Boo

I was a big fan of the original "Law and Order" back when Jerry Orbach played on there. I don't care for the newer spin-offs of that series. The last time I was sick enough to stay home from work, I found a cable channel that showed those old shows all day. It's damn near impossible not to get a little paranoid watching those things. I asked Sugar Britches if she had any plans to either kill me or have me murdered. She answered: "Not yet." Not really the answer I was looking for, but I'll take it.

I can't turn away from the TV when one of those true crime/mystery shows comes on. If I see more than five minutes of it, I have to watch 'til the end...find out who did it. One came on after "American Ninja Warrior" last night, I think it was called "Dateline." They all start pretty much the same: Anytown U.S.A. God. Family. Patriotism....MURDER? In last night's episode it turned out the wife made up the whole story and convinced the guy she had been banging on the side to kill her husband so they could collect on a life insurance policy and start a new life together. The whole plan unraveled pretty quickly.

Initially, the obsessive thoughts. I had the ability to focus on other things and temporarily not think about smoking. However, if I wasn't tuned in completely to something else, the smoking thoughts were always at or near the surface. The only long-term issues I dealt with, which I would classify more as annoying rather than hard, were: the desire to smoke after finishing a job or task and the inability to fully identify as a non-smoker. I was several months into my quit before the thoughts of wanting a cigarette upon completion of a job began to cease. The identity issue was, I suppose, a combination of a lingering addiction and a bit of self-doubt. Even as I put more milestones behind me, it often felt like I was just taking a break from smoking before I inevitably started smoking again. In hindsight, the "hard" parts weren't really all that hard. And considering what I've gotten in return for my efforts, quitting smoking is one of the best bargains of my life.

Addiction is antagonistic to success. It's voice is one that would love nothing more than to destroy what you've built. Good job on letting your better judgement guide you.

Most of this process comes down to commitment, time, and repetition. Those looking for quick fixes and hacks typically only complicate an otherwise straightforward and simple process. Those who are ready to just drive on and get it done are the ones who build rock-solid quits. You are in the process of building a rock-solid quit for yourself. And it just gets better from here. Enjoy the ride.

Have I mentioned the importance of having realistic expectations when it comes to health and fitness? I hit Lookout Mountain thinking how much progress I have made since I first ran that trail. Determined I was going to better my previous times...I set out to show that trail who the boss is. Got out to a quick start. I was running along at a good clip. Then...I bonked, ran out of gas, hit the wall...whatever you want to call it. I limped along up a spur trail, found a nice rock to sit on, and just enjoyed the views over the valley for a while. Eventually finished the loop at a snail's pace. And here's the thing: I'm fine with it. I just didn't quite have it yesterday; it wasn't meant to be. I've finally figured out that if you expect to be at 100% every time out, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. That goes for running, strength training, boxing...pretty much any physical endeavor. You're gonna have good days where you feel in peak condition, that's a good time to make hay while the sun shines. More often, you're gonna have what I call "punch the clock" days. You may not be feeling it, but you punch the clock and do the work anyway. And there are those days where it's just not there, that's a good time to lighten the load or perhaps just take the day off. The rest may be more beneficial than the workout would be. It has taken me a while, but I'm beginning to look at the big picture instead of just doing what gratifies my ego.

Eight is great. Good job Abby.

That is one of the most insidious aspects of addiction: it wears you down mentally to a point where you feel defeated and ready to resign yourself to live and die an addict. A sense of despair and hopelessness goes hand-in-hand with the addiction. Of course that also leads to one of the most glorious aspects of quitting: the return of autonomy and the confidence that comes with knowing you are strong enough to take control of your life. You get yourself out of that rut and move forward. From there, the momentum kicks in. Strength begets strength. Confidence begets confidence. Ain't it the truth!

Did some basic strength work this morning: Deadlifts, Overhead Presses, Pull-Ups, Roll-Outs, and Farmer's Walks. Finished up with some mobility work. Tomorrow morning, I return to my running roots. Heading down to Lookout Mountain to run the Big Daddy loop. The place where I took my very first trail run. It kinda feels like going to see an old friend.

I would like to see Castellanos serve in some sort of player/commissioner role. He hates analytics and makes no secret of it. He thinks it's bullshit that some teams are tanking now for future success..."you play to win the game." And more recently, he crucified those awful "players uniforms" that every team wore last weekend. Castellanos 2020: MAKE BASEBALL GREAT AGAIN!

Congratulations MightyBoosh. Enjoy your newfound freedom.

I'm weird about numbers. I was ready to sign off for the day. Then I noticed that my post count was at 7699. Confession: The only reason for this post was to get my count to a nice, rounded, even 7700.

Goofing around on the internet because I don't remember how to be a night owl anymore. Took a nap earlier. Now I don't feel like going to bed at my usual time. Sugar Britches and Cash are both asleep already. I'm rested and ready. Don't have a damn thing to do, but I'm rested and ready nevertheless.

I can understand why Donaldson was a fan favorite in Toronto. He has quickly become a favorite among Braves fans this season. He has delivered big hits in clutch situations all season. And I love the way that guy plays third base; rock solid at the hot corner and charges every grounder hit his way like its game seven. Initially Josh was brought in as a one-and-done guy. The Braves were not going to designate Johan Camargo as an everyday guy and no one knew if Austin Riley was ready to go at the start of the season. So Josh Donaldson was signed to a one year deal to fill a gap at third. Now, Riley will return to left field when he returns from injury. Camargo has been demoted to Gwinnett. And Josh Donaldson is holding it down in the field and batting clean-up. I really hope we get another couple of years of Josh Donaldson in a Braves uniform. A contract extension would be the ideal situation. If Atlanta needs to drop a dime to sign Donaldson in free agency...loosen up the purse strings and make it happen.

Welcome back Juan. Good call on giving up the smokes. Freedom is straight ahead...proceed.

Walking is great exercise in its own right; we all know this. However, I've only recently begun to appreciate walking as a means of active recovery. Following a hard workout, my legs feel far better if I walk for a bit than if I just lay down and do nothing. Walking is a great way to get the blood flowing to the muscles, expedite lymphatic drainage, and flush out systemic waste following a hard workout. I worked my legs hard yesterday with a strength session in the morning and a run in the woods in the afternoon. Walked last night and again this morning with plans of taking the day off. With all that walking, the recovery process went quicker than usual and I got in a brief workout this afternoon. Did some Deadlifts and Kettlebell Step-Ups and the legs felt good. "Take a walk" is a good answer to a surprising number of questions.

Welcome aboard Roark. Congratulations on going smoke-free. You already have 38 days under your belt. You can definitely do one more day. And you just keep doing one more day, take 'em as they come. Time accumulates quickly and eventually not smoking will feel far more normal than lighting one up would. Relentless forward progress is the path to freedom.

Got in some strength work this morning: Farmer's Walks, Rope Pulls, Push Press, and Sled Push. This afternoon, took advantage of the cooler rainy weather, knocked off work early and got in a quick run on the Soddy Creek Gorge section of the Cumberland Trail. Six-and-a-half miles of muddy goodness. Had the place to myself due to the weather. Good times.

I was ruminating earlier today, at least that's what I call it when take a brief break to just stare off into space for a little bit. Got to thinking how eventful the last three years have been. Things have been happening fast and the next year is looking to hold some big changes personally and professionally. Not coincidentally, three years ago is when I decided to quit smoking. There were a few factors at play when I decided to start making some major changes in my life. However, quitting smoking was the catalyst for change that set off a chain of events that transformed every facet of my life. Anyhow...I was going to write a post about how the process of quitting can set off a ripple effect in your life. Then I remembered that I already wrote a post like that.