No Runners High Yet......but

I love exercising outside and I love exercising with my husband. One of the things I always didn't like about the "Biggest Looser" program was that the exercising did not seem fun.  The trainers seem to really make it hard and although I can see having the determination to to finish the program, I don't see why anyone would love to do it and want to do it on their own.  It looks hard and miserable.   

So if I can find a program that I make time to do and show up every time, I think it's defiitely more doable.

Tuesday and Thursday nights this week we were treated to the most awesome the sunsets at Huntington Beach while running along the beach path.  Then this morning we met at Edison Community Park  and ran to the beach and had the best sunrise.   Can it get much better than that? 

We are doing 2-3's which is 3 minutes of walking and 2 minutes of running for 35 minutes.   It seems so easy.  I love being outside to exercise and being with Steve.  He is not having any of the initial running issues (calf and shin pain) he was having before.   We do a warm up before and stretching after.  

This morning Daytona came with us.  She also loved being outside and included.  She even can hear our watches when they beep, so she knows when it's time to run versus walk.  The only thing is she wants to be with both Steve and I and although we walk together, with Steve's long legs he ends up striding away from me during the run portions of our intervals. So when Steve had her she dragged wanting to be back with me.  When I had her she towed me like she was a sled dog.

After our run we had a yoga clinic to learn some additional stretches.   Looking forward to the next workout.

All Tracks are NOT 1/4 mile!

Well, I'm in Minnesota for work again.  One of the reasons Steve and I decided to start running for fitness was because of the travel we are doing and it's not easy to continue cycling.  October in Minnesota is a lot colder than October in California for sure.   The days are in the 40's and last night as I drove late into my hotel, there were snow flurries.   From my last trip two weeks again trying to run early in the morning I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep up with my exercise plan because it was soooo cold.  I had resigned myself to having to run on the treadmill in the hotel fitness room. 

My 1/2 marathon training book said that treadmills aren't really that accurate and one of the things I love about exercising is that I can be outside.   Plus the fitness room is so small and when someone else is in there I'm a little bit self conscious.  So I did a little research and found out that Minnesotans not only have remote starters for their cars because of the cold, but they have indoor running/walking tracks.   I found one very close to my hotel that opens at 5:45 a.m. and closes at 9:45 p.m.  No excuse to not be able to continue training.   The single visit fee is $2.00 and you can get a 5 day pass for $5.00.  Although it is indoors it's a very large area and you kind of feel like you are outside.

Well assuming that the track was 1/4 mile I did what I thought was a 3 mile run/walk.   When I was beginning my post run stretch, I saw a sign that said, "11 laps = 1 mile."  What?  The track looked as long as the one on the Alaskan cruise ships which 6 laps= 1 mile - course maybe my memory is failing me.   So I went back out and did another 12 laps.   I was wondering why I wasn't as sweaty, just assuming it was because I was in an air conditioned or climate controlled environment.

The weird observations coming from a California fitness person, was there was a coat rack to drop your jacket off when I came in.  Then after my second set of 12 laps, I was a little more sweaty, it was hard to think about putting a jacket back on to go outside.  It was very windy and cold though, so I'm glad I did.

When running outside I use my Garmin 405 which keeps track of interval running and distance.  I thought the indoor track would be easier, but it was amazing how easy it was to lose count of tracks.  Everyone else seemed to have headphones and ipods.  Maybe they know with their play lists how much walking/running to do.  One older man was walking with a heavy pack on his back.  I wanted to stop and ask him what kind of large hike or summit climb he was training for.

Tomorrow is a strength and stretch day.  Let's see if I can get up early Friday morning to try the track again.

Running can be fun when you are with your honey

Like training for the Amtrak, I'm enjoying this season of fitness because my husband, Steve is running with me.   Although we are still arguing (ok discussing) our training plan we have joined a running class with Snail's Pace academy.  http://www.runasnailspace.com/training/ We meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6 pm by the HB pier and Saturday mornings at 7 a.m.   The coach is great and there seems like we will get a lot of information.  This class is meant to train people for a 5 K in 12 weeks, yet we need to be ready for our 1/2 marathon in February.  

I was encouraged that the coach and the 1/2 marathon training book I'm reading says you shouldn't plan to run every day.  Your body needs a day off in between to prevent injuries and for proper recovery.  We do need to do either cross training or strength and stretch on the opposite days.   Also the new way for increasing endurance is to put walk rests at intervals in your run.   It provides recovery during the run.

