This past weekend I traveled to Dallas to see some friends of mine. While I was there I got in a nice workout session with my friend Todd. We started off with four games of racquetball. The last time we played each other was about a year and a half ago, and I got completely crushed each game. I was so out of shape that I could barely stay with the guy. Fast forward to present day, and unfortunately I still got destroyed. I think the most I scored in one of the games was six points, (you need 15 to win) so not very impressive, but Todd told me that I had greatly improved from our previous game, and that it was a much harder challenge this time. I felt that I was staying with him during the game from a stamina standpoint, but he had me beat when it came to skill, such as controlling where the ball went. I just sort of swing and let it go wherever it wants. After those four games I was pretty exhausted, but Todd still had more in store…he wanted to do the stair stepper machines.
I haven’t really talked about my relationship with the stair stepper, but I think I need to come out and say this: I absolutely hate that stupid machine! When I had my first attempt of losing weight and I was working out at 24- Hour Fitness, I would always attempt the stair stepper with little success. The best I ever did was an 8 minute workout that would leave me on the ground requiring some sort of respiratory assistance. I could never conquer this dumb exercise. Thankfully, Workshop didn’t have one, so I never had to get on one until hanging out with my friend Todd.
As we walked up to the stair steppers I asked Todd how long he usually goes on these things. When he responded with 20 minutes I was about to laugh in his face. Do you really think I can do 12 minutes more than I have ever done on here after just finishing up four racquetball games? Are you just trying to embarrass me with your amazing physical attributes? Do you enjoy seeing me in pain? I didn’t really ask any of these questions I just pretended to man up and responded in my deepest voice, “cool dude.”
About two minutes into the workout, my legs started to give. It was one of those warning signs that maybe I wasn’t ready for this intense of a workout. I made it five minutes and Todd decided that we both need to increase the level by one. I started to lean against the handlebars of the machine. But another five minutes passed, and I stood up as I raised the level again. My legs still hurt but the pain hadn't increased. I was completely shocked that I went over 10 minutes and felt okay. Another 5 minutes passed and we hit the home stretch. I kept trying to remember what my trainers tell me all the time, “No matter what you are doing always finish.” The last minute is made my whole body ache in pain but I knew I had to do it to prove to myself that I can. Twenty minutes popped up on the screen and I jumped off the machine and ran to the water fountain!
4 comments:
Okay, I'm glad I'm not the only one that wants to die after 2 minutes on that thing. YAY i'm proud of you Ricky! Maybe I'll try to stay on for 20 minutes next time. it seems impossible.
Thanks for sharing this pivotal moment! And I love that you are going to take it and use it to inspire you in future challenges. Much better than simply positive self talk. You can just run the video of this memory through your mind, and get pumped for whatever is up next. PUMP!
Way to Go, Ricky.
Love,
Tammy
Nothing to it, but to do it brother! Way to go. Do your best and forget the rest.
Hey Ricky ~
I read this post earlier this week and your line: "I kept trying to remember what my trainers tell me all the time, 'No matter what you are doing always finish,'" has repeated in my head this week during my workouts. I'm getting back into my running routine and my the distance goal that i've been setting for myself has been hard and when I wanna stop, I've been thinkin about what you said your trainers said...so THANKS!!
~ Laura Lightfoot.
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