Good morning all,
Most of you are aware that we have designed black Firm shirts that cannot be purchased. Very simple in design, yellow logo on the front and discipline on the back. What sets these apart is what we attach to them and what they represent.
They will be awarded on a subjective basis to anyone that delivers a performance that super-cedes anything that person has done in the past, and is deemed worthy by Ted, Marisol or myself. In addition, the individual and the performance must be in-line with our principles of mutual respect for each other and the process by which we do things in here. We also stated that all previous achievements do not count. Clean slate starting now.
I wanted to earn one like everyone else, so about a month ago I gave Dale two personal best times for mountain climbs on the bike in GA. Set a personal best, earn my shirt, and my bike gps saves everything for documentation purposes, which I have already shared with Dale. Therefore I was awarded my shirt last night. There is an email exchange below describing how that played out down south.
This will be different for everyone. One does not necessarily need a 30 minute gorgo. This is a very individual process. I must admit, it felt rather gratifying putting mine on this morning. A personal best on a climb I have done 30 plus times over the last eight years means a lot to me. If you have a specific goal in mind that you would like to attach to the shirt, we would certainly be open to that discussion. Or one may be chosen for you, or it may just happen on any given Tuesday. I told Brad this morning that if he breaks Eli's squat press record for 50 reps he will get one. It may be something that crazy or your personal best 500 meter row. Totally subjective here. You may share your experience, or just show up with the shirt and everyone will know something cool happened. Your call.
Shelly was given the second one this morning, she rowed a 1:48.2 500 meters to start the day, which was a personal best. However, that is slower than Dana's house record, and I know Shelley has more in there. So not shirt worthy. However, she followed that up with a ridiculous training day that was more than worthy. And she is currently sparring with Ted. Quite the day. So congrats Shelley!
Love this concept and the meaning attached is what makes it so special.
All of you are a pleasure to work with and meet our criteria, or you would not be on the list. And the eligible pool is certainly not limited to this email. Just wanted to set the process in motion.
Have a great day, and thanks to all of you for making such things possible.
Paul
Hello all,
Happy summer. My apologies that so much time has passed since our last newsletter. This is simply due to the summer madness in here, not the lack of gorgo activity. However we have not had a finish since April. Well we had two last night!
Two seasonal members, who also happen to be brothers, both put up very respectable numbers last night. Ted ran them both through over two hours. And one of them knocked me into third place, so second only to Dan. Who by the way won the east coast regionals in beach flags, thus securing his spot for the world championships in Egypt this October. Congrats Mr. Matta! OK back to Gorgo.
Nick and Zach Kmetz did the following last night.
Nick: A 21 year old junior QB at Colby College
135 DL X 100 (6:06)
Push-ups x 100 (5:03)
Box jumps x 100 (7:40)
95 squat press x 50 (8:34)
Rope climb x 10 (5:06)
1500 meter row (6:32)
Total (45:27) And to add more drama, Nick threw up more than once during the effort! However, according to his brother, this a rather frequent occurrence.Too funny.
Zack 19, William & Mary student and the self proclaimed, "Best athlete in the family."
135 dl x 100 (4:51)
Push-up x 100 (4:01)
Box jumps x 100 (5:47)
95 squat press x 50 (6:18)
Rope climb x 10 (4:18)
1500 meter row (6:25)
Total 35:00! And second place all time fastest men's time.
Great work guys! It has been a pleasure having you both in here this summer and welcome to our elite little club.
This is not the only news. I only have one or two men's gorgo finisher's shirts left, and my sense is that I need to place another order. Adam Schmidt will finish in a month or two, I have no doubt. Both Philip and Sue Brown are closing in on gorgo and baby gorgo finishes respectively. Brad has unfinished business as well. Dale has not had any alcohol in almost two months and is 9 lbs lighter. Those rope climbs are on the horizon! The off season provides an opportunity for all of us to pursue indoor fun and games, so let's see where this goes!
Maximus (his name is Rob and he calls himself Maximus) a trainer @ Gym Jones, did 1,000 push presses with 20 lb db's and a big cal number on an indoor bike in an hour two weeks ago. Can you sense I have issues with the guy? He was illustrating a point regarding how much exercise one can do in an hour. Dale read this and opted to apply the concept with a 135# deadlift. Yes folks, 60 minutes of deadlifting. I must confess I made an unsuccessful attempt to talk my over achieving client out of a full 60 mins. 710 reps later 60 minutes expired! That is 95,850 lbs moved in 60 mins. Madness! Regan followed up two days later with an equally ridiculous 256 bench press reps with 135 lbs in 30 mins. Crazy work men.
And lastly in a tradition inspired by the University of Nebraska and Gym Jones, we are creating Firm t-shirts that may not be purchased. They will be all black with a yellow firm logo on the front, and discipline on the back also in yellow. These must be earned, and will be awarded for house records, personal bests or other exemplary performances that are attained by an individual who has demonstrated a respect for our process. In addition, whatever anyone has done in the past does not factor in here. All about what we can do now. This certainly applies to me as well. I am not going to open the box and take one when they arrive. Cycling commitments have me on the shelf in here until October and I certainly cannot wait that long. Therefore I have given Dale my lifetime best times on two GA mountain climbs. Set a personal best on either in two weeks and I get a shirt, if not I don't yet. The gps doesn't lie! So we will have documentation. Hope to have these in a week to 10 days.
I hope everyone is having a great summer. This has been the best summer The Firm Fitness Center has had during my 12 year tenure. Thanks so much for all your support.
Paul