On Saturday, since Steve and I were camping with the Travel Bee's at Newport Dunes, we did our own run before breakfast.  We got a total of 5 miles in and started with 2/2 intervals (2 minute walk/2  minute run) after our walking warm-up and at the end of the 5 miles we were able to do 2/4 intervals (2 minute walk and 4 minute run).  It was the first time Steve's calves didn't hurt after running.  We definitely felt like we had a workout, but it was doable.

Steve's jog is a bit faster than mine because he has longer stride (and longer legs) but I just ran the interval a little bit longer in order to catch up to him during the walking portions so we could talk.  Even though we are training together, I don't think we will be running the 1/2 marathon together because we will each need to go at our own pace.

My new book says your first 1/2 marathon should have a time goal.  The goal should simply be to finish upright, with a smile on your face, and wanting to do it again!  

Here we go, week 3 of training, here we come.

...but I'm not a runner

Jessy said, "Mom, let's do the Surf City 1/2 Marathon in February. http://www.runsurfcity.com/Half-Marathon-s/23.htm They have cool surfboard medals!" 

Hmmm Steve and I recently completed another Amtrak and although I've been working a lot of hours and traveling again, I've not been doing every day boot camps.  One thing, at least when I travel, even though I can't bring/ride my bike, I can run.

Steve and Jessy devised a training plan.  On Saturday we did 3 miles of 2 minute intervals.  Sunday we took a day of rest and Monday we ran 1 mile straight.   Sunday night Paul encouraged us to sign up before they ran out of space.  I didn't understand why we needed an estimated completion time and I just picked a time out of the hat.  Now I realized that is the pace group they will put us in.   I think I can do it in a lot less time that I estimated. 

Now on to the training.

Colorado Springs - have to be outside

This week, I went to the Broadmoor Hotel Resort http://www.broadmoor.com/colorado-springs-resort.php, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.   Almost the full day was filled with meetings and meals, so there wasn't much time to enjoy this beautiful resort.  I did set my alarm and asked for a wake up call at 5:30 am, each morning so I could get my exercise in. 

Steve and I are signed up for the Amtrak in September again and we need to get the riding in.  I was concerned about having a whole week off the bike.

The resort had a lake with a walkway around it which was about .6 of a mile.   I jogged it on Tuesday  morning twice and my friend Beth joined me for a 2 miles walk on Wednesday morning on the back side of the resort.   The resort was at 6,000 feet and I didn't really feel the difference until I tried to jogged.

On Thursday morning since we didn't have meetings and my flight was leaving mid day, I signed up for 50 minute spin class.  I was the only one in the class, which meant I couldn't just sand bag because the instructor was watching me the whole time.   I did get 11 miles in and my face was red for several hours.

I'm back home for a week before another trip to Minnesota.  Hopefully tomorrow and Saturday we can get in some rides and get on with our training.

Let's go bike riding!

Well, Steve and I have signed up for the Amtrak century again in September.  I guess we better get some riding in.  I've been traveling so much for work, that when I'm home, it just feels so nice to sleep in a little.  But....I guess it's time. 

This morning we did our 14 mile Huntington Beach loop.  Not bad mostly 14 - 17 miles per hour.  My heart rate seemed a little up, so I'm afraid I may have lost a little conditioning.  It was nice to be back on the bike though.  This year for training we need to get some hills in before the century.   It's only a little more than 2 months.

After coming back from vacation in Kauai, on a morning jog though the neighborhood I had tripped on a raised sidewalk and banged up my knee and thumb.  I didn't realize I also had sprained my left wrist. It seem to be healing, but when I tried lifting my carry-on suit case on a work trip to Minnesota, I noticed it getting sore again.  We went to the doctor for an xray.  It's not broken, but I'm in a wrist brace, taking Naproxen and the doc wants me to do physical therapy.  Who has time for physical therapy? 

What concerned me the most was being able to lean on my hands on the handlebars of my bike.  The brace was annoying this morning, but at least it didn't hurt.  OK, many miles to go.

Finding time to exercise

After coming back from an active vacation on Kauai and then doing lots of walking over a New York long weekend, I have found it hard to fit in my regular exercise.   I went on back to back trips to Minnesota for work.  The first week my sister had to travel there for work as well so we stayed at the same hotel and got up every morning for a 1.6 mile walk.  The next week we had lots of rain so I was stuck in the hotel gym on the stationery bike.  I'm miserable when I have to workout inside.

