Over 1/2 done with our session...

Wow...I think we should call this a conditioning camp session. Roy seems to keep us really moving, running, jump roping, running some more, overhead presses with weights, also with TRX bands. Always something new. He also seems concerned that we are using our core and strengthening our core. I seem to end up sweating every day. Although it's still hard to get out of bed in the morning so early. I never regret that I was there once the work out is over. In fact sometimes the hour goes by so fast we feel like we still want more. Got to say though...working out with music is much better than listening to everyone's joints cracking and Roy's joke cracking.

Jessy started a training for her first 5K blog. She has included some info on how to tie your running shoes. I always thought it was weird that since I tied them in the dark, once my feet/ankles warmed up, it always seemed like I needed to tighten my laces. Of course I never wanted to stop at the beginning of my run nor at the base of the hill to tighten them, but the whole time I'm jogging I wished I had. Check out her Random Facts blog for the details: http://jessysrandomfacts.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-tie-your-running-shoes.html

You're killing us Roy....

Ok, you know we can handle it. But on a Monday morning -- two sets of Indian runs as well as the full parking lot and those burpee things and the half-knee squat with weights! Don't forget some jump roping in the middle of it all. I guess we are working on extra conditioning and I definitely need to work on my speed.

We are also all concerned with summer vacations coming up, how not to lose any conditioning or fitness when we can't be at boot camp every single morning.

It is so much fun having Jessy with us every morning. I can't wait until she can run again (although, then she will be passing me).

First one around the parking lot!

That was really nice of Roy to have all the fast runners stay home today. He kind of tricked us saying just go around the round-a-bout and back. I think he knows I'm use to do long distance riding and depending on the length will determine my pace, so I ran a bit faster than I normally do because I thought it was a shorter distance. But then he fooled us into a full parking lot run. Well with the girls taking a tapering day off for the mud run, Beca still not back at camp and Marta still overseas... guess who made the lap first! Actually once I was into a faster pace and after the success of a full hill jog yesterday, I just kept it up.

It's been a tough week, I'm a bit concerned about the new girls, but they seem to be keeping a good attitude and aren't giving up. I also know how much faster I could be and how much easier the hill would be (darn gravity) if I could get more weight off. At least we haven't done pull-ups or burpees yet.

And...... the Barb is back. Somehow, there are new campers that have been able to do the sarcastic comments for Roy. So although we missed her, she knows that her spirit will live on and we will make sure that Roy doesn't get away with too much.

I crushed the hill today!

I was inspired by last boot campmates, Kellen and Sabina. At the last hill day of the last camp session, Kellen and Sabina slowly ran to the top of the hill together without walking. At the top they had huge smiles and did a double high-five. If they can do it after one camp, then I thought I should be able to as well since I'm in my fourth session. I'm sure I could have walked it faster, but I just kept moving in a jog and made it all the way to the top without stopping or walking.

This morning there was a lot more cardio before our first attack on the hill. Roy had us doing relay style races around the small parking lot carrying a weight above our heads. I thought he wouldn't notice on the back side of the bushes, but he is like a teacher with eyes everywhere. I was just trying to reserve some energy for the "hill".

I was so surprised for a first week of camp that he had us do the hill again. For the 2nd run of the hill this morning, I just couldn't "crush it" again. But there is always next week.

Yes! We did miss boot camp...

Or maybe it was Roy? Or maybe it was the camaraderie of the group. It does feel good to be "at it" again. It's kind of weird because although we drive to camp in the dark, within minutes of arriving it is already light out.

This morning we had a handful of new girls. Kind of fun to see them a little nervous not sure what to expect. Roy however has a way of getting everyone comfortable yet still ensuring that everyone is challenged.

Today when we ran the parking lot, I tried to go a little bit faster. Usually I guard my pace because I want to ensure that I run the whole thing and not stop and walk. But then, I'm always the last one back and everyone seems to pass me. Today however I was only passed by about 4 girls and definitely made better time. (Jessy didn't have to tell me that many of the girls had to stop and walk. I guess my glory will be short lived as they find out they can probably run the whole thing too).

On Saturday's 18 mile ride with my husband, I did feel much stronger and the little rises seemed like nothing. I could keep my pace and easily accelerate after stops. If I can only break my sit bones back in, it would be no problem to go for a 50 miler (mostly flat).

Happy Birthday Cyndi!

Cyndi chose to spend her birthday morning getting up early and working out with us. Today we did the "hill" twice plus some partner medicine balls and runs around the small parking lot. I saw three bunnies surprising one in the bushes. Still no snakes, Barb. This week I have been really sweating. My husband says that is good because it means I am burning calories. Jessy is going to be able to join us in Aliso Veijo for camp this month. We are missing Barb, but her spirit remains.
I'm not losing tons of weight, but my pants definitely fit better and the scale slowly shows improvement week by week. Next week it's back to 5 days per week. We've so enjoyed some time off of the early morning.s