Since we're going on a bit of a journey together, I thought I should introduce myself. If this seems gratuitous, given the fact that many of you found yourselves here by following a link via Twitter or Facebook, ask yourself the following questions:
1. When was the last time you saw me in non-electronic form?
2. When was the last time we had a conversation that didn't include either a phone or a keyboard?
3. Is our time apart, covered above, greater than the amount of time it took the Chicago Blackhawks to win TWO Stanley Cups? For the non-sports fans, was Miley Cyrus still Hannah Montana? (I have 2 daughters...DON'T YOU JUDGE ME!!!)
I see some of you nodding (I'm tight with the current administration, and you're sitting in front of a computer with a camera. I saw you peek at the camera just now, too).
I have this idea (more of a nightmare, actually) that I'll easily be the oldest, least in-shape, least deserving "Men's Health MVP". Basically, I'll be the Mark Moseley (1982) of this deal. Go ahead, Google him...I'll wait....yep, a kicker. So let's get this out of the way. I am:
---38 years old
---married, 3 kids
---a teacher at a large private school in Memphis
I say these things so that you can understand where this blog is going. I am NOT:
---going to write 5,000 words on the various types of stretching routines I do not do anyway.
---going to pretend I'm a model. I do not possess monochromatic hair, "waxing" is something Daniel Larusso learned from Mr. Miyagi, and "manscape" sounds like something from the Flashdance soundtrack.
---going to act like training is my life. I do LOVE to train, that is not a lie. But I have about an hour, most days, for the whole routine, from lacing up to cool down.
Men's Health actually has been great as far as that goes. Their workouts, typically gym/weight training, usually fit into that hour. I will try to post my runs, via Nike Plus, to both Twitter and Facebook. No promises on that, I'm usually busy wringing out my shirt from the sauna that is August here in the South.
If you come along for this fantastic voyage, I cannot promise you wisdom, or knowledge, or even Coolio (unless he sees that reference). I can promise honesty, hard work, and a bit of humor. We have about 10 weeks to journey together, from the brutal heat of Memphis to the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Time to step up, and step off, into the great unknown...
Until next time,
Tom
2T4:7
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Knock Knock
So it started in the parking lot of a McDonald's in Jacksonville...
About 8 months ago, I got an email from Men's Health magazine, looking for "Men's Health MVPs". It sounded intriguing, but I assumed the target demographic was a bit more spry. Nevertheless, I filled out the application, and promptly forgot about it...until January, when I found another email (which I almost auto-deleted, and if that isn't a word, it should be), notifying me that I had moved on to "Phase II" of the contest. I answered more questions, sent a few pictures (which I thought would be my downfall, honestly), and again forgot about it...until I left Memphis for a Spring Break trip with my family and in-laws. We were walking along the beach, waiting to board a cruise ship, when I was notified that I had been selected as a "Men's Health MVP".
Fast forward to last week, when an offer came to compete in the Men's Health Urbanathlon in October, and write a blog about my training and race experiences for Men's Health. I have actually completed this particular race twice before, both times in the Chicago iteration of the event. Now, for those unfamiliar with "the Urb," as I will henceforth call it, here's a quick primer:
Location: Grant Park/Navy Pier/Lake Shore Dr./Museum Campus
Distance: 10.8 miles
Obstacles: 10 "stations"
I must admit, I am both excited and nervous about this opportunity. Excited, because it gives me an opportunity to blog about something I enjoy (training for and completing an obstacle event). Nervous, because I READ Men's Health, and let's just say that they either have the world's best Photoshop people, or the contributors (and I mean ALL OF THEM) are in rockin' great shape. Comparatively speaking, well, my old saw about "round being a shape" is looking more accurate daily.
As the weeks turn to months, and the weather in Memphis goes from "can't breathe, too hot" to merely "holy monkey it's hot", I'll be sharing my training exploits, thoughts on preparation, and general musings on the event. Right now, it's time to answer opportunity's knock, and take that first training step.
Tom
2T4:7
About 8 months ago, I got an email from Men's Health magazine, looking for "Men's Health MVPs". It sounded intriguing, but I assumed the target demographic was a bit more spry. Nevertheless, I filled out the application, and promptly forgot about it...until January, when I found another email (which I almost auto-deleted, and if that isn't a word, it should be), notifying me that I had moved on to "Phase II" of the contest. I answered more questions, sent a few pictures (which I thought would be my downfall, honestly), and again forgot about it...until I left Memphis for a Spring Break trip with my family and in-laws. We were walking along the beach, waiting to board a cruise ship, when I was notified that I had been selected as a "Men's Health MVP".
Fast forward to last week, when an offer came to compete in the Men's Health Urbanathlon in October, and write a blog about my training and race experiences for Men's Health. I have actually completed this particular race twice before, both times in the Chicago iteration of the event. Now, for those unfamiliar with "the Urb," as I will henceforth call it, here's a quick primer:
Location: Grant Park/Navy Pier/Lake Shore Dr./Museum Campus
Distance: 10.8 miles
Obstacles: 10 "stations"
I must admit, I am both excited and nervous about this opportunity. Excited, because it gives me an opportunity to blog about something I enjoy (training for and completing an obstacle event). Nervous, because I READ Men's Health, and let's just say that they either have the world's best Photoshop people, or the contributors (and I mean ALL OF THEM) are in rockin' great shape. Comparatively speaking, well, my old saw about "round being a shape" is looking more accurate daily.
As the weeks turn to months, and the weather in Memphis goes from "can't breathe, too hot" to merely "holy monkey it's hot", I'll be sharing my training exploits, thoughts on preparation, and general musings on the event. Right now, it's time to answer opportunity's knock, and take that first training step.
Tom
2T4:7
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