Class 154 - Crash Test Dummies

SEAL PT Boot Camp has come and gone for the month of June. I'm still alive, but barely. It seems that if you don't eat a good breakfast before a hard workout, you will pass out, or go nug bucking futs loopy for the better part of an hour....or day in my case.

DAY 1 - 0400 - Woke up, donned my workout clothes, headed to Memorial Park. Got there about thirty minutes before class was supposed to start. Okay, so far so good. Bunch of folks there, some I didn't know, some I did. We stretched and those that were in 'Gators with me helped get the rest in some sort of line before Instr. Walston and crew showed up.
0500 - Hell. Breaks. Loose. Instructor Walston was on us like a cheap suit. Barking out orders to drop. Push out some pushups, turn around, bear crawl (this will be our 'favorite' exercise in coming days) to the treeline, bear crawl back. More pushups. Run the length of the parking lot. SPRINT!!!! Sit ups. SPRINT!!! Now comes the fun part: Get wet n' sandy.

Getting wet n' sandy entails a full-speed run to the water hoses some 300-ish yards away. There, we are met by Instr. C. He is a white-shirt training under Walston's tutelage to become a Navy SEAL. He is very good. He's been in the program a while and is every part the poster child for the Navy. White T-shirt, black shorts, does his pushups ramrod straight. He orders us down on our backs for some flutter kicks. Never mind that the ground is soaking wet and about three inches deep mud and muck. Thirty of us get in tight and bust out our 20 three-count flutter kicks. All the time, Instr. C is hosing us with some cool water. He yells to get on our stomachs. Face down we go and bust out some more pushups. By this time, the weak and uninitiated are feeling the pain of the pushups. They struggle through. We get threatened with more suffering if they don't commit and push 'em out. Mind you, there is a hose pelting us in the face, back, legs, chest with cold water. It's not even light out yet. The Dunkin' Donuts haven't been made. Now...GET SANDY!!!! HURRY UP!!! RUN!!
About 100 yards distant is the volleyball pit. Our little slice of Coronado. The beach. Full. Of. Sand. Run all out, drop down and get sand in every crack and crevice you can find. Help the sorority sisters out by dumping sand on them. Help the CPA get bigger handfuls.

I made the fatal mistake of opening my big mouth to motivate everyone and try to educate on proper 'get sandy' technique. This brought the ire of Instructor H. Since there are two Instructor Hs, I'll call him Instructor Mouth (he loves the sound of his own voice). Instr. M has now dubbed me "Chatty Cathy," cuz I can't stop trying to help my classmates get sandy. I am also named class leader. This is not good.

We line up in two lines to run back to the PT area. We are covered head to toe in sand. Yes, it gets everywhere. Yes, it is annoying. We learn fast to block it out. This is all a mental exercise to see how we deal with the discomfort. This is only the first 30 minutes of an hour-and-a-half workout.

We are subjected to more of the same torture and suffering that went on the first thirty minutes. Bear crawls, pushups, sit ups, jumping jacks, cromwells, you name it. In between it all, we sprint the parking lot. Instructor Walston is there the entire class to instruct us on proper form for each exercise. He also yells, motivates and finds unique ways to harangue us during the workout. He lets the second Instr. H lead us through some sprint exercises for the last ten minutes of class. Loser drops and does 25 pushups.

The sprints are where it all goes wrong for our class. One of our crew was running flat out in his race against our resident gazelle and tripped on his own feet. The only two body parts to hit the pavement first were his eyebrow and cheekbone. He tore a gash in his head about four inches across as he slid across the pavement to a stop. He refused ambulance service, we patched him up with a first aid kit from my truck, and carted him off to his house.*

* I saw him back in 'Gators last week. He healed up nicely.

