Hey girls – you are doing great!! I am thankful to Jane because I had been attending the 8 am session and have now migrated to the 6 am. She made me agree to that before she signed up. Once I realized Mitzi was on board, I knew I was a little off the hook for the 6 am but have enjoyed it anyway.
Girls – I LOVE your blog! There is one small thing. Methinks perhaps the best way to get your friends involved in TrainStrong is to tell them as little as possible. The details can be scary. I usually go with something like – “TrainStrong is a blast, you’ll love it. It will be fun to get fit together. You’ll love meeting all the new people and the camaraderie! It will be great.” If by chance, you are reading this blog, and I have said that to you about it, now, after reading Jane’s blog, you may realize that had I been in a court of law, I may have perjured myself. BUT, as the blog progresses, I assure you that Jane will attest that all of these things are indeed true.
The human irony – when we are out of shape, the thing we most need to do is get moving and do something like TrainStrong. Yet, it’s the last thing in the world we want to do – because we don’t possess the proverbial “eye of the tiger.” Irony is – this workout will give it to you and it will spill over into other parts of your life. Like much of life, there is some trust and a step of faith involved in pulling the trigger. Once we’ve made a decision, things typically begin to take shape. In this case, taking shape is literal, though painful. Janey – so glad you and Mitzi took the plunge. See you bright and early in the AM!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Bleacher Creatures and the Treadmill with Hills - Jane
Greetings, fans! :)
Sorry we were both out of pocket last week - as Mitzi said, we had camp coming out of our ears! I was banished from VBS (Vacation Bible School) because of my sudden eruption of fever blisters (which I still haven't determined if they were from stress, the amount of acid in my body because of all this exercise, or lack of sunscreen). So I managed to fill the days with lots of WORK (end of year review time), and sneaking in a last-minute dinner with David, Heather and Claire before their big move to Texas! But I digress.
Yesterday was a bleacher workout. We did EVERYTHING (including pushups) on the bleachers (except the Auburn something, which was basically sprinting around the track in between sets of running the bleachers). (Okay, I just had to remove my last comment - something about an ad for TrainStrong and bleachers!) And yes, it included more hopping. I realized during the workout that the step is probably only 14 inches, but by golly when you are trying to hop up the step and land on both feet, it feels like three feet! You wonder if you will slip, fall and ruin the thousands of dollars of dental work your parents paid for. I guess that is what motivates you to get your bum up the step!
Today was dubbed 'long run day', and we ran the famous (or infamous?) Cochise. For those of you unfamiliar with the Vinings area terrain, it is a LARGE HILL. Mind you, half the time I didn't see it because my head is down and all I can focus on is trying to breathe, and tell myself to ignore the signals my leg muscles are sending to my brain, and keep pushing my body out of the comfort zone. You know how after you run about a mile your oxygen/breathing equilibriates? So that NEVER happened. For just over 40 minutes. I would come down a hill, only to have the trainer tell me to go around them, and run back up. But I remember I'm paying them to do this, and I want my money's worth, so I do it. I haven't run that far (four miles? Maybe a little more?) since February. I'm sore all over, so it's hard to tell if my nagging injury is still there - see prior blog for 'orchestra' of pain.
Did I mention the odor that now pervades my car? Eau de locqeur reum - I got a good whiff of it this morning, as I had neglected to remove my workout clothes from the trunk. When I popped it open to grab my shoes - sort of the same reaction I had after eating those WOW potato chips (are those even still on the market?). I finally broke down and bought those sneaker balls to bring the stench of the shoes down a notch or two (and I think Sheila mentioned that she heard vinegar might do the trick?). I think I need to throw some in the trunk (sneaker balls, not vinegar).
And just like Mitzi, I want to do this again. Watch out. You can get hooked on this stuff!
Sorry we were both out of pocket last week - as Mitzi said, we had camp coming out of our ears! I was banished from VBS (Vacation Bible School) because of my sudden eruption of fever blisters (which I still haven't determined if they were from stress, the amount of acid in my body because of all this exercise, or lack of sunscreen). So I managed to fill the days with lots of WORK (end of year review time), and sneaking in a last-minute dinner with David, Heather and Claire before their big move to Texas! But I digress.
Yesterday was a bleacher workout. We did EVERYTHING (including pushups) on the bleachers (except the Auburn something, which was basically sprinting around the track in between sets of running the bleachers). (Okay, I just had to remove my last comment - something about an ad for TrainStrong and bleachers!) And yes, it included more hopping. I realized during the workout that the step is probably only 14 inches, but by golly when you are trying to hop up the step and land on both feet, it feels like three feet! You wonder if you will slip, fall and ruin the thousands of dollars of dental work your parents paid for. I guess that is what motivates you to get your bum up the step!
Today was dubbed 'long run day', and we ran the famous (or infamous?) Cochise. For those of you unfamiliar with the Vinings area terrain, it is a LARGE HILL. Mind you, half the time I didn't see it because my head is down and all I can focus on is trying to breathe, and tell myself to ignore the signals my leg muscles are sending to my brain, and keep pushing my body out of the comfort zone. You know how after you run about a mile your oxygen/breathing equilibriates? So that NEVER happened. For just over 40 minutes. I would come down a hill, only to have the trainer tell me to go around them, and run back up. But I remember I'm paying them to do this, and I want my money's worth, so I do it. I haven't run that far (four miles? Maybe a little more?) since February. I'm sore all over, so it's hard to tell if my nagging injury is still there - see prior blog for 'orchestra' of pain.
Did I mention the odor that now pervades my car? Eau de locqeur reum - I got a good whiff of it this morning, as I had neglected to remove my workout clothes from the trunk. When I popped it open to grab my shoes - sort of the same reaction I had after eating those WOW potato chips (are those even still on the market?). I finally broke down and bought those sneaker balls to bring the stench of the shoes down a notch or two (and I think Sheila mentioned that she heard vinegar might do the trick?). I think I need to throw some in the trunk (sneaker balls, not vinegar).
