So you think you're fit?

11/29/22

It's time for Scott-Bilt to put up or shut up. For arguments sake, let's propose 2 hypothetical choices:

Choice #1) We spend $3K on a turbo for the sled to add an additional 100hp

-Can't ever go wrong adding boost

-"Smiles for miles" RB

-If you're not in shape, it will quickly demonstrate the need for a kick-ass fitness program.

Choice #2) Spend considerably less and focus on body performance vs. machine performance.

-Improves ALL aspects of a person's physical, mental, and hopefully spiritual well being.

-Inspires confidence.

-Adds longevity.

The easy route is choice #1. Anyone with the necessary funds can pull the trigger; it takes no effort (and don't think for a second I'm not still considering it). Choice #2 is different. Results out is proportionate to effort in. Sorry, nature's law; not mine. How much money you have is irrelevant to the equation. As our past has continually shown, here in the laboratory we thrive on difficulty. The choice has been made so let's get after it.

12/3/22

Initial buy-in:

-Complete Racing Solutions (program development fee $200 and $300/mo.)  $500.00+

-My Fitness Pal app ($80/yr) $80.00

-Roll Recovery (R8 Plus deep tissue massage roller $170, R3 orthopedic foot roller $35, R1 percussion device $130)  $335.00

-Garmin (Fenix 6X Sapphire multisport GPS watch $500, HTM Pro Plus heart rate monitor chest strap $130, Index BPM Smart Blood Pressure Monitor $150, Index S2 smart scale $150) $930.00

-Skinfold Caliper, Body Tape Measure, and BMI calculator  $16.00

TOTAL: $2,161.00

Holy Schmoley! Choice #1 is looking better and better... Negative. This journey has a purpose not only to hopefully get some good information out there to whomever may be searching but it also has a personal slant. According to some generalized physical fitness metrics, my fitness level is considered elite for a 58 year old male. That being said, no fitness program (or anything else) is going to bring me back to being 25 years old. That's not what this is about. This is about taking a very disciplined, well executed (hopefully), and well monitored regimen and see if the gains are worth the cost (both the money as well as the necessary daily life sacrifices. I've trained using different methods for over 40 years but this is the first time for something like this. Effort in = results out. Let the games begin.

12/12/22

The first step in this journey is the plyometric assessment. This is a series of exercises/tests to determine your current level of fitness and establish a baseline to compare future results to. The biggest challenge to this is you need to commit 7 days that will include: typical body weight exercises (push ups, pull-ups, etc.), rowing, bicycling, and motocross. As winter is heading this way, some adjustments may need to be substituted. Bicycling can be done via an indoor trainer but I'm pretty sure indoor moto is a no-go. For those keeping track of $, additional buy-in:

-Concept 2 rower $700.00 used (1,100.00 new). FYI around here these are like GOLD. Missed out on the 5 in a row until finally sealing a deal.

-Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer $800.00 used (1,200.00 new). It's not my favorite pastime to ride a bicycle indoors on a trainer but, again, weather can and will play a part so best to have a backup plan.

On a side note, the Garmin Fenix 6x kicks ass. The information it assembles is near staggering. Body Battery estimates the user's energy reserve throughout the day and has been exceptionally accurate. After learning about it, I would occasionally "test" it by not looking at it until the end of a given day to see if what it predicted and suprisingly it was very accurate.

 NEW TOTAL: $3,661.00

12/26/22

Xmas mayhem by the truckload. Not the greatest diet, -14 degree static temperatures, and more snow shoveling than I believe is allowed by law. Not much to report but starting week 1 of January 2023, I will start improving weaknesses. As evidenced by a major limp every morning until things get warmed up, my initial weakness is a lack of flexibility in my left ankle. This is due to a shattered ankle via framing an on/off table top back in 2001. The long term damage is structural so I'm not sure what gains can be made but I'm hopeful. 

Regrading CRS, I have been watching multiple videos from the "Mad Scientist" (aka Coach Robb Beams). Lots of great content but even more impressive is that I actually talk to this guy for 30 minutes every week and his clientele has included AMA (American Motocross Association) champions. It's mindblowing to know that I'm being offered the same information as some of the best athletes on the planet.

1/6/23

I'm starting to see the method to this madness. Essentially, your level of current fitness (both body and performance) is measured and documented. After the personalized program is completed (mine is a 6 week block), your new level of current fitness will be measured and documented. Assuming the program was followed as instructed, the differences in the before and after numbers will tell a story and hopefully show all the areas of improvement. 

The other "fun fact" I'm starting to see is the commitment this program requires. The physical challenges are expected and are not excessively long in duration but it's required to string them together as the program indicated. This is 5-6 days a week for 6 weeks. If you're like myself, with a nice and manageable 50 hr work week, some time with the wife, some time with the kids... you see where this is going. The good news is that logging your food and water intake (4 times daily) takes your mind off the time commitment...

