Chapter 2 page 501–Miss Zippy’s 2011 Recap

Miss Zippy asked everyone to share a 2011 recap (click HERE to see her original post).  What a fun way to look back, so I thought I would join in on the action too. . .

• Best race experience? I had so many GREAT races this year – it’s been an over-the-top awesome racing year for me.  I’d have to say that my best short race was Runner’s On Parade (3 miler) not only because I PR’d, but because I had a blast screwing around with “C” afterward (the 2nd from the left picture in my blog’s header is an example of said screwing around).  My best long distance race is a tie between Fort 4 Fitness and last weekend’s HUFF.   I loved F4F because I was able to share it with about a dozen people that I had mentored over the summer and had a PR smackdown.  The HUFF was an experience of a lifetime.  I pushed passed personal, physical and mental limits I didn’t know I had.  I overcame MUD and WATER and did it with the 2 most amazing women on my Victorious Secret Team. 
• Best run? My 169th training run on 9/30/11 apparently (according to my blog title and run recap) was a great one.  I don’t have too many great runs so you’d think I’d remember them better. 
• Best new piece of gear? At first I was like, “I don’t have a lot of new gear”, but WAIT – I finally found shoes that didn’t hurt me!  I’ve been through what feels like dozens and dozens of shoes and finally . . . Nike Pegasus seem to be working out well for me (Yay!).  I even made finding “the shoe” Goal #1 for 2011 – accomplished!
• Best piece of running advice you received? It’s a tie.  Most helpful this year was “Run your own race” meaning don’t get caught up in emotions or the pace of others . . . stick to your plan.  Second, “Have Fun” – for me, running is a super social activity – I don’t meet strangers during races –have fun, laugh, and enjoy the experience. 
• Most inspirational runner? I’d have to say that everyone I worked with in my Spring Into Training group and MOA.  Each of them set a goal well past what they ever dreamed for themselves and they blew it out of the water!!!  Soooo proud of them!!!
• If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?  Fantastic, Awesome, Exciting, Fun!

Your turn . . .

Chapter 2 page 500–Merry Christmas

From our family to yours . . .

source

May you and yours have a

blessed holiday!

Chapter 2 page 499–Bye bye boot camp

Last night was the last session of our boot camp class.  It was only a 3 week (6 session) class – just enough to get a little stronger but not too long to loose interest or hate it. 

Tonight’s class was once again – CHALLENGING.  My abs were already sore from Monday’s class and we did even more ab work during class.  It’s all I can do to breath – let alone do all the coughing I’ve been doing as this respiratory virus LINGERS. 

I liked tonight’s class because I was able to push myself and do many of the exercises for either the full time or without modification.  3 weeks ago I could hardly do any of them, but tonight, I did at least some reps of all of them (can I just say that I REALLY dislike Mountain Climbers? Yeah, I’m not a fan . . . and Burpees – really really detest those too and while I’m at it Burpees combined with plank jacks – sooooooo horrendous!). 

As you can tell I’ve learned the names of the exercises.  You might remember my early posts (click HERE to be reminded of the post I called “How far I’ve fallen”) about boot camp – I didn’t even know what the torture exercises were called nor was I able to do them.  I’ve come a long way!

I’ve come a long way – I’m stronger and more confident and feel as if I’m headed in the right direction! 

What was the “back on track” exercise/activity for you?

Chapter 2 page 498–Boot Camp session 5

Tonight was the 5th session (out of 6) of Boot Camp.  I missed last Wednesday’s class due to my respiratory virus and my quad pain – thought it best to rest in prep for the HUFF (wise decision).  I really like the class – it’s exactly what I need to get motivated and headed in the right direction with my physical fitness.  I enjoy the instructor and the other participants.  I think the best part of the class is that I’m doing it with a friend. 

