Stamina

Delores has commented on my physical stamina before and it is not without merit.

I have been an athlete my entire life; football and lacrosse.

I played positions that generally required size and power. I compensated for my lack of enormous stature with strength, both of body and heart. I don't give up.

In the Marine Corps, the will to win was sometimes the difference between success and failure.
Have you ever put 80 lbs of gear on and walked at a brisk pace for 26 miles? Believe me, the pain is excruciating and the desire to just finish on your own two feet is what makes the difference. The will to win.

I have also had the pleasure of staying up for 4 straight days on multiple occasions. That took some physical ability and will power.

I am in the process of moving out of my house into my new apartment and have been doing so for a week. It involves some heavy furniture and a steep flight of stairs. I am hurting....bad. But I will win this. I have my kids this weekend and I need to have it done for them.

I have only felt this way one other time in my life; a football game.

As I mentioned before, I started on the varsity as a sophomore. I played offensive guard and was rotated at inside linebacker with a senior so that he could get some play time (I can't imagine my spot being taken over by a 15 yr old kid who was half my size, but that's what happened to him) and I could get some rest during the game
He got a neck injury one week. There was no one to fill that slot. I had to play. I had to fill his spot on special teams as well.

I never left the field. I always played with intensity. I always "left it all on the field".

I collapsed at the final whistle. I couldn't move. I had nothing left to give. I was carried off to the bus.
I was carried into my house. My father had to undress me. (that's embarrassing if you know how football pants fit). I slept the entire day.

I learned a lot about myself that day. It took years before it became ingrained as part of me, but that day, I learned that I will survive. I could survive anything as long as I had the will to do so.

"That which does not kill you, only makes you stronger"

I am a strong ass SOB now