Seeing that May is Mental Health Awareness month and since I work the field of mental health, I can not emphasize enough how important exercise is to ones mental hygiene. Whether it be skateboarding, going to the gym, snowboarding, rock climbing, soccer, or running; fitness has given me that extra push in my most difficult moments. I’m sure you all know some of the benefits that endocannabinoids and endorphins that are released during exercise have on your over all health. Even if you’re not a gym junkie or marathon runner — I’m not the latter either… yet — just going on a walk for about 30 – 45 minutes a day would beneficial.
At the end of April I took a vacation back to my home state of Virginia to visit family, friends, and the new addition to the family; my older brother and his wife’s newborn son. Congrats again!
I got back realizing the Big Bear Spartan Sprint(5k) was only two weeks later and only I worked out only once during the week long vacation. Last October, I completed the Spartan Super(10k) for the sake of completion and that was difficult in its own right. This time around I wanted at the very least a decent time. I still wasn’t training day in and out, but right before the race I was in a relatively good shape. The Spartan Sprint at Big Bear is a 5k (3.1 miles) and consists of 1732 ft. elevation gain with a maximum altitude close to 9000 ft. and 20 obstacles. For not training obsessively, I’m pretty satisfied with my time and ranking still making it within the top 10% for the sprint. For the remaining Trifecta courses, Beast(21k) and Super(10k) I’m determined to train a tad bit harder to see what I can accomplish. Technically, I have 2/3 of the Big Bear Trifecta complete, but only 1/3 of a actual Trifecta for 2022 completed. Either way completing one this year is on my bucket list so next stop… Hawaii?!
05/20/22 Workout
- 2 Mile on treadmill (rotating from jog, sprint, jog, sprint, rest and repeat)
- Leg Press: 4 Sets (180 – 270 lbs)
- Weighted Squats: 4 Sets(10 – 15 reps) (135 – 155 lbs)
- Calf Raises: 4 Sets (15 reps) (45 – 90 lbs)
- Ab Crunch Machine – 5 Sets + 1 side each for oblique crunches (40 lbs)
- Dips: 3 Sets (15 reps)
I was told to not rely only on the physical contributions to my mental health and was recommended to do more creative and introspective tasks like journaling for my selfcare. So more reason to keep up with these posts… I’ll try to at least.
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