I Did Dunk But...

So here is the scoop...my final post. We all knew that I wasn't going to the gym and dunk yesterday. That fact was determined weeks if not months ago. A combination of genetics and a busy life that most middle age men have to endure.

Every single day for the past 14 months I was consumed by this goal and I honestly think that if I hadn't had constant conflicts on my time I could have made it...or come damn close. I just couldn't put in the workout time that was needed. But as illiterate athletes always say..."It is what it is."

So yesterday I left work early with the intention of grabbing someone with a cell phone video camera and head to the Bixby North Elementary court for a little consolation prize. I couldn't find anyone but I headed to the court anyway. I was concerned how it might look that a middle aged man in gym clothes was out on the court by himself but luckily the court and the parking lot was empty.

The reason for the trip was that one of the hoops is in fact nine feet high instead of the regulation 10 foot rim. I hurriedly swept away as much gravel off the right side as I could to clear a path on the right side and backed up.

It took 4 attempts and it was ugly as hell but I dunked. Yes it was only nine feet but I need to get on with my life. I wish I had video of yesterday but I can always go back and get it recorded. The important thing about yesterday was I wasn't 50 years old at the time. I am now. As Will Smith said in "Hitch" (and I am paraphrasing) - "I saw things working out differently in my mind."

Bill

Where The Hell Have You Been

Yeah I know...it's been over a month since my last post. As Eddie Murphy said in "48 Hours,"..."I've been busy!"

Clearly with 15 days left unless I get a hold of some super illegal steroids I am not going to make it. I am reading a book called "The Dip" which points out that maybe I should quit...but I'm not going to give up. I'm not in a Cul-de-Sac, I'm in a dip-a temporary setback.

It would be easy to give up but as I turn 50 years old I get fewer opportunities to control my own destiny. I will see this through not only because I promised I would but because it will give me the motivation to pursue even more ridiculous goals into next year.

When I started out I needed to have a vertical of 39 inches...but that's standing still without a running start. Figure you get 6 to 7 additional inches from the momentum of running. As of today I have a vertical of 27 inches which leaves me a foot short of my goal. I've actually jumped onto a 34 inch platform but that's not a true vertical because my legs were bent big time.

My new goal is to throw down by Christmas. If I can maneuver past the holiday feasts I think that date is very attainable. Besides, dunking at 50 years, 3 months is more impressive than 49 years and 364 days...right?

Bill

This Isn't Going to Help

My wife had surgery last Friday so friends and coworkers are bringing us meals and goodies. My sister-in-law brought a ton of pasta and unfortunately...brownies. Like I have enough challenges in my life every day without coming home to a pan of yummy brownies. If all 5 of my sons where home this would have only been a problem for 24 hours but it is now day three and there are still a few brownies left. Maybe the dog will find them while I am at work.

50 days to 50 years...wonder if that means some special type of karma today?

Bill

It's Not The Jumping That Causes The Pain...

It's the sudden stopping! Actually, I think the quote is "The fall didn't kill him, it was the sudden deacceleration." All this comes to mind as I have finished off a couple workouts with my new program.

The soreness in my thighs is obviously a good feeling but the twitch in my back and joints means...well it means I'm old! I really like this program and the philosophy that Jacob Hiller shares about workouts.

He talks about "training explosion - not endurance." This makes a whole lot of sense. If you wanted to train to run the 100 yard dash in less time you wouldn't run 5 miles a day would you? He preaches intense reps so that is what I did.

I did some depth jumps (by the way - I have NO IDEA why the guy in my example video doesn't have a shirt on but there are women who read this blog...and you are welcome). I also did some lunge jumps.

I will not bore you with the entire workout but I will tell you about the prize I am considering giving myself when I finally do dunk! A visit to the Pop-Tart Store!

Bill

Tick Tick Tick

Basically I am two months away from turning 50 years old. I don't know why, but the realization of this is bothering me a lot. Maybe it is looking back over the past 30 years and thinking about all the mistakes that were made (because I didn't make any my first 20 years...ha!). Maybe its all those damn mailers I keep getting from AARP or perhaps it is just the second consecutive weekend of 110+ degrees here in eastern Oklahoma.

As I have documented before I am behind schedule to be able to dunk by October 7th. I haven't made noticeable progress in the past few weeks so....what? It's not that I have chosen an impossible goal...extremely difficult yes but it's not like I would be the first 50 year old human being to dunk.

It's certainly not from a lack of effort. I workout 5 to 6 times a week. I am in the best shape of my life...the lowest weight since I got married and I have gained about 14 inches on my vertical...just not enough to throw down. While I can "jump" up 35 inches onto a bench, my vertical is about 26 inches and change. The difference being when I jump onto a bench my legs are bent big time.

So if I haven't picked an insanely impossible goal and I haven't shortchanged myself on my workouts...maybe I am not training correctly. Today I have made the decision to bring in help.

Last month I posted a video from Jacob Hiller who, by all accounts, is the best jump training coach out there. His guarantee is that I will gain 10 inches on my vertical in 60 days or I get my money back. Actually I have 59 days and need 12 more inches. If Jacob can take responsibility for one less day I will take the responsibility for the extra 2 inches. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Bill

Just Show Up

I have written before about the challenges of just making it to the gym for my workouts. When you think about it, THAT is the single most important element of your success...just show up! Gold's Gym has a sign on their front door which really drives this point home. "Know that by just showing up you've won half the battle." It's true! It is just as hard, if not more difficult, to motivate yourself to actually drive to the gym than actually doing the workout.

I can't count the times that I dragged myself to the gym, wanting to go home and call it a day, and ended up having a great workout. Maybe it's the Endorphins. Maybe it is the opportunity to work off the stress of the day (which is why I could never workout in the morning...no stress yet.).

Just showing up plays into my all-time favorite quote, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." This applies to anything in life...if you don't try you are guaranteed to fail. An important thought as the clock strikes 60 days left. I'll have more to share later today.

Bill

New Gym

Because I didn't have enough challenges to overcome in the next 64 days my gym decided to go out of business! While I was certainly surprised, the employees who lost their jobs without any warning whatsoever are in shock.

My membership was transferred to Gold's Gym. I don't have to stay with them and there is a new place just around the corner from my house but Gold's has a basketball court so they will probably prevail.

They have plyometric jump boxes but no "jump tester" which sucks big time. I need that feedback and affirmation a couple times a week to tell me I am making progress. Guess I will need to call around town and find a place that has vertical jump tester that I could use each week. The other option is to purchase my own wall-mounted tester.

Hey this journey has always been about overcoming challenges. Having to join a new gym isn't the first challenge I've faced on my quest for "dunkability," and it certainly won't be the last. The only thing I wish is that "old naked guy" hadn't transferred his membership to Gold's too. Thought I was done with that visual!

Bill