August 8, 2009 - What defines you?

"It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you" - Rachel Dawes, Batman Begins

Today was a day that defines the new me. Up at 8 AM to take the dogs for a hike and long swim at Robert E. Lee park. My new friends Gabi (and her dog Eddie) and Harriet joined me. It was great to get out early, take in some fresh air and spend some time hanging out with two very fun girls.

After the hike we went to the farmers market in Harbor East. I picked up some really nice, fresh eggs, bacon, veggies and fruit, then headed straight home to have a delicious breakfast. A long nap later and I cleaned the whole house, then it was off to the gym, then a run with the huskies and some more dog park time. Needless to say, they are exhausted...a good day really is a tired dog!

I've always thought I was a pretty decent person underneath. I truly love my family, friends, and life. But for a while, my actions were not the person I was. And those actions came to define who people thought I was: a person who was to focused on materialistic things and spent too much time obsessing about food and wine. I wasn't being myself and I would say I actually forgot who I was underneath. "Things" can do that to a person. I accumulated a lot of stuff that made me feel good short term and didn't act in a way that represented who I really was.

I no longer allow 'things' to define me. I've sold off a lot of my wine collection and am focusing on the things I love that aren't materials: health, dogs, family. I still like having a nice car (Land Rover), though. It's something that I appreciate and it's nice to have on long trips and for the dogs. I like to think it defines my active lifestyle rather than to give me confidence or to make me feel better about myself. It is still just a car and I won't let it become a part of who I am now. I've been selling other 'things' that aren't a part of who I am and who I want to be.

What is it that defines you? When you ask yourself that question try to think about how you conduct yourself, how much you do for other people and how you see the real you when no one is around and you're looking in the mirror. Try to never let 'things' stand in the way of achieving what you want to be. And never do anything that you don't want to do deep down. For it truly is our actions that define us. If you're always doing things that others expect or want you aren't being honest with who you are. You might be someone completely different underneath but if you're not carrying yourself in a way that represents who it is, then you're kidding yourself.

Do what you love and love what you do. Be yourself and let your actions, not your things, define you.

Tough training day overall but I think there is room to push myself more. I didn't want to kill myself training today though, since tomorrow is day one of training with my new (ex olympic) swimming coach. More on that tomorrow!

Warmup:
3 sets:
12 pushups
16 lunges
8 pullups

Crossfit.com Workout:
Deadlift 5-5-5-5-5 reps (five sets)
Weights used: 135, 205, 215, 225, 135

Since I'm training for a triathlon I don't want to go too heavy on deadlift and injure myself. The focus here was form. I finished with more "L" pullups (25) and then some core training. After that I took the Huskies for a 5K run and to the dog park where an unfriendly bee stung my hand (thanks to Lisa Marie for getting the stinger out!). Dinner was great, stir fried tofu with squash and broccoli! Today was a great day, though my hands are very torn up from the pullups and now deadlifts!

This was a day that I want to define the new me. A strong commitment to health, responsibility and to tiring out the huskies! I feel great.