DAY 2 - 0500 - "HOOYAH, INSTRUCTOR WALSTON" is our new morning greeting. Back for more, we are. Here is where we get our uniform shirts and whatever else we ordered when we signed up for the class. Lots of yelling and screaming for us to hurry up and put on the shirts. Some of the girls were being dainty about it, but they mustered through when no one else seemed perturbed by the immodesty of exposing their jog bra to the elements. While everyone else waits, those in line for shirts do arm circles non-stop. Those just getting gear don it and drop for pushups. At no time do we rest. At most, we get 3 or 4 seconds to gulp water at 45 minutes into our workout. Every other time is spent doing some exercise or evolution. It never ends. It drains you mentally and physically for that entire class.

Now we get introduced to the rugby field. This will be our friend for the next couple of days. I will not like it. Why, you ask? Funny thing about being class leader...I'm responsible for the head count and proper formation. Neither of which I had this particular day. Yeah, we got dropped for that faux paus. Bear crawled over 100 yards first thing.

Once we were squared away, and our very own 'white shirt' Mr. Taylor received his gear (20# weight bar/"SAW", H Harness with weights in every pack and pouch) it was on to the field. What started out as a simple running exercise turned into a goat rope about three laps in. Here's the evolution: Start at one end of the field and do XX number of whatever exercise we were told. Sprint to the end and do XX number of the next exercise Instr. Walston says. Repeat. We got through about 5 laps before Instr. Walston blew his stack. Mind you, it is completely dark on this field. We have a hard time seeing each other. Out of our thirty we are down to 25, and of those 25 there are a handful of friends I call the 'Sorority Sisters.' Well, one of the debutantes of "Delta, Delta, Delta" kept asking Instructor Walston what the next exercise was as she passed by him in the dark.
Not too hard to miss in the dark. He's standing smack-dab in the middle of the field yelling at us.

So, where was I? Oh yeah, sorority girl asks, and Instr. Walston promptly blows his stack. Heck, my daddy never yelled at me the way this man does. And Walston doesn't swear, either. He had us all line up on the goal line and drop. We are berated for being dumb enough to ask the instructor about exercises when we should have learned NOT TO DO SO. While in the leaning rest we 'right face' and start bear crawling. I got about 120 yards before I heard Instr. Walston hand off to Instr. T (the Hawk) and tell him to keep us crawling. No reason for me to continue here. We bear crawled the circumfrence of that entire rugby field. I mean the whole damn thing. Three. Hundred. Sixty. Yards. On our hands and feet. I was dead last. My swim buddy, Ms. Mandy, actually crawled back to me (some 150 yards after she finished) to motivate me. I was back on the far goal line by this time crying. I was in severe pain. I was not going to quit. My shoulders were on fire and my back was killing me. Ms. Mandy kept right beside me doing everything in her power to get me to move faster. At times, I went down to my elbows and shuffled forward some more. I stopped for 10 or more seconds at other times (still had 80 yards or so to go). Each time I went down, Ms. Mandy kept right on yelling. I finished while the others waited, cheering me on, in the leaning rest (pushup position).

That took us to the final sprint down to the "Surf Zone" to get wet and sandy for the last evolution. Thankfully, the last evolution was pushups and sit ups before leaving.

Just writing this made my shoulders ache. I'll regale you with the famous DAY 3 tomorrow.

HOOYAH!

Catching Up

WOW! Been a while. Need to clear up a few things before we continue.

I'm still here, first of all. Don't worry, haven't shoved off for that non-extradition country just yet.

We'll start with most recent dealings first and work back.

1. Windage and Swede are already in Sweden for a ten day holiday with the folks. Just linked up on Skype this morning (evening for them). Lil' bit handled the flight over like a pro. Swede was thankful for other passengers with lil' tots on the flight. That's one flight down, one more to go. I can breathe easier for now.
2. Thursday last was Windage's first birthday. We were to celebrate over the 4th of July weekend, but she popped a 101.2 fever hours before the party. A cold brought on by teething has run its course through our household. Put me off my feed for the better part of the week. Swede is still a bit out of sorts, too.
3. Got good news on Windage's birthday. Sort of an added bonus. Received a call from my HPD Background Investigator. It's official, the background investigation has commenced. Bad news, the next academy class is still listed as March 2010. I'm still praying for a government bailout.
4. Still plugging away at dad's office as a part-time law clerk. Been fun for the most part. Only work four days a week and take care of Windage all day Friday. Got an interesting case they are working on, and it takes everyone to stay on top of it.
   
