The sun’s setting its alarm clock earlier and earlier these days. Usually my morning workout resembles more of a nighttime workout — as in, it’s pitch black as I stumble through my exercises. But this morning, well, this morning was different. I was standing on a hill (that I had just sprinted up), doing jumping jacks. Before me was the Madison Central football field bathed in an orange glow. I saw Line 1 running their indian run. Another line was pushing boards as another one was doing straight arm planks. Nearly 60 people were sweating and changing their lives.
Even though I didn’t have my glasses on, I was stunned by the sheer beauty of it all. Then a crow landed on the stadium lights. Someone quipped, “He’s waiting for one of us to die.”
We laughed and the moment was over. It was time to get back to work.
This week was a tough week, but very rewarding. As we sat in the end zone hearing from a couple of our team mates, I realized what I truly love about our workout.
It’s not physical challenge. Or the mental challenge — although I do enjoy both. It’s the fact that I workout with friends who have pushed through problems and succeeded. There is something remarkably motivating pushing a board next to someone who has overcome a death, a divorce, a job loss, a disease or any other of life’s struggles. You leave your problems on the edge of the field at 5 a.m. and you push through the next hour together. When pick your problems back up, they’re not as big. And you’re stronger. And you know you have friends to help you along the way.
Life will always be tough. But if you’re tougher, it becomes easier. And much, much more fun.