And just like Mitzi, I want to do this again. Watch out. You can get hooked on this stuff!
Monday, July 30, 2007
THE LAST WEEK...or IS IT?? - Mitzi
Man oh man oh man.....where on earth have I been?? It was all about Camp last week.....Boot Camp and Kids Camp (aka VBS at church)...camp camp camp. I think CAMP stand for Cram- As- Much- as- Possible into one week!! It was so much work but so much fun. Then this weekend I had a Triathlon in Appling GA at the Mistletoe State Park.
The night before the race I was pumped....I was stocked....I was focused.....
HAHAHA! So my focus looks a little differently! It's called "taking your mind off of things in the hotel room the night before and fun with the camera and friend". That's my girl Katy.....she so gangsta! hee hee!
Ok, so the Triathlon turned into a Duathlon due to the weather.....i was a little worried as my best event is the swim but my work withTrainStrong came through!!! I was stronger and faster, that's for sure! I'm not a big runner...but apparently I could be thanks to all the early morning workouts!
So, today we worked our legs....like my legs didn't get enough over the weekend....but they say it's the largest muscle so you have to work on them. We did what Stacy coins the "Bleacher Creature". As you can imagine....we did lots o stuff on the bleachers. Calf raises, stair runs, lunges, leaps, weeeeeeee!!! All good stuff! I really really really want to do this in August....actually I would love to be an instructor....wait, did I say that out loud??? Yep! I did! It's public! This has been so incredible.....I could wake up at 5:00am and work out hard the rest of my life!! Hmmm....maybe my swim cap was on a little too tight??
Monday, July 23, 2007
Out of the box - Jane
Spending my childhood years in sweet South Carolina has taken me to a new milestone - today I startled the trainers with my strength, agility and coordination for the crab walk :). We had at least five people not email in yesterday to say they couldn't make it, so we started our workout with 50 pushups (I think - I lost count. See prior blog where numbers are not my thing.) Superman returned, turbulence and all (again, see previous blog), and sprints were the exercise du jour. I was in the pit (again) for indulgences - this time, it was my friend Michelle's "I'm moving to the purple section of the weather map" party, what else was I to do? We had to send her off in southern style - no, we had BAKED fried chicken, it was the CHOCOLATE CAKE (and red wine) that tipped the scales so to speak! Okay, so one word about the pit - if no one is in the pit, the instructors have to go in! So far, that has only been one day in 10.
Pictures went up today. Be kind, the camera is not. Oh, and you can definitely tell that I 'list' to one side :) the leg length difference seems to be more pronounced as I get older, just another reason to keep at this!
More later -
Pictures went up today. Be kind, the camera is not. Oh, and you can definitely tell that I 'list' to one side :) the leg length difference seems to be more pronounced as I get older, just another reason to keep at this!
More later -
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Finding a muscle to work - Jane
Our bodies really are amazing machines. God's incredible engineering design, and how all the parts work together to support the whole never ceases to amaze me. This week, as my muscles settle in to the fact that what is being imposed on them is not going away (at least soon), they are beginning to get into a rhythm. Not that I am no longer sore - far from it - but they are as Sheila says 'getting on board with the program" :). Prior to TrainStrong, any slight strain of a muscle would be magnified by the fact that the others didn't hurt at all (because I wasn't exercising!), whereas now, any slight soreness is just part of a larger orchestra at play!
Abdomination was incredible - I learned that just having a flat stomach doesn't mean it is strong. Oh, far from it! At one point we were supposed to be doing row-boats (in the midst of the primavera of abdominal workouts, a veritable medley - this was one of about 10 that we were doing) when the instructor looked at me and said "Oh, sweetheart, you're having trouble! Let me come help you!" My rowboat looked more like someone had sprayed me with a large can of silly string, and I was trying to get out, arms and legs flailing, no rhythm whatsoever, not even my legs moving together! Sigh. One thing you must leave at home when you start TrainStrong is your pride.
Thursday was another big quad day, burpees showed up again (jump up high with arms oustretched above you, come down into an all-four squat, jump legs out behind you as though prep'ing for a push-up, then jump them back underneath you). More fun with sprinting, too, and leg lifts - leg lifts? Yes - and the instructors walk around providing resistance to you (they are very generous). And Friday? On Thursday after the workout, Stacy said 'Friday will be FUN!'. (By the way, we hear from Stacy just about every day - always providing great tips on form, taking care of your shoes, tips for those who suffer from allergies, etc. It's great stuff!)
So what Stacy meant by 'Fun' was field day! We ran, then warmed up, then she split us into four teams of six, each with an instructor, and we did relay races - sprint suicides, crab walk, bear walk, etc. - and part of the rules were that we had to cheer each other on. What I lack in form/endurance I make up for in lung capacity (at least for the two minutes I wasn't recovering from having done it myself!). If you did well in field day when you were young, then this was probably a pleasant experience. It's amazing how quickly you can regress when you don't hold yourself back - flashbacks of three-legged races, 50-yard dash, etc., race through my head, and I push through, pumping my arms like a two year old who has just learned how to run.
Saturday I managed to get in a bike ride (woohoo! my fav!) and Sunday - REST...next week is crazy, I probably will not update until Saturday (we have Vacation Bible School every night from 6 - 9pm). I should be getting a couple of 'before' pics up tonight. No laughing. Oh, and the shot of Mitzi and I at the top is post-workout this week! Til next time....
Abdomination was incredible - I learned that just having a flat stomach doesn't mean it is strong. Oh, far from it! At one point we were supposed to be doing row-boats (in the midst of the primavera of abdominal workouts, a veritable medley - this was one of about 10 that we were doing) when the instructor looked at me and said "Oh, sweetheart, you're having trouble! Let me come help you!" My rowboat looked more like someone had sprayed me with a large can of silly string, and I was trying to get out, arms and legs flailing, no rhythm whatsoever, not even my legs moving together! Sigh. One thing you must leave at home when you start TrainStrong is your pride.