5. Started the Lifers program with SEAL PT. Starts thirty minutes earlier in the AM, still an hour long, they run a bit farther and harder. Added bonus, they have a six week swim program. The downside is it is only one morning a week. I'd prefer two or three. We're broken into three groups; Rock, Fish, & Duck. Guess which category I fall into?
6. Boot Camp was a huge success. I will detail a day-by-day post in a bit with photos. Not as bad as I thought or stressed about even though I'm told I didn't lose consciousness on Day 3, but was loopy as hell.

That's it in a nutshell. I now return you to your regular programming.

HOOYAH!

Tomorrow morning is where all hell breaks loose. I start SEAL PT Boot Camp. I'm excited. I've been in the Body Camp program since February getting in shape for whichever police academy hires me first (*fingers crossed for HPD). I decided to do it after Swede offered to pay for my next six weeks of workout at the end of April. Better to keep motivated and exercising than sitting on my butt all day.

Instructor Walston will kick it off by kicking our butts. We get to experience everything the SEALS go through during BUD/S phase 1. Only less so. As I read somewhere on the site, we only experience about 20% of what SEALS go through during Hell Week. We do it for 10 days straight. I'm just doing it for the t-shirt and bragging rights really. I feel confident about my fitness level, and now just want to see if my mental game is as strong as I think it is.

I'll blog it daily to let you know what goes on. That is, if my arms don't fall off from the push ups.

This Weekend Is Not About The Mattress Sales...

Nor is it about the Indy 500.

To all who currently serve, our thanks and appreciation.

To all who have served, our appreciation and respect.

To all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms, God Bless You.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

Boot Camp

Just 10 more days before I start Boot Camp. I'm getting excited now. Starting at 5am, June 1st, I'll be busting my arse with several other men and women who think they've got what it takes to get in shape.

There's no reason I can't do this. I've been getting up early five days a week to work out with this crew since February. What started out as a 3 month plan to get in shape for the police academy has become an addiction. No lie! This is my new crack. I feel better about myself, have more energy, and can fit a pair of Wranglers I haven't squeezed into in over five years. Who wouldn't want to do this?

Some people tell me I'm crazy for getting up early to have a former SF Operator/Instructor yell at me to do push-ups, or 8 count body-builders, or skull-crushers. It is not crazy. I get more benefit from a structured setting such as this. We work as a team in some respects to complete exercises, and it helps to have someone cheering you on and pushing you past your comfort zone.

For instance: Wednesday was a running day. The only way out of running (it can be miserable if you don't have any breaks) was to hold the push-up position while doing "xylophone push-ups." Those are push-ups where everyone is in a large circle and one person starts with one push-up. The second person follows with one, and so on and so forth until everyone does one. Then they go to two. And three, four...all the way to ten. In the meantime, you are in the up push-up position waiting your turn. We were allowed to get our butts in the air to relieve pressure on our backs, or butts down (think cobra pose in yoga). Anyone who went to their knees had to run. Slowly but surely, people started to fall out and run. It probably took twenty minutes to complete the evolution, but it felt like an eternity. Out of the 30 Lifers and 8 Navigators (of which I am one) I was the only 'Gator left with seven other Lifers.

This was a prime example of the instructor getting us out of our personal comfort zones. At any other time, I might have dropped and started running, too. I didn't want to run, and wanted to see how I stacked up against the Lifers, some of whom run marathons for fun. It was a huge personal challenge for me, and to hear the instructor single me out for whatever reason meant I was doing something right. I even remember as my shoulders were burning from exertion how my Navigator teammates were cheering for me as they passed us on their run. The rest of the hour was spent doing wind sprints and ab or chest exercises between sprints. I was so buoyed by my success, that the sprints were a breeze. Yeah, it was exhausting, but it was well worth it. To see how far I could push my body before it could go no more is part of the reason why I get up in the morning.