Before Class . . .complete with sore muscles from the HUFF

Chapter 2 page 497–I HUFFed & Puffed and Blew the Race Down TR181

I should start by saying that there is NO way to summarize this race in such a way that will convey the true level of challenge and resulting euphoria that was experienced by the participants, but I will try.  You can read other recaps from random participants HERE and HERE and from my “Victorious Secret” teammate Kimberly HERE.  You can also check out the HUFF’s facebook page HERE which has a lot more pictures and stories.  Warning:  this is going to be a LONG post (sorry).

The HUFF 50K trail race is one of the largest ultras in North America – over 700 participants took part in one of 3 races yesterday (1 loop “fun” run, 3 person 50K relay, or 50K ultra).  Kimberly from Healthy Strides, “C” and I reunited our relay team “Victorious Secret” and we tackled the 50K distance by each doing one 10.5ish mile loop.

I made a peanut butter bagel and left my house at 5:45 a.m. when it was super dark . . . and quiet. . .what had I gotten myself (and my friends) into????

 

The long and lonely 75 minute drive to the park was an  exercise in calming my mind (unlike “C’s” drive to the race which included a panic filled spin off into the median due to the slippery snow covered roads . . . and a reckless passer byer) and summoning positive self-talk.  I arrived at 7:00 a.m. and since the race was at a state park in the woods IT.WAS.DARK! AND.COLD! AND SNOWING. (that’s a picture of the snow against the darkness – that’s DARK)

I followed the masses but it was SO dark (mental note for the future:  carry a flashlight) I just hoped that I wouldn’t fall and that I would not get lost.  I had no idea where I was or where I was going or how to get back to my car after I picked up my packet.  I arrived and picked up my chip and made arrangements for my teammates to check in and pick up theirs when they arrived later in the day.  I saw the porta john line was short so I waited (there were only 6 porta johns for the 700 participants – big FAIL - and the lines moved SLOWLY).  After about 20 minutes of waiting in line, I got my turn and then headed back to the car to drop off my shirt and to text my teammates the plan.  I warned them of the snow and also that I was warm wearing a vest walking up a gigantic hill (yes, just walking up the hill to my car made me sweat  despite it being 25*).

Between my quad pain, my respiratory virus, and hearing about the CRAZY course conditions that included flooding up to thigh deep for 30-100’ at a time and 6-12” of mud akin to sludge I revised my goal time from 3 hours to 3.5 hours.  The race started 20 minutes late and was awfully chaotic – to be expected, I guess, at a new venue. 

Here’s how the race went for me -

0-.25 Miles:  OMG – that’s a HUGE HUGE HUGE hill and OMG my legs are like cement pillars and OMG I can’t breath . . . WTF was I thinking!!!  I cannot do this!  I seriously can’t do this!

Miles .25-mile 1.5: Hmmm, settling into my 1:1 interval.  I met 2 people, Korey and another lady (sorry I can’t remember her name).  We talked and that made things go like a “normal” race – we were on a road for much of this time and then the trail we turned onto was nice and easy and exactly like the trails we have raced and trained on before. 

Mile 1.5-2:  The other lady went ahead and Korey remained with me.  I wasn’t able to run up the big hills – I just couldn’t breath and my quad hurt so I just walked through an interval.  Korey said she didn’t mind hanging with me for a little while and she would take off when she felt ready to do so. 

Mile 2-5:  Unexplainable!  The trail – the path – the route – the course - was completely undetectable.  The water had flooded it so thoroughly that it looked like a lake.  The hard core folks went right through the knee-thigh deep water.  The rest of us less hard core folks blazed a new trail around the water through the sticker bushes – more than once I got caught in the bushes and couldn’t get free.  The best part about this section was that it was a mental break as you were busy trying to figure out where to go and how to get around that you weren’t focused on the mileage, the pain, the distance, or the time.  I got to the 5 mile mark in an hour and 30 minutes so I thought “Wow, I’ll get that 3 hour time after all – woot!”.

Mile 6:  It was less water –so we went back to the 1:1 interval.  It was beautiful and even stopped for a photo.  That’s Korey (my HUFF bestie)on the right.