Thursday was another big quad day, burpees showed up again (jump up high with arms oustretched above you, come down into an all-four squat, jump legs out behind you as though prep'ing for a push-up, then jump them back underneath you). More fun with sprinting, too, and leg lifts - leg lifts? Yes - and the instructors walk around providing resistance to you (they are very generous). And Friday? On Thursday after the workout, Stacy said 'Friday will be FUN!'. (By the way, we hear from Stacy just about every day - always providing great tips on form, taking care of your shoes, tips for those who suffer from allergies, etc. It's great stuff!)
So what Stacy meant by 'Fun' was field day! We ran, then warmed up, then she split us into four teams of six, each with an instructor, and we did relay races - sprint suicides, crab walk, bear walk, etc. - and part of the rules were that we had to cheer each other on. What I lack in form/endurance I make up for in lung capacity (at least for the two minutes I wasn't recovering from having done it myself!). If you did well in field day when you were young, then this was probably a pleasant experience. It's amazing how quickly you can regress when you don't hold yourself back - flashbacks of three-legged races, 50-yard dash, etc., race through my head, and I push through, pumping my arms like a two year old who has just learned how to run.
Saturday I managed to get in a bike ride (woohoo! my fav!) and Sunday - REST...next week is crazy, I probably will not update until Saturday (we have Vacation Bible School every night from 6 - 9pm). I should be getting a couple of 'before' pics up tonight. No laughing. Oh, and the shot of Mitzi and I at the top is post-workout this week! Til next time....
Thursday, July 19, 2007
HEEEERE'S GROVER! - Mitzi
Remember on Sesame Street when Grover explained to us kiddos the difference between near and far? neeeeEEEAAR FAAAaaaarr neeeeeeEEEAAARRR FAAAAaaar.
That's what came going through my head this morning as we began our day with running the stadium stairs. uuuuUUUUUPPPPP DDOOOwwwnnnn uuuuuUUUPPPP DDDOOOOOOwwnnnn.......over and over and over. I have to say that Jane ROCKED on those stairs!! Flash Canniff! Zippy! The Rocket!
That's what came going through my head this morning as we began our day with running the stadium stairs. uuuuUUUUUPPPPP DDOOOwwwnnnn uuuuuUUUPPPP DDDOOOOOOwwnnnn.......over and over and over. I have to say that Jane ROCKED on those stairs!! Flash Canniff! Zippy! The Rocket!Today was "Quad Day"......wiggly jiggly ouchy! My obliques are so sore from yesterday that laughing is painful. Look out Janet Jackson.
I just have to say that I would LOOOVE to do this for longer than a month. I look forward to it every day. It's the most amazing feeling to know that every day I get a GREAT workout with some incredible instructors that encourage and support you the entire hour. That there are rewards at the end! Perhaps I could get Nike or Sesame Street to sponsor me for the next month. I mean I gave Grover props in this blog. You never know!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
ABDOMINATION - Mitzi
AH-HA! Monday we worked a lot on arms/chest.....Tuesday legs....go figure that WED is ABS! Yay! Today was actually on the "easy" side....or maybe I'm just getting stronger? When it was over I actually went, "THAT was an hour?". We did 12 different excercises for our Abs. Did you know there were so many different ways to strenghthen your abs? Oh yessireebob! We did planks, side planks, crunches, scissors, side crunches, push up holds and other stuff that's kinda hard to describe in writing. But you get the picture....AB DAY! Oh to have fit abs.... I'm on my way!!
Here's a little quiz for you! Can you guess which abs are mine??
uuurrrrnnnnn....if you guessed #3 you are wrong! Those are my friend Janet Jackson's abs....niiiice! Of course I think she removed a rib to look that way. I don't think I'll be going that route! Anyway - I feel good today.....sure, I'm sore from yesterdays Run/Leg/Hill Extravaganza but I feel like I'm getting stronger. We decided upon an arm wrestling challenge with the guys here in my office once this is all over with! Tickets will be on sale soon!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
RUN FOREST RUN - Mitzi
Jane's done a TERRIFIC job of explaining our last few days of torcher....*cough*...I mean fitness. I joke....we do really like it....when it's about 7:03 am!! This week I am pushing myself to work harder, run faster and squat lower! That was tough to do today as i wasn't prepared for all the leg work and running..and running...and running. It would have been fine if it weren't for all the hills (sounds of Psycho's eeee eee eeee eee in the background). Darn you Lovett and your hills! And what's funny is that Stacy (Stacy is our Instructor so keep up as you'll hear her name a lot!) called it our "Little Run". Oh Stacy....I just love you.
So, today I say a final goodbye to my shoes.....again. These shoes were my old running shoes. They didn't have a whole lot of life left in them but I thought I would wear them since I wasn't going to wear my brand new running shoes......as Jane said they get filthy stinky dirty from all the mud, sweat and tears! BLECH!
Oh yeah...just ask Joe Braun....he got a good wiff of them and my clothes when he drove in my car yesterday....sorry Joe...and sorry readers if that was a little overshare! . They were good shoes....they got me through the ING Half Marathon in March....they served their purpose. Let's all take a moment of silence for the Nike Structures................
So, today they've been replaced!!! And they are DARK so you can't see how dirty they get! WEEEE! Welcome to my feet sweet Mizuno Ascends!
Terrible Tuesday - Day 9 (I think) - Jane
If you have read my earlier blogs, you may have detected a note of confidence in my ability to run. Pride comes before the fall!
Today felt like someone had tied my feet together with a bungee cord. After warmup, we head for the bleachers - running, not hopping - ALOT. Then down to the track for...100 yards of lunges! Again, to ensure we receive the full effect of our exercise, the trainers are constantly monitoring form - so your knee almost touches the ground on these, and there should be no pause in between, just one lunge into the next - for 100 yards. We finally get to run it out, then...another 100 yards of lunges. No hands on your legs! Run it out again, then up to the bleachers for squats! We then run up, and up, and up, then up some more into a dirt path into the woods. It's Bad News Bears again, and my legs refuse to cooperate to allow me to get up the hill with anything more than a toe shuffle.
