Toro Talk July 26

July 26, 2010

Just a few weeks ago, after drinking Diet Coke for 29 years I have stopped. Did I gradually get off or wean myself off? No, I just decided one day to stop altogether - for no other reason than to stop. It was just time. I wasn’t just a two times a day drinker; at a minimum I had 4 a day, and some days I had as many as 6 to 8. The first couple of weeks were tough: headaches, no energy, I didn’t know what to eat my popcorn with or what my weekend NACAR drink would be, and man nothing tasted better after a run or workout on a hot Savannah day than a diet coke. Do I feel better? No not really, I do sleep much better, and I do miss it, but I am over the hump, and on my way to be Diet Coke and soft drink free.

I have to tell you that I still have days like all of us where I am dragging at a certain part of the day, something a Diet Coke or some caffeine would take care of. But no, I will remain strong! On one of those days a couple of weeks ago, I was getting that feeling, so I decided to do a couple of pushups to wake up. Well I asked some of the staff if they wanted to join me, right after doing 10 pushups I noticed I was awake and felt that little rush to my head that you feel after you do pushups, sit-ups, or pull-ups. So I asked and challenged the staff to do 10 push-ups an hour with me while they are here at work. Even though the store is full of athletes, to my surprise they not only agreed to do 10 push-ups an hour while they are at the store, they were excited about it. So the answer to the trivia question is yes, all Fleet Feet employee staff members, every hour on the hour drop to the floor and do 10 push-ups.

Just after a week of doing pushups on the hour at Fleet Feet Sports Savannah, everyone's technique is getting better, the 10 has become easier, and everyone agrees it gives you a little boost when they're dragging. Think about it, if you work a 10 hour day with 10 pushups a day you could be doing 100 pushups a day, 500 a week, and 2000 a month. When was the last time you did 10, 20, 40, or 50 in a week? And think about this, all you runners and walkers, nothing moves the body across the land smother then a strong upper carriage, or upper body. When you’re working on that final kick of a race, your arm movement is what see’s you through. Swimmers, stronger arms and shoulders could never be a bad thing. No matter what sport you’re in, a stronger upper body could only be helpful. 10 push-ups an hour could most definitely push that along. And for those of you worried about getting bulky or big, 10 push-ups an hour will not do that, tone and strength is the name of this game, in addition to waking up if you get a little groggy during the day.

So I am inviting everyone at home and everyone at work, to join us on the hour each day to do 10 pushups. Be careful if you have shoulder, back, or arm issues doing these pushups. Also, if you're just getting started with us it is perfectly fine if you need to do your pushups with your knees on the ground first - some call them girl pushups, but I see nothing girly about pushing your own body weight whether you’re doing them with your knees touching or not. If you can’t get them done at home or work, then when you visit us at the store, join us for 10 on the Hour. And finally as you get these done, be sure to count your pushups for the week, you're tougher and stronger than you think. Let us know how you’re doing and keep us posted on your pushup progress; we will post it on Facebook!

Robert Espinoza

"Keep Your Chin Up for Strength, and Down For Prayer"

Fleet Feet Sports Savannah