Running Like Forrest

After an intense run yesterday with a Naval ROTC/Beta Sigma Psi/Peer Minister friend I couldn't help but think damn this isn't going to be easy. I've been doing a lot of weight training and push-ups since January, which according to a few friends the results are starting to show. Cool. Unfortunately, I've never been a huge fan of sit-ups or running, which has shown for about four years.

Notice the correlation between college and that? Yeah, I've gotten soft. I'm working on that and trying to build some consistency into my workouts and runs by making them a major part of my life as they were in high school.

It would have been easier if I had maintained my physical attributes rather than letting them fall apart. But could've, would've, should've don't matter now and wishful thinking isn't going to help. Things are happening now and it will take perseverance and consistency on my part to get to my physical fitness goals.

I've got to do this for myself and for the people I hope to lead someday. A lieutenant that can't do what his men are doing isn't worth the butter bars they pin on him. A little push from friends and family by giving me good-natured ribbing by calling me "Slim" or my brother's go-to, "Fatty" , will go a long ways towards keeping me motivated.

In order to break a large rock you have to give it a consistent and repetitive beating with a sledge hammer. It doesn't happen with one swing. You may even have to change it up a bit by turning it on one side or another. By chipping away at it, taking smaller parts off or maybe putting a good crack in it, you will gradually break off enough pieces that you can dispose of it.

That's how I'm trying to look at my training. Running at least two miles a day on weekdays, a couple  weightlifting workouts spread throughout the week, and then sets of push-ups and sit-ups after the runs are all things I'm doing towards getting into shape for basic. A simple, consistent workout schedule throughout the rest of the summer will help me reach my physical fitness goals. 

It may get a little more difficult when I get back to the farm in the fall as I won't have access to a weightlifting facility, but I'm sure I can manage. I'll just Rocky IV it (definitely no chance of me looking like that any time soon). Plenty of random heavy stuff to lift around there and lots of room for running.

I can lean on two quotes that I are quite representative of military training.  

Pain is just weakness leaving the body. 

That one reminds me that the current pain is temporary and will subside as I get into better shape. Self improvement is never easy, and I'm not about to take the path of least resistance.

The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.  

This one reminds me that my training isn't just for me, but for the soldiers that I hope to lead. The U.S. Army truly has an invested interest in weeding out those that they see unfit to lead others, as incompetence can get people killed. I pray to God every night that I'm up to this task. The better prepared I am, the better off everyone in my future unit will be.
 
So here's to busting that damn rock into million pieces, mile by mile and workout after workout. "Gonna quit? Hell no! Gonna run, all day, all night, all the way, everyday, driving on, all right!"

DONE! BOOYAH! Wait a tic...

I am finished with classes for awhile folks. My last presentation was Tuesday and last two exams were  today. I am celebrating my graduation with my family and friends in the park on Friday, but for now, Cinco de Mayo will be a good reason to beber tequila y cervesa con mis amigos en una fiesta. That is how much I remember of my three years of Spanish from high school. That, vaya con Dios, and ¿Dónde está el baño?. Three most important phrases as far as I can tell. Might have to be #14 on the bucket list to improve mi espanol. 


Anyways, the internship is still going on, so technically I won't be a true graduate. Once I complete the required 400 hours and write up the seven page paper at the end, then I can call myself an alumnus of Iowa State University's Greenlee School of Journalism & Mass Communication.


Holy crap, I'll be an alum. Just realized that the perks of being a college student are vanishing. Ehh, here comes a list of things that I'll have to deal with now. 


I'll have to pay extra to see Cyclone football and basketball games unless I hijack tickets from my little sister who will be my replacement here. Being as obsessed with the Cyclones as I am will probably get jokes from many people, especially bandwagon fans (cough cough), I mean anyone who cheers for a team that goes to bowl games or March Madness every year. Never mind, that has happened my entire life so nothing new about that. I'm still SO PROUD, LISTEN TO ME, SO PROUD to be a Cyclone. Sorry, had to let my inner Coach Rhoads out for a bit. You know what they say, loyal sons forever true.


I'm going to get those annoying phone calls from the ISU Foundation begging me for $500 (hell no), $250 (no, but I too lived in Larch), $150 (no, I was Journalism major), $100 (this is getting old, no), or $50 (you're damn persistent, I'll give you $25) donations. I know those rates (or something close to that) and conversation because I worked there spring semester freshman year. 

In a couple of years, when I have time to visit for Veishea, Homecoming, or meet up with college friends, I'll get dirty looks at the Welch Ave bars for being "old". At least I'll be a man in uniform, the ladies will love it. Just kidding to mi familia (but really, unintended benefits like this are few and far between). 


Amazing how quickly life changes. I'll go from a student to an alum plus the title of U.S. Army Officer in a year. Please remind me to slow down, smell the roses, enjoy life, carpe diem, whatever. I get caught up in things and forget to enjoy the experience. I've got about six months of life to enjoy before Army training takes over an insane amount of my time. Might as well enjoy and remember it (responsibly, I'm not an idiot) because I won't get to redo this period of my life.