absent but not forgotten

Alright revolutionaries. Here is a nice holiday gift for you to do at home this evening at midnight. Lets see if we can get some of you to vomit up some of the disgust you jammed into your bodies today;

100 bent over rows with gallon milk or water jugs (full for guys, 1/2 for ladies)+
90 squats+
80 push-ups+
70 sprint lunges+
60 full swings with ??? (i.e. a pillow case filled with silverware)+
50 burpees+
40 sofa jumps or step ups if you have neighbors downstairs+
30 situps+
20 decksquats+
10 handstandpushups

Enjoy that one. Send pictures if you feel up to it. Justin should have a witty name for that one soon. Post comments about your experience.

midnight madness "THE T-SHIRT"

The shirts came in on monday. They will be 15 bucks to all you madness revolutionaries. Anyone who hasn't participated, they will cost more. They are 100% natural, simple, clean, and to the point. They also shrink like nobody's business, so allow for a good washing. Get em quick. Limited quantity.

midnight madness#5

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MADNESS)
On the final gathering of 2008 and the last collective massacre before we all retreat to our normal lives and break bread for our chosen holiday, I think on a happier time when extreme effort meant progress and rite of passage was the inciting incident to all celebration. Now celebration seems to be THE rite of passage. Well the insane who dwell inside the walls after midnight are experiencing true rite of passage. As they taste the sweetness of celebration this holiday season they may reflect on the physical and psychological gauntlet they have been running weekly in the recent months past. They may be jarred with the memory of meeting themselves for the first time. They may be inspired by the knowledge that inside them lies an animal that will aid them if they summon it. They may stand tall with the realization that the lie of "can't" has become weak and timid inside of them. They may really experience the celebration.

Madman of the week was B for not listening to the lie and breaking through when frustration wanted to lay her to rest. Everyone else... you're bad ass. Have a good,well deserved holiday. Check for posts that will challenge you over the next 2 weeks. See you all in 2009.

JT presents a challenge

For all you madness revolutionaries who are interested, here is a breakdown of the challenge set forth by madman JT. Three things if you want in:

1)You must complete all events in one week at the end of March.
2)You must have at least one witness present for each event.
3)You must hand in a written copy of the training program that got you to the event.

That being said, Here it is:

Astori-athalon


Event: Going for:
OH Anyhow total__________________________1RM
DL (from floor)__________________________1RM
Cl (from floor)__________________________1RM
OH Sq (BN Rk J, below II)________________1RM
Wt Chin__________________________________1RM
KB SS Sn Test 24kg_______________________highest reps 10min
M-U (Bar or Rings)_______________________highest reps
HSPU to Floor____________________________highest reps
Chin-ups(Any Grip/Full Hang)_____________highest reps
Clap Pushup (Full Depth)_________________highest reps
Standing Broad Jump______________________longest distance (in)
Hang for Time (prone grip)_______________longest time (sec)
1mi Run Treadmill (1%)___________________quickest time(sec)
40-Yard Dash_____________________________quickest time
100 45#SDHP______________________________quickest time (sec)

**CODE KEY**
OH = Get the weight overhead. Press it. Push press it. Jerk it. Whatever. Your highest 1rm is what counts.
CL=clean
OH Sq= OH Squat behind the neck from the rack, jerk it up. thighs must break parallel with the ground.
KB SS Sn = KB Secret Service Snatch Test at 24 KG. As many snatches on whatever arm you can do in 10 minutes.
M-U= Muscleups

If you want in post a comment. Also, JT, could you post a comment describing how the bodyweight/work ratio will determine the overall score? That would be great.

HAVE AT IT EVERYONE. YOUR READY TO TEST YOURSELVES!!!!!!!

midnight madness #4

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MADNESS)
The sky was crying and many refused to embark on the journey , but on this eve of devastation a select few showed their metal and entered the dominion of agony. The elements could not hold them nor their task masters make them retreat. The determination of the small group was akin to countless stories of warriors of old. Few standing against many, one against a giant, the slayers faced down their dragons. More than one experienced the painful pleasure of finally meeting their inner self. Ignoring exhaustion, ignoring fatigue, ignoring the lie of "can't", they crawled on bloody stumps to the end toward deliverance. Honor and gratitude to you all.

JT dominated the front squats for max points. Greg flew through the progression. Following shortly after was Brandon and Solange. There was no reward or redemption. There was no need. All the players left some DNA on the floor and I celebrate them. Understand what it means to allow your inner animal to take the leash that leads it.

midnight madness #3

(CLICK TO VIEW THE MADNESS)

"Three sets of ten reps is sufficient". When those words pass the lips of a dilettante or are seen gracing the pages of a dis-informative magazine, I turn inward: and, in an instant, relive the hours of vein opening torture I have inflicted upon myself and countless individuals who have retained my assistance. While reflecting, the corners of my mouth turn toward the sky and my gaze shortly follows. At that moment, a part of me anticipates a mass of fury that will surely rain down from the heavens at the insolence of such blasphemy. Equally loathsome is this question: "Do you think I'm over training?" Well, NO IT'S NOT and NO YOU'RE NOT though the heavens still haven't opened.

Last night's madness morphed into something that wasn't expected. A group of individuals showed up, and a group left. A camaraderie was formed. Like hostages who fall prey to stockholm syndrome, all pitched in to please their captors with encouraging jeers darting from their lips, beckoning their fellows to join the fold by laying down upon the tracks of the agony express. Last stop: nauseating honor. The energy in the room throbbed with a silent excitement that was at times deafening. One could carve their name in the wall of focus that was built to block out the mundane. Improvised objects that at one time seemed a comfort, now were causing hands to stiffen and bellies to ache. A new level of intensity was glimpsed as the players were no longer dwelling on self, but dismissing petty feelings of "me" to make room for thoughts of the well being of their team mates. The winners of the "relay" were Ed, Eric, and JT. Their reward is to mastermind the redemption of their fallen brothers and sisters who, in spite of their efforts, finished only moments too late.

A small crowd gathered, and the horrified looks on the faces of those not involved reminded me of this quote by Akira Kurosawa, " In an insane world, only the sane are insane." Those that looked on and did not open their flesh to taste the sweet milk that glory brings became the outsiders. The Mad truly claimed their piece of dirt.

Change

Questions that start with "how" often present themselves. How do I gain this? How do I lose this? How do I make this bigger? How do I make this smaller? How can I eat like that? How did I get this way? How do I live without whatever?  How? How? How? All seem valid; however,  all are the  same essential question: "HOW DO I CHANGE?"  The answer lies in the belief that you can, then  doing whatever necessary to support that belief. Sounds simple, sounds cliche, and it is both. 

Mental blocks are a part of every endeavor and physical limitations play a crucial role in being a change agent for yourself. In spite of these two very real obstacles there is something lurking underneath that is the true master of both success and defeat. That lurking master is spirit, or will, or heart, or soul, or drive, or whatever you may categorize it as. It is the true self, and it's where the house of belief is continually constructed. This is who you listen to when you think you "can't" because your mind will tell you to stop long before your body needs to. Furthermore, your body has chemical safety protocols that kick in, way before they're needed, as a protective mechanism to prevent injury. Thus, both mind and body sweep in to protect the flesh unconsciously and often too early. This is why training was invented, to push back the threshold of "can't". 

Next time your mind and body say stop, think with your spirit and push a little more as if to tell your protectors to go fuck themselves. You'll taste freedom in that moment, but it will elude you. If you want to change, keep following your spirit toward freedom. Look on "can't" with pity. Envelope your pain with love. Wrap the image of what you want in a ribbon of belief and fix it to your spirit. Pay attention to what occurs.