Everything but Ordinary

This is a repost from Ross Training:

George Hood isn’t the typical 54 year old man. He is everything but ordinary. He once jumped rope for over 13 hours (setting a world record). Another time he rode a stationary bike for over 222 hours. At the time, that too was a world record and his efforts raised over $25,000 for a memorial fund for an American soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.

Most recently, George Hood shattered yet another Guinness World Record. This time he held the abdominal plank position for 1 hour, 20 minutes and 5.01 seconds.


The video below highlights his extraordinary accomplishment.




As you’ll see within the video, George Hood did not stroll through the challenge. He had to battle through each minute. In his own words,

The spasms were taking over, and I couldn’t control the shaking. I couldn’t spit, and I burped up some acid and knew I was getting thirsty and dehydrated.

As for the purpose of this entry, I’m certainly not suggesting that we all train to the point of extreme exhaustion and dehydration. You can however learn some valuable lessons from George Hood. First, he clearly believes in himself and is able to fight through what others would consider impossible and unbearable fatigue. There is almost always more gas in the tank than you realize.

He also didn’t need a miracle core training infomercial product to break the record. What he needed was mental toughness and a relentless desire to succeed. Those attributes alone will often outweigh the significance of everything else.

If you are a competitive athlete, the time will come when you must push through your comfort zone and thrive in an uncomfortable environment. If you are not mentally prepared, it won’t matter how well conditioned your body is. Either suck it up or pack your bags and go home.

George Hood clearly knows how to suck it up and blast through his comfort zone. We can all benefit and learn from his example of relentless perseverance and mental toughness.

Endurance is patience concentrated. – Thomas Carlyle