Training for a race is a lot of work but it’s helped me greatly in developing self-discipline over the past months. A lot of people I’ve talked to see training as a merely physical endeavor, but I believe training is way more than that. It’s more than getting "in shape" or looking attractive, it’s a lifestyle. 
 
I run a lot; not because I have nothing else to do, but because I know that the better shape I am in the more efficiently I can work and the more effective my business will be. I am training for the Boilermaker race to push myself out of my comfort zone, sometimes until I'm winded and out of breath. (I have heard it said pain is weakness leaving the body, but I say pain is proof you’re still alive.) This is why training is not just a physical endeavor, it is philosophical. As you train, you have to make a conscious decision to exit comfort, and endure pain or discomfort. 
 
It would be so easy to do what was good and right if there was no pain in achieving it, but pushing through the difficulties makes us stronger. This week I challenge you to train in something -  run, walk, bike, swim... train your physical body. That way when you come upon a difficult problem, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, you will have endurance and be able to choose to do the hard things for a long term benefit.
 
Lots of jobs are in the works, so stay tuned for some more final project pictures in the weeks to come. For now, check out the NEW “Photo Gallery” section of my site with pictures of some of my recent jobs.

Sidewalks are usually an “easy” project if you know how to do them, but City-owned sidewalks are a lot more complex due to codes and permit applications. 
 
This past week I replaced a bit of Syracuse City sidewalks for a homeowner. The
project really started a month ago with the permit paperwork being sent to the
City for review. It took some time to get all the departments to review the
paperwork to make sure the project would turn out OK, but at long last I had the
clearance to go.

In Syracuse, the sidewalks are a two part sidewalk, consisting of a 4” base of 4000 psi concrete with a 1” top of sand mix. On the first day of the project I
hammered out the old sidewalk with an electric jackhammer and pulled out most of the rubble. I finished grading and setting the forms. By the second day I was
able to pour the base and top coat.  

That night, around 8 PM as I was heading home from the job, the tire on my trailer blew. Another challenge after a long day, but it did not stop the work. The next morning I was able to pick up the forms and cut relief joints in the concrete.
The homeowner was happy with the sidewalk and it gave the street a new, clean
feel.

Check out the pictures and let me know what you think!

Fixing a garage floor is one thing, but making it look almost new is a much more
advanced task! The floor I was working with last week was extremely pitted and
pocked from the years of salt pulled in during the winter. The surface had been
further weakened by a poor finishing technique. The homeowner wasn't sure what kind of look worked with his budget and initially had an idea of going with a
plastic, tile matt cover. However, after we discussed it, he decided a tile matt
was more of a future plan. He decided to go with an epoxy finish for now. 
 
I first took about 1/16 of an inch off the surface by grinding, but the pocks were
still quite visible. I then applied a top coat of  Ardex. The application of this material was primarily to fill the existing divots a bit. With two to three coats they would have been completely worked out; I applied only one coat, though, because the rest would be well sealed and visually undetectable with the epoxy. After letting it set overnight I applied the epoxy. The color the homeowner selected was charcoal gray. One coat was applied in the early morning, followed by a second coat in the afternoon. The homeowner opted to add color chips to the surface as well as a clear acrylic finish coat.
 
By the end of this job the garage looked beautiful. The floor is in great shape, and is now protected for many winters to come. Most importantly though, the homeowner is very pleased with the way it turned out. He was a great guy to work with! 

When you think you have seen the end of your garage floor, or other surfaces for that matter, keep in mind that there may be better options than replacing them. Restoration and refinishing may be easier on your budget while providing visual appeal and lasting protection.

Check out some pictures of the job below and let me know what you think!