Pat: The importance of being a Boy Scout

The thing that comes to mind when I think about Boy Scouts is "Be prepared".  The importance of being prepared was given a whole new meaning this weekend during our Mastery Test Survival trip. We were only "surviving" about 27 hours and our way out was parked 200 yards from where we were, but in that time it became clear that there is no such thing as being "too prepared" , but many perils for being " unprepared".  Being prepared isn't just referring to meeting the physical aspects of the challenge.  It applies to mental preparation as well.  Even if you are not prepared to meet the physical challenges before you,  your best chance of getting through any given situation is preparing yourself mentally by maintaining a positive, patient outlook.  Thoughts can defeat you more quickly than you'd think.   Another aspect of survival that emerged is the importance of staying present in the moment, focusing on the task at hand and when that one is done moving on to the next.  I referred before to trying to eat the whole elephant.  An impossible task, but one bite at a time can be done.  Often times the "whole thing" is overwhelming and feels impossible.  But taken in parts, success and confidence build.  Those 27 hours were a challenge.  Some more than others.  The night seemed endless when it was cold and our fire was just about out.  I didn't realize how hard it is to start a fire with a bow and drill or for that matter what a challenge it is to make those tools.  When SBN Terri and I were frustrated by not being able to spark an ember using the bow and drill, we could have given up.  When we couldn't do it alone, we could have admitted defeat.  But we didn't and working together, with the support of our instructor, Mark, and the encouragement of all our team mates, we "made fire".   The next time will be easier with the confidence of that accomplishment under our belts.   Life lessons, I think.  I'd venture to say, there were things learned this weekend that will carry us through the challenges ahead, not just in our Mastery Test, but in our lives as well. : -)

Training this week: a bit short on numbers; no push ups and sit ups on Saturday.  I'm going to let myself off the hook for that one.  I only ran one day this past week.  I did make it the full 3 miles this time.  I wasn't feeling well on my second run day and because the survival trip was the next day, I decided it was more prudent to rest than to push through.  Listening to my body is an important aspect to training as well. 

Push ups: 750
Sit ups:    750
Cycling:   16.8 miles
Running: 3.05 miles
Classes: 4: 1 private, 2 Black Belt and 1 noon class ( Martial Arts)
Before my Fitbit died last week, I walked over 20,000 one day!