7 Days Left

I've been putting myself through 2-a-days for the most part this past week, since I don't want to skimp on the lifting because we'll be tested on that, but I also need to get in better running shape. I'm exhausted, but I feel good about the progress that I'm making and the effort that I'm putting in.

This thing isn't about playing football anymore, for me. Absolutely, I'm doing this for the love of the game, and I can't think of anything cooler than being able to finish up my time at Syracuse playing football for a team that is going places a lot faster than most people think, don't get me wrong. I want nothing more in the world than that.

But I really, at this point, after months of working for this, (see previous posts) just want to see what I'm made of. Sure, win or lose here, I can walk away proud of what I've done, but I didn't do all this to not make the team. I didn't do it to walk away and say, hey, I tried really hard, but it just didn't work out. This is about setting a goal (even if it's grandiose and borderline bat-sh-t crazy) and doing everything in your power to get to it. It's about second chances for guys that didn't do things the right way when good things were there for them picking themselves up and doing it the right way from there on out. Learning discipline and toughness.

I'll be working myself to the brink this week in final preparation. I know I won't stack up as well as some guys on certain things, but I'll be there from an effort standpoint.

Watching the Spring Game was surreal, exciting, and somewhat infuriating since I wanted to be on the field so bad. We'll find out soon enough whether that will be the case or not.

Less than 2 weeks to go

And I am frrrrrrrrrreaking out! In a good way though I guess- my roommate Josh said it best, if you actually feel good about what you're doing, you've probably lost a bit of your edge- it's best to feel like you're failing, so you work harder...that's paraphrased from sweaty gym-talk.

I've heard some things here and there about what happens during the tryouts, and what I would be expected to do in terms of working out, and I gotta be honest, I'm a little nervous. I'm not sure (pretty damn not sure) that I'll stack up well with the other guys, but we'll see.

2 years ago I weighed 135 lbs. 1 year ago I weighed 150. I now weigh 180 and have worked harder at this than anything I've ever worked at before, and I'm not embarrassed to say it. It's not uncool to really try at something, whether it fails or succeeds. Hell, I only started benching 9 months ago, then lost two straight months to the ankle thing, so we're talking about 7 months of benching and I can do a pretty damn good amount for that kind of period. I'm assuming the other guys will have been doing this throughout high school football and the like, so I dunno.

I do know that I'll outwork them if given the opportunity. Why? Because I'm a sick, sick bastard. I love the pain, and I love to work.

I've amped up all efforts for the final push here, then am taking like 2 days off before tryouts to let the body recoup. For example, tomorrow is all-cardio day, and I'm doing two workouts, one after class is over, then one later on at night. To hell with the ankle, which continues to swell and be a pain in the ass. Screw the blood blisters that cover the bottom of both of my feet. It's go time.

Pray for me, I'm gonna need it.

Back From Break, Random Notes

Back from spring break. It was a crazy time over spring break, things got pretty out of control...no, no, wait, yeah, they didn't. I went home to the Philly 'burbs and basically worked out, hung out with a few friends, read a lot, and watched a few movies. Did a little shopping for some new sneakers, found nothing I like, but DID come up with a very lifelike Randy Moss figurine in a clearance bin for 5 DOLLARS! I only had 4 dollars in my pocket, and wouldn't you believe the man took it. Now ol' Randy sits on my desk and keeps an eye on things.

I played some ball this weekend in cleats and all, and felt really good. Didn't go quite 100% but didn't totally half-ass it either, and I think I'm coming along really well at this point. I played Sunday and the ankle is still pretty sore, but nothing like it used to be. I squatted today and it's even doing well. I could cut actually pretty well.

Hoping that all is going well for the SU football team in the beginning of spring practices, which according to Syracuse.com started on Monday. I hope to be with them someday, and will continue to work towards that goal. I do not know when tryouts or that sort of thing are, but when they do come- I will be ready. At this point, with cardio and all I'm working out 6 or 7 days a week, depending on the week, and am really coming along. I've said it before- if I don't make this team, it certainly won't be for lack of effort. I will control what I can control, and that is what I put into it.

