Where to from here?

Well, there has certainly been some reflecting going on in the last week or so. Having been in Brisbane for the last four months at the Fire Fighting Academy, I am set to graduate this Friday the 1st of May. There were times I wasn’t sure I would get through and it has been a very challenging course, but I made it! This Friday I will be recognized as a Professional Fire Fighter. Thus the thought…where to from here?

My training has changed significantly but also kept its roots over the last 18months. I am (and have been even whilst at the academy) still running 100+ km per week but also been hitting the weights hard, aiming to put on 5-10kg of muscle. The nature of my new profession requires strength and a fitness very different to what I had and I am doing what I can to transform myself into a new, hybrid version of what I was. I can honestly say I am loving pushing myself in the gym again and am currently the most well rounded ‘fit’ I have ever been. This was highlighted yesterday.

I have basically been running 12k a day through the week whilst here and doing two longer runs of 20-30k on weekends. Thats about the basics of what I have been running. Not crazy. This, along with 3-4 lifts a week and all the physical stuff we have been doing during the day. I have been pondering for a while a way to celebrate the time here and yesterday ran 80km for the 80days at the academy. Whilst running that far is never ‘easy’ and I started pretty fatigued, I made my way though it and not that I care, but knocked it over in about 7hr 45min self supported. I also got stronger in the last 15-20k which I didnt expect. A testament to the new ‘all round’ fitness I have gained and the nearly 20years of running base I have.

But, the original question remains, where to from here? Well, running is still going to be the base of all I do. I still have many dreams and goals I want to achieve in this space. However, lifting in different versions will also become a real focus. Getting super strong and lean is high on the goals. I do not want to let my mates or the public down and I want to be as ‘job ready’ as I can be every day. Tegs has also been bitten by the gym/hybrid bug so it will be fun for this to be another thing we can do together. I will continue to run everyday, specific to events I have coming up but also lift at least five days a week to keep building my strength and also anaerobic fitness.

Outside of training, I am just really looking forward to returning home, being with my family and friends and getting into the routine/swing of shift life and becoming the best Fire Fighter I can be. It is going to be a super exciting time of learning, growing and pushing myself each day to the standard I expect…which is always very high. It wont be easy and I’m sure I will make a lot of mistakes along the way but life is about growth, turning up and doing your best, day in, day out. Im here for it!

The last four months has been a once in a lifetime opportunity which I am so so grateful for. The support I have received from family and friends is heart warming and this would have been possible without them. So, it is a bit of a new era in life, fitness and goals and constant re-invention. I have already been pondering new ways to take you all along for the ride and I am very excited for whats ahead.

I hope this finds you all well, crushing your own goals and dreams and Ill check in soon, when I am a fully fledged Fire Fighter. So so crazy! Consistency + Commitment.