Sixteen weeks into this program I am seeing huge results. While it is only a core muscle program, I do see better definition on my body (even though the beer gut hasn't been signifigantly reduced), less fat and more muscle mass. I mentioned increased energy and alertness, too. Getting out of my comfort zone wasn't too hard in the beginning, I was only trying to keep up. Now, I'm working just as hard to stay interested at times. We have a new instructor a couple of days a week. While I see the method to his madness, I fail to gain any physical benefit from his workouts. I feel a bit cheated, but get the benefit of his guidance nonetheless. He has been working more to instruct us in proper technique this past week over heavy exercise. I feel a bit gipped when I return to my car and my shirt isn't soaked through. I know he's teaching more to the few of us gearing up for Boot Camp so we don't fall flat on our faces, or get injured.

Boot Camp is going to be 10 times worse according to the Lifers who've gone before. I can expect to get wet and sandy every day for 10 days. I will be yelled at and dropped for the smallest of errors. We will run 3 to 4 miles daily with 10 pound packs on our backs. According to the program's founder, we will only be operating at 20% of what real SEALS go through in training. It will be a non-stop meat grinder. I will graduate the program.

I plan on daily blog posts with pics to give you a sense of what goes on. I encourage you to check out the website, or, if you are in New York or Houston, check out the program for yourself. If you are looking to ramp up your workout, this would be a great place to start. The biggest worry for me was if I'd be able to keep up. After I got through the first couple of weeks and minor aches and pains, I was impressed at how quickly I improved.

HOOYAH!

Moving Forward...No Lie!

Okay, haven't received the letter, but I got an email from my recruiter at HPD. My application rejection was overturned on appeal. Now, I'm on to the next phase in the application process...polygraph. I got as far as filling out that paperwork before getting the dreaded "Bah-Bye" Letter from HPD.

The recruiter passed my file on to a supervisor for assignment to a polygraph examiner. So, in a couple of weeks I should be hooked up to the machine to see if I'm a truthful guy or not. I know I am. This shouldn't be too hard. I think the nerves of a polygraph exam come from the fact I've never taken one, and I have no idea what to expect. Various sources have told me it is a mental drain, and the examiner will do everything he/she can to trip you up. It is their job to do so.

I'm not gonna rush ahead like I did last time. Next is polygraph. When I'm through that phase, good or bad, I'll update on here.

Keep praying for me.

PT Update

So, I figured I need to update ya'll on my SEAL PT progress.

To date, I've dropped at least thirty pounds. Yes, you can really tell, too. I've got a pair of 13MWZ Wranglers I haven't worn in 5 years. I was able to put them on at week 8 and have room to move. Didn't feel like I was stuffing twenty pounds of knackwurst into a 2 pound sack. My suits all fit again. That makes going to job fairs and meetings with my police recruiters much more comfortable.

Along with the weight, the obvious shrinkage in the waist as I mentioned. More muscle tone, too. I need to include some weights with my workout. All we do is body weight exercise. Not that it is bad, but I'm to the point in the workout where I crave more at the end. It's like I didn't do enough even though I busted ass and ran out of breath again.

On top of that, Swede does enjoy the new me. She thinks my legs are looking sexy. There is also a mental change, too. I'm more focused and alert. My attitude has changed for the better. I'm not as depressed being unemployed as I was last go round. I've even managed to go back to church. Body, mind and now spirit are coming back into focus for me.

Not to get all preachy, but I have brought Jesus back into my life. I don't think I've been to church on a regular basis since sophomore year in college. And that was for a couple of weeks during Lent. Mom about flipped when I told her I went to the 8am Mass at my new parish. I think dad is having a pacemaker installed this week because of the news. With all that has transpired with HPD and Harris County Sheriff's Office, my life needed some help.