I'll be updating a lot more soon! I'm also on the radio on 88.3 WAER in Syracuse on the post game shows for basketball and lacrosse. More so lacrosse at this point, but the occasional basketball show as well. Tune in after the games for my ...analysis? Uh oh...

You can also go to http://www.waer.org/ and listen live. Happy Tuesday and back to work.

A Week "Off"

Just finished another 6 week program, and with my body breaking down, I'm taking a week off the weights.

Still doing cardio and core stuff, I played some basketball tonight and will be doing that throughout the week. My ankle swells up at turns kinda purple at spots after playing, but the pain level is down.

As tryouts get closer, as I've mentioned, I'll be cranking up the cardio. I figure the one thing I can control about my chances is my conditioning and weight room stuff, so you better believe I'm hedging my bets the best I can by being in impeccable shape when these tryouts roll around.

Which brings me to my next point, no I don't know when tryouts are. I've received a few emails about this and people have asked me in person as well, and to be real I don't even really know when tryouts are or what. Hopefully I'll find out that information this week, I'm going to ask around because I'm sure that time is coming up at some point in the somewhat near future.

Listen this Saturday to Sportsnight on 88.3 WAER, where I'll be on talking about the state of the NFL in relation to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the uncapped year. I'll have some not-so-often talked about points about the state of negotiations and all that crap that very few really care about.

Congrats to SU Basketball on their win on Saturday against my hometown Nova Wildcats. I was there and it was as electric a scene as I've ever seen at a sporting event. We definitely showed 'em who was boss, as we have all season pretty much. That is one unbelievable squad.

More updates to come soon so tell your friends and come back often!

Workout Schedule

I figured I'd throw up what I'm doing as a workout schedule, as opposed to say I SQUATTED THIS or benched this, because lets be honest, 95% of people reading this don't give a rats behind what I squat or bench or whatever. And quite frankly, it's not that impressive. At all.

Monday: Heavy squat / Leg Day
Tuesday: Chest
Wednesday: Cardio / Ab heavy / Basketball
Thursday: Leg Day
Friday: Chest
Saturday: Cardio / Ab heavy
Sunday: OFF

So there it is. Bam. Man, I've got nothing to write about right now...

Getting my Legs Right

Squats, split squats, jump squats, speed squats, lunges, dead lifts, cleans, running, stair machine, basketball, ahhhhhhhhh........

Although on most days I drag my ass around this tundra of a campus, my legs are getting stronger, more conditioned, more in shape, etc. Soon I should be at least reasonably solid in the leg area and I'm still doing the upper body nonsense, so hell I should look like a football player at some point. Now looking and actually being one are two different things, of course, but at least I'm putting the time in. Any new recommendations on leg exercises is always appreciated!

Also, as of now, the ankle is really sore on a daily basis but doesn't cause me any major pain at this point while lifting. It does slow me down during basketball though, but it's definitely coming along and improving. It's just a long, long f--king road, I underestimated how long it would really take to get all the way better. I really doubt it's going to be 100% before I have to try out for the SU Football team.

Coming up on Saturday or tomorrow: a long, drawn out Super Bowl piece. Come back to see who my prediction is, and by how much. I'll say this: the winner is gonna win big.

Back in Saddle Again

A lot going on!

- Started classes this week- taking 17 credits this semester, with some pretty hard classes to boot. Should be my worst semester thus far in terms of workload in college. I'm now a senior though (albeit a 24 year old one, I started school at 21) and there isn't much more to go.

- Started training again. After 9 full days off, I got back on the horse today at the gym. I benched the most that I've ever done and generally felt absolutely incredible- haven't felt that good at the gym in a long, long time. My body needed the rest, and my back was reasonable. I concentrated the entire time on having good form during exercises which could mess with my back and afterward, I iced my back and ankle for 20 minutes. So far, so good, I'm sore back there, but nothing horrible. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, and how this thing progresses. Tomorrow is leg/back/etc day so that's the real killer. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

- I'm going to start really concentrating on getting my ankle and legs right in terms of conditioning. It's time to start being in ridiculous shape on the lower half of my body now that my strength is up- I have to be able to at least outwork the other people trying out.

More updates to come soon now that things are rolling. More and more people have been coming, and I'm appreciative of all the people taking an interest in my crazy journey. Thanks for coming, as always, and keep coming back for more awfulness!