Stacy writes in her email today "Keep in mind that when you want to stop, that is your brain talking. I know I keep repeating that, but it really is a "learned thing" that it's okay to push your body past the point where it wants to stop. Again, that is where the results that we are all looking for will happen." Honestly, I'm not sure if I have pushed myself that hard. How will I know? Will I throw up? I mean, I keep moving, and I'm in alot of pain, but the only way I know I've pushed past all that is to either pass out or throw up (both of which I have done in the past - not here). I need to ask Stacy - I'll get back to you.
Now, the really interesting part, is that the ligament pain in my lower back is GONE. (I failed to mention this - I spent the weekend with an ice pack, stretching, Alieve, etc. This started BEFORE TrainStrong, and was not the result of the activity. I have been seeing a chiropractor about it.) And today? GONE. Not as in faint memory. I mean GONE. Woohoo! I'm wondering if all the hamstring exercises yesterday and today are finally balancing out what I affectionately call my thunder thighs - those 'well-developed' quad muscles!
Today felt like someone had tied my feet together with a bungee cord. After warmup, we head for the bleachers - running, not hopping - ALOT. Then down to the track for...100 yards of lunges! Again, to ensure we receive the full effect of our exercise, the trainers are constantly monitoring form - so your knee almost touches the ground on these, and there should be no pause in between, just one lunge into the next - for 100 yards. We finally get to run it out, then...another 100 yards of lunges. No hands on your legs! Run it out again, then up to the bleachers for squats! We then run up, and up, and up, then up some more into a dirt path into the woods. It's Bad News Bears again, and my legs refuse to cooperate to allow me to get up the hill with anything more than a toe shuffle.
Stacy writes in her email today "Keep in mind that when you want to stop, that is your brain talking. I know I keep repeating that, but it really is a "learned thing" that it's okay to push your body past the point where it wants to stop. Again, that is where the results that we are all looking for will happen." Honestly, I'm not sure if I have pushed myself that hard. How will I know? Will I throw up? I mean, I keep moving, and I'm in alot of pain, but the only way I know I've pushed past all that is to either pass out or throw up (both of which I have done in the past - not here). I need to ask Stacy - I'll get back to you.
Now, the really interesting part, is that the ligament pain in my lower back is GONE. (I failed to mention this - I spent the weekend with an ice pack, stretching, Alieve, etc. This started BEFORE TrainStrong, and was not the result of the activity. I have been seeing a chiropractor about it.) And today? GONE. Not as in faint memory. I mean GONE. Woohoo! I'm wondering if all the hamstring exercises yesterday and today are finally balancing out what I affectionately call my thunder thighs - those 'well-developed' quad muscles!
Monday, July 16th - Day 8 - Stacy's back! - Jane
A little background on the group:
There are on any given day 25 - 30 participants, and 5 - 8 instructors. Participant number varies because you can actually opt for 10 workouts in one month, vs. the full 18, which is what Mitzi, Sheila and I are doing. Also, the ratio of men to women is about 50/50. I think. (There is a good reason I'm not an actuary, and why it took me until this year to actually track my checking account online. Numbers are not my strong suit. But I digress.)
Our director, Stacy, has been in NY, presumably for a fitness event, for the last five days. She is back today. I'm also realizing that as muscle memory increases, the memory elsewhere in your body has to decrease, because I'm drawing a total blank on what we did on Monday. Maybe that is a good thing??? Ahhh...okay. It's coming back.
There's this hill. And we run it. Alot. But I feel strong on Monday, even with lack of sleep, and if there is one thing I can do, it is run. Once we are at the top, though, we are in the grass, this time for a game of '21'. It is actually a descent in multiples of 3 - so first we do 21 pushups, 21 crunches, 21 squats, 21 (here the memory is fading...I think we were doing 5 different exercises)...then another set of 18, then 15...etc., all the way down to 3. So, that was uh, EIGHTY FOUR of everything! And just to keep it interesting, the exercises varied - clapping between pushups, or legs extended at an angle for the crunches. Just so boredom doesn't set in!
Then we take a break in the gazebo, where we lean into the back of a bench, and do more pushups, along with squats (rear end must brush the bench to ensure you are getting the BEST workout!), then back to the Hill. Only this time, it is a timed run - from the bottom of the hill to the top and back down - as many times as you can until they tell you to stop. Again, I feel strong, so I manage to get in 5.25 (yes, I'm counting the .25). We will evidently be doing this again later, hopefully this number improves.
I am exhausted today, because I didn't go to sleep until after 11am. A four-hour meeting in the afternoon requires two cups of coffee, and even then I found myself 'pondering' - thoughtful expression on the face, looking towards the ground...let them think I'm pondering!
There are on any given day 25 - 30 participants, and 5 - 8 instructors. Participant number varies because you can actually opt for 10 workouts in one month, vs. the full 18, which is what Mitzi, Sheila and I are doing. Also, the ratio of men to women is about 50/50. I think. (There is a good reason I'm not an actuary, and why it took me until this year to actually track my checking account online. Numbers are not my strong suit. But I digress.)
Our director, Stacy, has been in NY, presumably for a fitness event, for the last five days. She is back today. I'm also realizing that as muscle memory increases, the memory elsewhere in your body has to decrease, because I'm drawing a total blank on what we did on Monday. Maybe that is a good thing??? Ahhh...okay. It's coming back.
There's this hill. And we run it. Alot. But I feel strong on Monday, even with lack of sleep, and if there is one thing I can do, it is run. Once we are at the top, though, we are in the grass, this time for a game of '21'. It is actually a descent in multiples of 3 - so first we do 21 pushups, 21 crunches, 21 squats, 21 (here the memory is fading...I think we were doing 5 different exercises)...then another set of 18, then 15...etc., all the way down to 3. So, that was uh, EIGHTY FOUR of everything! And just to keep it interesting, the exercises varied - clapping between pushups, or legs extended at an angle for the crunches. Just so boredom doesn't set in!