It does help. There's just a bit more focus to my mind and a spring to my step during the day. Joining the PT group was the best thing for me. It was too many years too late. I should have done this a long time ago.

As for the job hunt, I'll update progress as I know more. Still delayed with HPD, and HCSO has me scheduled for a polygraph on May 4th. When I get further, I'll update.

-out

Review Board

I'm going in front of the HPD review board this morning. In a couple of hours, I have to present my case as to why I should be allowed to complete the application process and be admitted to the next academy.

My nerves are shot. I feel like I did last week when I caught that nasty stomach bug. It doesn't help that the nice ladies at the golden arches gave me a flat coke this morning with my chicken biscuit.

Hey, MattG, LawDog, do you guys have any advice for a guy trying to break into the biz?

I'll update when I know more. May be a couple more weeks.

UUUGGGGHHHH!

Just received a call from my recruiter with HPD. My application has been rejected and I'm getting what is affectionately referred to as a "F*** You Letter" sent next week explaining why.

The rejection is able to be appealed, and I will be doing that at the strong recommendation of my recruiter. I won't get into detail except to say it could have happened to anyone else in my position.

Yeah, I'm bummed out. Downright pissed off is a more accurate term. I've been training hard to exceed HPD's physical fitness requirements. That is going to end at the end of May. I need to find work to be able to pay bills and keep up with my training. Fast! I've been excited as all get out that I may be in the May or June academy class. That all changes now.

I don't know how long I this will set me back, but I'm pressing on. I've got another test with Harris County Sheriff's Office next week, and will be looking at applying to a couple more agencies in the meantime. We'll see where the appeal leads me with HPD. It is my hope that they will see past the reason for rejection and continue forward with my application. Class 207 or 208 may not be in the cards, but who wants to go through PT in the middle of summer anyway? Give me some cooler weather to work in, I'm ready.

I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck.

Forward March!

Second time is the charm today, baby!

I cleared the Physical Agility Test for HPD this morning. Went in bright and early and ran it cold. Skipped my morning PT workout with the group hoping that would be to my benefit. It helped. It also helped that I was in better shape. I wasn't as winded after this run. I also cleared the sit-ups without problem. And, yes, I didn't trip over the wall this time!

I ran the stairs in 13.35 seconds. The 800' run was done in 1:10, and I did the push-ups and sit-ups in 1:30. It really is easier than it looks. I let my mind and body get in the way last time. This was really easy for me. Now, I just have to get my 1.5 mile run time down.

This is where my recruiter and I part ways. From here, I go on to the polygraph exam, medical/psych, and drug screen. After I clear poly, the Background Investigator picks up my file packet and starts questioning my neighbors and friends about my past history. This is where my nerves really kick in. Not that I'm worried about my past, but worried about what others will say about me. We'll see where it goes.

This is going to be a long couple of months. If all goes well I should be in the May academy class. This whole time, I thought I'd be headed to the June class. Nice to know that things are speeding up.

What's Wrong With Me?!?

Somewhere between 30 degrees and buttarsefreezingcold* this AM and I'm out there running 3 miles of windsprints (what the instructor calls "Indian Sprints") and doing countless push-ups until my arms fall off.

Hate to say it, but I liked being out in the cold this morning. Had I not pinched the rear tube in my bike, I'd have put in another 20 miles on the froot loop for good measure. Now, I wasn't totally bundled up, but the cold necessitated I take measures. I was wearing a hoodie. But I took that off in the first half mile of the run.

Tomorrow should be warmer.

*H/T to Tam for enduring a Midwest winter. I've put in my share on the shores of Lake Michigan and know the true definition of cold. That being said, we, down here in Texas, consider cold to be cold when the weatherweenie says to cover your tomato plants.

Skinny Minnie!

WOW! All I can say after stepping on the scale this AM. I have dropped down to 254# from 270# since starting SEAL PT in the morning. That's 16 pounds since the beginning of February. Today, we completed a 4.6 mile run along with several hill sprints in the middle of it. I still walked a good portion of that run, but I didn't quit altogether.

