Below is a video that I came across on Facebook this morning.  I reposted it on my page and encourage others to as well.  It is definitely worth a look when you have a few minutes to spare.  Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs but certainly has a ton of heart.  His ability to remain positive is beyond inspiring.  We can all learn from his example.  Watching this video will certainly offer perspective on your own life.  I know it did for me.

In the words of John W. Gardner,

“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the nonpharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.”

The video below tells the inspiring story of Amy Palmiero-Williams. Amy is a 37-year-old single mother of two. Earlier this year she placed first in the Run to the Future 24-hour race. During the event, she ran 130.4 miles in a single day. Her performance landed her a spot with the U.S. national track and field team.

Amy’s accomplishments are obviously impressive, but even more so when you consider that she is a below-the-knee amputee.  She must train with and around her residual leg.

As stated within a recent USA Today article:

Many ultrarunners train by doing 20- to 50-mile runs on back-to-back days. Palmiero-Winters cannot, because she must give her residual limb a rest from the pounding and friction that running inflicts. To make up the mileage, she has been doing one 70- or 80-mile training run a week, leaving her house at 8 or 9 p.m. and finishing just before starting work the next morning.

“I don’t want my kids to suffer because of my training,” she says of son Carson, 6, and daughter Madilynn, 4. “I give up a night’s sleep. That’s good training, too, because in a 24-hour race you don’t sleep.”

So here we have a busy, working mother of two who takes a night out of her week to run 70+ miles.   She then heads to work the next day without any sleep.   This is all done on an artificial leg.   Her weekly schedule defies logic.

In the words of Will Smith,

“Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity.”

Amy is everything but realistic.   She’s also everything but mediocre.  She has set challenging goals for herself and finds a way to make it happen.  She’s a real life example of the old saying, when there’s a will, there’s a way…

Hats off to Amy and best of luck with the upcoming races.

PS – Thanks to Walt for passing along this story

Below are two fascinating videos about the Rarámuri of northern Mexico. This indigenous group is known around the world for their distance running ability.  The impressiveness of their running is in many ways similar to the impressiveness of these Yemen jumpers.  You won’t find any fancy training aids or supplements.  What you will find however are a group of consistent and obviously hard working runners.

As stated within the first video below:

The Rarámuri never train, stretch, or warm-up before races. They wear homemade sandals made out of tire tread, strapped to their feet with leather, and they’re capable of running distances that would make an average marathon runner fall to their knees…

I’m fascinated by this story and I believe much can be learned by observing this group of people.   Each video is slightly over 9 minutes but definitely worth a look when time permits.

Thanks to Yonas for passing them along.

Below is a video of exercise highlights from 63 year old Johann Martin.  The video title (50 Jahre Kampf mit dem Eisen) translates to 50 years of struggle with the iron.  An early caption (bilder und videos von 1967-2010) states that the clip contains pictures and videos from 1967 through 2010.  It also indicates that Martin’s training continues (aber das training geht weiter).  This is quite evident after witnessing the amazing display seen in his recent 2010 footage.

Johann remains in incredible shape, performing movements that many men half his age would struggle to perform.  He is certainly a testament to consistency and hard work.  His performance is impressive for any age, but the fact that he’s 63 makes it even more incredible.

Although the video below is just a commercial, it succeeded at getting the blood flowing.  I enjoyed one line in particular…

“Passion has a funny way of trumping logic.”

It’s worth a look if you have two minutes to spare…

(Please refer to this entry for an updated video tutorial)

There have been a few recent discussions on the forum about possible ab wheel substitutes, particularly those that would be convenient to pack when traveling.  A few members referenced an exercise slide tool that could be used for a variety of movements, including a few that are similar to wheel rollouts.  I am not familiar with the tool, but I did find a commercial model that sells for approximately $35 before shipping.  I’ve never used one so I cannot offer any feedback.

I did however come across what appears to be a similar product.  In the video below, I demonstrate a few exercises with the help of two furniture gliders (also known as sliders).  These gliders are typically used to move furniture.  Each glider is 9.5 inches long and 5.75 inches wide.  I purchased a 4-pack for $10.  I only need two at a time so the cost is $5 per pair.

A snap shot of the package can be seen below.  As you can see, they are reusable and include a convenient gripper pad on the non-sliding side.