Injury Update

So my back is getting a little better. I've taken now a full week off from the gym, by far the longest period since I started in September. My body seems to really appreciate it, actually, so I'm hoping this back problem turns into a good thing, but getting some much-needed rest.

I've been going into physical therapy with the whiz therapist herself Colleen O'hara, and coming along pretty decently. Still is pretty painful, though. I slightly under stated the intensity of the pain in the last post about my back, it's been keeping me awake at night, waking me up in the middle of the night, and putting me in agony throughout the day. I couldn't even tie my shoes, but continued to ignore it. It's slightly alleviated, but still pretty f**ked up.

I'm taking a few more days off, then getting back on the grind with much-improved form and less weight on some lifts- gonna have to take it a bit slower than I was. Truth be told I was flying up on weight more than I should have been; I was a bit overzealous. Am a bit overzealous. But going to control it now.

I'm headed to Notre Dame on Monday to give a report for 88.3 WAER in Syracuse on the Notre Dame vs. Syracuse basketball game. Break is just about over and back on the grind come Monday.

Gym Updates

Been working out with a buddy of mine since I got home (miss you Josh baby), introduced him to this high-intensity workout that was given to me. He's taking it like a champ, although he threw up last time we went. I, on the other hand, am kind of plateauing a bit in a lot of ways.

Good times though, thanks Bally's Gym, because every time we go in I'm just like yeah I'm with him, on the guest pass, and they just sorta nod and grunt at me. They just don't care. It's awesome. If I can go this entire break pulling that nonsense, I'll be a happy man with an extra 50 bucks or so in my pocket-- God bless America.

I've also been coming in to NFL Films and helping out every day, so I haven't had a ton of free time to do the things that I wanted- not that I'm complaining, there is coaching tape here that I've stared at whenever possible, mesmerized. Once again, God bless America.

Squat is up to 200 lbs (longggggg way to go) bench is stuck at 175 (3 sets, 10 reps, down to 8 reps next week we'll see where the weight is then. Also only 30-45 seconds between sets). I suck. Just gonna keep on the grind here, like I have been. My weight is a steady 180, hoping to add a bit more weight over this next month. I've also begun jump roping and sprinting.

Lastly, I won my fantasy football league, so I'm walking around with a strong sense of entitlement, like I really knew what I was doing. Hell, I won last year, so lightning DOES sometimes strike twice.

Progress Report

So while I spend most of my time on here calling myself varying forms of an idiot, I take this little quest of mine extremely seriously. As in, it's basically taken over my life at this point.

I spend my time in the gym, eating reasonably healthy food (the equivalent of going on a calorie count for Shawn Andrews), and thinking about ways that I can get closer to my goal.

One way that I think is a good gauge of how hard I'm working is my progress in the weight room. I've sort of hit a plateau at around 176-178 in terms of my weight right now-hopefully that will change, but I've had some pretty solid gains in terms of lifting.

Chest / Tricep / Front Shoulders workout

Assuming all of these are 3 sets of 8 reps- Bold is new weight

Flat bench 135 lbs --up to 165 lbs
Incline bench 115 lbs--up to 155 lbs
Incline dumbell 55 lb dumbells--up to 60 lb dumbells
Cable fly 75 lbs-- up to 95 lbs
Military Press 40 lbs --up to 50 lbs
Skull crushers- 50 lbs-- up to 65 lbs
Dips - 4x8-- up to 13-15 per set
Tricep Push Downs- 120 lbs-- up to 150 lbs
Scaption (straight arm raise) 20 lbs-- up to 30 lbs
Elbow raises 20 lbs-- up to 30 lbs

Back / Bicep

Lat Pull Downs 105 lbs-- up to 120 lbs
Seated Back Rows 150 lbs-- up to 170 lbs
Bent over rows 50 lbs-- up to 60 lbs
Dumbbell Shrugs 65 lb dumbells- Same
Close grip pull down 105 lbs-- up to 120 lbs
Preacher Curls 75 lbs -- up to 105 lbs
Dumbbell Curls 30 lbs dumbells-- up to 40 lbs
Forearm Curls 45 lb bar-- up to 85 lbs
Isolation Curls- 30 lb dumbells-- up to 40 lbs
Hammer Curls 35 lb dumbells-- Same

So I'm happy with my progress. I've started doing legs and really getting into rehabbing this limb of mine. I'll keep on the grind, you keep coming to read.

