Midget Ear Muffs (translation contained in text)

Surely by now you are wondering what on earth is a Midget Ear Muff right????

I can actually say that I've never heard the term before, but everyone that knows me on a personal level knows that I'm a fan of midget ear muffs (I giggled like an eight year old just writing that).

So this is a shameless request for the readers of my blog to donate to a cause that is close to my heart.  I've decided to make the official fundraiser for the gym the Barbells for Boobs program.

The short summary is that I would love for everyone that sees this blog to make a donation or even better, join the team to raise money to provide critical prevention steps for breast cancer.

We have all had friends, family, and people close to us suffer this horrible disease, you can see the Barbells for Boobs summary below, or go to the link to donate to learn more

BARBELLS FOR BOOBS ® is a 501(c)3 non-profit breast cancer organization whose mission is to provide funding through the MAMMOGRAMS IN ACTION ® GRANT PROGRAM for qualified low-income and uninsured women and men who need screening and/or diagnostic procedures in the prevention of breast cancer.


While I was searching for a clever title for this post, I ran across this video/song that has 99 different terms for the girls.

for your listening/viewing pleasure (probably not safe for work, but you've probably seen more on the travel channel)
http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/pz0

Honoring our fallen - Murph as RX'd

So in honor of Memorial day, I did a workout named after a Navy SEAL that was killed in action in Afghanistan.  He called the workout "Body Armor" and from what I've heard more or less treated this as a normal morning.  In the CrossFit world, they have honored him by naming the workout "Murph".  Please take a few minutes to read the brief on this workout and the story of Lt. Michael Murphy over at the Memorial Day Murph website.  If you are so inclined, go ahead and make a donation to a good cause.

I've done this workout a few times, but never with a weighted vest as I never really believed that I was strong enough to complete it and felt like it wouldn't do justice to the guy the WOD is named after. 

During the workout, I spent a lot of time thinking about my friends and family that have served, and I truly appreciate the sacrifice that they have made.  The sacrifice of time with the family, the sacrifice of loneliness, the sacrifice of bad memories, cold, heat, and the sacrifices they face when they come home.  I ran a race a few years ago in honor of James "Casey" Joyce (who was killed in Somalia in the battle made famous by the Blackhawk down movie).  I was extremely proud to have his name on my running number along with the Ranger creed.

While these things may seem silly and trivial, it is a simple way for me to reflect on the fact that we live in a country where our young men and women voluntarily go to the places they go, do the things they do, and live the lives in service of their country.  Spending one hour and four minutes of discomfort to ponder these thoughts was well worth it.

Whether you do a workout, run a race, or whatever, the next time you see one of these men or women that have served, take a moment to thank them for their service.  I have found that most of them very humbly say that it really wasn't anything.  At a minimum, they need to know that at least one person appreciates what they have done.

After the workout of course, I enjoyed some barbecue, and a couple of cold ones in the name of freedom, Casey, Murph, Dad, Uncle John, Rudy, April, Butch, Dave, and countless others that make it possible for me to enjoy some dove and a good slab of meat.