Then we take a break in the gazebo, where we lean into the back of a bench, and do more pushups, along with squats (rear end must brush the bench to ensure you are getting the BEST workout!), then back to the Hill. Only this time, it is a timed run - from the bottom of the hill to the top and back down - as many times as you can until they tell you to stop. Again, I feel strong, so I manage to get in 5.25 (yes, I'm counting the .25). We will evidently be doing this again later, hopefully this number improves.
I am exhausted today, because I didn't go to sleep until after 11am. A four-hour meeting in the afternoon requires two cups of coffee, and even then I found myself 'pondering' - thoughtful expression on the face, looking towards the ground...let them think I'm pondering!
Day 6 and 7 - Personal Mission and first day OFF! - Jane
So cycling has turned out to be great cross-training for this little gig, because of all the legwork we do. I rode my bike to the Silver Comet trailhead to meet Mitzi and a few other friends at 8am, and put in a total of 31 miles. Overall, I felt good, but was having technical difficulties with my rear end (I'll spare you the details, even if you ask).
However, that was only the cardio part of the personal mission - I still had 50 squats, 1 minute plank, 50 tricep dips, and another 1 minute plank. Planks don't look that bad til you try to do them. Try brushing your teeth after that PM. Go on, I dare you.
Sunday was our first day OFF. It is also a day of food prep for me - time to take stock of the refrigerator (there is more air space now!), figure out if I have enough for lunches and snacks, and usually grill a few chicken breasts. Typical day of eating looks like this:
Breakfast - 4:50am - the protein/fiber shake (chocolate protein, orange fiber, 1/2c frozen berries, 1 scoop super greens, 1 tblsp ground flaxseed, water, ice), a few sips of that cup of coffee
Snack - Fage (pronounced 'fah-yay') Greek yogurt with handful of blackberries/blueberries, and honey or a little Stevia (it's not sweetened); Coffee
Lunch - Wild field greens salad with grilled chicken, blueberries, almonds, a tablespoon of craisins, maybe cheese - and a lo-fat or no-fat dressing (love raspberry balsamic!); carrots (baby, raw) and another fruit (apple, or cup of cherries)
Snack - protein bar of some description, and usually another serving of fruit - after eliminating desserts, I'm desperate!
Dinner - Fixed an Asian stirfry with chicken a few nights ago - frozen veggies from Costco, and one of the chicken breasts I had grilled earlier - very tasty and filling!
And alot of water throughout the day.
However, that was only the cardio part of the personal mission - I still had 50 squats, 1 minute plank, 50 tricep dips, and another 1 minute plank. Planks don't look that bad til you try to do them. Try brushing your teeth after that PM. Go on, I dare you.
Sunday was our first day OFF. It is also a day of food prep for me - time to take stock of the refrigerator (there is more air space now!), figure out if I have enough for lunches and snacks, and usually grill a few chicken breasts. Typical day of eating looks like this:
Breakfast - 4:50am - the protein/fiber shake (chocolate protein, orange fiber, 1/2c frozen berries, 1 scoop super greens, 1 tblsp ground flaxseed, water, ice), a few sips of that cup of coffee
Snack - Fage (pronounced 'fah-yay') Greek yogurt with handful of blackberries/blueberries, and honey or a little Stevia (it's not sweetened); Coffee
Lunch - Wild field greens salad with grilled chicken, blueberries, almonds, a tablespoon of craisins, maybe cheese - and a lo-fat or no-fat dressing (love raspberry balsamic!); carrots (baby, raw) and another fruit (apple, or cup of cherries)
Snack - protein bar of some description, and usually another serving of fruit - after eliminating desserts, I'm desperate!
Dinner - Fixed an Asian stirfry with chicken a few nights ago - frozen veggies from Costco, and one of the chicken breasts I had grilled earlier - very tasty and filling!
And alot of water throughout the day.
Friday, July 13, 2007
It's a bird, it's a plane...it's SUPERMAN! (Day 4, 5) - Jane
I"m a little slow on the uptake for blogging - Mitzi's done a great job! Her descriptions of 'Tour de Lovett' and 'Plyo-what' days were accurate - both days were tough on the legs/buttocks. I'm still experiencing that 'my muscles aren't going where I send them' sensation (again, example to follow), but I'm told that as long as I keep sending the message, eventually they will get it! My body is reacting as though it's morse code in sign language?!
I look forward to the day when my hands don't instinctively reach for the sides of the stall every time I go to the bathroom (refer to Jane's previous blog - I feel like I'm eating all the time, ergo...). (Just realized that the previous sentence could be mis-interpreted - the reference is because my legs are so sore (I really need to improve my use of the English language - I find I am having to explain myself...often)).
So Friday the 'Mary Katherine's' re-surfaced, and since the sprints were eliminated, we did side-to-side knee-to-elbow lunges that resembled Elaine's dancing spree on Seinfeld. Towards the end...Superman did indeed appear. This exercise involves laying on the ground on your stomach (did I mention how much rain we have had?) and extending arms/legs straight out, and UP. My Superman had so much turbulence that one of my buddies nearby yelled "Hang in there, Jane!" (Readers: The word turbulence was used because my legs were shaking so badly. I did not use the word flatulence, lest you mis-interpret.)
A typical day:
4:50am - Wake, fix protein/fiber shake immediately, drink it while preparing a cup of coffee, change into workout clothes (still sipping protein shake), back downstairs (slowly) for a few sips of coffee -
5:30a - make sure I have towels, water and my training log, head out the door.
5:45a - Arrive at Lovett parking deck, drop keys in basket and hand log to a trainer, compare notes with other fellow outdoor fitness enthusiasts
6:00a - GO! Usually involves running to a field, or, if they are too wet, to parking lot to warm up - jumping jacks, lunges, toy soldier kicks, etc. Followed by 10 pushups for each person that forgot to email Stacy and let her know they weren't coming! Ouch!
