This is the Week!

This is the week that my Ninja Warrior workout is going to get elevated to a slightly higher level. Slightly, anyway. Up to this point, I've primarily been running to get my body a little more used to exercise since it's been a few years.  Now , I feel it's time to ramp up a little more and integrate a fitness program designed to enhance endurance and start the process of upper body development.

The fitness program consists of:

- Pull-Ups (5)
- Shuto Push-Ups (10)
- Fist Push-Ups (15)
- Hindu Push-Ups (20)
- V-Ups (20)
- Knee Hugs (20)
- Ichimonji  Squats (10 Each Side)
- Walking Lunges (20)
- Mountain Climbers (20)

A little crazy, right? Oh, but it gets better! This entire combination is considered one set.  The goal of the exercise is to do as many sets as you can within 20 minutes, without a break between the various exercises and a max of a 90 second break between sets. even more crazy! But, I'm totally game!

Of course, I've got to push myself above and beyond.  So my goal with this particular routine is to move up to a 30 minute time limit when I feel I am able to do so. 

There is a reason that I would like to increase the limit to 30 minutes. As I was searching on the Internet for recommended exercises for Ninja Warrior Training, I came across a synopsis of an exercise regiment that a trainer came up with for someone who was training to get onto the show. In that synopsis he suggested that you condition your body to withstand 30 minutes of intense exercise. So, I would eventually like to get to the point where I can do that.

And this is the week I will integrate this part of the routine that I have set up for my training. Again, as previously mentioned in a post, this is only the second part of a six part program that I have developed on my own to get ready for 2014 ANW.

Besides the added training, it will most likely help me stay motivated, because it is the opportunity to switch things up every other day.

Thanks for reading!

Little Successes

This week has been graced with a few little successes.

- I was able to wake up and stay awake a couple of times and exercise to get ready to compete
- I found a spot to do pull-ups without the use of a gym
- I was able to climb up four rungs of an aircraft off-loading ramp with just the use of my arms

Like I said... little successes.

I want to share with you guys the story of the rung climbing.

On Thursday night I was at work down at the Provo Airport. I saw the (what we call Z-Ramp) that is used to unload the Embraer 190 jets that come in every night and thought to myself,"I'm going to try to climb to the top of the handrails just using upper body strength." Well, it's a four rung railing and I was only able to get up three.  Then, a co-worker got a little competitive and tried it as well.  He got all the way up.  Now this (of course) did not sit well with me.  I had to match him.  So I tried again and got up all the way. Yay Me! 

It may seem like a little thing, but it's just a little more fuel to my desire to get in better shape.

Because of this feat, I was able to tell a couple of co-workers that I was trying to compete in the 2014 American Ninja Warrior.  So this motivates me a little further still.

I think I'm on my way.  I just need to keep the motivation going and make my little family proud.

I love you Heather, Aileah and Eli.

A Sad State of Affairs...

So... my current state of affairs in this journey is sad.  I'm finding it very difficult to stay awake at 5 am to exercise.  It's really starting to bum me out. Granted, due to circumstances beyond my control I was not able to post a new blog, but also I was unable to watch the show.  So maybe that had something to do with my lack of motivation... or I'm a slacker by nature. Who really knows?

But, I was able to watch the show again on saturday night. This boosted my motivation a little. Just not quite enough.

However! There is still hope for me.  I will enter the 2014 competition whether I'm in Ninja Warrior condition or not... so, I might as well earn my stripes and gain a Ninja Warrior Physique.  So I have amended my goals and tactics to slowly boost my cofindence and motivation.  I will wake up at 5 am and start by doing short-ish runs.  Then as my physical activity level increases I will add more exercises and lengthen out the exercises I'm currently doing.

My New Goal:

- Wake up at 5 am and run
- By the end of June... integrate warrior fitness routine

Thanks for all your support and reading my blog.

Tom