Mile 7: Oh holy hell (sorry for the cursing – I assure you it’s warranted).  MUD – no wait, M.U.D.!  MUD MUD MUD – no, I’m not doing it justice – MMMMMUUUUUUUUUDDDDDDDDDD above the ankle deep.  The entire mile – step and slide 6”, pick up your foot and hope your shoe is still on, repeat.  We slowed WAY down trying to avoid the worst of it, but sticker bushes were our trade off.  It was like trudging through a sewer of sludge!!!  Sloppy, thick, wet, mud – a plague of mud is what mile 7 brought. 

Mile 8: I hit a wall without warning – BAM.  I had packed fuel, but the course required my full and unyielding attention and fueling while trekking was impossible.  There was a fantastic aid station and I got a handful of peanut M&M’s, pretzels, and several cups of water, Gatorade, and even a swallow of cola.  Feeling refreshed we headed off for the final few miles.  Korey remaining with me which was a Godsend for sure!!!

Mile 8.3:  OH NO!  There was NO way around this BODY of water – so in we step (like pansies) EEK it’s sooo cold.  I felt it flow into my toe box, then into the rest of my shoe and then above my ankle – OMG step, slop, step, slop, step, slop.  Just then a hard core ultra runner just leaped across it like it was nothing at all – ultra marathoners are remarkable individuals – awe inspiring for sure!

Miles 8.3-9.5: felt.like.they.lasted.forever!!!!!!

Mile 9.5:  There was a huge amount of water so we opted to go around which started off fine, but resulted in us having to go down a steep and deep ravine followed by ascending the other side.  At the bottom of the ravine – icy water!  I slid down on my bum and crawled up the other side using a tree trunk to help.  It left me muddy and wet and cold. 

Miles 9.5-10.5:  Felt.like.they.lasted.forever!!!!!  We could see the tent at the finish line, but it was ALL the way across the lake – would have been oh so much quicker to just swim across the lake (not unlike we had to do at various points along the course).  Finally, finally, we make the final turn and I see the clock and better yet, I see “C” in her bright yellow jacket (mental note:  bright colored clothing is essential when doing this type of race so you can be seen by your teammates) – OHHH my goodness – had I really done it?  OH yes I we had!  I am beyond thankful to Korey – she totally didn’t have to stay with me, but she did – and that made ALL the difference.  I know my time would have been 5 hours or worse, maybe a DNF, without her!  I love her for her selflessness!  She’s a doll!  Thanks, Korey!

I parted with Korey and turned my attention to “C”.  I gave her some suggestions for navigating the course and wished her luck.  She was off and then I saw Kimberly who ran across the parking lot and asked “Do you need a hug?” YES YES YES I do!  I had just done battle with nature AND WON!  These are pix taken inside the heated tent and I don’t remember being quite that chipper but perhaps . . . I love that you can see the mud on my pants in the photo on the left –yeah, mud baby!

While “C” was running I changed clothes and talked with Kimberly about this and that.  We saw many of the other relay teams come in and get warmed up.  Everyone was muddy and everyone was telling their war story!  Because the race had gotten started late, and because I took 40 minutes longer than I had hoped, Kimberly was stuck waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting.  I felt so badly for her because both the cold and the time were really getting to her.  Her lips were blue and the anxiety of what lie ahead was mounting (who could blame her – all she heard for 5 hours was how hard it was).  My heart aches to see these 2 pictures – I suspect the level of misery was deeper than even the pictures show. 

While I was doing everything I could to help Kimberly stay warm and remain positive, I couldn’t help but worry about “C” who had been out on the course more than 2.5 hours.  The challenge of the course and the cold temperatures are not things that she prefers and I had just hoped she was alright and not hating me too much for signing us up for this race.  At the 3 hour mark, “C” rounded the corner and we were screaming for her like it was the homecoming of the ages!!!! How did she just do that in 3 hours?  Holy Moly “C” is a machine!!!  WOO HOO!   “C” had done it!  She had run 10.5ish miles through muddy wet hell and survived . . .and she was smiling (woot woot!).

