Sweat

It seems like all I have done lately is sweat. I have never been an athlete or athletic for that matter. Every sport is an extreme one for me. I've tried golf, but I need a lot of lessons in order to truly play correctly, and I am not that interested or motivated for that right now.
So, I have been doing this crazy strength training since last September. In two weeks, I'll be in an athletic competition for the first time. It's not a huge event, but a new experience nonetheless.
Last month I began to learn jiu jitsu. This past week I have been training with the guys at Team No Ego in Oswego, IL. They prepare pro fighters--in addition to offering training for other crazy men wanting to get thrown around and sweat their asses off.
I sweat--a lot. It seems like I am sweating all the time. It's strange to see your body slowly transform and to gauge how much "back up" you have when pressed against a wall by someone trying to hit you or take you down. I am a true beginner/novice. Everyone kicks my ass right now: little guys, big guys, old guys, and high school wrestlers. But, my cardio is getting better. My aggressiveness is building. I sweat and sweat and sweat as I try to learn a new language, fit into a new culture & survive until the round buzzer goes off. If I could just catch my breath, maybe I could stop freaking out when someone is on top of me trying to make me submit. Sometimes the sweat make it hard for them to hold onto me.
The sweat can help you escape. Sweat is a sign of struggle, of work, and of persistence. I am escaping inactivity and getting used to walking around dripping wet.
Sweat takes you to places you would otherwise not have reached without it. I have not been in shape like this since my early twenties.
Can't wait to start sweating tomorrow. We'll see where it gets me.