The last week of June we joined our friends, the Chastelers for a trip to the California Wine country staying in the little town of Windsor.   My wonderful husband got up with me each morning and we did jog/walk intervals for 3 miles alternating with 2 days of swimming laps in the pool.   Felt good to stay active although I'm missing my strength training and loosing my core work. 

One day we canoed the Russian River 10 miles.  More of a float trip, but at least we were outside.  Then the next did a short 2 mile walk/hike in the Armstrong Redwood State Reserve.   I still don't think my working out is more than the great meals we are eating.  But at least I can still jog for a full mile.  It's not like starting at square one again.

When we get back, it's back on the bike as we have both signed up for the Amtrak again and it's time to start training to get in shape for the 100 mile ride the 2nd week of September.

Staying active in New York

The first weekend in June, Jessy, my sister-in-law Cyndi and friend Maleia did the big Apple. We enjoyed good food, drinks and fellowship, but we stayed active.  We walked many many blocks.  On Sunday Morning we got up early to beat the heat so we could jog the Brooklyn Bridge.  What a view, we could really see the city waking up and getting ready for the day as we jogged along.  It's about a 1 mile crossing.  After a yummy breakfast at a local bagelry referred by a local dad playing with his daughter in the park, we rented bikes and road Central Park.  Definitely the way to see most of Central Park. Total riding mileage was over 7 miles. 

Hiking the Kalalau Trail - Na Pali Coast

For our biggest hike we planned and did the Na Pali Coast, Kalalau Trail.  On a previous trip, we had done a hike with the girls to Hanakapi'ai Beach which is about 2 miles each way.  This time we decided we would like to hike as far as we could without a permit.  After hitting the beach, we headed inland on a tougher trail which was covered in jungle.  The way was tough and you could tell the average tourist didn't normally try this route.  We had to cross the stream 4 times, I gave up on the boulder hopping and after just about falling flat on my backside into the stream decided to slosh across walking in the shallows.

We did meet quite a few people on this trail unlike our one earlier in the week doing the Power Line.   Mostly couples and no children.  There was a all sorts of terrain, from red clay, to rocks to roots, to lava rock, to crumbling dirt.  We climbed up hill for 2 miles and were rewarded with an air conditioned (the breeze from the falls hitting the pool was a natural cooler) view of Hanakapi'ai Falls which fed the stream.   Very pretty.  It was like we hiked through Jurassic park to get there.

After a leisurely lunch we retraced our steps.   Although we had waited an extra day for our boots and the trail to dry, it started to rain on our way back.   The trail back from the falls was OK, but back from the beach to the trail head was very muddy and very slippery.   It was a lot slower going back.

This gave us a total of 8.5 miles for the day.   Our legs were sore, but it was fun - another day on Kauai, going somewhere we had never been before.

Kayaking the Hanalei

So my lovely trainer mentioned that getting in and out of the hammock does not count as exercise (course she has not seen my husband get in and out).  In keeping with our active vacation yesterday we kayaked the Hanalei river.  On past trips we have paddled the Wailua which includes a short hike to a water fall, but found that to be very touristy and too many people.  This trip took us up into the state ecological reserve. 

We could paddle as far inland until it was too shallow to paddle.  Steve even got out and walked over a couple of shallow areas to go even further.   Paddling up river was a workout as we had to constantly paddle against the strong current and winds.   We were rewarded with lots of birds, wild bamboo, growing bananas and turtles.   Yes, Steve, turtles count as wildlife.  All sizes and many of them sunning themselves on logs and branches floating in the water.

Then we paddle back downstream and out into Hanalei Bay.  Because the surf was flat, there not very many people at the beach.  We were able to find a secluded beach around the corner from the new St. Regis (formerly the Princeville Hotel) to have a leisurely lunch.   Then we went back out into the salt water and enjoyed the rolling waves and attempted to kayak surf the breakers.    What fun with such a buoyant kayak.

I was very sad to paddle back and give up my boat.   With the rolling waves I thought it was as nice as my hammock.  

When we got back we did the "map my kayak (run)" and figured we got a total of about 6 miles of paddling in.

Hiking in Hawaii

Those of you that know me, know that I would much more prefer to be outside then inside.  Exercising in a gym just doesn't do it for me.  So what a better place to be exercising than on the island of Kauai.   Steve and I decided it was time for a trip while children were all in school.   We spent the 1st  three days on the west side of the island at the Waimea Plantation Cottages.   These were original cottages used by the sugar cane workers.  They restored them with the original wooden floors, new paint, found vintage porcelain fixtures and island furniture.   

