The Phases of Rest

When someone asked Winston Churchill what he attributed his success in life he answered:

"Economy of effort. Never stand up when you can sit down, and never sit down when you can lie down."

This quote was changed a little by Al Schoterman (1972 Olympic Hammer Throw) into this poem

"The Phases of Rest"

Never run when you can walk

Never walk when you can get a ride 

Never stand when you can sit 

Never sit when you can lie down 

Never lie down when you can go to sleep

This quote has brought a new meaning when I started training 9 times a week.  Prior to training with Team MDUSA, I had mostly trained 5 times a week but occasionally 8 times when I was feeling frisky.  For the past 5 weeks I have trained 9 times a week.  I have broken a lot of the general principles of strength training (like never train more than 1 hour at a time) and gotten great results. While breaking some principles I have come to understand other ones better, like the Phases of Rest.  When training volume is so high taking as much rest as possible is crucial because in the end more training yields more results.... as long as you rest enough in between training sessions.

This was also the last day in Wilmington for Stefanie (my beautiful wife of 3 months!) and me.  Stefanie just finished her Masters in Chemistry from UNCW and we will be moving to Charlotte NC so I can train full time with the team.  Thanks to everyone who supported me in my training so far: Jared and Dawn Olson of Next Level Nutrition, Tony Cowden and the Crossfit Wilmington Team, and to all my friends and family who have been so supportive.  Thank you.

Stay Strong!

James Tatum