Today I Got Stronger

So today I was in my summer home, the WIU weight room and took time to read some of the wall posts that are smattered about. I ran across this particular one and it caught my attention. Not only for what it said but for the mere fact that it was so prominently displayed compared to all the others in the facility. We have all seen signs and in today’s society of pinterest, twitter, and facebook signs just have become something we read with one eye on the next status. Today while warming up I just sat and stared at this particular sign, then read the sign, and then read it again. It doesn’t say anything that I haven’t already been told, found myself in some book, or read on some social board. It wouldn’t have caught my eye today but instead of just a glancing look and thinking, “oh neat a cool motivational sign”, I actually digested what was before me. It is true; doing something consistently and with purpose is a difficult task. Think about the fact that 20% of society is responsible for 80% of the wealth. Companies rely on 20% of their loyal customers to make 80% of their sales. Gym memberships are massively in demand at the beginning of each year. Then about February most of the population realizes that this process isn’t as easily attained as the 30 minute infomercial they watched and got excited about. The second part of the quote was even more heart hitting to me. The part talking about reaching your full potential just hit home. I had a coach that once told me we all have potential. He never mentioned being professional but reaching the full potential of the talents we have. Potential is simply energy that can be released or it can be left at rest. It doesn’t mean it is going to change the world. Using your potential to become the best you can be is all we can ever do. In athletic terms I have met many people who have reached their full potential and others who have simply pissed it away because the effort was too great and the reward was not high enough to them to release the potential. Maybe your potential takes you to the championship of your recreational league, maybe some state competitions, maybe you become recognized on a national level, or even maybe you become the world champion. It’s your potential and we all have talents and all are different. The only thing we can do each day to assure that we reach our full potential and become our best is to put the work in when others are unwilling. I am, are you? Today’s workout actually sucked. I am weak and I know it so my numbers are small. I completed the workout but it truly kicked me in the booty. The first task was to do maximum effort for pull-ups. With no weight assistance I was able to muster 5. With 40lbs of assistance I achieved 7, 70lbs I got 11, and with 100lbs I got 13. Man I have some work to do on those. After a short rest the remainder of the workout was 3 rounds of 9 power cleans, 12 ring rows, and 36 double unders (double jumps with a jump rope). Because I am new to Olympic lifts I am very concerned with my form and I am also not the strongest guy. My weight used for the 3 sets was 55lbs. My form for the 3 sets was pure. I completed the other exercises with minimal problems. I’ll get there and for the rest of the summer I will read that wall every time I walk in the strength room.