Author: Winston Ash

by Winston Ash on Coding

React Part II: @Codecademy

What a difference knowledge makes.

 
A little and you’re dangerous, add more for skills.
 
The first section is practical theory. Second section needs to be more interactive. What I’m missing are use cases or mini projects. Applying my new skills.
 
Putting my learning to the test will force me to see how much I learned. And that’s the goal. Making a useful product. Not learning, for learning’s sake.
 
So, the question remains.
 

What do I build with my new skills?

 
Appreciate some feedback. Must be measurable and not too long. Let’s say less than 40 hours of work.
 
by Winston Ash on #Fitness

The moment

… I decided it was done.

No matter what came in between. I would do it. 

This has happened before. The point where no excuses matter. No pain can stop me. Nothing but success will fill the void. 

Hard work. Long hours. Lots of reading. Whatever it takes. 

Is it willpower? No. 

It is something simpler than that. It’s knowing. 

Knowing in my soul.

Knowing it can be done. Knowing it’s been done. Knowing there’s a process. And knowing that if I do the process than the outcome is a given. 

The rest, just the price. 

The moment is now.

 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

To Doing Less, Better.

The world abounds with endless opportunities. The question is, “what quest do you seek?”

Ahh, the beauty of life is as the driver you must decide.

And I found the keys. Do less, better.

My time used to be spent trying to be the best at a bunch of different activities. My thoughts were that doing a lot well would make me a more well-rounded person. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The focus is what I needed. Trying to be the jack of all trades left me subpar, to say the least.

Recently, I’ve stopped. Now, I just do what I am the best. The rest of it I delegate. What a relief. No more having to focus on things I’m semi-interested in. No more faking.

I race to do more work now. Becuase I am fully engaged with things I like.

Husband, Manager, Owner, Coder, and Runner. That’s it. My sights are set. And the finish line doesn’t move anymore. Funny these things all have one thing in common – Infinity.

I learn and read yet there will is always more to learn and do. Infinite depth. Being the best is a never ending process. And these guideposts allow me to go as far as I want. No limits.

The freedom drives me to work harder. Because as Spiderman says, “…with great freedom comes great responsibility.”

 

 
by Winston Ash on #Fitness

Bad Form = Pain?

Self-diagnosed strained Achilles tendon. I am pretty certain that is what I have. The pain only shows up after I’ve run 3+ miles. When it’s time for my next running session I am barely able to get a mile before it kicks in.

And I will not let this pain beat me. I cannot get injured again. Being on the bench eats at my soul. So, I take it easy for a few days. Let the tendon heal. Add in some intense stretching and foam rolling too. Usually, it works.

The question

How do I prevent this pain in the first place? My initial analysis points to an issue with my form. But that cannot be the problem because my weekly mileage is increasing 🙂 yet the problem only occurs on the long runs.

The second theory is that as I get into the longer runs my form degrades to the point of triggering this problem. This is more likely. Thinking through the issue.

Do you see my dilemma? If theory #2 is correct, how do I prevent this from occurring?

My thoughts:

  1. Better and targeted pre- & post- training stretching
  2. Calf strength training
  3. Review my form by videotaping my next long run

Any ideas would be helpful.

 

 
by Winston Ash on #Fitness

Breakthrough 

Training intensity ticked upwards. 

More miles. Consistent and relentless. 

The breakthrough came at the 1.5 mile mark of a 4 mile easy run. 

No pain, no hard breathing. I enjoyed the act of running. 

And running is fun?!

Wait … What just happened? 

Time for me to do some research. 

I’m reading, “Natural Born Heroes” and just came to the part as far for fuel. 

Maybe, just maybe I’m on to something here. I’ve had this urge to go cleaner. I still crave food. But definitely not like before. 

And now that running is fun I want to run all the time. 

Have I figured out what works for me? 

Stay tuned and find out. 

My first thought – Hell Yes! 

More running, more high fat food – bring on the good times!!

 
by Winston Ash on #Fitness

# Fitness Update

Time to get serious. Health is my priority.

Here are some of my fitness goals for this year:

  1. Weight

    1. Current Weight: 271 lbs.
    2. Goal Weight: 235 lbs.
    3. Action Plan: Lose 36 lbs. by October 8th, 2016 – Weigh-In @ 9:00 AM

  2. Running

    1. Finish 5K
    2. Finish 10K
    3. Finish Spartan Race or Tough Mudder
    4. Complete Endurance Run of 13.1 Miles

  3. Overall Health

    1. Body Fat Percentage under 15%

  4. Diet

    1. No Soda
    2. 3 Day Fast once per Quarter
    3. Limited Sugar Intake
    4. 1 Gallon of Water Daily
    5.  Read more about Ketogenic Diet & Explore other options; Low-Carb, High Protein

All of this is towards the ultimate goal of being healthy. Better than I was each day. Long and healthy life.