Thanks to everyone who has been cheering me on along the way. Love you guys. We're gonna do this thing.

I DID LEGS! And, I'm a total absolute Idiot...

So I just worked out my legs for the first time...ever really. In a weight lifting sense. I've done massive amounts of running, etc playing soccer and other sports all my life, but I just did squats, leg press, leg extension, calf raises, a bunch of time on the stair machine, and abs.

I'm freakin tired- but it feels absolutely amazing to be using my legs again. Moving around and whatnot. Awesome stuff. Wed. is now leg day. So...

Mon- Chest / Tricep / Front Shoulders
Tues- Back / Bicep / back shoulders
Wed- Legs / Cardio
Thurs- OFF for now
Fri- Chest / Tricep / Front Shoulders
Sat- Back / Bicep / back shoulders
Sun- Cardio, sedintary football watching

This is what I'm going with for the next few weeks at least. We'll see what happens.

Waiting around till 7 to go into Human Sexuality class. Why I'm going to that class, missing the first couple innings of the World Series with my beloved Phillies is beyond me. I am truly, pitifully, an idiot. Which brings me to my next point.

I just spilled chocolate flavored protein all over myself. It just blew up out of my shaker after the top came off. In front of a lot of people. And a lot more people to come when I go to class. And a lot of people in the Schine computer lab right now. In a white shirt. I look like a rolled around in the goddamn mud before I came here. Awesome. It's even in my hair, all sticky......

Too easy...

Doctor Visit ...Greatttt Successss

So I visited with the doctors during my visit home this past weekend/Monday.

All is going well- very well. I'm more than two months ahead of schedule. I'm supposed to start jogging in February, and I am lightly jogging right now, albeit very slowly and ....lightly...

I was given a huge list of exercises that I can do, with varying degrees of difficulty. I'll be working my ass off on those, and hopefully keep this giant bubble of ahead of scheduleness going. In the meantime, I'm still lifting like a crazy man. My doctor weighed me in at 178, so I don't even know what to think anymore about the weight thing. Who cares, really. Either way I weighed nowhere near that before. so I'm gaining.

Back in lovely Syracuse, where the clouds are always out for your pleasure and enjoyment. Making major gains in the weight room, as well. I'll post where I'm at soon, and compare it with where I was a month ago, as posted on the site. Should be pretty cool.

False Alarm

So I posted a couple weeks ago that my weight was up to 176. That is a lie. After weighing myself on two other scales, there is good news, however. After the last couple weeks serious eating and lifting I DO weigh in at a whopping 174 now. Just to clarify. As if you care.

I'm like one of these chicks that watch their weight like hawks. I gained 2 lbs today...oh god....even though I probably just left 2 lbs in the toilet....OK too far.

Anyway, that's what this is turning me in to. I'm off for the weekend for lifting, so I'm happy, sore, and going to eat myself senseless.

Monday, I have an appointment with the Physical Therapy people, most notably Colleen the ultimate Physical Therapist at the Rothman Institute just outside Philly. Hopefully she tells me I'm doing awesome because it's starting to feel pretty good down there. Walking isn't that big of a deal now, and I want to start light jogging soon.

Relative Lack of Excitement

It has occured to me that there has been, well, a lull around here lately. In my life, really. I think that I've been training, lifting, and am just in the groove. The beginning new car smell has worn off and I'm just in the grind of this thing.

My ankle has plateaued a bit, so I'll be visiting a physical therapist as I mentioned, provided I can afford it. Let's hear it for credit cards...

Eating, Gym, Eating, Schoolwork, Eating, Gym...

I invite you to hang in there with me as I progress.

I still want nothing else than to play college football. I realize that might not come across in every post since, on a daily basis, I'm pretty much a goofy idiot. But let it be known that I'm working my ass off.

Goin to the gym now...I've got goals...

