I recall, on a particularly elevation-heavy hike, turning to look behind me after cresting a large hill and having what I can best describe as a “holy shit” moment. By no means was this hill among the tallest, steepest, or longest, and by no means was this an accomplishment that I retain as one of my greatest. But it was tall, steep, and long enough, and it was demanding to a degree that made every step an effort -- demanding enough to make you want to stop, and enough to give you a satisfied grin that you didn’t. The moment was significant primarily because I got to see where I started. I looked down to the base of this steep trail, and I saw the fruits of every step I took in a very real and measurable way. It was not a moment of glory or overcoming odds or peak performance -- it was merely a powerful reaffirmation that yes, I did just do all of that, and woah, I was there at the bottom not too long ago, and here I am at the top now.

It’s difficult to put these moments of somewhat unremarkable significance into words, but it’s moments like this that give value to action. And it’s important to take these moments for yourself and appreciate how far you have climbed up the hill. About once or twice a year, I unintentionally end up coming across and pausing over my old training logs, and I find myself grinning in the same moment of satisfaction at the fitness journey I’m on. I have set exactly zero world, national, or state records, I have been signed by exactly zero collegiate or professional teams, and I have won exactly zero championships. But I’ve climbed one hell of a hill, and it feels good to remember that.

Do you remember your first time attempting to squat a barbell? Your first attempt at a pull-up? Your first time jumping up onto a box? The first time you tried to run a mile as fast as possible? The first time a coach asked you to move for 25 minutes straight and you thought, “aww hell no!”? Perhaps it was 8 years ago, perhaps it was only 8 weeks ago. Either way, turn around, look back and down to where you started, and take a moment to appreciate where you are now. I’d be willing to bet you’ve come a long way.

- PS

4/21/17

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  Hang snatch - 4,4,4,4

  
  

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  Single leg DB RDL - 3x8 (/leg)

  
  


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  Landmine row - 3x12 (/arm)