Today was the first day I hit a full on, hardcore workout in what seems like weeks. Finally, I am seeing the return to normality. Today was ninety.... what? You thought I was returning to normality a week ago?

Well, I was. Then something happened. Something big. Well, actually something small, black, and hard. Not that, and you have a filthy mind for even thinking that.

On Saturday, December 3 I hit a decent return lift then went to a mid-afternoon hockey game. About 19 minutes into the first period, that small, black, and hard thing happened. Specifically, I was struck in my right temple by a hockey puck.

The result of the impact was a mild concussion, some disorientation, nausea, and some pain in the impact area along with swelling. I did not lose consciousness, but I did go to the emergency room to have x-rays done and additional testing. The good news everything came back fine, but I had some pain, discomfort, and discoloration ahead of me for a bit.

After a gluteus pull, the death of my mother, my first Thanksgiving without my mother, and work travel this was just another speed bump for me to get over. For anyone who knows me, they know I'm not going to let something like a concussion slow me down for long.

I took the next few days off from any major activity and worked mildly during the beginning of the week. Next up, a workout with my trainer on Wednesday. We went light and wanted to let my body acclimate back. With the concussion plus everything else that happened, my body definitely wasn't as responsive as it normally is; we did a mild squat day.

I originally planned to only lift once more this week, but decided to try another lift on Friday. As I said, I may trip but I will not fall. Went a little heavier, but still pulled it back for safety sake. Had a good deadlift workout.

Then there was today. As I walked into the gym wearing my "MAXIMUM EFFORT" t-shirt, I felt something I haven't felt in a long time. It was this overwhelming sense of normal. Normal. I closed my eyes, breathed in and out, and absorbed this for a moment. I am approaching normality. Let's lift.

Normal warm-up. First up, trap bar carries. An exercise I've been working hard on to improve my overall grip power. Load up two 45s on each side, not wanting to push 'too hard'. As I hauled that trap bar at 225 pounds around the gym's cage I realized I was ready and back. Loaded it up to 255 and did two more goes around the cage.

Now some toss-to-target long jumps using a dyno ball. I could feel the energy and power coursing through me as I passed the ball against the target. I was in the zone.

Now for the fun stuff. Squats time! Started at 225, then moved to 245 and did a set. That went well, so pushed it up to 255x10 for two more sets. Super-setted with 35 pound dumbbell walking lunges, that burned my legs. Next up, dumbbell chest presses with 60 pounders, super-setted with dumbbell flyes. Finally some assisted pull-ups with TRX bicep curls; the pull-ups are the area I've slid the most in the last few weeks when life descended into chaos. I did 8 reps on each set.

Finally, some battle rope slams with burpees. This was probably the worst part, as the up-and-down made me a little sick to my stomach, but nothing horrible. I finished them, and felt energized after doing it. I really do feel like it's the hardest, best workout I've had in weeks and I loved it.

Today, it was all about normality. Getting back to that state of being where I can have consistency, drive, and commitment towards my goals.

So what happens next week? Well come Monday, all new fun as we pass the #normality line and work to get #BeyondNormal. That's when life will get interesting. The picture here says it all of what Monday will bring.

The truth is, this is the new normal, as my life will never be the same again after the last month. Just as 2016 as been a year of my life changing, my life truly has changed in ways that will impact me for the rest of my days. In many ways, every month has brought some degree of change that's made me a different person than the one who was standing here a year ago. But that's another story all together...