As we have been to Kauai many times over the last 14 years, we haven't spent much time on this side of the island except for a trip to Waimea canyon and Polehale Beach at the end of the road.   This time we planned for some hiking.   On our 2nd day here we did the Alakai Swamp.  We did about 6 miles because we didn't have enough food (hadn't gone grocery shopping yet).    There were miles and miles of board walk and gorgeous views of the Na Pali Coast as well as the canyon.    On our 3rd day we hike from the end of Polehale Beach, rock scrambling to a private cove for a picnic lunch.  This was only about 2 miles but the rock scrambling was tough and the warm air kept us sweating. 

Day 4 meant time to leave our lovely cottage and head up to the North side of the island where we normally stay.  We did a two mile walk run on the black sand beach before hoping in the car for a driving tour by all the old sugar cane factories.

My frist 5K!

On Saturday, Steve, Jessy, Jake and I did the Orange County ECO mud run.  It was a fun 5 K with muddy obstacles along the way.  I planned to pace myself because I wanted to run the whole 3.1 miles.   But I also knew that Steve would want me to run with him.  So I kept and eye on him and slowed down when I thought he needed me to.  I know that I could have pushed a little harder because I don't think my heart rate went up very high and my recovery seemed like nothing.  

Jessy made us matching shirts and we got a lot of comments on them.  Thanks to Brittany for the idea.

At each of the obstacles we had to slow down a bit and almost stop.  I really didn't want to get mud in my face, ears, mouth or eyes.   Jessy crawled through every one and Jake actually rolled around in the last one.   Jessy ended up with very abraised knees that will take a little while to heal.  I walked through the obstacles or went around.

Everyone was dressed in costume and having a lot of fun.  There were very few of us taking it seriously.  About half way through were some inner tubes we were suppose to hop through.  I did hop and came down very hard on my right foot.  I could feel my plantar fasciitis stretch and crack.  I was very disappointed because it was just a little sore after I had warmed it up.  I was in a lot of pain.  Steve said I should just walk but it felt better to jog.  I think because I was running more on my toes then using the heel.  

I only stopped where needed because of the crowds at the obstacles and then would grab water at the water stations, but other than that I kept jogging the whole 3.1 miles.    I think at the pace I was doing I could have done a 10K.  My finish time was 42:40, better than I though it would be, but I know I could do even better.

Weekend workouts are best outdoors...

This last weekend Steve and I did a 17 mile bike ride on Saturday and Cyndi and I bagged another Orange County Peak on Sunday.  What we thought would be a little over 6 mile hike ended up 10 miles as we decided to make the trip all the way up to Sitton Peak.  It was well worth the trek and we have another peak completed on our list.  Top elevation was about 3200 feet.  The last 1/4 mile was 300 feet of elevation gain but provided us with a 360 degree view of the So Cal area - Ontario to Orange County.

This week work took me to Baltimore, Maryland.  The hotel did not have a gym but with the room key we were allowed access to Bally Fitness.  I did pack workout clothes but wasn't sure I would be able to do any true workouts with the time change.  But the first day I put in a one mile run around the Maryland DMV campus next door to our hotel.  As I am still nursing a sore heel and walked in heels on Tuesday, on Wednesday I headed to Ballys for cardio on a stationery bike and some assisted pull-ups.  Tomorrow is an early morning flight, but I'll try to get my ab work in.


Saturday is the mud run...not looking foward to getting dirty.

Rita is back and raring to go...

Sounds like over her Easter vacation she only got one run in, so she decided we need to kick it up a notch. Lots of cardio and different moves. On Wednesday we did reverse suicides. This is a modification of interval training. Cones are placed along the parking lot going up hill. You run as hard as you can to the farthest cone, then jog back to the start. Then you run hard to the 2nd cone and back and so on. In between sets we would work on other strength areas with the bands.

On Friday we did speed training with parachutes. You place the parachute strap around your waist and run up the hill as fast you can trying to "inflate" the parachute. Then an easy jog back and do it again. We did a circuit with different stations including throwing a bag of weights up the hill, one-legged squats and rope wiggling including squats.

Cyndi wore her garmin on Wednesday and Friday and we seem to get in a total of 1.5 to 2 miles with each morning work our.

