Marshall Ramsey

The first time I did PLS, I lost 50 lbs. The second time, I think I lost a pound, but added muscle. This time, I’ve added more muscle and lost a few pounds. I’ve also gotten in the best physical shape in my life. And, I’ll boldly say, I’m in the best mental shape of my life, too.

This has been a tough session. The coaches have pushed us harder than ever before and we’re seeing results out on the field.  I’m doing things that I never would have dreamed of doing a year ago. Or 20 years ago.  I’m stronger, faster and more focused.

That’s why I get up at 4:09 every morning to go work out.

I have amazing people in my line. To a person, they come to work. They’re focused and don’t cut corners. It’s an inspiration.  I’ve heard that you’re a sum of your five closest friends. If that counts for people in your exercise group, then I stand a chance of being a good athlete. They have will. And their personal stories motivate. As we stood on the field this morning, I was tired and wondering, “Why the hell am I out here this morning?” I needed sleep. But I couldn’t let my line down.  So I got my butt (which I finally found yesterday afternoon after popping some ibuprofen) out of bed and went to work.

We had a lot of people out today so our lines were consolidated (line 4, however, was present and nearly accounted for). We did SIX sessions instead of the usual four. That means we do more intense workouts for shorter periods of time. Need a rest? You can do that at 6 a.m.  There was leg and arm work. Lots of carrying 45 and 25lb. weight plates while running and doing arm exercises.  We hopped and shuffled.  And we hit the deck, a lot. We did one of my favorite drills, we thrust the weighted ball down the field 100 yards and back repeatedly. Clark did some core work with us. And then we ran a timed mile.  I shaved a little off my time — not bad for being winded.

Missing: My butt. Last seen location: Local football stadium. If seen, call me ASAP. I ran it off this morning. Call 555.PLS.PAIN

We ran this morning. A lot. We ran 100 yards doing ladder and bag drills. Wayne had us run 12 Kruger (sp?) Sprints. We ran the football stadium during the Gauntlet.  We put the ball in and out of the bucket. And we finished it with 200-yard sprints.

Yes, I said 200-yard sprints.

Wayne talked about the fourth quarter. Line 4 (my line) did his station last. We were tired. Very tired. We were sucking wind. We did the sprints and pushed ourselves.  And then we did the 200-yard sprints.

Yes, I said 200-yard sprints.

It was a good metaphor for life.  You get your most growth when you push yourself past your limit. That limit is in the fourth quarter.  Sure, we could have quit.  But that’s when you miss the reward.

Life is hard. Many of us have had our lives changed radically by the Great Recession.  I told my wife last night that I can’t remember being this tired.

It’s the fourth quarter. Like this morning’s runapalooza, it’s time to push it even harder. Success is found in the fourth quarter.

Keep pushing. That’s how you get to the next level.

My cousin, who is a championship-caliber barefoot skier and owner of a boat with 320 horsepower, drug me, my kids, my wife, my other cousins and my brother-in-law around the lake on a raft.  Four rafts, to be exact.  And it wasn’t a nice and gentle cruise. As my son described it, “It’s EXTREME TUBING!”  Centrifugal force came into play.  My arms got the mother of all workouts and were super, super sore. But I don’t care — it was an absolute blast.  I can’t remember having that much fun in a long, long time.

I waterskied, too. I haven’t done that in 20 years but it was just like riding a bike. I popped up and zipped around on two skis.  My ankle took a beating on that.  So I didn’t run until yesterday.  I did 10 miles — and nearly dehydrated because of the humidity and a late start. I drank three quarts of water while I was out on the course. And probably sweated six.

SO this morning, my arms and legs were wiped out. Naturally, we did a heavy arm workout. First we had the weight room. Then a session with Coach Chaz where I got way to freaking familiar with a 45-lb. weight.  If sweat is fat crying, mine had a mental breakdown.

Clark made sure our core wasn’t neglected. While my form wasn’t exactly spot on, I held my own. I’ve come a long way in two years.

We then did the four-corner drill which was a lap around the track and on each corner you jumped rope, did burpees, bearcraweled ten yards and did jumping jacks while holding handweights.

To finish the day off, we did a deep stretch — which I REALLY needed.  I was very grateful as I was on the turf tugging on my sore legs.

There are three more weeks of training.  I’m in much better shape than when I started but have room to improve. But who doesn’t?  I’m sure the next three weeks will be tough. I’m on the road a lot and things are busy. But I’ll be up and on the field at 5 a.m.

Success’ secret ingredient is hard work.