Finding my way…
It has been an interesting few weeks. I am finally feeling like I know my path. I have been writing “a lot.” I have a book with Pavel coming out this fall and I think it will be an important work in Strength and Conditioning. I’m also doing another book for Laree and I am trying to work on the “art” side of lifetime fitness. I’m not a great believer that you can train a human like you put together a car on a factory line, but many programs argue that point.
I haven’t been throwing with Gary (John) as much as I would like, but his hours have been brutal lately. I throw every morning at Mills High School into the nets at about 6:30 and I come back several times a week to double up. Dan Martin has arranged those wonderful Coyote Point workouts and they help me a lot. I even found a GREAT Mexican Grill, “Gabriel and Daniel’s Mexican Grill” at 250 Anza Blvd here in Burlingame. Also, there are some fine places to drink and eat all over and I really thought the Half Moon Bay Brewery was an excellent place. So, there you go.
I have been trying to keep up on my reading, but it is amazing how much I get. I am previewing and reviewing about five books now and it is hard to keep all of this going.
As I spend a lot of my day with a pile of papers and notes, I’m beginning to notice that my overriding framework of training is fairly sound. I always talk about “Balance” with what I learned from Sister Maria Assumpta with her framework of “Pray, Play, Work and Rest” in a compass. I keep an eye on my focused training periods, but I also keep my eye opened for those fun “normal” periods, too. Then, I have that focus on Tonic and Phasic muscles which have proven time and again to be true. But, I keep learning, too. I picked up something from Cecelia Tom, RKC II, yesterday that really simplified by hip stretch routine. I’m also convinced that my discoveries in the discus in the last month deserve serious attention. So, yes, I’m not doing anything, but I am keeping busy!
I am also amazed at how simple my little “Do This!” list has become for lifetime health and fitness. It’s the key to my book with Laree, yet I’m sure most people will dismiss it. The principle for this from my new book:
There is a wonderful story that has been credited to several traditions. A young scholar is coming home from school and he has his satchel of books and a lofty air of intellect and superiority. He takes a small boat to get across the river that blocks his road home and the boatman asks a simple question: “What do you study in school.” The young scholar won’t deign to look the boatman in they eye. “Philosophy. Theology.”
“Ah. Did they teach you to swim?”
“Of course not, we were discussing important questions.”
“Too bad. The boat is sinking.”
Part of the job of youth is learning those life skills that come in handy later on. I know this: it is far better to fall off a bike at age six that is going four miles an hour than to try to learn to ride a bike as an adult where the frame is at crotch height. What are the things a child should learn?
Bike riding.
Swimming
Games and Sports (so, later, you won’t ask “how many is that?” when someone scores at the Super Bowl)
Basic First Aid
Basic Survival Skills (Stay dry, stay warm, hug a tree, that kind of thing)
Tumbling (!) and Fall Training
Some kind of “Urban” awareness training, too. Learn to take the bus and learn who to avoid.
The Joy of Great and Good Books (I have to throw that in!)
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Dan John
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July 15, 2010
…and don’t forget basic financial literacy & budgeting skills (aka “spend less than you earn” ),.
They help to keep the “W” in the compass from overshadowing the other stuff.
July 15, 2010
Nice! With a two year old son, this succinct list is a good start…along with how to sit down whilst wearing a kilt.
July 15, 2010
Glad I can be a spoke in the wheel.
July 15, 2010
Dan, I’m starting to think you are a hub! Thanks again for all you do for the Wednesday workout.
July 15, 2010
Por nada amigo.
July 16, 2010
Great post. I only hope when i get to be where your at Dan that I am as busy, with as many good people in my life, and in as good as shape as you.
July 16, 2010
Change a flat tire, balance a check book, check the oil in a car, build a fire, catch a fish these are some that my dad thought that every child boy or girl should know how to do. When I was a child on the farm I thought he was old fashioned, now I am pushing forty and he is nearly eighty, my how wise the hard working farmer truly is. Thanks for the article and other replies.
July 16, 2010
Dan,
Just wanted to drop you a note to say what a fantastic read “Never Let Go” is, and how much I’ve enjoyed it. I aim to keep the “I wanna be *that* guy” mentality in every endeavor I undertake; props to you for expressing such an elegant ideal in simple, straight-forward language. Best to you and your continued health and happiness.
July 16, 2010
Have you had a chance to get to Duarte’s in Pescadero yet?
July 16, 2010
We got to go to Duarte’s sometime soon. Tripe stew.
The youtube review was amazing. I could hear him choking up.
July 18, 2010
Thanks, Dan & Dan, for organizing and sharing and teaching and being so supportive and awesome. I look forward to more of these Wednesday workouts
July 18, 2010
Oh, forgot to mention that a very good friend of mine co-owns a Thai restaurant in Burlingame – Coconut Bay. It’s terrific!
http://coconutbayrestaurant.com/
September 1, 2010
Mr. Dan John
Cool, I didn’t know you were in the Bay Area.
Enjoy reading your stuff on the Nation.
And exciting news that you have a book coming out with Pavel! I rarely get fitness books, but this is something I look fwd to…