10 Years.

I don't think I need to get too detailed about this. We all remember exactly what we were doing 10 years ago. Some of us might even remember every bite of food we ate that fateful day. The day that brought us together as a nation, and even compelled other nations to join us in that distinctly American tradition of getting back up, standing up tall, dusting off and fighting back.

I truly miss seeing American flags flying. I love it when I see a flag that has been shredding to strands. That thing has been abused by the wind for god knows how long, but it will continue flailing as long as there is even a single little thread left. It really does make my spine tingle when I see that. This is why we train: so that regardless of how punishing or brutal life becomes. Regardless of how hard and strenuous things may get. Regardless of the challenge, we may continue to press on to pursue our goals and dreams with every last fiber of our being.

"Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed." - William Earnest Henley 

As we spend this week remembering and honoring, lets try not to fall into the pits of sorrow, but rather squeeze those back muscles tight and stand tall. Walk proud. This is America and that's how we roll. 

Try to remember the great things that human beings did for one another that day. Complete stranger who might have killed each other on the 405 out of road rage risked life and limb to help others. People did things they never thought possible in order to survive and save others. When pushed, we are all capable of doing a lot. But when another life is in the picture, we can become superhuman. This has been documents many times ( "The Third Man Factor" - John Geiger, "Deep Survival" - Laurence Gonzales.) This week, try to think of someone who you might really step out of your comfort zone for. Someone who you might run into an inferno for. Perhaps someone who you wouldn't just die for, but maybe even survive for. 

Here is a special workout to help honor, remember, and commemorate the incredible things that people can do for others, especially our first-responders (fire fighters, cops, emt's). Try to think about the brave men and women who raced up dozens of flights of stairs to help get others to safety. Think about fire fighters that have to carry air tanks and 50 more pounds of gear in hopes of carrying out an even bigger person. It's stifling to even imagine but we will try..

THE DRAKE-SNAKE-MILE:

Run 3 laps on the track. During EACH lap, complete an entire Drake-Snake when running on the West side of the track. You will thus do 3 snakes total. You will start the snake on one end of the stadium seats and finish at the other end and continue running the lap. If you find yourself trudging along slow and lazy, try to think about the price others had to pay and how insignificant your levels of discomfort are right now. Feel free to wear a back pack with 10-20 pounds of stuff. Maybe even do it in work clothes and work shoes; you might not have exercise clothes ready when something happens. 

I suggest you all coordinate something together. It would be awesome if everyone was out there together doing this. So put "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" on your ipods and go out there and GET SUM!! 

Have fun, enjoy, give thanks, and be nice to someone random this week. Pay it forward.

Over and OUT!