Today has been turned out of bittersweet. While this post has nothing to do with strength training, it sort of speaks to the strength of the generation that came before ours.
T.V. “Cocky” Sessioms strode into our office on this day in 1987. He spent the prior 40 years working for a large local lumber company. The family sold it to a large public company is 1982, in 1987 he was laid off, with no regard for his willingness to perform his job.
He walked in my Dad’s office, and my Dad hired him that day. He worked with us for the next 13 years faithfully.
Cocky got his nickname because he was a coxswain of a Higgins boat in the Pacific Theater. He delivered supplies, out to ships from supply depots in beautiful atolls. He also spent a few “exciting days” (his word) landing men in the first thru the final invasion waves of Guadalcanal and Guam. “Other than the sons of bitches shooting at me, it wasn’t so bad” (again his words)
The bravest thing Cocky did was stop working. He came to my Dad in the Fall of 2000. He resigned. When my Dad asked why, Cocky said, “The docs said I have Alzheimer’s and I’m not going to be a burden to you.” The next Sunday he announced it to his Sunday school class.
Cocky never felt sorry for him self. He told me; “Don’t feel bad for me. After a while I’m not going to remember I had it anyway.” Cocky was like that, he rolled with everything that was thrown at him.
Cocky died a week ago. My Dad and I visited him back in early June. While he kind of remembered us, he still was the matter of fact, funny guy. He knew he lived a full life, and was fine with how it turned out. Cocky Sessioms was a good man and a quiet hero on many levels.
I wrote this to remember Cocky. I wanted someone to know a brave person lives unassuming on almost every block.
Thanks for the good story. Cocky was rich in friends who understood who he was and what his life stood for. In the end, a person can’t want much more than that.
Thursday morning workout
Smith Machine Squat: 135x10, 2x155x10
Leg curl: 3x85x10
Leg ext: 3x50x10
Power Snatch: 5x95x5
Treadmill: 15 mins
I 'spect my log is becoming pretty damn boring. Little to report today.
The fishing must be bad today, no osprey were soaring along the bridge. However the seagull hunting was pretty damn good, unfortunately. I hit one today. My “like a rock” Chevy truck grille was no match for that big ass rat with wings. It was a pretty spectacular bump.
I sure hope the PETA people don’t read this crap I write…
[quote]mday wrote:
I can probably guarantee you that there are very few PETA members on the T-Nation website.
How are the Power Cleans feeling?
[/quote]
Mday, I ment power snatch. I like them and my form seems to be better than my power clean form. I feel the snatch more in my back and shoulders. I do a better job with the shrug and pull getting the weight “up”. I am hoping it will help my ‘snap’ and then i can make some gains with my cleans.
A friend of mine at the gym competes in masters weightlifting . I have no idea what his maxes are. Maybe you should think about training for weightlifting comps. It may give you added motivation for your workouts.
I’m not sure if it was a blessing or an omen. I was up at my usual 4:30, arrived at the gym by 4:50 and the damn keyless entry wouldn’t work. I could not get it. Try and try as I might, with no success. As I drove home to get my shower and prepare for work I realized I was pissed. What a revelation, I was pissed about missing the workout I enjoy the least!!!
I can’t figure if I’m hating cardio so much to give me an excuse to bitch, or I have become so anal about my training I hate having my routine thrown out of whack.
I’m not sure if it was a blessing or an omen. I was up at my usual 4:30, arrived at the gym by 4:50 and the damn keyless entry wouldn’t work. I could not get it. Try and try as I might, with no success. As I drove home to get my shower and prepare for work I realized I was pissed. What a revelation, I was pissed about missing the workout I enjoy the least!!!
I can’t figure if I’m hating cardio so much to give me an excuse to bitch, or I have become so anal about my training I hate having my routine thrown out of whack.
Or maybe I’m getting really middle aged…[/quote]
Hey - you could have used this as an opportunity to try sprint intervals outside…
I’d try these at my place but the mountain lions would use me for breakfast if I did them right before dawn.
Stiff Leg Dead Lift: 135x10, 155x10, 175x10
Leg Curl: 3x85x10
Leg Ext. 3x50x10
Dumb Bell Row: 3x65x10
Ab machine: 2x60x30
Treadmill: 15 minutes
WOO-HOO the key less entry system worked this morning! I didn’t wake up for nothing. It was a decent enough work out today.
On the ride to work I noticed the morning shadows are getting long. The days are getting shorter. UGH! Fall is on the way. The only good thing is college football season will be starting soon.
The wife hoo-dooed me into taking a trampoline apart for her mother. I guess it’s going to be “honey do” Saturday!
On the ride to work I noticed the morning shadows are getting long. The days are getting shorter. UGH! Fall is on the way.[/quote]
Crap. I’ve been trying to avoid making this observation myself, but now I can’t deny it. As my hubby likes to say, (starting in June) “Old Man Winter is right around the corner!”
It started with my morning workout; which I posted, a couple of hours at work, a haircut, a bench press contest, the dismantling of a trampoline for my mother-outlaw, a ride with an evangelical motorcycle gang, and now I’m starting to cook dinner.
I don’t cook as well as SteelyD. All we are having is fresh field peas, grilled homemade smoked turkey sausages , and a salad with baby lettuces, manchego cheese, fresh blackberries and grilled prochuttio ham, dressed with a little oil and balsamic vinegar.
The good news … I placed 4th in the bench contest.
The bad news… there were only 4 contestants. I couldn’t get over the 275# hump.
We all got our asses handed to us by a 24 year old, 190 pound kid with a 345# rep. It was fun, but I really thought I had 295 in me. Oh well, They are planning another one in October. Maybe it will be something to train for. HA-HA
I got my ‘honey-do’ done for the wife, who is helping her mom, for the benefit of her sister. Anyway, I did what the sister never had time to do, and when she goes to put the sumbitch back together…well…it wont be easy.
Even after my ride with the evangelical biker gang (seriously, they were out spreading the word) I don’t feel guilty in the least about breaking those parts.