6:55a - STOP! 5 minute cool-down, followed by the Pit if you have an infraction
7:00-7:15a - Collect keys and water I left in parking deck, say goodbyes, walk with Mitzi up to the top of the deck
7:30a - Drive home, rinse shoes (covered with grass, mud), race to shower, every other day throw stinky clothes/towels in wash
8:30a - leave home for work
I look forward to the day when my hands don't instinctively reach for the sides of the stall every time I go to the bathroom (refer to Jane's previous blog - I feel like I'm eating all the time, ergo...). (Just realized that the previous sentence could be mis-interpreted - the reference is because my legs are so sore (I really need to improve my use of the English language - I find I am having to explain myself...often)).
So Friday the 'Mary Katherine's' re-surfaced, and since the sprints were eliminated, we did side-to-side knee-to-elbow lunges that resembled Elaine's dancing spree on Seinfeld. Towards the end...Superman did indeed appear. This exercise involves laying on the ground on your stomach (did I mention how much rain we have had?) and extending arms/legs straight out, and UP. My Superman had so much turbulence that one of my buddies nearby yelled "Hang in there, Jane!" (Readers: The word turbulence was used because my legs were shaking so badly. I did not use the word flatulence, lest you mis-interpret.)
A typical day:
4:50am - Wake, fix protein/fiber shake immediately, drink it while preparing a cup of coffee, change into workout clothes (still sipping protein shake), back downstairs (slowly) for a few sips of coffee -
5:30a - make sure I have towels, water and my training log, head out the door.
5:45a - Arrive at Lovett parking deck, drop keys in basket and hand log to a trainer, compare notes with other fellow outdoor fitness enthusiasts
6:00a - GO! Usually involves running to a field, or, if they are too wet, to parking lot to warm up - jumping jacks, lunges, toy soldier kicks, etc. Followed by 10 pushups for each person that forgot to email Stacy and let her know they weren't coming! Ouch!
6:55a - STOP! 5 minute cool-down, followed by the Pit if you have an infraction
7:00-7:15a - Collect keys and water I left in parking deck, say goodbyes, walk with Mitzi up to the top of the deck
7:30a - Drive home, rinse shoes (covered with grass, mud), race to shower, every other day throw stinky clothes/towels in wash
8:30a - leave home for work
PLYOS -Mitzi
We did Plyos today. Ply-whats? Well, according to Wikipedia....the end all be all of online knowledge, it says that Plyometrics is a type of exercise that uses explosive movements to develop muscular power, the ability to generate a large amount of force quickly. It may be used, for example, to improve the effectiveness of a boxer's punch, or to quicken the throwing ability of a baseball pitcher. Plyometric training acts on both the musculotendinous and neurological levels to increase an athlete's power output without necessarily increasing their maximum strength output.
Here are some illustrations of things we did...lots of jumping, hurdles, basketball shooting, jump roping and apparently we had imaginary cones too.
I felt strong today! I had lots of energy afterwards. It was my day off....so I went home and walked the dog, washed clothes and cleaned the kitchen. It was kinda a bummer to have to wake up so early on my day off....but hey, it's only 4 Fridays....and it's worth it! The weekend is here...we have a personal mission to accomplish tomorrow...that is after I go on a bike ride with Jane and Diane! I'm crazy in the head!!
Here are some illustrations of things we did...lots of jumping, hurdles, basketball shooting, jump roping and apparently we had imaginary cones too.
I felt strong today! I had lots of energy afterwards. It was my day off....so I went home and walked the dog, washed clothes and cleaned the kitchen. It was kinda a bummer to have to wake up so early on my day off....but hey, it's only 4 Fridays....and it's worth it! The weekend is here...we have a personal mission to accomplish tomorrow...that is after I go on a bike ride with Jane and Diane! I'm crazy in the head!!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
TOUR DE LOVETT & RALPH - Mitzi
Day 3
Sore. Everyone seemed to be sore. But not too sore to tackle Day Three!! Today we did the tour of The Lovett School where we meet. We leisurely walked the campus and took pictures of the the library and the bridge and bought Lovett Lion magnets for our fridges. HA HA! NOT! We ran to one spot of campus, did planks, ran to another spot, did push ups, ran to another spot, did leg extensions, ran to another spot...ok, you catch my drift - that's what Train Strong calls the Tour! Lots of running today. I was not doing so well with that since I had my very heavy water bottle in hand. Wasn't aware of all the 'traveling' we were going to do. Every day is so different then the day before. I use my hands to run so being single handed slowed me down....weird. No water bottle tomorrow...nosiree!Ok, so a part of campus we stopped at were these stone benches....well, it looked more like a very tiny amphitheatre....oh I don't know what it was....I was trying to catch my breath. Anyway, the portion of the stone seat I was doing my step up leg pull extension do-hicky's had a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson.
I don't recall the quote because I was focused on pulling my 20 pound legs up one after another. My left foot continually planted itself on the 'rson' part of his last name. It was my focal point.Ralphy DOES have another quote that says "He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear." Powerful words Waldo! (Ok, the man has the funniest first 2 names don't you think!) I think that daily I am surmounting fears in this program....fears of not making it...fears of only being able to accomplish little. Thank you Train Strong for helping me make it! Helping me accomplish more than I thought I could!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Intro and first few days - Jane
So how in the world did I hear about TrainStrong's Group Outdoor fitness? Sheila Howard, of course! She invited me to 'Bring a Friend Day' in late June. The faint taste of bile in my throat after the workout should have been a warning sign, but after having seen how much she enjoyed the training (or should I say the results?) and after much egging on from her about how great it would be, and a really weak moment, I decided to do it. I also thought it would be a great way to get some things to stop jiggling, and to get into better eating habits. (To learn more about the program, visit http://www.trainstrong.com/. Stacy Cowen is our fearless-leave-no-fat-on-your-behind instructor!)
