From the Blueline Pt.I: The Sanctuary

The offseason is a world of stress. Every moment not used to clinch your hold on something for next season is a moment wasted. Not to mention I've completely run out of money during last season. So I need to make enough during the summer just in case I need to support myself in the fall. Along with that add constant phone calls to teams and potential agents, potential ins and outs, not knowing if your friend still wants you on the team. It is just an endless battle.

But three times a week, there is a place I can go. My iron sanctuary. That huge garage filled with lifting cages, dumbells, medicine balls, footwork ladders and tractor tires. Where I can lift weight, lots of weight and that is all I need to think about. Just the mere simplicity of moving something heavy relieves so much built up worry. Explosion exercises, plyos, clean and jerk, velocity builder, I know I am getting stronger and faster than ever before, step by step. And it is a wonderful feeling, that such simple movements can be so important.

The man who runs it, is short, energetic and can bench press 500 lbs. He knows his shit too. And he is constantly researching to stay ahead of the game. Going to the gym you can trust that he has trained pro athletes before and every thing he does is trying to help you get to where they are. His two dogs wander around the gym, mostly staying out of peoples way, but butting their nose in every once in a while for a pet.

There are all different ages of people there. Some older, with joint and back issues, and some much much younger. High school athletes to college athletes to pro athletes. Power lifters to soccer players. Though never really crowded, there is always a variety of people there just exercising. Parents wait in the front, sitting and bullshitting and watching the various exercises, waiting for their children so they can drive them home.

At the gym, my sanctuary. When the frustration grows, and work gets under my skin, all I need is to enter that huge garage. Just move some weight and all is well.