So, what is it that I do when I'm not working, playing with the band, reading, or hanging with my Flipper (that's Laurel, my pet fiancé)?   I contribute almost daily to the decomposition of various joints in my body by participating in physically demanding activities that I actually believe to be fun!!   I have always been athletic.  As a kid, I played tons of Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse and ran in various competitions.  Physical fitness has always been important to me.  The key is to find something you enjoy so that it doesn't seem like you're "working out".

Distance Running

     If there is anything that I'm a natural at, it's running.  I ran my first 10K at the age of nine and have not looked back since.  Until joining the band, I used to compete in at least one race a month.  These where usually 5 milers, 10K's, and the occasional half marathon(13 miles).  Now that my weekends are full, I don't get to do those that much any more.  There's something unattractive to me about getting home at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning and being at the starting line at 9:00.  I do still run the Ocean State Marathon every year.  The race is in Rhode Island, where my mother lives.  Once a year is fine for me.  26 miles is a killer and it takes a special kind of nut to pull it off.  Running is something that does not require expensive equipment or partners to be successful.  It's also very therapeutic if you have some angst to get out of your system.

Martial Arts

     Another thing I have been doing for quite some time is the study of martial arts.  I currently hold a 2nd degree black belt in Shorin-Ryu Shurinkan, a form of Okinawan Karate-do.  The marriage of balance, discipline, intensity and focus fits my personality just fine.  It's nice to have self confidence when you're in a sticky situation.  Karate is also therapeutic as hell.  Try full contact sparring sometime and you'll see what I mean!!  The really cool thing about being involved in the arts is that I get to teach as well.  There's something wonderful about seeing a student progress beneath your tutelage.

Other Stuff

     Oh no, the fun does not stop there!!  I also have other athletic pursuits besides my "big two".  I work out often to maintain strength for Karate.  I also do it because I would be hopelessly skinny if I Didn't!!   I enjoy tennis and can put up a pretty mean game of serve and volley when I'm on my game.  I also enjoy playing football, but don't get a chance to get several buddies of like mind together as often as I'd like to.  Over all, I love being active.   Sure, I am privy too all the aches and pains from the stuff I do, but it is soooooo worth it to be able to do all that stuff at my age.  I'm not ancient or anything, but I feel like I'm still in high school sometimes and plan on feeling that way for quite some time.

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Contact me at marcusg@celeritycomm.com