I had to laugh. Being ordered to stay at home (and hotels and restaurants being closed) roughly two months after FINALLY regaining my driving privileges after seven months. 2019-2020 have been conspiring against me, to keep me from continuing my march toward 2000 courses played. Though I have been doing what I can to make sure I am ready to hit the course collecting trail hard, once I can get back out on the road.
For most disc golfers, who worry about competition and ratings, April has been an ideal time for them to work on their short games (DGA’s Putt in Place contest has been tremendous in that regard). But for us course collectors? We don’t need a better rating, or to make 5-10% more of our putts from 20-30 feet. We need the physical and mental conditioning and toughness to be able to grind-out 72-100+ holes in a day. The ability to walk 8-10+ miles in a day.
So for the entire month of April? I’ve been focusing on physical and mental toughness. Training my body and mind to deal with pain and my body telling me to stop. Not because I can’t do more! But rather because it would rather be lying on a couch, binge-watching shows like Better Call Saul or The Walking Dead. 🙂
I wasn’t sure how much my body could take per day in April, but I thought I would try and find out. Hoping I might be able to average at least 7-8 miles walked per day. My body would usually tell me it was time to rest after 4-5 miles, but I thought I would work to push through that. And I pleasantly surprised myself, just shy of 50 years of age (I turned 49 today, in fact). I smashed any goals I had set for myself in March, totaling 342.62 miles walked during the month of April. Averaging 11.42 miles walked, per day, EVERY day. Through rain and snow (Easter was NOT fun to be out walking here in Southwestern Minnesota). Through wind where I had to lean forward to keep from winding up on my back. I got it done, every day, with only three days where I didn’t walk at least ten miles.
I won’t lie. I have 7-8 body parts that ache, saying: “What the heck are you thinking? You’re not 25 anymore!” 🙂 But for all the aches and pains, I feel proud of myself. Feel as though I am ready to go out and hit the course collecting trail, HARD, once it is again safe and feasible to do so.
I’m not sure how the rest of you have been dealing with this pandemic, especially related to your physical and mental health! But for me? Dropping a few “extra” pounds and proving to myself that I can still get after things, HARD, when I set my mind to it has given me an extra spring in my step. And a bit bigger smile on my face.
Stay strong! You can do this (deal with whatever else the pandemic might throw at you). And as one of my grandparents always used to remind me: “This too shall pass.”
Magic Number = 452 (1,548 Courses Played)
About Tonn’s Travels
How it All Got Started: Tonn’s Travels >>
A main purpose of this blog will be to share information, helpful tips and tricks (everything from health and fitness to methods for saving money while you’re out “bagging courses” of your own), and ideas for better, safer course design. But I am also hoping to inspire others with my passion for the sport, via the stories I can share about all of the interesting experiences I have. All of the interesting people I meet. All of the amazing courses I am blessed to have the opportunity to play. If I can inspire even a handful of individuals to get off the couch, get “out of their bubble” or “security blanket” and explore more of this big, beautiful planet we all call home? Then I will consider this effort a success.
About Derek
Derek Tonn is a member of the DGA’s Ambassador Team. His company, Mapformation, LLC, has been DGA’s partner in the development of disc golf tee signage since 2012. The longer our two companies have worked together, and the more Derek has gotten to know all the great folks at DGA, the more he has wanted to formally sing the company’s praises. The more he has realized that “Steady” Ed the father of disc golf and the modern day Frisbee vision for the sport and his company perfectly describes his own interests and priorities related to disc golf, and the more Derek has recently been encouraged to share his story.