It took 6 tries to get a no-miss (and non-smacked-in-the-face) set; and a couple of those misses came in the last 10 seconds.
So, what did I come away with over the last 90 days?
Here's the score:
Standing forward bend: 1 and 1/2 inches from the top of my feet
Vertical Jump: 8 feet, 11 & 3/4 inches (237.7 cm)
Consecutive hits of the ping-pong ball: 188
Here's the raw, gratuitous results:
Boo-yeah!
Last week, I was able to knock out 13 consecutive pull-ups in good form (and an extra one, in bad form). Four sets of 8 or 9 dips are no problem. I can do 75 V-Sits on a single session. At the start of this thing, there's no way I would have managed any of these.
More important--since it will have a longer-term impact on sustaining all this awesome progress--is what I've learned.
First, that this project, much like the PCP, is never really finished. The KFB is a path, not a destination. Really, this was 'Mindfulness, Strength, & Flexibility 101. Like it or not--and aware of it or not--I am constantly 'practicing' something. Sitting hunched over a desk all day is, essentially, rehearsing inflexibility. Obsessing about projects and looming deadlines at work is, in reality, a non-stop stres dress-rehearsal. Stopping for 3, 5, 15 minutes a day and just sitting still helped make me a lot more conscious of how unhelpful my 'professional' work persona can be, and how much of its bad habits had spilled over into what should be a much more richly experienced life.
Next, balance. Literally (I could probably stay in Standing-Crane for minutes on end) and, more important, symbolically. On the PCP, I was starting from such an abyss of un-fitness that I could get away with six hours of sleep, an irregular workout schedule, and almost no stretching whatsoever, and still see incredible gains. But once I was in shape, and once the intensity was wratcheted up in the work-outs, there wasn't any more slack in the system. Any lapse in the diet, any lack of sleep, or any over-exertion had a fairly quick impact on my workout, either that day or the next.
Finally, awareness. At first, the meditation seemed like this weird activity that was completely tangential to the workouts and stretching. Over the past three weeks, however, I've come to realize that it's totally essential to acheiving and maintaining a high level of fitness. I HAD to be aware to get here. Aware of my level of tension, so I could relax and get more out of the stretches. Aware of my day-to-day choices (sleep, outside activities), so they wouldn't undermine my workouts. And aware of my limits, so I could comfortably, safely push them.
Climbing this high up the mountain of wellness is an amazing experience. But closer to the summit, the path is steep, the trail narrow, and there are a lot fewer tree branches to cling to. There is a much more--a bad night's sleep, a few days of bad food choices, work distractions--that can knock you off the mountain. And there were a few times I definitely tripped and fell on my face. But, looking back, I don't see these as failures; I view them as learning experiences I've absorbed that will make it easier to stay on the path going forward. To have a strong body, I need a strong mind--to make the choices that nourish strength. And to have a strong mind, I need a strong body--to remain awake to the limitless choices I have, and the consequences of each.
Thanks to Ellen and Tara for all of your support, insights, and inspiration along the way. Deborah and Ilan, hopefully you'll get to share your efforts and insights in the future. And thanks again to Patrick, for once again helping me to see my limits, and forcefully--but skillfully, mindfully--push past them.
Despite how crazy fit I am now, I have a long way to go, especially in the area of flexibility. (I'd love to be able to kick above my head, as well as do justice to the wide-angel forward bend). But after the last 90 days, I feel I'm now prepared enough--with the skill, the gong-fu--to get there.
Peace!-Brett