Next Saturday is the mud run. I really am not looking forward to getting muddy and definitely not looking forward to getting mud in my ears, nose, mouth or eyes. I know with Steve and Jessy there they will make sure I don't get away clean. My plantar fasciitis is flaring up again. I am a bit concerned, but as long as it warms up I should be OK.

Today Steve and I went for a 17 plus mile bike ride our normal beach route. It felt good to be back on the bike. Funny though, I kept thinking we had a head wind, but then realized going 15 miles an hour when you are use to running at about 4.5 miles per hour would seem like a head wind. I just don't remember that from before. It was a good workout and being fitter, my heart rate came down very fast when we stopped at lights and at the end of the ride.

Going to Baltimore this week for work. Let's see if I can fit in some workouts, but I'm not sure the early morning thing is going to work for me because of the time difference. I have to keep making good food choices.

Cardio in the Snow

Today Steve and I rented snowshoes and went to the closed area over by Baby Thunder lift.   We saw lots of animal tracks and lots of untouched snow to play around in.  Within 10 steps, we stripped off our sweatshirts and tied them around our waists.  We took off our gloves.  It was great getting a workout and having the whole area to ourselves.   Just wish we had brought a picnic lunch but was glad we brought water for drinking.

Snowshoeing is suppose to burn over 500 calories per hour.  We found that uphill is very tough, expecially with the deep snow.  We were out over 3 hours.  I was very sad to take my snowshoes back to the rental place.

Videos of workouts in Snowbird Utah

Snowed In!

No skiing for exercise today. Within the last 48 hours we have had 35 inches of snow. The lifts are not working and they have restricted travel. Most of the workers were stuck up here for the night.

I certainly don't want to take a week off of training. I have still been doing my push ups and crunches every morning, although I still don't do the best push ups and I can't seem to do the triceps ones. But I'll keep practicing. Most of you know how much I really dislike working out in a gym, which is why I chose an outdoor boot camp.


The resort here does have a small gym with a fairly comprehensive weight machine, a treadmill, a stationery bike, an elliptical, a stair climber and a cross ramp (older version of an elliptical.) http://www.ellipticaltrainers.com/brands/precor_elliptical.htm

My father-in-law suggested the cross ramp. Steve wanted to get in a little weight work, so I thought I'd try it. I did a mile and 1/4 with an incline. It wasn't so bad. Then we decided to do the floors. There are 11 floors and walking/running each floor would give us a total of about 1/2 mile.

I brought my bands and did monster walks one floor, ran a flight of stairs, jog the next floor, flight of stairs, then side swipe the next, then jog, then walking lunches, then jog, then sumo squats plus grape vines. Then we finished with running the 10 flights of stairs together in one well.

Snow and more Snow

This is a week off of boot camp. Rita's children have Easter break as well as many of the other campers.  Steve and I are up at Snowbird, Utah for some spring skiing.   Being more fit has definitely made it easier on the mountain.  We went out yesterday and the snow was perfect (10 inches the night before) and there were no lines at any of the lifts.   

At the beginning of the day while I was still warming up, Steve would be waiting for me, but after a couple of runs, I had to wait for him.  He even waited out a few runs.

Before I got dressed in the layers of warm clothing, I did do my crunches and push ups in the room.  I just don't want to loose that conditioning when we go back to boot camp next week.   So far we have taken the stairs up and down unless we had our ski boots on.  I'm a little concerned about keeping up with the cardio, but it's still early in the week.

We are really training now.

Today was that last week day of Jessy's Easter break. We didn't do boxing, but we did a fun new partners exercise Rita use to call Rifle Drills. I don't have a photo, but will try to describe. You and a partner hold a broom stick (the kind that screws into a broom head) above your head lined up with the first set of cones. The bar has 4 disc type cones on it. Together with your partner you do leg only jumping jacks 5 times and then one of the partners takes a disc off the bar, squats and sets the disc on top of the cone on the ground. Then you run to the next set of cones and repeat. All the way through 4 sets of cones and back to the start picking up the discs, on the way back.

The winner of each group gets to sit out or do a lesser rep of the consequence for not being first. And last place has to do double. Once it was push ups, then inch worms, then burpees, then triceps push ups.

We kept moving the whole time. One partner would move down the line until you were matched up with 1/2 of the group. Quite the cardio work out. Cyndi, even with a bum ankle with her competitive spirit was 1st place at least 4 times. I really think those long legs have something to do with it.

