Rock You Like A Hurricane...The 10,000 Challenge!

The rains could not stop us! Michael and I worked out in the rain today (it got real messy), and at one point "Rock You Like A Hurricane" popped up on my iPod. Thought that was funny! Rain or Shine, Hurricane or Drought...gotta' keep going. If you are living any where near Central Florida you know the rain has not stopped for two days straight.

It was cold at first working out outside. Kinda reminded me of when I raced triathlon/biathlons in Northern Georgia one winter. Got through the run portion and my teammates said I had something hanging off of my face. Icicles had frozen on my face and hair while running. CHI-LLY!

Can't stop for the weather though. Too little time, too much to do. The rain can be energizing though, especially when you love water like I do. Twas a little scary at one point as my front tire started hydroplaning during the bike ride...thought I was a goner for sure.

As for the challenge I was given last night during my date night with Holly...

She has taken over all the logistics of my training. Talking with sponsors, working with schedules, and making all kinds of things happen. We were talking through some training options and concerns and I mentioned how I was working through 1000 run-throughs of my kata (form) between now and the U.S. Open. She looked at me and said, "That's nothing! I want you to up it to 10,000!" At first, I thought she was joking...she wasn't. Then I told her she was out of her mind...she isn't. Then she leveled with me and said she knew I could push further than 1000 and she expected me to give everything I've got to the end...win or lose...nothing left on the table here!

We talked about it some more, and I began to think through it, remaining silent. When I got home I did some calculating. I would be doing kata 12.5 hours a day to accomplish 10,000. I showed it to her and we began to talk about what level was the minimum level I would have to train at in order to really be a contender.

We agreed that 10,000 was a goal to shoot for, but considering the time left we wanted to be realistic. She said she would accept anything over 5,000 prior to the U.S. Open, but to go as far past it as possible. We are still talking over 4 hours a day JUST ON A SINGLE FORM!!!
To be sure, this is not an unacceptable request in the scope of achieving Mastery. Regardless of what number I hit before the U.S. Open, I will continue afterward until reaching 10,000.

Before that, I've some real work to do. To boot, I must complete 10,000 repetitions in something else that is related to my training. Grrrr...

This is in addition to preparing for the other events I will compete in AND continuing my physical workouts for weight loss and general well-being AND my time committed to mental work AND working AND being a father and a husband AND sleeping AND brushing my teeth AND the time it is going to take to remind myself of how crazy I am for even attempting all this...you get the point!

I think it definitely worth it and necessary though. After all, to be a Champion, one must go farther than anyone else is willing to go, to do more, to study more, to practice more, to risk more, to sacrifice more...

Michael looked at me at the end of the conversation and said, "Well, if you really want it, you've got to do what it takes and this is worth it and it can be done." I was kinda' hoping he would be on my side, but he chose Holly's side in this...guess that's what a good training partner is for!

Wise words from my 17-year old training partner and one of my three closest friends in the world.

Nuff said!

P.S. - No wait, one more thing...HELP!