Kimberly started off on her journey just before 3:00 p.m.   I had no doubts in her ability to kick a**  and take names, but I couldn’t help but worry that she didn’t have a head lamp and that it would be dark in 2.25 hours.  She had hoped to finish in 2 hours, but the conditions surely would prevent that.  “C” and I kept the race director and other officials informed that our teammate was still out there and they couldn’t shut up shop just yet.  We were comforted with knowing there were several other ultra runners still running as well.  While Kimberly ran, “C” changed into dry clothes – check out her MUD!

I like to say that bottom right picture is the “carnage” – it’s her pile of dirty clothes.  That’s what this race left us with – DIRTY clothes!  With “C” in her dry clothes and ready to eat, we headed back to the warm tent to wait on Kimberly.

The time seemed to pass too quickly (for us, probably not so much for Kimberly) – I worried like a mother watching her child go to Kindergarten for the first time.  I worried that the sun was setting and that she was out there – OUT THERE (I remembered how DARK it was and feared for my friend) . . .

The snow had finally stopped but the sun was setting and temperatures were dropping, but almost with perfect timing, Kimberly rounds the final corner.  “C” and I run toward her screaming like it’s a Christmas miracle.  She completed that HUGELY challenging course in 2:11 – who does that?  Kimberly did!!!!  Quite possibly one of the fastest times all day – incredible!  SMOKIN’ fast!  A picture is worth 1,000 words – check out that look of relief!

We hugged and hugged and hugged and posed for a quick team photo.  Oh yeah baby, Team Victorious Secret has crossed the line!!!!

We rushed Kimberly into the warm tent and got her some hot chocolate and helped her change into warmer clothes – so totally wished I would have taken a picture of her wearing my coat – it was hilarious – like a big red tomato, but I’m hoping it warmed her at least a little!

What a tremendous challenge we had all endured and triumphed over!  Yes – on this day, we finished an ultra marathon relay!  WE.ARE.THAT.HARD.CORE!

(p.s. Kimberly posted 3 youtube videos of the course, you so totally have to check them out HERE)

Chapter 2 page 496–I think I can . . .

I’m feeling a little better.  I’m far from 100%, but my quad is not painful under normal activities (too scared to run on it) and my cold is a little better. 

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes – PLEASE keep them coming as this weekend’s 50K Ultra Trail Relay Race will be beyond challenging if I were at 100% let alone given my current status.

Check out my “Victorious Secret” teammate’s post about our upcoming insanity race HERE.  Go ahead, check it out and while you’re over there watch the short video  – YIKES!!!!!

Any of you have any advice for running through DEEP water in the winter (should be about 25* when I' run, about 30* when “C” runs, and about 35* when Kimberly runs)  for a 10+ mile relay leg?

Chapter 2 page 495–down for the count

Thanks everyone for your kind well wishes.  I try to be very positive and be in the game, but I’ve been down and out for 2 days now with this stinkin’ respiratory “thing”.  I missed 2 days of work (no matter what, I HAVE to go tomorrow as I have one on one appointments with clients – nice huh?  A little health education advice and a free side of virus). 

I went to Boot Camp yesterday – probably not the smartest move.  Probably should have stayed home to rest, but I got in most of the workout and I guess that’s a good thing.  My quad hurts more after class than it did before and I’m obviously still sick, but . . . I did most of the class – woo!

I’m going to skip tomorrow’s Boot Camp class – with a 50K trail relay race on Saturday – I absolutely need to rest and recover as much as possible.  I’m hoping the extra rest helps so that I don’t feel badly about skipping it for nothing.

Got to tell you about a conversation I had with my husband 30 minutes ago (you’ll need these 2 pieces of background information: 1.) we have a central medication drawer in addition to each of us having our own personal drawer where we keep our hygiene items; 2.) I’ve been sick since Sunday night around 8:00 p.m.):

Hubz:  “You look really like you really don’t feel well”

Me:  Yes (with a mound of used tissues sitting next to me and me coughing my head off) I really do feel crappy

Hubz:  Do I have any cherry nyquil ‘cuz that stuff is amazing?

