Information Security professional Kevin Riggins transformation from 27% to 11% body fat and near-ideal blood chemistry (LDL/HDL/Cholesterol ratios).
http://www.randommissives.com/2012/06/27/my-health-journey-the-end-of-the-beginning/
Exercise and nutrition, folks, it works.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Race with the SEALs: SuperFrog Triathlon in Coronado, CA
A great story on SlowTwitch covers the history of the SuperFrog triathlon series with former Navy SEAL and long-time triathlon veteran Moki Martin. http://www.slowtwitch.com/Interview/The_Moki_Martin_story__2687.html
Friday, July 24, 2009
For the domestic tranquility...
Not exactly sports related, but relevant to health and happiness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jln3QBsHQGI
Brad Paisley's I'm Still A Guy.
(Dr. Phil called me and said he would endorse the video on his show, but Oprah wouldn't allow it....)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Fun in Boston Harbor (Speedboat ride)
If you're going to be in Boston and have some time for extracurricular activities, check out the Codzilla speedboat ride...
You will get SOAKING WET, especially if you sit in the back half of the boat. Come dressed appropriately.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAFyYNsS3Nk
21 dollars for a ticket, literally a cheap thrill:
http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/codzilla/default.aspx
Gal
You will get SOAKING WET, especially if you sit in the back half of the boat. Come dressed appropriately.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAFyYNsS3Nk
21 dollars for a ticket, literally a cheap thrill:
http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/codzilla/default.aspx
Gal
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Black Belt Syndrome
In an article about the (bad) attitude that some martial arts practioners catch after earning their black belt, I'm reminded of the exhortation to maintain a beginner's mind. If we allow ourselves to become complacent, arrogant, rude, or any of the bad attitudes/habits that come with Black Belt Syndrome, then we are slipping away from the goal of humility and service that true masters of the martial arts strive for, attain and maintain.
Of course you don't have to have a black belt in order to suffer from this syndrome: Some of us aren't formally ranked in any system (does surviving a real fight count? How about several?) and some of us suffered from Black Belt Syndrome very early in our training progression (not me, of course...)
Being aware of Black Belt Syndrome is one way to avoid being that annoying, arrogant person. Perhaps a buddy system is in order, where a training partner agrees to keep you in check, and vice versa, when the bad attitudes start creeping into the dojo/field/race-course.
Bottom line, for every black belt, there's someone who can beat the crap out of them and go have a nice meal without thinking about it. Yes, that means you and me...
Furthermore, being a black belt doesn't mean you've mastered the art, rather, it's a beginning (Shodan, the first black belt rank, is 'first step' in Japanese). Even if you have mastered the technical parts of the art, such as stance, timing, etc. it doesn't necessarily mean you are anywhere near the mental and spiritual levels of a true master. This is a great point in the article that laments that some systems promote to high ranks based on solely technical achievements.
These lessons do not apply strictly to martial arts. Racing and other sports (should...) include training in attitude, sportsmanship, service to others and other 'soft skills' beyond the technical/formally measured aspects of the sport. If your splits are great but you're known as an arrogant schmuck by everyone around you, you have lots of work to do on yourself.
I don't want to be that guy, and no, it's not an excuse for lack of performance on race day, it's just a different set of goals and priorities.
Stay humble, stay smart and maybe you too will avoid the drama of the Black Belt Syndrome.
If you ever catch me being 'that guy' and remind me of this post, well then I owe you one!
Gal
See full article here:
http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=3869
Of course you don't have to have a black belt in order to suffer from this syndrome: Some of us aren't formally ranked in any system (does surviving a real fight count? How about several?) and some of us suffered from Black Belt Syndrome very early in our training progression (not me, of course...)
Being aware of Black Belt Syndrome is one way to avoid being that annoying, arrogant person. Perhaps a buddy system is in order, where a training partner agrees to keep you in check, and vice versa, when the bad attitudes start creeping into the dojo/field/race-course.
Bottom line, for every black belt, there's someone who can beat the crap out of them and go have a nice meal without thinking about it. Yes, that means you and me...
Furthermore, being a black belt doesn't mean you've mastered the art, rather, it's a beginning (Shodan, the first black belt rank, is 'first step' in Japanese). Even if you have mastered the technical parts of the art, such as stance, timing, etc. it doesn't necessarily mean you are anywhere near the mental and spiritual levels of a true master. This is a great point in the article that laments that some systems promote to high ranks based on solely technical achievements.
These lessons do not apply strictly to martial arts. Racing and other sports (should...) include training in attitude, sportsmanship, service to others and other 'soft skills' beyond the technical/formally measured aspects of the sport. If your splits are great but you're known as an arrogant schmuck by everyone around you, you have lots of work to do on yourself.
I don't want to be that guy, and no, it's not an excuse for lack of performance on race day, it's just a different set of goals and priorities.
Stay humble, stay smart and maybe you too will avoid the drama of the Black Belt Syndrome.
If you ever catch me being 'that guy' and remind me of this post, well then I owe you one!
Gal
See full article here:
http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=3869
Friday, October 12, 2007
First Post
Hello,
This blog focuses on sports, martial arts and other physical pursuits. Most of the posts will be about training for Triathlon-related events (swim/bike/run). We will however veer off the competitive sports path, to include some aspects of self-defense/martial training which includes discussions of mindset, equipment/weaponry and tactics.
I'm not a guru/master/shihan ranked expert in any martial arts, nor am I at any risk of winning triathlons (yet?).
Soooo.... this will be geared towards beginners/intermediates, not the elite athletes who finish their race while I'm in the transition area, strapping on my biking shoes... (how do they do it? We will explore this too).
Hope you learn something and 'feel my pain' as I train during the 2007-2008 off-season and start posting insights, rants and lessons learned from training/racing. Of course you'll be treated to 'race reports' on the occasional random encounter with violent street crime in the Washington, DC area...
Stay safe out there,
Gal Shpantzer
This blog focuses on sports, martial arts and other physical pursuits. Most of the posts will be about training for Triathlon-related events (swim/bike/run). We will however veer off the competitive sports path, to include some aspects of self-defense/martial training which includes discussions of mindset, equipment/weaponry and tactics.
I'm not a guru/master/shihan ranked expert in any martial arts, nor am I at any risk of winning triathlons (yet?).
Soooo.... this will be geared towards beginners/intermediates, not the elite athletes who finish their race while I'm in the transition area, strapping on my biking shoes... (how do they do it? We will explore this too).
Hope you learn something and 'feel my pain' as I train during the 2007-2008 off-season and start posting insights, rants and lessons learned from training/racing. Of course you'll be treated to 'race reports' on the occasional random encounter with violent street crime in the Washington, DC area...
Stay safe out there,
Gal Shpantzer
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