I'm amazed at myself for being able to push through pain and push my body to new limits. Last week and the week before were the worst for me. Bursitis in my right knee almost forced me to quit the program. I muscled up, rested as much as possible, and kept at it. I took a couple of days off to rest when I felt the worst, but didn't stop. The bursitis is gone, and I'm feeling much better on the runs. Now, my bigger concern is increasing VO2 max, traditional sit-ups, and completing a 300 yard sprint in under 80 seconds.

I failed the first Physical Agility Test with HPD. That was a miserable experience. I cleared the two flight stair run easily enough. I missed the 300yd. sprint by about 10 seconds. Just couldn't get enough air in my lungs by the fourth lap. That, and I tripped over the 3.5' wall. That cost me about another five seconds. After walking a cool down lap, they got me to do 6 push-ups and 20 sit-ups in 2:00 minutes. The push-ups were the easy part. I strapped into a sit-up bench to bust out 20 traditional (hands behind my head) sit-ups and could only get 10. Let me have someone stand on my feet and put my arms across my chest, and I'll give you twenty easy. This was more leg strength and gut than I am used to. Heck, that morning, I easily did over 100 sit-ups and 100 more push-ups with the group. I didn't feel bad, or over exerted (sp?) when I got to that point in the PAT, but I just couldn't muster up the reserves to get my 20. I think my hanging gut had some part in it, and at the time, my bursitis was at its peak. I ran the test sans knee brace and the legs were tHrObBiNg! I let my mind get in the way and affect my performance.

Tomorrow, Swede and I are taking a trip to the track for some sprints and to time my 300yard run. We'll see where I stand and do what it takes to improve. As the weight sloughs off, I will be able to increase my speed. I'm also working on my VO2max by cycling after my workouts. That will also build leg strength against a recurrence of bursitis.

I take the next PAT in a couple of weeks. Barring any surprises, I should be able to complete the PAT this time around. I know what to expect. After that, I review my polygraph application with the recruiter, schedule that, medical, psychological and a drug screen. If all goes well, I hope to get into the June academy class.

I know I can do this. I will do this. It is my dream to become a police officer. I've done enough for my family and it cost me two decent jobs that I was moderately happy at. The last job gave me more gray hair and less money in the bank. Now it is time to do something I want, be happy at it, be good at it, and provide for my family, too. I went about a career track the wrong way and was not happy. Now, I plan on being just a bit selfish in my job quest so I don't suffer and neither does my family.

Next Round

So, I'm through the preliminary interview with HPD. That was a LOOOONG six hours of my life I'll never get back. Had to answer a lot more questions and in more detail than I thought. It is amazing what you start to remember when a prospective employer asks you for the specifics of your life.

Right now, I'm in the process of gathering up the rest of the documentation they require. I am waiting on Marquette to send my transcripts, and just ordered copies of another school transcript from one summer class I took between freshman and sophomore year in Houston. The credit report is forthcoming, too.

Once I have all the required paperwork in hand, I will sit for the next interview. We'll see where it goes from there.

I never did get to the physical agility test. Had to get my body composition test out of the way first since I was not within the height/weight guidelines on the department's website. I passed with 21% body fat. Guess the workout in the AM is paying off. I'm even down to 260# and feeling physically better. I'd like my runs to be more productive, but that will come later with more exercise and weight loss. I'd also like to get this kink out of my right leg. It's been annoying me since last week when we did two three mile runs back-to-back (thanks, Lifers, for the wrong information!). I took today off and gave my legs a rest. It seems to help today, and hope it helps tomorrow. We shall see.

As long as everything checks out, I will proceed from this next interview to the Agility Test, Psych Eval, Medical Eval, Polygraph and get approved for the academy. I don't know which academy date I will get into, but guess I'm right on time for the June academy.