Me:  The used bottle you had in the medicine drawer was thrown away this summer because it expired 2 years ago.

Hubz:  Did you look in my "MY” drawer?

Me:  No, why?  Do you have meds in YOUR drawer?

Hubz:  (goes in and checks his drawer and pulls out the Kroger brand of Nyquil that contains medicines to treat EVERYONE of my symptoms)

Me:  WHAT.THE.HECK.  I’ve been sick since Sunday and you’re just now offering this up?????????

Anyone else think this was a noble gesture just a little bit late?

Chapter 2 page 494–Can you hear me now?

As I posted yesterday, I hurt my left quad while shopping with my mom on Saturday.  I have GREAT news to report that it’s feeling a lot better.  I can walk around the house and do all of my all my daily routine pretty much pain free . . . making me think that it might have been a severe cramp rather than a pull?  Not sure, but either way I’m thrilled it’s feeling better!

BUT . . .

I went to bed last night with a little tickle in my throat – hmmmm.  I woke up this morning with a deep cough and a very sore throat.  With all that is on my plate later this week, I opted to stay home today from work to rest and hydrate (and then pee). 

Tonight is my 3rd (or 6) boot camp classes.  I honestly think it would be prudent to stay home, but I must go to a visitation at a funeral home that is near the boot camp class so I will already be “in the neighborhood” (the class is a 40 minute drive from my house) so I might as well just go to the class.

I can’t help but wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something about me participating in Saturday’s 50K HUFF Ultra Trail Relay.  I have a back up lined up, but I REALLY hope that I can recover quickly and do the race!

How do you decide whether to push through and do a work out or a race or to sit one out?  I have always heard if it is above the neck that it’s safe to work out, but that with a sore throat or “in the chest” that it’s best to rest. 

Chapter 2 page 493–Fun Start, Painful End

Yesterday, I took my mom to lunch and we did a little Christmas shopping.  We had a GREAT time!  We opted for a little local eatery for lunch.  The other patrons weren’t like us – they were young and hip, but that’s alright, we had a fantastic time and the food was unbelievable.  My mom had a mushroom and rice soup along with a half of a tuna salad sandwich on grilled wheat bread complete with lettuce, tomatoes, and even cucumber slices.  I opted to go with the server’s recommendation – a grilled cheese which was out.of.this.world!   A fun, relaxing, and tasty lunch started off our girls’ day out.  After lunch, we went to the grand-opening of the local running specialty store (they moved 240’ south into a larger location) – it was SO nice, but hectic. I took a quick loop around and left without talking to anyone. 

We then hit a few other stand-alone stores in search of Christmas gifts and then went to the mall.  After dealing with the CRAZY parking, we went to 2 stores and left.  We had the Macy’s employee snap our pic before we left.

We then went to Granite City so I could get my husband’s growler filled (scoring me bonus points) and then onto Target. 

We had so much fun UNTIL we got to Target.  I bent down in the very back corner of the store to get a Christmas bag off the bottom shelf when suddenly I felt my left hamstring PULL.  OMG it was one of the worst pains I have ever felt.  I could not get up and I suddenly got very hot, the store got very dark, my ears heard only muffled sounds.  I was going to pass out from the shock and pain. I sat down on the Christmas Tree display and used the bag I was reaching for to fan myself.  My mom was awesome.  I sat there getting sick – like I was going to throw up (we really were in the completely opposite corner of the store from the exit).  After a few more minutes I was able to begin walking gimping out of the store . . . and then to my car.  That would be the end of our shopping as I couldn’t even get my leg in the car without tears.  

I worried whether I had torn, pulled, or strained my quad.  I texted my PT friend asking for her guidance.  I called my ER nurse friend to see if I should be seen.  I didn’t go to the ER, but I did follow my PT friend’s advice to the T – ice, compress and elevate then alternate it with gentle massage toward the body and light stretch and keep repeat.   Here’s a picture of the ice pack (the blue thing) wrapped around my quad with my leg propped up on pillows (the white things).

