Enjoying a bit of a break. :)

Range 37 cool-guy antics

Since my last outing, I have since begun to down-shift my efforts and have found myself in a perpetual off-season mentality.  I thought it prudent to do so given the amount of abuse that I have subsequently put my body through within the past few months.  No worries, though.  I fully plan on kicking it back into gear as soon as my school semester rolls over in the beginning of May.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m still working out although it has dropped to a mere bi-weekly experience.  It’s been kind of nice, actually.  I’ve been able to concentrate on, not only school work, but getting my yard prepped for the summer months to come.  Yes – I’m a lawn ninja.  I take great pride in keeping my yard looking pretty, maintaining the lead in a somewhat passive competition with my neighbors.  I find it fulfilling and, ultimately, relaxing.  It’s pretty gnarly to kick unequivocal and metaphorical ass on a daily basis in more than just one way -- even if it involves measuring the PH level of your Bermuda grass… What? Forget I said that.  Don’t judge me.

I’ve also been keeping a pretty low-key residual signature on facespace.  I think I’ve bombarded peoples’ feeds enough within the past month or so.  I’m sure even you, one of my avid followers, would agree to some extent.  That’s not to say that I haven’t been keeping up with things, it’s just that I’ve been a little less vocal.  I’ve somehow managed to collect a small gathering of followers – I feel that… well…  I feel kind of weird about it.  Not to sound too humble, but I feel that I really don’t deserve the following.  I’m just doing what I’ve been doing for the past year.  I just saw an opportunity to do a good thing so I took a hold of it.  As I mentioned in previous blog(s), I’m not done yet.   I have recently devised a new challenge; one that should be just as fulfilling, challenging, and powerful as the last endeavor.  I have tapped an elite few to help me facilitate said challenge.   It should be pretty gnarly.  I will not release details until the day of the event (or when my teammates and I decide when is best) but I will be dropping clues as to what to expect and when the time is right, I will drop the time and location of when this will take place.  I assure you that it will be easily accessible and if you can make it, I invite you to come watch.  So, without further ado, here is the first clue:

If you know what this is, keep it to yourself.  It’s supposed to be known by a certain type of person.   Of course, even if you did decide to blab it out, there’s no way you could ascertain why I have shown a picture of this or what is to come.  Stay tuned.

There are quite a few of you out there that I look up to; that motivate me and drive me to be a better person today than what I was yesterday.  For that, I thank you.  I’ve never been the religious type at all but I, nevertheless, feel ever so blessed to have you in my life in one regard or the other.  You all know who you are and some of you may not realize that I feel this way about you.  If you’re reading this, odds are you are probably one of those people.  So continue to be awesome and carry out the plan of the day.

As of now, I am still debating on whether to do the SERE Performance 60-to-60Memorial Day Ruck to Remember.  It’s really a matter of scheduling deconfliction with work and school.  There will be a lot of awesome people there and if you have a chance to do it yourself, I suggest you do it.  Keith Jolly will be facilitating and hosting the event so you know it’s going to be good.  If you have any inquires, feel free to email me.  I’d be happy to fill you in.

I’d also like to send a quick shout-out to Ms. Amanda Czapla for, arguably, for bestowing on to me one of the most moving and profound gestures of my life to date.  For those of you who don’t know, Amanda sealed her second official Spartan Race victory this year in Charlotte NC; the very one that I ran in.  For her efforts, she was awarded the coveted and extremely sought after, Spartan Helmet.  She ultimately decided to send the helmet to me via snail-mail with a note.  It simply stated:

“You deserve this more than I do. Thank you for being such an inspiration. Best wishes on your continued success. Until the next Spartan Race… Aroo!!!
Kindest Regards,
Amanda Czapla

I had not even opened the foam casing around it.  I already knew what it was.  When it finally sank in, I began to weep uncontrollably.   First off, I’m a dude.  And if a dude cries, it better be for a good reason.  Secondly, I’m a Marine.  If a Marine cries, it had better be for a damn good reason.  I felt my emotional reaction was fitting.  I had, before all of this, felt guilty in some regards for my efforts.  As if maybe too much attention had been drawn onto me when it should undoubtedly be shined on Wounded Wear.  Until that moment, the length of my efforts had not really sunk in – it’s tough to explain.  I’ll just leave it at that.  The bottom line, I am indeed thankful.  And I know my buddy Nate had a hand in this too.  To Nate: Sorry I couldn’t answer the phone when you called just after the posting; I really was a hot mess.  Class act, all around.  I feel privileged to have shared the same field with you, Amanda. Thanks again.

As always guys, thanks for reading and hope all is well in your neck of the woods.  Take Care.