The Quest #8: Activated

March 2nd, 2024 to April 9th, 2024

This chapter's highlight is a 10K trail race. It was on the Rocky Hill Ranch property in Smithville, hosted by Tejas Trails. It was beautiful! The trail race had beautiful rolling hills, epically old trees, babbling brooks, the list goes on. I feel that there's been so many times I've explored nature in Texas and thought, "Damn, this must be what paradise looks like...". It's so beautiful. And this race was fun, but tough. I didn't run a single step before this during the entire month, and my body paid for it.

My time isn't great and I was wheezing like a demon for the middle three miles of the race. But what struck me what the community aspect again - there were about a hundred racers but dozens of people on the sidelines as supporters and volunteers. I really think this is such a beautiful way to connect with the world and others. It's wholesome and people are encouraging each other to keep pushing. I'm a young person and got smoked by so many older folks that were just better in all aspects. So cool.

It was also great being in nature for a few hours, breathing deeply. I forgot how good it feels to work your body to the limit. The mental chatter truly goes down significantly. Been weightlifting on the program with just kettlebells and that also has a huge impact. I'm going to keep pushing and keep training - a race every month might be a good way to keep myself on track. Here's to more adventures.

Long story short: I became a stay-at-home deadbeat because life got too hard for an emotionally unstable yuppie. Now I'm trying to redeem myself by running a lot and talking about it. Hopefully you find this entertaining enough to subscribe, buy merch and follow your own Quest.

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3/02/2024

It's almost time.

3/05/2024

Things are shaping together! Heavy risk but the prize...I'm excited for what comes next. My mission is to do 5 marathons (that I've picked so far): NYC, London, Boston, Tokyo and Austin. Maybe LA and a 7th somewhere...

Still unsure about the strength training goal. I have 6 goals, don't want to decrease to 5, and I want strength training to be part of this idea. Everything else I'm happy with so far.

3/06/2024

Been home for about a week. It's healing in a lot of ways - being around family means I spend less time on my bad behavior. I'm much more productive at work and I've made great strides working on Sendō in this time frame. So - guess who's the problem? Meditation is getting better too, I'm feeling that clarity and that silence more and more. Worked on the first SenDex post too - pretty excited about it.

3/11/2024

Being home was good. Back home for one last run of debauchery and life-wasting. But I'm feeling good. This completely normal running blog is my salvation. I'm really seeing that all of the skills I've been learning for the last decade in the tech world has been preparing me for this role. Or at least, it really really feels that way.

Back to the blog stuff...the goals feel dialed in. The mission feels dialed in. Just got to get the logo feeling dialed in, same with the homepage. Doesn't pull you in hard enough yet. I've been using the 'manga' or 'album' mindset. This entire thing should have a very specific aesthetic and I want to be very mindful of the power of color. Gotta use it sparingly.

Back to real life. I put down a deposit for a Rivian R2. I'm sold. I think Elon is a liar and a herb, though I still want to own a Model Y. I'm thinking I'll rock a Model Y until the Rivian pre-order is ready. Really want the R1T as the ultimate adventure mobile.

Let me live: my dream garage is a pickup truck, a family SUV and a sports car. Rivian R1T, ???, and Lexus LC500. For the family whip I was thinking the LS500 for a long time after being inspired by the Regalia from FF15. But I want something a bit more capable too, so maybe either the Mazda CX-90 is a bit more middle ground.

3/19/2024

Been doing some 5x5 lifts lately - definitely had a mega effect on my energy levels and disciplines. Even got a few yoga sessions in this week. Feels like I'm coming out of the mental fog more and more. Staying geeked out of my mind is no longer as fun as it used to be as I continue to work on this project. I'm feeling excited. I'm feeling the pressure from my job and everything but in my heart - this feels like something special is coming.

3/25/2024

Been lifting a lot more this month, and bought a mass gainer protein powder to consume each time I'm using the kettlebells. Feels like these workouts are turning on some part of my body and mind that's been dormant. I've felt this every time I work out to be honest, but in this round of the cycle of addiction I'm feeling the power coursing through my mind and body as a result of these exercises. If I can lift 3 times a week as programmed, I think I have a chance. There's a fire that's starting to burn in me again. I can't go back to the way I was living. I'm terrified of what's to come, but just like every other time in my life - I've just got to leap. The ideas for this project are at their strongest. Let's push.

4/01/2024

Easter Weekend at home. Good mental recharge. Nuff said. Here's to the future.

Finally got an upcoming race - another trail 10K on Saturday. Let's go!!

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