So Rita is training us for real military work out. She shared with me the plans for the coming weeks so we will really be ready.


Hmmmm... I think we should definitely be ready for the mud run by the time we conquer these.

Get along little doggies

Yay!  Jessy is off for Easter break and will join us this week for boot camp.  She had a great introduction as today we once again did our "Get Along Little Doggies" exercise.  This really builds strength and is suppose to build speed.  In this movement, one partner holds the resistance band and the other runs as hard as they can up the hill.  It looks easy, but it really is exhausting.

We missed Cyndi who was still vacationing and allowing her ankle to continue to heal.  But our friend Peggy is back. 

Lots of lunges and more traveling sumo squats.   Rita always keeps it mixed up and keeps us guessing.   

Since we had tested last Friday we also all moved up to the next color and I made 81% for my age group.  I'll keep testing though because I should be able to improve on my speed. 

Timed Mile Time

I knew I should have updated my blog last night. This morning while doing dishes I sliced the end off my finger and now with a big bandage on it, I am not typing well. I really feel bad for Cyndi, though. On the way to boot camp in the morning her foot landed off the sidewalk in a hole in the grass and she twisted her ankle. Although she was sore, she still managed to pull a great 1 mile time about 9:15 but she was also planning to get on a plane for a weekend in the wine country in Sonoma.


I can't believe it's already been 4 weeks! Time really flies when working out is fun. Yes it's very challenging but it's still fun (well, except for maybe the ab work..not sure about that.) Rita has continued to keep it varied and we use all of our muscle groups and she makes sure we incorporate cardio, strength and flexibility training.

Although my cardio is much better I know that my mile time should be much better. I am pleased to be below a 10 minute mile, but Cyndi actually can power walk faster than I can run. As I did a little research for average mile times by age, I did see that percentage of body weight is also going to make a difference. I think I have the endurance to keep going even further than a mile, but I need to refocus on my eating and start loosing some weight again. Carrying less weight should easily decrease my time.

Oh No! The Hill.....

Cyndi and I weren't too sure what we were getting into when we donned the weighted vests and Rita explained to "take everything with you" as we wouldn't be returning to the school site. We were headed to the hill.

After our normal work out (with the weighted vests), we started with walking lunges up a short hill then another short jog to the hill. I didn't have my garmin so I couldn't really figure the distance and grade but I would think it was about 1/8th of a mile and got as steep as a 14% grade. I'll have to check it next time.

We walked it up and down hard and then did a jog at 70% effort. That's when I learned I may have been running wrong all this time as Rita suggested that I don't cross my arms in front of my body but pump them from forward to back on the sides. In between up and down trips alternating backward walking and quicker running we did push ups on the wall.

It was about our third trip up that I decided I was definitely going to take Tuesday off from working out. This morning was my 4th day in a row. Friday was normal boot camp, Saturday was a 3 mile jog with Jessy for her birthday on the Bolsa's trail and Sunday was a 4.4 mile hike up vista trail in O'Neil park.

We ended with over 100 crunches and our normal cool down stretch. Boy it felt light to peel off the weighted vest. I realized that with the weight I had lost over the last year, it really wasn't good to be putting that kind of stressed on the body all the time.

As the day wore on while sitting at my desk, my muscles began to tighten and I would get sorer and sorer. Just glad my girls aren't around to laugh at me as I groan.

Tomorrow, I think I'll sleep in a little so I can rest up for Wild Wednesday.

It's never boring!

Note to self: workout near Cyndi or Julie to avoid mosquito attacks.

Wow, it's really dark when we start now which makes the jog to the school along the sidewalk a little scary. It's hard to remember where the dip for the driveway is and you can't see any debris in the way.

By the time the sun comes up the mosquitoes decide it's breakfast time. I don't know why we look like such a tasty meal to them.

On Wednesday, Rita has has hopping, literally. We did a great circuit with a full agility ladder, plenty of quad and legwork, triceps, biceps.... a full workout!

One of the things I like most about boot camp is that we are never really watching the clock. We aren't usually thinking "When will this be over" (OK, maybe when we are doing the jillions and jillions of crunches). The time goes by so quickly and then we are able to start our day.

I wonder what Rita has in store for us for "Fun" Friday?

over & unders, walking lunges, wall sits...oh my....

Who would have thought we would miss the ab workout? How did Rita know I will be going skiing over Easter break in a couple of weeks. Seems like she was trying to get our quads ski worthy all in one morning workout.

