - a renewed confidence in my ability to overcome. This experience reinforced the value of pacing, the power of focused rage, and the fact that while support is appreciated, it's not always necessary.
I walked more than I ran, a total of 2 miles, and I broke up the 600 reps into 25 rounds of 4 push-ups, 4 pull-ups, 4 push-ups, and 12 squats. I set one clear goal for myself - not to start a movement if I couldn't finish the set. This approach gave me ample time to breathe, center myself, and silence the noise in my head.
Round 1: The only round I completed with strict pull-ups and an intentional absence of pacing. My heart rate spiked. I knew that pace was unstable, but it was an excellent start in that I knew every round after that, at least from a skill and raw strength perspective, would be more accessible.
Round 5: I've got concerns. I'm not watching the clock, but my pace is slowing. The old me, who completes this workout "for time," was creeping up to the surface, ready to judge my fitness level. I shut him down. That's not the point here. Just. Finish.
Round 8: My inner CrossFit Coach is helping me play it safe. My shoulders feel good. I'm moving with purpose, and the volume ahead feels less daunting.
Round 13: Halfway, finishing isn't a doubt. Finishing strong is the mission. I've had Tyler The Creator's Chromokopia on shuffle and repeat all morning, and Take Your Mask Off comes on.
And I hope you find yourself. And I hope you take your mask off.
#message
Round 18: My wife texts me today's Wordle. STOIC is a personal philosophy I've practiced for the past five years or so. I was deep in it when that text came through, but I could see the light and the tunnel. That well-timed reminder of what often powers me through adversity was just what I needed to ensure I finished strong.
Round 25: The final round. I'm moving with purpose, unbroken. I tossed off my grips and headed outside.
Walk, run, walk, run. Home.
1 mile, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, 1 mile run, done.
It's Veterans Day, and I'd be remiss not to acknowledge it. Veterans, thank you for your service. For those actively serving, I ask that you familiarize yourself with your “relief for cause" regulations.