1/23/23

I'm going to be blunt. This commitment is much more difficult than I thought it would be. If you are completing this program as a top level athlete with a purpose, your incentive is clear. To complete this program to see if I can get in better shape requires a different incentive and I'm finding it difficult to stay on course. Another "fun fact" is that this program requires a significant time outside and starting this program in December may need to be re-thought. To be continued...

On a good note, one positive so far I have gotten from this journey is how important it is to change up your routine. I'm a creature of habit and althought I was pretty fit before I started this, my workouts have pretty much remained unchanged for the past 10 years. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" can apply but it's been proven there are more gains to achieve by mixing things up. Not to mention it's just more enjoyable and not so stale. 

3/16/23

It's been a minute. The previous post mentioned the time committment needed and that struggle hasn't gotten any easier although I have been able to make some adjustments to help stay the course. More importantly, I have learned about some physical deficiencies due to past injuries that might not hinder pure cardiovascular fitness but are having a massive influence on my balance and stability: both of which are critical in physical activity and life in general for that matter. For context, in 2001 I came up short on a MX dirt jump and "framed" the landing. Injuries were: (Left side) shattered ankle, cracked heel, ruptured peroneal tendon (Right side) cracked heel and ruptured Achilles tendon. As the left side damage was significantly worse, more specifc and lengthy rehab was needed but, being in a rush to get active again as well as having a PT provider that wasn't invested as much as you would hope, it was not completed as it should have been. Well, quite frankly it sucks that I've built up 20 plus years of incorrect muscle memory/bad habits but that being said, I'm now aware of the problems and how to hopefully minimize (if not eliminate) them through specific protocols. Time to grind.

8/27/23

Been more than a minute. As time allows, have been working mainly on the physiology aspect of getting my previously injured arms and legs to fire equally and in balance. It sounds easy but there are days when it flat out blows. Two steps forward; one step back...repeat. Base fitness is really good and cardio is decent but will need to start ramping it up for the upcoming winter high atltitude sessions. The one really cool experience is getting back closer to a level in moto that I haven't experienced in almost 40 years. Not speedwise obviously (but not bad for an old guy) but a level of control/comfort that's hard to explain unless you have it. 

9/25/23

The gains made in the last month have been well... shocking. I'm not talking about aerobic or anerobic capacity, but in muscle and nerve functionality. Being aware of the disproportionate muscle firing from my left side compared to my right side, and continually working on balance between the two, has allowed me to close this gap significantly. Running, cycling, and especially moto have all benefitted. Even playing the drums has seen improvements in speed, power, and control. It's hard for me to believe at the age of 59 these wholesale gains would be possible. Not going to lie, I've made countless deposits into the "bank of physical effort" and that has no doubt paid dividends. I'm also fortunate to have very good genetics passed down from my parents. However, most importantly I believe God has simply blessed me. Not trying to go all Bible thumper (although you may want to consider it if you already haven't) but I'm not embarrased by my faith. All this being said, I can't wait to see the effect this has on my ability to ride a snowbike and snowmobile. Back to work.

12/2/23

Have been keepin' on keepin' on. In addition to Complete Racing Solutions protocols, have been riding moto once a week pretty consistently. Body feels good and Right vs. Left muscle memory and muscle firing is getting more in balance every day. It's crazy to think that the biggest performance "gain" I've gotten so far is not in terms of elite athletic abililty or endurance, just basic muscle coordination. Literally, exercises that ANYONE can do for free! Getting back to the manic state, I'm will be purchasing ($199/mo) and using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). This device will let me know how my blood sugar reacts to anything I eat or drink. From there, I can determine what foods and drinks are more beneficial for my personal physical demands. In upcoming posts, I will be going into what I have been finding to be many questionable beliefs when it comes to the what, how much, and why of elite performance nutrition. Peace and Happy Holidays! 

1/14/24

My journey with Complete Racing Solutions has been put on pause. No reflection on them or what they bring to the table but, if you must know, what they offer is next level. Highly recommended! As to why, according to the trusty Garmin platform, over the last 3 weeks my resting heart rate has increased, blood pressure has increased, stress rate has increased, and heart rate variability (HRV = the statistical measure of the specific changes in time between succesive heartbeats) is unbalanced or low. In layman's terms, I have ran myself into the ground (this time figuratively). I need to back it down for a while to essentially get back to neutral. I can still ride and train moderately but no big efforts until next month at the earliest. "Fall 7 times; get up 8." - CS

3/14/24

HRV is back to where it should be and I have been feeling great. Training has been consistant and still making gains especially noticeable when on the snowbike or sled. To perform the way I want, especially at high altitude and almost in the 6th decade of my life, it takes fitness built from training and diet. My next evolution is going to be in the flexibility department which literally no one I know, myself included, prioritizes. Unfortunately, I have back spasms from time to time (especially pulling out Ski-Doos). It's not a structural problem but most likely due to a lack of flexibility that may be caused by tight hamstrings and quads. "Let's get to it." - TCV