Noticing a change - quick update

Hey all you's folks!

I've got a few moments right now in between work & working out so this is going to be shorter than normal.

Last night was one of the first times I've noticed a really significant change in my body's athletic ability since starting this whole thing. We were feeding, & during big cat feeding (especially with CARE's holistic whole-carcass feeding method) you're generally getting really dirty & lugging around some pretty hefty stuff. It's an arduous ordeal but it gives you a good chace to work out your CARE Muscles.

Basically, we have our tractor with a front-end bucket lift, we fill that bucket with meaty goodness, then we lift the bucket to the level of the enclosures, & we toss din-dins hither and thither to the hungry lions and tigers who run around like crazed lunatics below.

Fun!

I've fed countless times & I've always been able to get the job done. It's at least a two person job- one to drive the tractor, one up top to toss. Sometimes, when we're short-staffed, I have to fill both positions which involves driving, placement, climbing, tossing, descending, driving to the next one, & repeat. It takes a bit longer to perform, but again, I can git-r'-dun (oof).

Last night I had to do just that for the first time in probably a month & a half- only this time I noticed a fluidity like I've never experienced before. I was scaling & descending faster & with significantly less effort, and I was gripping & tossing the heavy food with greater ease.

It was neat!

I guess the workouts are starting to pay off. Maybe soon I'll have to get new pants.

Anyway, I've gotta go run!

Take care,

Derek

Ice Plunge Video From Yesterday

Here's the video of my icy adventure. I stayed in for over ten minutes. I started to ramble pretty intensely about my inspirations about 2/3rds of the way through. I was trying to elaborate on what originally drew me to the facility & how I learned life-changing lessons in humility by being around the cats & their power- the idea that the cats and the facility was something bigger than myself. I tried to explain to the viewers how the cats made me realize how there are certain things in life that are stronger than you and cannot be forced or controled, but with time, patience, & dedication those things can be persuaded & managed. I was trying to illustrate how the cats helped me to grow, develop, & become an overall better & stronger person and how I feel as if I am forever indebted to them for the gifts they gave to me, but what came out was a bunch of jumbled babbling. Cold on the brain I guess.

Hope you enjoy!

-Derek

So I did this today...

That is a picture of me sitting in a tank full of ice water. I decided it was a good idea to do something big, somewhat stunty, and rather dumb in order to get some extra heat for the project- so I invited some of the local news guys out, & we had ourselves a nice press event.

I sat in the tank of water (easily in the low 40s, upper 30s Fahrenheit) for over ten minutes- I was experiencing some interesting physiological effects after a while (couldn't feel extremities, brain stopped working at a desirable efficiency, etc.), but overall (& after a nice hot shower), I came out of the ordeal pretty well.

To pass the time & keep my wits while in the tank, I lifted weights, talked a lot, did crosswords, Vined my ordeal, & wrote a letter to my Aunt Sharon. It was painful, but I'm glad I did it because I think I achieved my three goals-

1) Use this event as a training event of sorts. Frigid water is a staple of the mudrun experience & I would be a fool to think that I won't be encountering it during the race. Best get it out of way now.

2) Show people that I mean business. I'm serious about this whole thing, & I want people to know that I'm willing to sacrifice & persevere in the face of adversity. I want potential sponsors to know that I'm a good bet.

3) Get attention for the cause. Drive eyeballs to the screen. Simple.

Anywho, I need to consume some warm liquids & rest up- it was a big day! I'm uploading the video of the fun & it'll be here on the blog soon.

Take care

Derek