Props to Clay

Bryan Clay of Los Angeles, Ca. recently was crowned "World's Greatest Athlete" after winning gold in the Olympic Decathlon. He's a good guy and well deserving of the title.

His win has opened up the opportunity for amazing influence and involvement in society. Here are but a few doors that have opened due to his athletic prowess:

-Visa Commercial Series

-Johnson & Johnson Commercial Series

-Visitor on "Oprah"

-Ringing the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange

-Spokesperson for the nation's leading private lender

-Picture on cover of Wheaties Box

-Clothing line for designer company

-Speaker at G.O.P convention

-Sponsorship security with Nike

-Speaker at multiple churches, high schools, and colleges

-Celebrity for sport detergent company

-9 pages of coverage in Vogue Magazine

...and these are just the ones I am aware of.

In one of his speaches, he was quoted as saying, "God first, family second, athletics third." Clay is a testimony to the endless possibilities for those who commit themselves to their calling and commit that calling to the glory of God.

Congratulations, Bryan. Thanks for the inspiration.

Let the games begin

Today marked the first day of official preseason training and maaan am I sore! I'm definitely realizing the difference between youthful bounce-back and the pains of adulthood. I know, I know, I'm only in my mid 20's. But when I was 18, I could bust a hard workout while out of shape and be sore for maybe one or two days. Now that junk lasts a week or more. I probably did less than a dozen workouts all summer to "stay in shape" and also rode my bike as transportation as often as possible.

Our preseason will start slow and include mostly just basic fitness and strength. Today's prescription was as follows:

As many rounds as possible in 20 min. of:

10 pull ups

15 push ups

20 sit ups

25 air squats

I finished 8 rounds which made for:

80 pull ups

120 push ups

160 sit ups

200 air squats

-nothing disappointing, nothing impressive-

The shocker was in my body weight. I've never been so heavy in my life!

2005

preseason wt.: 170 (4-5% fat)

midseason wt.: 190

endseason wt.: 193

2006

preseason wt.: 185 (6-7% fat)

midseason wt.: 200

endseason wt.: 194

2007

preseason wt.: 192 (6-7% fat)

midseason wt.: 201 (2-3% fat)

endseason wt.: 197 (3-4% fat)

2008

preseason wt.: 193 (5% fat)

midseason wt.: 201 (3-4% fat)

endseason wt.: 200 (3-4% fat)

2009

preseason wt.: 203! (6-7% fat)

Wups. I don't think I look that big (fat or strong), but I'm 10 pounds heavier than I've ever been in the preseason, using the same scale as always. I guess this will be a good year in the throws, huh?

Ok, enough random, useless bodyweight facts for now. I'll try and put together some good footage of my new weightroom lab-rat, Tyler. I'd like to get that kid another 10 pounds of meat before Christmas. He seems up for the task.

And thanks to the Montbleaus for the free tickets to watch the Padres smoke the Dodgers!