TWO aspects of the program that Mitzi didn't mention are the FOOD DIARY and THE PIT. We have to eat (and document...what we ate) five meals a day, and every meal must have protein or else you go into the pit. Other infractions that will land you in the pit include alcohol (oops, forgot to mention that to Mitzi before she signed up! Sorry!), dessert, fried food, etc., not bringing your training book, and a poor attitude (unsportsmanlike behavior). For the first week, we have a reprieve on the pit.
Day 1
As Mitzi mentioned, the PT test. I've been gearing up a little for the battle of mind-over-body I'm about to have, but nothing can quite prepare you like... actually doing it. Here are my beginning stats:
.85 mile timed run: 6:48
Push-ups: 15
Facilitated push-ups: 12
Sit-ups: 41
Sprint (100 meters): 18:09
And those stadium steps Mitzi mentioned? We had to HOP them - yes, folks, the steps were as deep as from your knee to your foot, and we had to HOP the steps up, then run down! This was no casual 'run the stadium steps', but instructors watching you like a hawk every moment! Even after this assault on my shocked body, I felt pretty good - like I had a hard workout. Maybe I can do this after all?
Day 2
Oh, one other thing about the program - they are dedicated to moving everyone out of their comfort zone. In the email we received last night after the PT test, Stacy said "I have to say, the instructors all left the workout very impressed with this group's fitness level! However, we can't be satisfied!!!! Plan to work really hard this month - it's going to be a great one!" The bottom line is, our bodies don't like change, and once you step out of your comfort zone, your body will desperately want to return. I will have several examples to share.
The word for day 2 is pyramid - everything. The gauntlet Mitzi mentioned was a series of hopping lunges (nick-named "Mary Katherine's" after the SNL character, because with each one you land in the lunge with your arms up in the air and hands doing a peace sign) and a series of crunches and 'burpees': jump up in the air with arms extended, drop to a squat, jump your legs back behind you into a push-up position, and then feet back to your hands. All this interlaced with sprints! At one point, my legs wouldn't go back. I mean, they just wouldn't. I had hopped up and then squatted on the ground, and thought I was pushing them back, but I looked down, and sure enough, they were still there folded up under me!
The good news is, we won't do that workout again this month! Every day is different! If you don't like the workout - you don't have to do it again! Woohoo!
I have now officially joined the Bad News Bears - I'm pulling up the rear with one or two others! And I am in pain. In fact, after breakfast, I can't even walk back up the stairs to brush my teeth before work. Maybe I'll get an extra one and keep it in the downstairs bathroom! (Sorry, Mom, this is no reflection on your career as a dental hygienist!) Tonight I really do feel the pain. Alot. AND we are supposed to do a personal mission tomorrow!
Day 3
The alarm goes off at 6:15, and I schlep on my shoes and clothes. What normally takes me about 45 minutes took an hour. I'm not exactly sure what I was doing - it was too early and too dark. I think it was loping, not running. And eight walk breaks for a minute each. This is close to marathon pain, only the hip flexors don't hurt as much.
The food part is actually going pretty well - except for the noises my freezer was making this morning (alot of water dripping, and a wheezing sound). I don't know if there is any air space left in the fridge or freezer - in lieu of making multiple trips to the grocery store, I just brought Costco home! I'm taking my sack of food in every day, and try to prep on the weekend. Ziploc bags rock! I feel like all I do is eat, and it's only day three (actually, since I had my book and orientation, I had to start last Friday with the food diary and personal missions!)
I come home tonight and get Marla, my roommate, to take 'before' pictures (sorry, no swimsuit, just athletic gear!), as six chicken breasts sizzle on the grill. They will get sliced and ziploc'd (the chicken, that is). Once I get the pictures developed, I will post.
TWO aspects of the program that Mitzi didn't mention are the FOOD DIARY and THE PIT. We have to eat (and document...what we ate) five meals a day, and every meal must have protein or else you go into the pit. Other infractions that will land you in the pit include alcohol (oops, forgot to mention that to Mitzi before she signed up! Sorry!), dessert, fried food, etc., not bringing your training book, and a poor attitude (unsportsmanlike behavior). For the first week, we have a reprieve on the pit.
Day 1
As Mitzi mentioned, the PT test. I've been gearing up a little for the battle of mind-over-body I'm about to have, but nothing can quite prepare you like... actually doing it. Here are my beginning stats:
.85 mile timed run: 6:48
Push-ups: 15
Facilitated push-ups: 12
Sit-ups: 41
Sprint (100 meters): 18:09
And those stadium steps Mitzi mentioned? We had to HOP them - yes, folks, the steps were as deep as from your knee to your foot, and we had to HOP the steps up, then run down! This was no casual 'run the stadium steps', but instructors watching you like a hawk every moment! Even after this assault on my shocked body, I felt pretty good - like I had a hard workout. Maybe I can do this after all?
Day 2
Oh, one other thing about the program - they are dedicated to moving everyone out of their comfort zone. In the email we received last night after the PT test, Stacy said "I have to say, the instructors all left the workout very impressed with this group's fitness level! However, we can't be satisfied!!!! Plan to work really hard this month - it's going to be a great one!" The bottom line is, our bodies don't like change, and once you step out of your comfort zone, your body will desperately want to return. I will have several examples to share.
The word for day 2 is pyramid - everything. The gauntlet Mitzi mentioned was a series of hopping lunges (nick-named "Mary Katherine's" after the SNL character, because with each one you land in the lunge with your arms up in the air and hands doing a peace sign) and a series of crunches and 'burpees': jump up in the air with arms extended, drop to a squat, jump your legs back behind you into a push-up position, and then feet back to your hands. All this interlaced with sprints! At one point, my legs wouldn't go back. I mean, they just wouldn't. I had hopped up and then squatted on the ground, and thought I was pushing them back, but I looked down, and sure enough, they were still there folded up under me!
The good news is, we won't do that workout again this month! Every day is different! If you don't like the workout - you don't have to do it again! Woohoo!
I have now officially joined the Bad News Bears - I'm pulling up the rear with one or two others! And I am in pain. In fact, after breakfast, I can't even walk back up the stairs to brush my teeth before work. Maybe I'll get an extra one and keep it in the downstairs bathroom! (Sorry, Mom, this is no reflection on your career as a dental hygienist!) Tonight I really do feel the pain. Alot. AND we are supposed to do a personal mission tomorrow!