Workout by Day

I know it's painfully boring to hear what I'm doing in terms of reps, sets, and all that crap. Honestly I bore myself while typing it, and don't want to type it anymore.

I can only imagine what reading it must be like. No wonder no one comes here...

Anyway, in case anyone wants to say hi in the gym, ridicule myself or the weight guru himself Josh, I work out on these days, and approximate time ranges

M- Chest/tri/shoulders 2-5:30
T- Back/bi/abs- 4-7
W-abs/rehab ankle
Th-off/rehab ankle
F-Chest/tri/shoulders/abs 4-8
Sat- Back/bi/abs 12-??
Sun-Football-couch- all day--only get up to urinate or eat

Ridicule away!

I'm Going to Jog in 1 Week

I'm supposed to begin jogging in February. I'm going to try next week. First week in October.

Some might say I'm overzealous. Some people might say I'm ahead of the times. Most would most likely say that this doesn't surprise them at all, because I'm a retard. This does not burst my bubble, although it might burst my ankle upon first trying to jog.

I tried sort of half jogging at the gym today while we were shooting a basketball around pre workout. (stopping the workout updates every week, going to do them once a month, lets face it, they're boring as hell)

Anyway, it didn't really hurt all that bad. So it's on! Wish me luck.

I'm taking off the brace for just walking as well.

In unrelated news, both my parents just began shaking their heads in the "no" motion with a disgusted look on their face, in unison.

Chest / Tricep Workout 9/21/2009

No major weight gains...hopefully Thursday I can kick it up. Back/biceps tomorrow...

Flat bench 135 lbs 2 sets 155 2 sets
Incline bench 3 sets @ 115 lbs and 125 lbs 3x10
Incline dumbell 55 lb dumbells 3x10
Cable fly 75 lbs 3x10
Military Press 40 lbs - 4x10
Skull crushers- 50 lbs 3x10
Dips - 4x8
Tricep Push Downs- 120 lbs 3x10
Tricep Push Down Burnout Sets 100lb/80lb/60/40/20 lb 7xea close w/ 20

Walk-On Stuff

I just learned that the biggest, baddest dude sitting in the room for tryouts this year didn't make the team. The guy is an animal, I mean freakish looking...he could eat me for lunch. ......Gulp.....

I've got a great chance at this...whatever gotta keep the energy level up. Great workout today with Weight Lifting Guru/Ladies Man Extraordinaire Josh Hawley. We also figured out late last night with a few other friends that Josh looks like Wayne Gretzky. Awesome...fodder for the next year...one more Wayne, I thought you were the F--king Great One!! Haha...

Good lord

My entire body hurts. Life is good, baby. That pain is progress. I wanted to send a shout out to the weightlifting guru himself, Josh Hawley. Although socially awkward, unable to dress himself without dressing like an old man, and completely unable to negotiate, the man is a badass in the gym.

Josh is going to be with me every step of the way training for this thing. Throwing the medicine ball at me, pushing me, and calling me a girly man in an Arnold Swartzenegger ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrBsnsr1e0s&feature=related ) voice, and me responding like Kige Ramsey. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88DX45Ex9yE )

Oh, Kige. I'm basically like Kige trying out for his beloved Kentucky Wildcats. I can't lift my arms....I'm hungry...

Back / Bicep Workout 9/15/2009

Bicep/back workout. Going to post updates on workouts once per week to show gains or lack thereof. It should keep me honest, because somewhere in my convoluted mind I think that anyone actually gives a rats ass what I'm lifting and is reading this. If any (all) of the feedback I've received is true, people want to read the marginally funny stuff about the journey, experience, etc. BUT how can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat? (pinkfloyd)

Lat Pull Downs 105 lbs 4x10
Seated Back Rows 150 lbs 4x10
Bent over rows 50 lbs 4x10
Dumbbell Shrugs 65 lbs each hand 4x10
Close grip pull down 105 lbs 3x10

Preacher Curls 75 lbs 3x8
Dumbbell Curls 30 lbs each hand 3x8
Full arm Curls 45 lb bar 3x10
Burnout Curls 75 lbs start, downward from there
Hammer Curls 35 lbs each hand 3x8

Abs

Incline sit ups w/ medicine ball thrown to each side
Leg lifts
Ab Machine