Today?  I’m 75% better.  I can walk around the house nearly pain free.  I cannot imagine running . . . and I have the 50K HUFF relay next Saturday – UMMMM, hope I can do it – not sure at this point.

Ever had an injury resulting from a freakishly stupid act?

Chapter 2 page 492- Gourmet Runner’s Great Blog Survey

Show of hands who reads Gourmet Runner’s Blog????  I do and I.LOVE.IT!  She is interesting and funny.  Her posts are diverse ranging from “what I did today?” to “healthy muffins” to “insight into marathon training” ohhhh and let’s not forget her totally interesting background AND the fact that she and her husband built their new home by hand themselves!!!!!  Such a cool gal!!!!  She created a Great Blog Survey of 2011 and I thought I would jump in and answer her questions . . . and I didn’t have any other topic more pressing for today’s post (ha!)

How often do you update your blog? I really think about doing it everyday, but I don’t have a lot to say so only when I do something that’s worth talking about.

How long do you spend writing each post?  Usually about 20 minutes  - used to take me a lot longer before my Bloggy Bestie changed my life when she introduced me to Live Writer.

How long do you spend reading blogs each day? About 30 minutes – I’ve recently added more blogs to my blogroll and so it’s taking a bit longer, but I think it’s time well spent.  I learn a lot of fun and informative things. 

What other social media sites do you use? NONE

What is the first blog you started reading? I read Susie’s blog called Weighing In.  She doesn’t post much these days, but I owe her a lot for introducing me to blogging!  PLUS she’s an amazing woman whom I respect a great deal!

How do you read blogs (Phone/iPad, dashboard, Google Reader...)?  I read them on my laptop by pulling my my blog then clicking on the blogs showing an update on my sidebar.  I HATE google reader – no idea why, but I prefer going through my blog to get to others.

How many blogs do you follow?  About 35-30 – I have slowly been transitioning away from some and onto new ones.  I’m in a search for awesome blogs- do you have any that are MUST FOLLOWS (if so, leave me a comment)

You're on a week-long vacation. Do you a) pre-set posts for the time you're away, b) blog every day on vacation, or c) organize guest posts in advance?  I usually don’t worry about posting while I’m away.  Occasionally, I’ll write posts ahead of time and set them to post. 

Have you made money off of your blog? No

Would you quit your job to be a full-time blogger, if it meant cutting your salary in half? Probably not!  I really enjoy my job and the kind of work I do.

Want to jump into the Great Blog Survey, make your own post and let Gourmet Runner know you took part by leaving her a comment with the post URL.  Have fun and a great weekend!

Chapter 2 page 491–Boot Camp session 2

Tonight was the 2nd installment of Boot Camp.  Before I explain it, let me THANK you for your recent comments on my blog.  I really appreciate it – please know your comments mean the world to me!!! 

Well you read about my FIRST class and about my extreme DOMS afterward, so let me tell you about the 2nd class. 

Going into class I was SCARED – heck, I could hardly bend over to put on my shoes so HOW IN THE WORLD was I going to do squats or the like for 45 minutes?  UMMM, well, I’m in the game to do my best so here we go.  My BB (bloggy bestie) from Healthy Strides arrived and the laughter began!!!  That helps you know – laughing and having fun with friends while SWEAT.IS.DRIPPING.ON.THE.FLOOR & curse words are FLYING.OUT.OF.MY.MOUTH!!!

Unlike Monday’s class which was broken into 3 segments and done as a large class, tonight’s class featured 1 full class segment and then 2 circuits with 4 stations each. 

Circuit #1 involved (these are my words – no idea what they are really called . . .will have to check with my BB for that):  shuffle squats (reminded me A LOT of horrible middle school basketball drills – blech!), reverse sit ups on a ball (easiest thing I’ve done so far in class – woo!), mountain climbers (who dreamed up this nightmare?), and push ups on a wobble board (yes, that’s what the cool kids are calling it so get with it). 

