Marathon: I went for a little seven-mile run today... But after yesterday's PFT and with my cold I wasn't feeling too hot. It didn't help that I started running with a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel so I felt compelled to keep up with someone much faster than I. Once again, I tanked out my legs too soon. So, while the run sucked, I did prove something to myself: My body recovers remarkably fast. I got lost a few times on the way back and would walk a short distance while I gathered my bearings. I felt a lot better after each little walk so I am feeling good about the marathon and walking through aid stations.
One of the guys I was running with told me that taking an ice bath right after physical exertion helps get rid of the lactic acid. He said I wouldn't feel the effects but that tomorrow my legs "will be gold" if I went up to my waist in the frigid sea water here for 10-15 minutes. When I went down to the water and got my feet wet, I was immediately impressed by just how cold it was. I stayed at the water's edge for a few minutes contemplating if I really wanted to do this. Eventually, I spotted a decent wave, went forward, and sat down. That way I would submerge myself but not subject myself to any riptides.
So the water hit me, washed over my legs, and splashed against my chest. Then I noticed that I felt light-headed, that the world had a 10-degree tilt, and that the water wasn't cold at all. Weird... And this was all hilarious. I retained enough of my mental faculties to realize that I shouldn't stay in the water much longer than that and picked myself up then walked back to my warm car. Turned the heat on. Drove home and took a warm shower.
None of my boot camp first aid classes ever mentioned that shock was euphoric. Heh.
Combat: Last night I was shot with an airsoft gun. I opened my door and there was another Marine with a pistol. I saw it and then he shot me. In essence, I saw it, did nothing about it, and then I died. That is unacceptable. That event motivated me to shuffle my schedule around a bit and talk it over with the other Marines involved... and now we are looking at Tuesdays and Thursdays for combat training. Eventually, when I see someone point a pistol at me they're going to eat it. Then I'll laugh.
Medical: Sick... So very sick. I thought I was getting better but I did not want to get up this morning and then I've been coughing all day. So I'm going to take some drugs and rack out early tonight.
Personal: Another weekend goes by where I only did a fraction of what I had hoped to do... but when I started laughing at random stuff and lost the ability to string coherent sentences together I figured that I should rest today. However, I did run through my post-marathon schedule for May and I am really, really excited.
Monday: 0515 PT formation; morning classes; weight lifting during lunch; afternoon classes; 1600 formation; 1730 track workout with the run club (unless I have a Masonic meeting).
Tuesday: 0515 PT formation; classes; 1600 formation; SCARS training; speaking practice (?)
Wednesday: 0515 PT formation; morning classes; weight lifting during lunch; afternoon classes; 1600 formation; 1730 6-8 mile run with my running club
Thursday: 0640 formation; classes; 1600 formation; SCARS training
Friday: 0515 PT formation; morning classes; weight lifting during lunch; afternoon classes; 1600 formation
Saturday: 0715 long run (working back up to 20mi) with the running club; speaking practice
Sunday: 0630 adventure run or 0830 fun run with running club
Add to all that additional language studies, a college course, daily metaphysical work, the proper nutrition that comes with my apartment... The best part? I enjoy all of this. I relish training. I've managed to flip that switch in my head that transforms "work" into "fun." I will be ready for whatever life throws at me.
Some men are destined to be great. More are destined to be common. A select few make themselves great.
No comments:
Post a Comment