Sergeant Tony's Blog

The Memorial Day Workout on Monday was the best attended of any holiday workout in BOOT CAMP history! Thanks everyone! (Where were you when I needed you Rick D?) Lots of Boot Kids came too! (Boot Camper’s kids!) That was awesome!

And more of you joined me for breakfast than on any other previous holiday!! Thirty-two of you freeloaders had breakfast on me!

Thanks to everyone who came!

Before the workout we gathered around the flagpole to say the Pledge of Allegiance and to pause to reflect about the meaning of the day, I read a moving and beautiful letter written by Sullivan Ballou on July 14, 1861. Written to his wife Sarah, it is one of the most poetic and stirring letters I’ve ever read.

The sentiments of Sullivan Ballou’s letter, written almost 150 years ago, are reflected in the letters sent from Iraq and Afghanistan today; longing for loved ones back home and a deep sense of obligation and duty to country. And even though Memorial Day is past, thousands of our fellow Americans remain in Iraq and Afghanistan in harm’s way. I hope you’ll keep them, like my nephew Jeff Ludlow, in your thoughts and prayers.

Incidentally, Sullivan Ballou was killed at the Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, one week after he wrote that letter to Sarah, who was only 24. Sarah went on to raise her two sons alone and never remarried. She died at the age of 80 in 1917 and is buried next to her husband in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI.

And now you know the rest of the story.

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REUNION CHALLENGE WEIGH IN
Tomorrow is the end of the Reunion Challenge! Final weigh in is tomorrow!!!

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RUN THE HARBOR TOWN 5K
The Harbor Town 5K is this coming Friday at 7 PM! Run it! It’s a flat course with a fun after-race-party. Plus it benefits the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Memphis. Want more info, go to http://www.memphisrunners.com/

If you signed up at 0530 for the free registration you’ll need to register on your own. The free registrations were all gone by the time our man, Mike Ryan tried to get ‘em for us. Thanks anyway, Mike.

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NO WORKOUT ON FRIDAY NIGHT JUNE 1 and JUNE 8. Run the Habortown 5K and the Gibson Guitar 5K instead!

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TRIATHLON TRAINING
Wanna do a tri??
There are at least two short distance triathlons near by that would be a great first race for newbie triathletes. One is the Mighty Mite Triathlon (1/3 mile swim, 13 mile bike, 3 mile run) on July 14 at Forrest City, Arkansas. And the other is the CATS Triathlon (500 yard swim, 14 mile bike, 3 mile run) on September 16. I’ll put together a training team for one or both events.

Cost for the training is $180 for the summer training, or $75 per event.

We begin training this coming Saturday at 0800 at the U of M in the parking lot on Zach Curlin, across the street from the parking garage (Mt. Fuji). We’ll be finished by 9:30. Part of the time will be for discussion and “Bicycle Basics for Triathlon.” Come prepared to run!

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HATS & VISORS
I’m looking into ordering BOOT CAMP embroidered hats and visors from a company called Headsweats. They’re the top of the line most absorbent hats. They’re the official hat of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon, Saucony, Ford, Ironman Canada, US Olympic Ski Team, Sundance, PowerBar, and many others. http://www.headsweats.com/ I’m trying to get an idea of how many to order. If you’d be interested, let me know ASAP! The white hats would cost $25 and the white visors would be $20. Email me right NOW and let me know what you’d be interested in! Do it! Do it NOW!

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Fellow boot camper, Kevin Jenks, who is also one of my assistants, has left the television building for a career in corporate recruiting. The former sports anchor on ABC 24/CW 30-Eyewitness News, is looking for companies who use recruiters to find and place candidates for them.
He’s working with a friend of his, who’s been recruiting for 21 years. If you or anyone you know could help Kevin, he’d greatly appreciate it. You can contact him at kevin.jenks@mcbridejenks.com or 901-218-4332.

He’s also doing some powerwashing on the side. Great rates, quality service. Free estimates, plus a name you can trust!!!!

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THE 0645 CLASS HAS RETURNED!!!
The 0645, 0830, and 5:45 PM classes follow a Monday/Wednesday/Friday “WEIGHT DAY,” and Tu/Thu “CARDIO DAY” workout schedule.

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BLOG!
You can find this newsletter, as well as other miscellaneous thoughts and ramblings, on the blog. www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com/blog/
You can find a link to several boot camper’s company websites too. And you can even subscribe to the blog at no charge and get an email update whenever I post a new entry.

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TODAY I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts.
A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful.

Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to
be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such
as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters.

I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will
be my hallmark.

Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a
precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be
contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day
with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant.

Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with
mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will
admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure
is fatal. It’s OK to stumble. I will get up. It’s OK to fail. I
will rise again.

Today I will make a difference.
~ Max Lucado

To your continued good health and fitness!!

Sergeant Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
4888 Southern Cove
Memphis, TN 38117
901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com
http://shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main