Circuit #2 also had 4 stations:  side sit ups working the tris, planks with our feet on a towel sliding them out to the side (NO idea what that’s called), oh heck I think I’ve really messed up which torture techniques were done during which circuit but you’re not really going to be too upset are you???  There was a crazy medicine ball exercise where I passed it to a partner (boo – not my BB) in a cherrypicker kind of move (Cherry pickers was an army word – no idea if it translates to a similar civilian maneuver), and then some obligue sit ups that I think were called German something (soooo sorry!).

The bottom line – my BB said it was harder tonight than Monday, but I didn’t think so.  She did some extra reps and pushed herself super hard (with energy to get her club dance on with the jamz in between circuits). She’s hardcore and just.so.awesome so I’d expect nothin’ less!!!  Me?  Well, I’m proud of the work I did and the effort I gave.  I’m super excited that I’m actually doing this class! 

Can I tell you all something?  It’s embarrassing, but no one who has read my blog will be surprised.  I hurt my elbow. . . at the very beginning of Monday’s class . . . doing the 2nd push up . . . that I thought in my head would be easier than it was . . . O.U.C.H!  Oh well, ice and ibuprofen and will rest it in 2 weeks AFTER the last boot camp class.  I haven’t told anyone (except my BB at the end of class tonight because it was hurting sooooo badly I couldn’t straighten my arm to hug her goodbye) . . . well, and now you all know too (shhh, don’t tell anyone else, alright!). 

What workout do you do that kicks your butt but that you know is helping you be a fitter, stronger, and healthier person?

Chapter 2 page 488–Happy Birthday MOA!

Just wanted to give a shout out to my Missouri friend Allie (a.k.a. MOA).  Happy Birthday girl –hope this is the best one ever!!!!!

Chapter 2 page 490–DOMS: Day 1 after Boot Camp Session 1

Ohhh my goodness!!  Monday night was the first session of a 3 week Boot Camp class (see Kimberly’s recap for more info about what occurred during the class).  Tuesday was one of the MOST painful days I’ve ever had . . .

Walking – Outrageously painful with a tremendously noticeable limp!!!  So noticeable that a doctor passed me in the hall and saw me take 2 steps and said “Oh Wells are you limping?  Are you alright?”  Ummmm, yes sir I’m fine – just a new exercise class.  He was very proud of me . . . as I am of myself!  Though walking to the mail room, I sure felt like I was a stuffed animal who couldn’t bend my legs.

Bending over to pick up something (can I just say I rarely drop things on the floor but today – today I had to bend over to pick up what felt like a million things) – who knew hamstrings could be so tight and sore?  Seriously – did you know those things could hurt so much that bending over was a killer!!!! 

Squatting to sit or stand – Definitely makes me scream out in pain – I’ve never wanted to not move so much in my life!!!  (I know I know – I have to keep moving, but 2 inches into the squat feels like my quads are going to snap!)

Reaching – for the first 5 straight hours of my job today, guess what I did . . . reached for a paper that was 3’ to my right and handed it to people 3’ on my left . . . that upper oblique (that’s what I’m calling it – it’s the muscle just under your arm pit on the side where your bra is) was impossibly sore!  How does that muscle hurt?

So . . . all in all, I’m REALLY sore and cannot imagine doing even one squat tomorrow in class, but I’m going.  The soreness is outrageous, but it’s a good hurt.  It means I’m challenging my body (in ways that it hates me for) and becoming stronger, fitter, and healthier!!! 

Stay tuned to see how things go during tomorrow’s class – OUCH! 

p.s. I’m watching the BL marathon – anyone else think that is a PAINFULLY boring course? OMG nothing to look out, no shade – dude, boring!!!!

Chapter 2 page 487–Monterey Moments

I like to have fun – I work hard at my job, but enjoy playing around after hours.  While we were in Monterey, there was no shortage of me acting a fool .  . . see for yourself!

Do you cheese it up or play it straight?  Obviously, you can see my answer