The Ramp-Up CEO

Ramping it up consists of increasing intensity at regular intervals. We did four sets this morning. We worked on keeping focus relaxed, on measuring the perceptions of effort and following the protocols. This for 90 minutes.

Along that gentle upward slope, we talked of the role that lactate acid plays. And how we can train to accommodate graciously its arrival. How to get over the burn and on with the work. How 60 becomes 90 and 90 becomes 120.

The progression of overload. Work, accustom, experience, accept, grow, augment. One day, perhaps a year, perhaps ten, you wake up and your body has an announcement to make. You are called on the carpet. It is just you and your ego CEO. It has been your experience that when this uncomfortable face-to-face happens, the news is, well, something less than fantastic.

But today is different. The CEO, grinning, says that you have reached a plateau. You are fit. In the one percentile in fact. Healthy and strong. Ready to rock. Congratulations, she says, standing and extending a hand for shaking. I am proud of you. Way to go.

Whoa. Me? All this training and testing, resting and recovering, measuring and managing, losing the old habits, thinking in new ways, challenging the status-quo of convention, facing fear and going hard must have been worthwhile. Paid a dividend. Maybe fatigue IS a mental construct after all.

Yes, you have reached the mesa of your optimal fitness. Where did everybody go? No crowds up here. No traffic and no cheeseburgers. You are in the one percent now, and if you want to STAY HERE, you need to get a little smarter. Or you risk sliding back down the hill and rejoining the ninety-nine. You need to fuel smart also.

Just because you work out (hard and often) doesn't pre-qualify you for a platinum all you can eat card with no annual fee. Because not only do you now burn lactate acid as fuel you must also create an ultra healthy octane mix by adding only the finest ingredients. Or you give it all back.

Top five carbohydrates for the athlete:

1) Sweet potatoes
2) Steel cut oats
3) Wild rice
4) Bananas
5) Garbanzo beans

For the last three days I have been fueling only with and incredibly delicious mix of
yams, mushrooms, garlic, kale and chickpeas. I cover this sauteed pastiche with hummus and wrap in a pita. I can editorialize in one word: YUM!!!!!

I also enjoy a post workout protein smoothie with vanilla soy and mixed berries.

This ramp-up combination I find effective for fat control, as high octane fuel to train hard and recover effectively and best of all, the tastes remind me of travel and adventure (with hints of love).

Keep up the good work, the CEO says, showing me the door, indicating, evidently, that there is more to be done.

Pic: Rampage illustrated. ToC 2012 in NorCal.