The Iron never lies to you. You can walk outside and listen to all kinds of talk, get told that you're a god or a total bastard. The Iron will always kick you the real deal. The Iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black. I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds. - Henry Rollins

Spartan Shape-up, Day 55:

The thing I like about weight lifting is, even when the Cosmos are working against you (like me, today), or you're stressed because things are out of your hands.... a 20 pound dumbbell is reliably a 20 pound dumb bell. You can push it, sweat out the life craziness, and feel better at the end of it. Nothing subjective about it.

It was nice that today was Lifting day. I was frustrated with multiple things going on, but once you pick up the DB's, there is nothing else to be done except push, breathe, sweat, repeat. I like it. Gives me something really tangible to accomplish and finish.

Thus, today's WOD looked like this:

• Arnold press x6
• Deadlift x6
• Bent Row x6
• Squat x6
• Upright Row x6
• Hang Snatch x6 (both arms together)
• Thruster x6
• Bent Row x6
• Hang Snatch x6 (alternating arms)

Four rounds, with two 21lb. DB's. Having said that, I'm thinking that next time I'm going to have to pick up the weight a little bit. Or maybe do another round. I'm thinking that the weight is the solution, though. Working on building muscle, rather than just working on the endurance. Hmm. Note to self: Consult with TG and see where to go next. It might be as simple as just cutting down the time between rounds. I'm at like 60-90 seconds at the moment, but I'm recovering pretty quickly. SO, it may be that I only get 30 seconds between rounds, and push it a little harder. 

Oh the dilemmas!!! LOL. 

I have to take a moment to reflect on a thought I've been marinating on. Along with becoming fitter, losing weight (down -1.5 this week!), and embracing myself and my new abilities, there is a distinct amount of not giving a damn about whatever other people think. Particularly when you're really dedicated to what you're doing. Yes, I work out in some form 6 days a week. YES, I like lifting really heavy stuff. YES, I am training to compete in an extreme obstacle race........ why does that make me an oddity, or the recipient of dubious looks, or the subject of all sorts of questions about why I have to go so extreme. Seriously? Because I'm enjoying it. Yes, I'm on the lookout for a sandbag to run with, eventually. Or a big rock. And I can't even imagine the looks I'm going to receive. But, you know what..... I don't care. I think I have finally gotten to that point. I have embraced the challenge of disregarding the people. Which, some days, may be more challenging than adding that extra mile, or doing that extra set... but it may be the most important. 

I am really looking forward to being able to join the Crossfit gym in the area... there are a lot of similarly minded people there. As a really social person, it has been difficult for me to be "alone" for all my workouts, all the time, because I don't have any friends that have ponied up to the challenge. I'm working on breaking them into it... BUT, not too much success, at this moment. 

On a more physical note, I'm definitely thinking an Ice bath is in my near future. My quads, after doing weighted squats and thrusters today, are definitely feeling it. RAWR. Other than that, though, I feel good. No pain in my ankles or knees for the last year, nothing. AWESOME. 

And with that, I'll see you tomorrow - Run Day! I'm aiming to push out the distance a bit.... *gulp*