The Anarchist

“The lenses inside of me that paint the world black / The pools of poison, the scarlet mist that spill over into rage. The things I’ve always been denied, an early promise that somehow died / A missing part of me that grows around me like a cage.”

Who hasn't felt this way at some point in their lives? Whether stuck in a dead end job or a toxic relationship. The frustration of unrealized potential can indeed spill over into rage. As we age, the pain of knowing there is a missing part of you only grows stronger. It's testimony to the importance of finding your self at an early age. I believe true satisfaction is achieved through being self-less that is, to live to give of yourself.

What if I don't fail?

A few months ago I attended an excellent presentation by an inspiring leader in the direct selling business. The gist of it was, get over your fear...take action. Sure, you may fail. But what if you don't?

Yesterday while running that phrase came back to me in a big way. As is often the case when doing something uncomfortable...alright, painful, I have to pysch myself up to keep going. 

I realized I have to keep running instead of stopping. What if I just keep running even though my aching legs tell me to stop?  I will be prouder and happier with myself and feel better about my upcoming triathlon race.

l also realized I can apply that question towards any aspect of my life when facing a decision on whether or not to take action.

For example:

• I'm afraid to call that difficult customer because he might think I'm being a pest. But what if he gives me another order?
• I'm afraid to tell my neighbor about this great new product I'm using because he'll think I'm trying to push it on him. But what if he wants to try it and it helps him?
• I'm embarrassed to share what I'm doing with a close friend because he might ridicule it. But what if he thinks its pretty cool that I'm trying to better myself?
• I'd better not start that business because I might lose my life savings. But what if I don't? 
• I'm not going to sign up for that half-marathon, what if I can't finish it? But what if I can?
• I'd better not try and fix the car myself because I might not be able to figure it out. But what if I can?

Most of our fears are irrational but hold us back. Next time you are afraid to try something, think about the opposite of your fear happening and dwell upon that! Attitude can be a very powerful motivator!

Man of Steel Trailer #3

The third trailer for the new Zach Snyder movie, "Man Of Steel" debuted last night and I can't wait to see this interpretation of the Superman story. The theme seems to center around the age old concept of destiny vs free will, which is a common thread from one of my favorite song writers, Neil Peart, of Rush. Following that theme is the sub-theme of the father son dynamic. Fathers always want their children to have a greater impact on the world than they themselves had. In this way, fathers wish for their sons to fulfill great destinies.

The movie is a complete reset of the Superman story and may be hard to grasp for those who like me, were children when the Christopher Reeve, richard Donner films came out with Krypton being an crystalline ice world. this carried through even to bryan singers Superman Returns.

First, the Kryptonian science and technology seems to be very organic as opposed to cold and icy like in previous superman movies. The trailer showed creatures or ships flying with lots of wing like movement.

Second, Kal El appears to be some kind of different Kryptonian even before being sent to Earth. The early peeks indicate that he may be an illegal birth, a natural born child as opposed to a genetically engineered person, again, born with free will instead of a destiny.

Third, the earlier films seemed to gloss completely over the fact that Supermans existence proves that we are not alone in the universe. He is the first visitor from another planet and his discovery would have enormous impacts on Earth. Again, his destiny would inpart, be to establish first contact with extra terrestrial life.

I can't wait to see this movie!

Attitude

Which comes first, the champion's attitude or the championship? Having a goal, then committing to work towards it every day with relentless, unwavering focus- This is what separates champions from the pack.

IM AZ: Kicking it into gear with Advocare

I've been trying several Advocare products over the last few months to see if they can help me achieve the fitness levels I will need in order to complete IM AZ later this year. So it's been a lot of experimentation. I'm pleased to say that I believe some of the products have made a difference and some, not so much. But there are more to try.

Arginine Extreme is probably my favorite product so far. I take it 15-30 mins before a strenuous workout and it allows me to push through barriers which would have stopped me a few months ago.

Spark, their most popular product, helps me wake up in the morning and get in the right mind set. It's more of a mental booster than an actual performance booster. I read a masters thesis on the ergogenic effects of Spark (their were none) so that makes sense. But I still think it helps me to face those early morning run/bike/swims better.

I'll figure out how to add this countdown clock to my blog...tomorrow.

http://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/countdown.html?n=884&iso=20131117T070000

It IS up to you...but get help

Popular motivational saying that goes something like to be me. It is thank you for 1 million. It is up to you to take action.
You are the one who must decide to take action. But you have to remember that you do need help and there's nothing wrong with asking for help.
Set a goal then get help doing it. Don't let your help down stay committed.

24 day challenge: day three

Today is the third day of my 24 day weight loss challenge. I've lost about 2 pounds total so far. I don't know whether this was a good idea but I also hired a triathlon coach and started working out just yesterday with him.
I'm doing Ironman Arizona in November which is only about 11 months away so I hired a coach to get me into shape in a hurry. Actually I'm not worried about finishing but truth be told my ego wants to finish certainly and under 16 hours but definitely under 14 hours and if I can finish under 13 hours even better I know guys who are in really good shape Billybrook 1012 hrs. so I have no delusions that I'm going to be able to break 12 hours however maybe 13 maybe 14 I think I'll be happy if I can break 14.
So that being said I guess I'm not terribly concerned about losing weight for the next 24 days but I am concerned about working out consistently getting through these workouts and getting enough sleep and getting enough fuel in my body I figure the weight-loss will come naturally.

After all right now my body is at an unnaturally heavy weight. For the longest time I was at about hundred 95 pounds probably for the last six years. Just in the last few months I have let it creep up to close to 200 pounds. My goal is to get down to about 170 pounds but also to be very fit lean and strong at that way I don't want to look emaciated or week or have a lack of energy at that weight.
My coach sent me today's workouts last night and they are too bad I think he's ramping me in slowly. Today I have to cycle and swim.
I rode the trainer for an hour. He broke up that our into 10 minute segments of accelerations and recoveries which I really liked.
The pool work out the 1500 yards looks to be kind of similar with a warm up some drills simple buoy and cooldown I'm really looking forward to getting back in the pool