Friday the 13th

I meet with the Houston Police Recruiter on Friday the 13th at 9am on the 13th floor of Police HQ. Is that an omen of things to come?

I hope not.

I've got my background info application and a list of documents I need to get together for Friday. I don't expect to have it all (transcripts and birth certificate) right away, but will have at least 90% ready for them. I am expected to take the PAT (physical agility test) on the same day, too. That should be easy to complete. My only worry is my upper body strength and doing sit-ups. They require 6 push-ups and 20 sit ups in 2:00 minutes. I'll be coming from my SEAL PT workout that morning, so I will be warmed up.

I'll fill you in on the details after the interview. Wish me luck.

HOOYAH!!!

So, I mentioned previously that I'm getting back into shape.

I up and decided that 'pear' or 'round' is not a shape I am content with. Part of my New Year's Resolution is to get back on my bike and to lose weight. A lot. Preferably 50#.

Last Friday, I signed up for SEAL PT in Memorial Park in Houston. I'm not in the real SEAL PT course, but in the Bodycamp course. Just a small step down from the SEAL PT group. They run more. I only run when chased.

This is not a bunch of mambly-pambly people pretending to go through some motions. We pay for the privilege to have some former SF guys PT us into shape. You have to be dedicated to getting in shape and exercising. Otherwise, you will FAIL yourself and this course (I think it helps that there's no refund if you quit).

I signed up for three months of Bodycamp and will complete my first full week on Friday morning at O-dark-thirty. Here's the thing, I don't mind getting up at 5a.m. to workout at the park. I really believed I'd be dreading it by Wednesday when everyone I bragged to told me I'd be most sore. So what if I couldn't scratch my nose for three days?

What has kept me away from a formal training program for so long is that I don't do well as a self-motivator. Sure, I can ride a bike all day long and not worry, but I don't count that as 'exercise.' The word 'exercise' brings to my mind a weight room or gym with people climbing imaginary stairs and running in place. Don't even bother with free weights. I feel outclassed by guys in that section who should belong on Venice Beach, or in a prison weight yard, they are so huge. There's no discipline, no motivation in it for me to workout at a Bally's or 24hour Fitness. Left to my own devices, I'll half-ass a workout and call it a day.

SEAL PT is different. These instructors aren't the 'in-your-face' Drill Instructor type. They don't yell and browbeat you to death. They are all former operators from the various SF disciplines. My instructor today was former Navy CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue). Others are from the SEAL community, and still others are former Rangers and Army SF. Very quiet and reserved these men are. They keep the tempo of the workout high. We barely have time to stop and catch a breath before moving on to the next 'evolution' or exercise. They don't yell or scream (I thought they would, and was expecting that kind of motivation), but find little ways to encourage us to do more than our minds and bodies want to do. They are the gentle hand that pushes us to the finish line.

It is not in what they say, but how they act. True to form, they lead from the front. We follow. If one of us falls out on a run, they are right there to get us back on pace. Actually, it's whenever I fall out on a run. They are great motivators by their actions alone. In that spirit, everyone else in the group helps to encourage everyone else.

Example: Today's workout was run based. We were at the rugby field in pitch black conditions. Instructors had us doing crunches and some squats before running and sprints. They partnered us up with the regular PT class to do a 50yd sprint to bleachers on the other side of the rugby pitch. There we'd do 20 flutter kicks, or 20 pushups, or pull-ups off the back of the stands, so on and so forth. The exercise changed every time we sprinted. Teammates encouraged us to push harder when we'd get to the bleachers. While waiting to sprint and exercise, they had us doing squats. Like I said, the instructors keep the tempo high. No rest for the wicked and all that.

We teamed up again (8 on 8) to do 75yd sprints. Individuals would take a chem-lite and run to the soccer goal, throw the chem-lite over and pick it up to sprint back. Our team was winning through the halfway point. I don't know where it came from (seeing as I only run when chased, and haven't run for health in over 6 years), but I busted ass and brought our side back to win by a wide margin. Oh, did I mention that while waiting our turn we held our arms out and did windmills? Mentally, that presented a challenge because I thought I'd be too tired from that alone to sprint. Nope, just another obstacle to overcome. Another challenge met and beaten.

