Stacking the Deck in My Favor

All week, I’ve been talking with AI — dialing in my fitness, nutrition, and running plans to line up with my Garmin marathon training. I’m gearing up for the Boulderthon next month, and I’ve been pushing myself to live like a hybrid athlete. Maybe it’s a little ego, maybe it’s the desire to stand out from the crowd; to just generally be a badass.

But this week? It didn’t just feel like discipline. It felt like luck. The kind that shows up when you’re doing all the right things.

In prep for my upcoming trip to Asia, I signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, completely last minute. I picked a weekend that looked open, no real plan and didn’t think much of it.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers and Diamondbacks were in town, and I ended up going to six baseball games in a row, totaling 31 for the year. Still maintained my daily habits. Still trained. Still moved with intention. Just living an all-out, amazing life.

Friday afternoon, I ran 40 minutes in 98° heat; a base run that left my heart rate a little high. Garmin adjusted Saturday’s long run from 1:44 to another 40-minute base. I followed suit. Slept in. Got ready for my 8 a.m. motorcycle course instead of trying to squeeze in miles at 4:30 a.m.

And then something wild happened. It stayed cool. 70° and overcast through late morning. Shade everywhere. We finished the course early. I checked in with AI again and reported: amazing sleep, perfect weather, solid hydration and nutrition plan. And most importantly-motivation through the roof.

AI didn’t hesitate:
“Today’s the day to show up.”

So I did.

Most people would’ve come home and crashed on the couch. But I laced up, hit the pavement, and ran 11.76 miles in 1:45:23, averaging 145 BPM and burning 1,264 calories.

Was that lucky? I think so. But I also think I made it lucky.

It’s like I’m stacking the deck in my own favor — ace after ace after ace.

I’m not just living lucky.
I am lucky.
And I’m always winning.