State of mind or mindset, or frame, if you will is totally under our control. It means we decide what things mean. Our interpretation of things and deciding whether they are good or bad, positive or negative, or supportive of our life mission is totally within our control. For example, today on my birthday it is raining. Now since I have introduced myself to being aware of my mindset and deciding what things mean, maintaining my frame if you will, and focusing on my mission I could be upset that I cant do things on my birthday. But, 1. I don't control the weather and 2. I choose to be exceedingly grateful to have a dry, warm, cozy house to sit in with big beautiful windows to observe all the watery, green, fresh, beautiful abundance, and the burst of new life that is spring going on outside. 3. this gives me the perfect excuse/opportunity to follow what I have been wanting to do and create something lasting and hopefully useful that will last far longer than I will. Words on a page. So there you have one of the major lessons for me this year. Control what is in your sphere of control, assign meaning to things and always focus on your mission of doing things that make your life better. Maybe focusing on getting wiser instead of older is just the thing we have been missing.
As anyone who knows me will tell you, Physical Fitness and lifting heavy Iron is part of who I am as a human being, and is part of the stated focus for this blog. The expression for this passion of mine is competition in the epic sport of Strongman. This past year, as have most has been filled with challenges, or opportunities for growth as I now call them. I tore my meniscus and flipped it over while doing some HIT training with the intention of conditioning or increasing my cardio capacity and reducing my 1.5 mile run time. Everything felt great and I turned it up over 80% and accelerated into the corner and BOOM flop flop flop! Blew a knee. This bit of Irony launched me into some deep belly laughs despite the pain and I hobbled back to my truck for a trip to the ER, and to reevaluate my training plans. Some knee surgery and rehab later, I decided I would compete in California's Strongest Man and proceeded into my contest preparation training. That preparation was my hardest ever and rapidly devolved into a shit show of little nagging injuries and performance far lower than what I expected of myself and I let the old mindset get pretty negative. I started using my age as an excuse and was having some pretty serious doubts as to whether I was up to the task maybe I was too old and needed to retire from the sport I loved with a religious fervor. I decided to take control of my mindset again and stop being a pussy. I realized once I started focusing again on my sphere of influence, or got back into my frame that, Hey Dumbass you had knee surgery less than 8 months ago you had to learn to rehab that injury and train around it and all the other little injuries, carry on despite doubt and self loathing fear and diminished performance, and now you have the privilege again to celebrate all that by competing in the sport you love. You get to compete against the best of the best and yourself. Helloooo? Celebration time your knee feels better than it has in years, you will guaranteed set some PR's, and get to hang with your fellow warriors in the Strong Man community who are by the way, some of the finest human beings you will ever have the privilege of being associated with.
Results:
270lb Log Clean and Press 0 reps. Need to focus on initiating the press right away don't hold on to it so long.
Keg Toss over 15.5 feet 5 of 6 gassed out on # 6. Didn't train for this at all maybe practice it next time.
Farmers Carry 275 lbs per hand 88 feet PR. Always my least favorite event, need to work it until it becomes my favorite.
Tire Flip 1200 lb tire, 4 flips PR Keep working on and improving efficiency and strength for this event.
Stone Load loaded up to the 350 lbs stone, glute starting its thing so I stopped. I was not in the running for a podium finish and risking another injury made no sense. Continue to work stones to improve.
I don't know how many other almost in a few weeks 47 year olds were there but it was a kick ass celebratory day for me. I also got caught up with my Strong Man buddies so Winning!
This is what happens when you choose to feel wiser instead of older and control what is yours to control and ignore all the Shite that isn't in your sphere of influence. I hope that you will join me today in celebrating the beauty and potential of life here on earth.
Hail Life!
