The Struggle Itself

"The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” ― Albert Camus

Sedentary / sugar / stress Squats / steak / sun

Happy Monday. Facing the workweek is better after getting plenty of sun and eating plenty of protein over the weekend.  This morning was my favorite hour of the week – 5-6 AM of back squats and sled push. 

Training

In preparation for next year’s Scotland trip, I’m working up to the Terry Todd Sword and the Stone Challenge: this event features holding a 56 lb weight at arm’s length with palms facing up or inward for one minute.  Suspend it horizontally at arm’s length (in Scotland they do this 6” above a Claymore sword hence the name). Stand upright and maintain the horizontal position with the stone. Avoid lifting the stone above the horizontal position or bending arms, back or legs. 

If you want to try this challenge, kettlebells work well as a stone substitute.  I have a full set of Rogue kettlebells which I recommend.  Technically they aren’t mine since they were my Christmas presents to each family member, but I borrow them back more than occasionally.

My next trail run is another fire tower run for 4,000’ of vert in 10 miles.

Fueling

I guess I could call it “diet” but I dislike that word’s association with an event (losing 5 pounds this month) versus a permanent change.  And “fuel” reminds me the correct place to place food in one’s life.  Just the stuff to fire the engine, but should be the right stuff – and right amount – to power whatever you use your engine for.  One advantage of a delivery service that drops off locally produced real food is that you can avoid even stepping foot in a grocery store, avoiding any temptation to buy any junk food.  Hudson Milk + Market helps me eat clean and support my local farmers.  Everything has a short list of ingredients.  I’ve been particularly enjoying their biltong on runs for convenient and delicious protein without added sugar. 

Gearing

My activities are fairly light on gear (okay well except for mountaineering) but I just got a new pair of Reebok Men's Nano X2 Cross Trainer which I think are the best gym shoes.  You can run in them (some past versions were too high behind the ankle for running), lift in them (the sole is stable enough to feel good squatting), and rope climb (the inside is perfect for j-hooks).  Get a pair!