Sergeant Tony's Blog

The play was coming fast to my side of the field.

I started rolling to my right and could see the tailback with the football and the three or four blockers in front of him. They were heading around their left end toward the sideline, sprinting my way.

As a defensive back, I was intent on the ball carrier as I shifted to my right and started to run toward the play. I was pretty sure that I could out maneuver the blockers and make the tackle. This became more and more clear as one by one my guys eliminated the blockers. The tailback had only one blocker left. That last guy protecting the ball carrier was a pulling guard who wasn’t very agile.

This was going to be an easy tackle for me, I thought … and right in front of our bench and our fans! YES!

I was three steps from a tackle that would surely make my coach lose his mind and make our fans crazy with excitement!

Then WHAM!! LIGHTS OUT!!

The next thing I knew I was hitting the ground and the tailback with the football ran right past me, out of reach, on his way to a touchdown.

WHAT THE … ???

(No, I didn’t trip over my own two feet.)

I was body blocked by a player I never saw.

All of the blockers on my side of the field, who were leading the way, were accounted for in my pursuit of the ball. So who in the heck blocked me?

Turns out I’d been knocked out of the play by a wide receiver who’d lined up on his right side of the line, my extreme left. As the play moved to my right, I pursued the ball, shifting my attention to the guy with the ball. I never saw that wide receiver. His only job was to sprint across the field and take ME out of the play.

I’d been blind sided.

Ever been blind sided by something in life?

You can follow the ball. You can put your focus on your job, or your house, or your children, or your bank account, or any number of other good things. You can do a lot of the right things, good things. Things you’re supposed to do. But what happens when you get blind sided by a health issue that could have been addressed, but you didn’t pay any attention to.

The number one killer of women isn’t cancer. In fact, you could take all of the cancer related deaths among women and add them together and it would still be less than the number of women who die annually of heart disease.

Heart disease has a direct link to smoking, being over weight, and living a sedentary life style. (Can you hear me MISSISSIPPI??)

If you aren’t taking good care of YOU, then how can you be at 100% for your family and career?

Someone recently told me, “Tony, taking good care of myself is a full time job. You gotta eat right, exercise, take your vitamins … ”

Of course, it’s easy to just go with the flow and do nothing. Life in Turdeville is easy. Exercise is hard work. Leading a disciplined life is tough.

But what are the alternatives?

Keeping your eye on the ball is only part of the game. Taking care of YOU so that YOU can play the game is equally important.

Make you a priority. Take good care of yourself.

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TRIATHLON TRAINING
Saturday morning at the University of Memphis @ 8 AM. We’ll bike AND run, so be prepared!

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LABOR DAY ROUTINE
Our holiday schedule usually calls for one workout at 7 AM. BUT … this year we’ll do something different for Labor Day. Instead, let me invite you to run/walk the Chick-fil-A 5K! The Chick-fil-A 5K takes place at AutoZone Park. This is more than your typical 5K. It is a family fun day filled with food and activities for all ages including The Boardwalk of Games. Plus, all runners receive a ticket to see the Redbirds play Nashville in the final game of the season. Let’s all wear BOOT CAMP T-shirts and “represent” in style!
http://www.chickfila5k.com/

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BOOT CAMP ANNIVERSARY PARTY
We’ll party at Fox and Hound after work on Tuesday, September 4th. Times and details to follow.

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HALF MARATHON TRAINING
We’ll begin training for the St. Jude Half Marathon on September 1 at 8 AM at the University of Memphis. We’ll meet in front of the parking garage on Zach Curlin (Mt. Fuji).

If you can run 3 miles without stopping, I can train you to finish the half marathon! Cost for the training is $75 for active duty BOOT CAMPERS and $125 for “friends of BOOT CAMP.” Beginners are welcome!

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WARM WEATHER WORKOUTS!
OK, it’s a little more than just warm. It’s hot! So hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!! Our very own Gunnery Sergeant Hank Hill suffered a serious bout of dehydration last weekend from working outside (he’s a contractor) and NOT drinking like he KNEW to do. It can sneak up on any of us. So get up from your computer RIGHT NOW and go get a drink of water!
During the workouts feel free to drink as you need to.
Drink your water on a regular basis and BEFORE you feel thirsty!

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POSITION AVAILABLE: FLEET FEET IS HIRING!
Eric Flanders, owner of Fleet Feet, and 0830 BOOT CAMPER, is looking to hire some new associates. Fleet Feet is owned, operated, and staffed by local runners and running enthusiasts. You don’t have to be a speed demon or age group standout. You just need to be people oriented, friendly, with a willingness to learn new things. Pay is competitive, hours are flexible, and perks begin from day one. You can get more information by contacting Fleet Feet at ffmemphis@earthlink.net.

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Could you help me with a couple of things?

First, I’d like to know if you have any questions for me that you think others like you would want to know the answers to. Email me your questions, and maybe I’ll feature them in an upcoming email newsletter.”

Second, if you’re a veteran BOOT CAMPER, you’ve heard a LOT of my post-stretching pre-workout speeches. I’ve covered all kinds of topics from running shoes to glycogen store depletion. Would you email me with the 4 or 5 topics that you think are most helpful? You don’t need to write the whole thing, but just the general theme of the talk.

Thanks ahead of time for your help!

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FRIDAY EVENING WORKOUT
The evening class always meets at 5:30 on Friday!

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“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche

To your continued good health and sanity!

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