This is probably the best program I've been in so far. Sure, my first three days sucked hard. In that time, though, my guns have gone from .177cal to .22lr....maaaayyybeeeee .22mag. My energy level is sky high, too. Body is sore, but that is the good feeling you get from a successful workout. Swede notices a change in my body, too. It is evident. I like the feeling. Nothing like a good endorphin high to get you going for the day. On top of that, I feel better mentally when I work out. I'm not in the best of shape yet, but am getting there faster now. The last exercise phase had us running a lap around the perimeter of two beach volleyball courts and doing an exercise set on the bleachers. All in the sand. I was last, but never quit. I was slow, but persevered. I was pushing my body even when it was telling my mind it wanted to quit. I was glad to see everyone there waiting for me as I belted out the last two reverse incline pushups. That was the toughest, but I was determined to get them done. HOOYAH!

FYI - My primary goal for this program is to be strong enough to pass various physical agility tests from the police departments I am applying to. It is working. The second part is obviously to drop weight. Right now, I couldn't make it into one department because my height/weight ratio is waaaay off. According to them, I should be at about 215-220#. 234# on the high end. I'm eating better. No more hamburgers or fast food. Doing the Jared plan at Subway for lunch. That's about as fast food as I get. Only one soda a day, too. Take my multi-vitamin and a fat burner pill before working out, too.

My current weight is 270#. That's up from 265 when I started on Monday AM. It's to be expected at first. Muscle is replacing fat, and fat is slowly sloughing off. I'm hoping the Hydroxycut will help speed metabolism and lose that fat a bit quicker. I'll make it my plan to give weekly updates on how things are going. I may ask AD for that kewl little weight loss side bar he has.

Moving On

So, it is about time I move on from this job. It has not panned out, so to speak.

I've been with Brink's Technologies as a Builder Rep for the last six months. It was a good job to start, but the economy and Hurricane Ike took a big bite from my sales. It is tougher than I thought working on straight commission, but I gave 100% of my time and effort to this job. Now, I have to find new digs and fast to keep the household income sufficient to pay our bills. Not that we'd starve or be out in the cold on Swede's pay, but we've got the one extra mouth to feed now.

It will be nice to see some regular hours now. I get to be home at decent hours to see and play with Windage. Even as a LEO, I'm sure I'll have better hours and downtime with my family. As it is now, I am home after 8pm most days, and even on Saturdays and some Sundays. No breaks for me. I have to keep moving to generate income.

What killed me the most was all the money I earned went straight into repairs for my truck. The urban assault vehicle is not what it used to be. Just yesterday, the antenna broke, again. My rear axle is starting to slip on acceleration (bad gears, I think), and I think there's a problem with one of the pistons (knocks and pings).

I've put in applications to a couple of police departments this week. I'm gonna go the route of LawDog and MattG. Hopefully, all will go well and I can make it to an academy class by late summer. I've always had a fascination with the law. When I was younger, I thought following in dad's footsteps would be my goal. Alas, practicing law as an attorney does not appeal. I'm more interested in the practical application of criminal and civil law. I think it is in my nature to be a service-oriented person. To help others that need it, and those that don't.

I'm working very hard to get in physical shape. I started on a workout program designed to help shed pounds to get me in line with height/weight proportions. I'll detail more about that tomorrow.

In the meantime, I have to tie up loose ends, finish some appointments on the schedule, and bite down to sell a couple of guns from the inventory. I'll do whatever I can to save as much of the inventory as I can, but I may even have to sell Swede's Kimber TLE/RL. Hopefully, I can get them back after a time if the Anointed One doesn't clamp down on the 2a. I'll do everything I can to keep the Rock River in the safe. Once I am a licensed peace officer, I think the AR will come in handy.