“I’ll take the dirt road, it’s all I know.”

I’m an unabashed fan of country music.  The story-telling backbone of this entire genre simply speaks to me, and today was no different.

Admittedly, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself this morning – I was closing in on completing my first two-week loading cycle of The Nemesis Program and I was sore all over (insert hilarious Donny Shankle – Ivan Adadjiev story about soreness).*  This negative perception was further fueled by loads that felt way too heavy.  But then, the famous Sawyer Brown song, “The Dirt Road,” started coming through my earphones loud and clear, and I began to earnestly listen to its words.  Reflecting on words “it ain’t easy, it ain’t supposed to be,” I changed my attitude, and subsequently blew away several singles north of 90 percent.  At this point, I faced my own choice – attempt a PR or settle for tying my previous best…take the dirt road, I thought, adding another five kilos to the bar.  After all, God hates a coward.

Unracking the weight – elbows high -- there wasn’t a doubt in my mind, and 20 seconds later I was walking back to my seat to write “(PR)” next to the attempt in my training log.

 

Sometimes you just can’t say it any better: 

“I’ll take the dirt road, it’s all I know

I’ve been a’walking it for years

It’s gone where I need to go

It ain’t easy, it ain’t supposed to be

So I’ll take my time

And life won’t pass me by

‘Cause it’s right there to find, on the dirt road.” 

 

 

Work hard for that dollar, Sawyer Brown.

*This clip was not intended to offend anyone.