The Best of Masters, Chariots of Fire, and 200 Consecutive Push ups

The following was originally posted May 9, 2018

I have always been intrigued by the valiant men of the Bible.  These were men who were not only courageous.  They were strong.  It seems to me that is something every Christian man should aspire toward: to be the best he can be for the best of Masters.  Of course, he should keep first things first.  Bodily exercise, after all, profits only a little, whereas godliness is "profitable unto all things."  Still bodily exercise does profit!  And the Bible itself describes our bodies as temples of the living God.  Why not strive for the best in everything?  Strive, then, not only to be the best employee/employer you can be to the glory of God; strive not only to be the most godly a man can be; but strive also to be just as strong and as fit as you can be (while not neglecting the weightier matters).

As a boy I was inspired by the movie Chariots of Fire.  Eric Liddell was quoted saying, "but He also made me fast... and when I run I feel His pleasure."  Though not made like he was, I have known that same sense of God's pleasure doing what I can for Him.  Too often good men have let their bodies deteriorate with age.  Some of this is inescapable; but I am referring to those men who have not pursued physical health and fitness.  They had a prayer life, they were zealous for God, but they neglected their bodies.  My hope, here, is to encourage other men to pursue excellence also in this.  I have described this blog as an extreme fitness blog simply because I want to push my own limits and encourage other men to do the same.  It won't always be about physical fitness.  I may say something here and there about Bible memorization as well.  We'll see. 

200 consecutive push ups

I have decided to begin by aiming at 200.  After going to the gym for a year and a half, I set out last week to do as many push ups as I could (consecutively).  I managed a disappointing 70.  So, after a quick search of the internet I came across a plan which says it will get me to 100 in 2 weeks.  My goal is 200 in 2 months.  Every other day (excluding Sundays) I will do 250 push ups in as few sets as possible: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Each set I will push to failure.  On alternating days (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) I will do 250 push ups in 10 sets of 25 in as little time as possible.

In the weeks to come I will record my progress.  The goal, here, is not 200 consecutive push ups of any kind.  I have seen some strange stuff online.  I am talking about regular but real push ups: nose to the ground, back straight (chest close to the ground if not touching), and arms fully extended with each rep.

I will post my progress in the days to come; and I challenge you to join me.  Find out how many you can do and then press on for more.  On your first day do 250 push ups in as few sets as possible... and then as you go forward see if you can reduce that number over time. 

Below I record some of my progress:

May 11

I didn't feel like doing it today.  The idea of 250 push ups in as few sets as possible seemed more than a little daunting and unappealing.  But these are the times when we have to push through and do it anyway.  So I did and the results show still more progress. 

You never know.  Those days when you aren't motivated may prove the best days when you persevere.  So persevere!  Set your goals and then keep at it until you succeed.   

79
62
50
58 (for a total of 249 - I just couldn't squeeze out the last one)

Finished within 70 minutes

And then for good measure: 20 (for a total of 269)

Here were my numbers from Monday May 7 (just 4 days ago)

71
49
43
30
27
20
10

And this was Wednesday May 9

74
55
49
35
38

And then May 15:

This has been a discouraging week because I allowed myself to get off track.  There was a competition at Anytime Fitness... how many push ups can you complete in 2 minutes?  Its the 2 minute mark that has stumped me.  So on May 15 I practiced at home using sets with breaks in between and then on May 16 and May 17 I made my attempt.  Sadly I came up short of my personal best (of 85) both times.  Again, I believe the problem is the time.  Rather than persist beyond the 2 minute mark I just gave up. 

But then I decided to make up for my previous failings...and to my surprise managed 100 consecutive push ups. 


Progress this week


May 15

I was interrupted by other responsibilities and did not complete the 250.  I am calling this a rest day.

25
25
12
[first three sets within 2 minutes]
25
25
25

May 16

This day I was supposed to do my 250 in as few sets as possible.  As you can see I changed my mind... but made up for it on May 17.

70
25
25
25
25
25
25
30

May 17

75
100!
75

What is most encouraging is not merely the 100, but the 250 in 3 sets.  A discouraging has ended well.