Get a Grip!
I'm obsessed with grip strength.
While I won't be walking into Grip Strength Anonymous anytime soon, know that my obsession comes from a good - but embarrassing - place. As late as last year, whenever I shook someone's hand my wrist and hand would pop. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal - until you're on the receiving end of that handshake.
Why I've Soured on Foam Rolling
I usually don’t sing John Cougar Mellencamp. Strike that. I never sing John Cougar Mellencamp.
Except for when I’m foam rolling.
That’s when the words and melody to “Hurts So Good” start blaring in my head (and occasionally out of my mouth). If you’ve ever done any soft tissue work, you know what I’m talking about.
The Only Constants? PRs and Changes
If you've noticed I haven't been writing much lately - and judging from my web analytics, you haven't - you would be correct. With only four blog posts through the last two months, it's fair to assume that my supply of humor (and intelligence) have finally been depleted. But self deprecating humor aside, the reason for the slowdown is because Lindsay and I are in the midst of a few life changes.
No, nothing that crazy. But we are moving to Raleigh, North Carolina in just about a week. Lindsay has accepted a teaching position at NC State, in their Food and Nutrition Science department. This comes on the heels of Lindsay successfully defending her dissertation two weeks ago, finishing her PhD program at Tufts in only 3 1/2 years. I couldn't be prouder of her and I'm looking forward to writing "Mr. and Dr. Tanskey" on any wedding RSVPs.
Strength, Trust, and Mental Toughness
Pavel Tsatsouline has written a great post on the relationship between mental toughness and strength. In short, the phrase "mental toughness" usually conjures up images of endurance - a marathoner on mile 20+, a cyclist battling the steep climbs of the Tour de France, or a boxer surviving the late rounds. But Pavel argues that mental toughness is just as present during maximal expressions of strength.
And as someone who is notorious for my grind-it-out style of lifting - once performing an exhausting 14 second deadlift during a Tactical Strength Challenge - I conveniently fit Pavel's argument. :)
But I'd like to add to what Pavel has already written - mental toughness isn't only present during the attempt, it's most important before the attempt. In a sense, it's what goes on before the camera app is opened and Instagrams are posted.
Then vs. Now: 3 Confessions of a Physical Preparation Coach
I place a premium on continuing education. Because I'm a strong believer that if you're not getting better, you're getting worse. There's also nothing as frustrating as living the same year over and over and over again - which was me when I had a "marketing" job.
To prevent that from happening ever again, I keep track of the amount I spend each year on continuing ed. The goal is to surpass that number the following year, and I've always succeeded in doing that.
As a result, I'll often look back to my programs from 6-12 months ago, do my best Gordon Ramsey voice, and say, "What in the bloody hell was I thinking?"