I travelled to Minnesota last week and with good intention packed my work out clothes, but with the stress of long days of work, the time difference and the weather, my running shoes did not even make it out of my suitcase. Although I always took the stairs and never did the elevator, I felt very guilty and added to it with stress eating.

It felt so good to be back at a normal morning workout this morning. What fun Rita had in store for us. We wall sat for quite a while and then added some variations with one leg and then the other. Throw in some walking lunges (uphill) and the quads really start to burn.

We did one partner exercise called over and unders. One partner makes a bridge and the other crawls under. Then the partner goes into a modified push-up and the partner jumps over with two feet. I was so afraid I might accidentally stomp on Julie. She was such a good sport. We also did some "peek a boos" with the fence post. We kind of felt like cuckoo clocks.

We started in the dark due to the time change, but it was great to be outside and moving and sweating again.

Fun Friday!

Let's put on a 20 pound vest and do some Indian runs! I promise I didn't tell her Julie. Besides my daughter told me about the Indian runs they did for High School PE, where it wasn't just running to the front, but off the front and all they way around to lap the squad.

Today was a fun Friday. Lots of lunges and squats, then push ups and abs. What in the heck are Comanche's anyway.

Oh well I guess I better get in some cardio if I'm going to be in shape for the mud run.

Work is so stressful right now, but I'm never tempted to miss a workout. I need it to get my mind off of the pressures of the day. I wish it was 5 days a week again.

What happens when you knock over the cone?

10 push ups! yep.... Got to learn all the new rules.
This week I also learned there are valid excuses for missing boot camp.

1. Blisters (but I think it's only on certain parts of the body...not sure I got that one)

2. Work (Oh my she needed to be there by 10:00 a.m.)

3. Contagious illness

4. On travel for work (me next week off to Minnesota again - ugh treadmill time)

It's a fun group. Last week we did some boxing. It's fun because you think you are playing but are really getting a work out. This week we did some TRX bands. Rita had enough for everyone. The movements didn't seem difficult but by Tuesday evening we could sure feel the results on the muscle groups we had exercised.

I've signed up for the mud run in April. It works out to be a 5K but I guess with stopping for obstacles should be doable. http://www.ecomudruntour.com/

2010 - new year, new boot camp, new trainer

Ok... I guess it's time to start updating the blog again. Although I'm guessing my followers have moved on.

Our trainer, Roy, made other commitments for the 2010 year so it was time to rethink the morning workouts. I was hoping to do it with my husband since that was probably the only thing I wasn't liking about doing the boot camp. I thought I would try one through the city rec department near home for the month of January and perhaps if my husband's shoulder injury got better he could join me in the 2nd month.

The boot camp was Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a park near my home. Only problem was by the time I got home, showered, dressed and got on the road, I hit the huge traffic mess going south and really struggled to make it to my office at a decent time.

The work outs were OK but the trainer wasn't Roy. I mean who wants to do jumping jacks for two minutes straight? It also wasn't the same camaraderie. I was the oldest in the group, the only one who had children and the heaviest. I was able to keep up and it definitely helped me stay fit.

For the month of January my weight didn't go down and my body fat stayed the same but I lost over 2 inches in my waist (thanks to the ab work) and improved my mile time by 30 seconds. I think it was a bit short of a mile (.98) and at least my favorite work out partner, my daughter, Jessy helped paced me on the final test, but I was excited to be under a 10 minutes.

By February, my husband hadn't been signed off by his physical therapist. I hesitated spending the money, but he told me that spending money on boot camp is worth every penny. I joined one back in Lake Forest, even closer to work with my sister-in-law, Cyndi. On the first day as I glanced at the liability release (forgot to read the part about "you may get hurt") I did noticed I had to initial that I had the support of my family.

My new trainer isn't Roy either, but Rita is very encouraging, fit, upbeat and she even does a lot of the workout with us. There are some women in the group who have been doing it for over a year. Rita is able to adjust the workouts to the ability of the camper and is always making sure that we have good form to prevent injury and to ensure we are getting the benefit of the exercise (unless she just wants to make sure we are sore for the next workout.) We get a warm up and a cool down. She even lets us talk a little bit. Roy wasn't too keen on the talking, I'm not sure if it's because he didn't understand women could multi-task or if he really thought it bothered the other women in the class.

So I'm off to a new year with a new group of campers continuing on my journey to get fit.