There Can’t Be Too Many of These Left

I can only remember a couple other times when I can say, “I’m in the shape of my life.”

The first was in the fall of 1991, right after basic training (though I was also in quite good shape after running Bloomsday in 1 hour 23 minutes earlier that year). I’d put on thirty pounds of muscle and was a monster. Ironically, I couldn’t do all that many push-ups or sit-ups, which are the units by which I was measured at the time.

There were a few other peaks during that three year period; after I lost some of that basic training weight, the running, push-ups and sit-ups came easier. It was an active time of life when I bicycled a lot, ran a lot, and did my share of other exercise.

The next very notable period when I was ‘in the shape of my life’ was during my year with Oom Yung Doe. My flexibility, balance and overall strength was more impressive; this all peaked around March of 2001. Then I realized how unethical the operation was, learned that it was led and founded by a criminal.

Somewhere in there was the first ‘Run Up Colville Mountain.’ That may have been in 1999, or even earlier. I trained specifically for hill running during that go-around. Hmm, I remember my adversary’s (now ex) wife was pregnant with his first child at the time, so that must have been... eight years ago?

I was also in pretty good running condition during the first summer living in South Seattle. I had a new neighborhood to explore, and not a whole lot else in the way of hobbies. That was 2005. I was also in training for our third race up The Mountain (which I won), and I ran the 5-mile course during the Portland Marathon (in which I received an age group award).

This year, however, I’ve eclipsed all of my life’s running related conditioning. I’ve run over 8 ½ miles for the first time in my life. And over 10, and 12 and 14... In a little over a week, I plan to run 20 miles for the first time in my life. Of course, this should culminate in 26.2 on November 30th.

Looking back, the end of basic training, the end of my Oom Yung Doe year, and now, as I wind toward the latter phase of my marathon training, are all notable as different, yet equal ‘shape of my life’ periods. Only then have I exercised an hour or more per day, most days.

Now I need to convince my wife to take some naked pictures of me in order to commemorate this phase (no, they won’t be posted here). There can’t be too many of these periods left in my life: it takes a lot of time and energy to be this awesome!

My Year with Oom Yung Doe Martial Arts, Part I

On April 6th, 2000 I set out in search of a martial arts studio. I did a little research (very little), looked up some addresses and set out across the city. I believe I drove by three places. Of those, only one was open. By that quirk of fate, I was drawn into an intense year of amazing physical conditioning, financial hardship and persistent coercion and factual omission.

Instructor Tom impressed me immediately. He showed me a smooth and powerful wrist lock, explained the introductory membership package, and I was sold. Instructor Tom (all the school's instructors were always referred to using their titles) was (and presumably still is) the real deal. He was obviously strong, dexterous, talented, and exhibited no overt macho or violent tendencies.

During those first several weeks, my training was quite simple. The moves were repetitive, but led to a good work out, and I was essentially satisfied. Occasionally Instructor Tom or one of the other instructors affiliated with the school would show me something challenging or put me in a position my body wouldn't go. Life was good, and I was satisfied. I believe the price was $400 for three months of training in their 'basic' program, including uniform.

After a few weeks, I was invited into the office with Assistant Regional Head Instructor Kevin. Even ridiculous titles like that, were always used. This is my blog, and I haven't been affiliated with the school for several years, so hereafter Kevin's title will be omitted. Kevin was (and presumably still is) a fatherly, vaguely Santa Claus sort. He didn't have the massive physical skills as most of his cohorts, but he made you want to like and trust him. In retrospect, there is no doubt: he was working me. Before too long, I was convinced. I switched from the basic program to the Two Year Black Belt track. Black Belt programs came in 2-4 year varieties, and they charged by the knowledge. The 4 year bundle (recommended only for people with physical limitations) was less expensive by the year than the 2 year kind (designed for athletic types with some aptitude and time to dedicate). I was charged approximately $4000 - $5000 for that year of training. I used a credit card cash advance check to pay the annual fee, all in advance. You see, if you paid monthly installments, they would have to portion out the training, so you wouldn't get ahead of what you'd paid for. If you paid in advance, they could teach you whatever portion of the first year's curriculum that you could handle.