Day 3
The alarm goes off at 6:15, and I schlep on my shoes and clothes. What normally takes me about 45 minutes took an hour. I'm not exactly sure what I was doing - it was too early and too dark. I think it was loping, not running. And eight walk breaks for a minute each. This is close to marathon pain, only the hip flexors don't hurt as much.
The food part is actually going pretty well - except for the noises my freezer was making this morning (alot of water dripping, and a wheezing sound). I don't know if there is any air space left in the fridge or freezer - in lieu of making multiple trips to the grocery store, I just brought Costco home! I'm taking my sack of food in every day, and try to prep on the weekend. Ziploc bags rock! I feel like all I do is eat, and it's only day three (actually, since I had my book and orientation, I had to start last Friday with the food diary and personal missions!)
I come home tonight and get Marla, my roommate, to take 'before' pictures (sorry, no swimsuit, just athletic gear!), as six chicken breasts sizzle on the grill. They will get sliced and ziploc'd (the chicken, that is). Once I get the pictures developed, I will post.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN - Mitzi
Sorry this entry is so long....but we decided to blog this yesterday so we have a few days of catching up to do....other days will be shorter....we'll even have pictures soon...oooo...aaa!
So, Jane told me one day of this Group Outdoor Fitness with Train Strong that she visited. Said she was signing up. Thought she was hitting the whiskey a little too much. Who would want to put their body through that every day? But then it dawned on me…DING (did you know that the sound of dawning sounds a lot like a microwave ding? I digress…) …I DO! So I forked over the moola and signed up literally 2 days before it started….there was no turning back!
Day One July 9:
“Holy Crap!!” “Can I get a refund?” “I’m already tired and we just did the warm ups”! Those were some of the thoughts that were racing through my head this here first day-o-camp. I woke up nice and early…too early as I sat in the parking deck for 15 minutes.
This day was our physical fitness test day….the “how many of these can you do in a minute and how fast can you run” day. We do this today and we’ll do it at the end to see how we improved. Here’s how I did….don’t laugh!
Run .82 Mile: 7:19
Push Ups: 43
Sit Ups: 31
50/100 yard? Sprint: 19:01
I’m strong….but not fast. Felt good that night….was excited that I signed up after the initial shock of doing stadium runs….FOUR OF THEM!!
Day Two: July 10
I’M ALMOST DIED ON MY BIRTHDAY!! (Many of you are now going….oh man, I missed her birthday! That’s ok…just send me a present to make up for it!)
Ok so it wasn’t that bad….but it was hard….of course. DUH! 110 push ups, 110 lunges on each leg, 110 mountain climbers (which I actually like….my abs are in mucho paino tho but I likey!), 110 side leg raises on each leg, running a lap in between each exercise and then….THEN….I don’t know what this was called….The Gauntlet of Madness? It involved a lot of sprinting, a lot of sit ups, a lot of jumping, and a lot of plopping to the wet wet ground. I don’t want to do that ever again….but I bet we do….dang.
So, that’s Day Two….near death experience on my birthday….but it’s all worth it! Right?
Day Three: TODAY
WE'RE OFF TODAY! Wooo! I slept in a little....woke up and ran 4 miles and stretched for 10 minutes. You'd think it's something I'd normally do...but NOPE....we can't escape the program even on days we don't have it! Nope, they give us personal missions on these days....13 or so to choose from and I ....after taking about 15 minutes to rise from the bed and walk to the bathroom because I was so sore, chose the easiest mission! Yeah, uh-huh....starting out strong! ha!
So, Jane told me one day of this Group Outdoor Fitness with Train Strong that she visited. Said she was signing up. Thought she was hitting the whiskey a little too much. Who would want to put their body through that every day? But then it dawned on me…DING (did you know that the sound of dawning sounds a lot like a microwave ding? I digress…) …I DO! So I forked over the moola and signed up literally 2 days before it started….there was no turning back!
Day One July 9:
“Holy Crap!!” “Can I get a refund?” “I’m already tired and we just did the warm ups”! Those were some of the thoughts that were racing through my head this here first day-o-camp. I woke up nice and early…too early as I sat in the parking deck for 15 minutes.
This day was our physical fitness test day….the “how many of these can you do in a minute and how fast can you run” day. We do this today and we’ll do it at the end to see how we improved. Here’s how I did….don’t laugh!
Run .82 Mile: 7:19
Push Ups: 43
Sit Ups: 31
50/100 yard? Sprint: 19:01
I’m strong….but not fast. Felt good that night….was excited that I signed up after the initial shock of doing stadium runs….FOUR OF THEM!!
Day Two: July 10
I’M ALMOST DIED ON MY BIRTHDAY!! (Many of you are now going….oh man, I missed her birthday! That’s ok…just send me a present to make up for it!)
Ok so it wasn’t that bad….but it was hard….of course. DUH! 110 push ups, 110 lunges on each leg, 110 mountain climbers (which I actually like….my abs are in mucho paino tho but I likey!), 110 side leg raises on each leg, running a lap in between each exercise and then….THEN….I don’t know what this was called….The Gauntlet of Madness? It involved a lot of sprinting, a lot of sit ups, a lot of jumping, and a lot of plopping to the wet wet ground. I don’t want to do that ever again….but I bet we do….dang.
So, that’s Day Two….near death experience on my birthday….but it’s all worth it! Right?
Day Three: TODAY
WE'RE OFF TODAY! Wooo! I slept in a little....woke up and ran 4 miles and stretched for 10 minutes. You'd think it's something I'd normally do...but NOPE....we can't escape the program even on days we don't have it! Nope, they give us personal missions on these days....13 or so to choose from and I ....after taking about 15 minutes to rise from the bed and walk to the bathroom because I was so sore, chose the easiest mission! Yeah, uh-huh....starting out strong! ha!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
