Self Realization

“355 Raw Bench, 479.5lb F6 Bench, 578.5lb Dead Lift @ 238lbs”

That’s my old tagline when posting to the Illini Powerlifting forum, the place where the power lifting team that I once belonged to does most of its online business. I bring this up, because I posted today to the board to let people know that I’m going to be in town over the Thanksgiving weekend.  I’m hoping to get some of the team together and catch up over pizza and beer while I’m at home.

But as soon as I posted, I saw that signature line and was reminded of what I once could do… and not all that long ago.  For one, there’s no way in hell I can lift that much anymore.  That’s because I wouldn’t be mentally prepared, and physically I know I’m not there either.  It’s also strange/cool to realize that I’ve lost 20lbs in 5 months (it was needed).

So much just changed right out from under me in such a short period of time.  It’s sad to realize how hard I worked for what could do (in the gym, in research, etc.), and how quickly it disappeared.  My goals are different now, with work and in the gym, and I’m okay with that.  I think all the changes that I have made, and that have been made for me, have turned out to be positive ones.  But knowing how much effort it took to get to where I was (with respect to work & lifting) only to let it go is eye-opening.

And it makes me wonder where I’ll be 6 months from today.  :)  Surprises around every corner…