Next, you can see all four from the original package.

I shot the video below the same day that I purchased the gliders.  They worked very well on carpet.  I also tried them on a tile floor, but I wasn’t sure if the floor would eventually scratch.  Carpet seems to be a better option.

As for exercise possibilities, there are obviously other options available, but the video shows a few that came to mind.  I found the gliders particularly useful for core work.  Considering the $5 per pair price tag, these are definitely a useful option for home training.

Below is a video that tells the inspiring story of Charlie Pattison.  He was born without a right hand.  Fortunately, he hasn’t let his disability hold him back.  He is as active as anyone and continues to compete in the sport he loves.

In the words of Ben Franklin,

“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else”

We can all learn from Charlie Pattison’s example.  Life is what you make of it, so get up and get busy…

Following a few recent discussions on the forum (here and here), I decided to make a pair of softball pull-up grips.  A quick search of the web brought up one commercial option that retails for over $70.  The DIY model will cost closer to $10.

To begin, I purchased two softballs for a total of $6, and then two eye bolts with a nut and washer for each ($4).  The eye bolts are 6 inches long and 3/8″ thick.  I drilled a hole through each ball and then screwed in the eye bolt.  The drilled hole should be slightly smaller than the eye bolt to ensure a tight fit.  I then added a washer and nut to the protruding end.

To attach the grips to the pull-up bar, I made two connectors with chain and a spring clip. Other attachments could certainly be used, but I already had these on hand.

Next, you can see how the connectors attach around the pull-up bar:

If you are looking to add some grip work to your pull-up routine, these grips are an inexpensive and effective option.

These grips can also be attached to rings for body rows.

For approximately $10 and ten minutes of your time, these grips make for a very easy do-it-yourself project.

More homemade equipment ideas can be found within the link below:

Homemade Equipment Archives

Last year I posted a video to the blog that had instructions for building a homemade Bulgarian training bag. Since posting the entry last June, I’ve received several emails about exercise suggestions with the bag.  Personally, I have not spent a lot of time using the tool.  Those interested in exercise ideas should enjoy the video the below however.

British comedian Eddie Izzard recently ran 43 marathons in 51 days. With no prior running experience, the 47-year-old had only 5 weeks to prepare for the challenge. When it was all said and done, Eddie covered over 1100 miles throughout the United Kingdom to raise money for the Sports Relief charity group.

Eddie ran day after day, despite poor weather, blisters on top of blisters, and even a few lost toenails.  He ran at least 26 miles, six days a week.  Regardless of how he felt each morning, he continued to get up, get outside, and hit the roads.

Part way through his journey, Eddie made the following statement,

“It’s been hell, 26 miles a day is a lot. Try that six times a week. At first the last six miles were pure agony. Then it changed to the first six miles. Then it was the middle chunk. But now it’s pretty much all the same. My feet are disintegrating, the small toes have lost their nails and they look like alien monsters but I’m told they will grow back. But I’ll make it; my body isn’t really determined but my brain is.”

Afterward, he went on to say,

“If an idiot like me can run 43 marathons, then just think what real athletes can do.”

I agree with his statement, but I believe his story is actually more relevant to the average person.  We already know what top level athletes are capable of achieving.  The real message to share is the potential that exists within all of us.  I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have room to improve, just as I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have the ability to improve.

Unfortunately, society often babies its adults.  The message is usually one of caution.  We are always warned about doing too much, but rarely is one warned about doing too little.  What happened to setting high expectations?  I’m not suggesting that we all run a marathon a day and throw caution to the wind, but that doesn’t mean the average Joe or Jane cannot get up and exert themselves.  The body will adapt if you are consistent and diligent.  It is pointless to constantly warn the masses about doing too much when the majority isn’t doing anything.

I’d rather pass on a message about human potential.  There is much more than most realize.  It doesn’t fall out of the sky however.  You must get up and find it.  The best way to get ahead is by getting started.  If a 47-year-old man with no formal training can run 43 marathons in 51 days, I’m certain that we can all get up and do something.  There is no reason to fear hard work.  You’ll eventually learn to embrace it.

In the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe,

“When we treat man as he is, we make him worse than he is; when we treat him as if he already were what he potentially could be, we make him what he should be.”