Today was more of a fitness test than yesterday’s fitness test. Because today was the first real day of working out. Along the way I ran into several old friends: The W drill (running through cones shaped like a W), the treadmill (at 6.2 and 6.5 mph for 10 minutes) and the Gauntlet (The Gauntlet at Jackson State is different than the Gauntlet at Madison Central. One is running around the gym. The other is running up and down the football stands). My old friends greeted me like they always do: The whipped my butt — and I’m sore from their greeting. But I passed their tests and know what I need to work on. I now have 12 weeks to get better.
Paul split us into lines. There are seven lines and you’re placed according to your level of fitness. I’m in line one — the top line — and I really like the athletes I’ll be working out with. I think we each have our strengths and will support each other during our times of weakness. And there will be times of weakness. Two years ago, I started in the worst line. If you are reading this and are struggling, you can do it. I did — and I am not a natural athlete.
The Man in the Glass was read again. If you’re not familiar with the poem, it’s a classic on personal responsibility. I can tell you from personal experience, during good times, faults and flaws are hidden. But like an orange, you know what’s inside of you when you’re squeezed.
Bottom line: You get what you give. And if you cheat, you’re only cheating yourself.
But isn’t that true about life, too?