Closing of Week Three

Tomorrow closes week three of boot camp... aka the half way point!!!

I've been pretty busy here, so I haven't been super up-to-date this week. Here's the quickie version of the last few days... Tuesday was Cassie's bday, but I did manage to get in a 30 min bike ride on interval level 10. My butt was soaked, so I figure that I did something. Cassie said that once I couldn't sing anymore, then I was really working hard :) I told her that I couldn't really sing even when I'm not out of breath. We had a great dinner and made her stand on the chair to the beat of a Japanese drum. We think that the cake they brought her was a jello cheescake, but what do we American's know about Japanese desserts.

Wednesday morning I woke, and was super tired from going to bed late the night before. Luckily I checked the radar and no rain in the area, and as an extra bonus, the humidity was 91%. If I were thinking at 4 in the morning, I would have known that if the humidity is that high, it's going to rain in the near future. So, we started off running. Guy ran with me so as to make me go a little further and run a little faster, which is what I did. I ran from the pig to damon's and back to 17 business. Then I was so out of breath, and my heart rate was 170, so I started my run/walk sequence of walk 2 lamp posts and run 10 lamp posts (I had about a mile left). At about the 2nd set of 10 runs, the bottom dropped... crazy rain. But, it was kinda nice at that point because I was already soaked and it was a cool rain. I finished the run and we did some weight lifting and crunches. You know "girls just wanna have fun," or at least that's what the radio is saying right now! Then last night my grandmother, her friend, and I all went out to dinner at Ruby's and did a little shopping at the mall. I had a salad for all of those who might care.

And that brings us to today. Here goes the birthday shout outs... Happy birthday to, and in particular order, Brooke Kest, Carrie Potter, and Stephanie Meador. Also, a happy anniversary to Jocelyn and Phil Sikes (and congrats on the baptism of the little man - loved the pics). This morning I went to the all wonderful OSHA training for the yearly retest on all kinds of nasty stuff, which could have potentially been vaguely interesting but in reality was quite boring. I had all patients that started with letter B today. Not once started with a different letter... I think that may be a first. But then I had a difficult patient and my funk returned, and I didn't really snap out of it until I had some homemade pasta tonight. Yuuuummmmmmyyyyyyy!! I highly recommend it if you can make it. After that, I saw for about 30 min and listened to some tunes with my new mp3 player made for underwater. Very cool, another highly recommend it you like swimming.

So, that's been my busy couple of days. I'm sorry for those that I have not emailed back yet. I'll try to get back to you ASAP. Tomorrow I'm heading home to see Brooke in Patsy Cline; sorry that you can't be there mom. Wish NC State good luck tonight as they take on Spurrier and those chickens. It's off to bed for me... it's already 9:30 (an hour past my bedtime).

The Funk Comes and Goes

Today is all about the funk, and no, I am not talking about how I smell after an hour and half of pouring sweat in the morning. I'm talking about that mood that one gets in for no real good reason and can't seem to shake for no good reason. This morning I was funnnnnkkkky, and I can't tell you why. I woke up on the correct side of the bed, which also happened to be the right side, so no clue as to the funk this morning. And it stayed all the way through lunch to my dismay. I just could not shake the thing. But... Today is my friend Cassie's birthday and Connie made some "special" brownies for her. I was told that these brownies might could shake the curse that was over me. And... It worked, after about 2.5 more servings. There goes the diet out the door. Then I proceeded to wave it goodbye by saying that I would be at dinner tonight for birthday celebrations at Miyabi's. I guess everyone needs a day off of dieting, but I think that I not only fell off the boat, but started drowning. I'll be drowning in something completely different tomorrow... a unique combination of sweat and rain, which we are supposed to be getting for the rest of the week. Maybe the gods will spare me for just a little while as to get in that oh so important morning run, in which the big daddy says he running with me. He thinks he's making me a marthon runner. Please hold while I continue to laugh out loud. Ok, I'm back. Again, all's I want (that's for you, Pam) is a good 6 mile run after the swimming and biking. :) Here comes to bandwagon to take me to dinner. I'm jumping on..... but I'll jump back off tonight and back onto the eating good bike that'll take me to boot camp in the AM.

Breakfast of Champions

After pressing snooze twice, I finally managed to pry myself out of the covers at 4:15 this morning, got dressed, and headed to boot camp to the tunes of Sugarland. (I'm getting ready Heather!) We started this morning with a 3.something run. I really don't know how long it is, but for convience, we'll say that it was a little over 3 miles. I ran the first two miles at a little bit faster pace than I had previously been running, but then I quickly bottomed out. I'm going to blame the extreme humidity and not my lack of perseverence. To make up for the shortcoming, I decided to do sprints the last mile, which consisted of walking 2 street lamps and then sprinting 4 street lamps. I'm still not sure which is worse, the sprinting or the steady pace of running. Either way, I was wiped by the time this over (about 36 min after I started). Last, but certainly not least, we did some leg lifts, crunches, supine bicycling, standing military presses, bench presses on the ball, bicep curls, tricep extension, squats, and lastly pushups. By the end, I was in desperate need of my starbucks, and I got it.

Why breakfast of champions as my title, you may ask. Well, today I'm not sure that I had a breakfast of champions, but I did eat breakfast all day long. I wonder if eat breakfast all day can make one a champion, even in the breakfasts themselves are not the breakfasts of champions?? I'd like to think that it does, and seeing as it's probably my favorite meal, this was no challenge for me. I started off with a course of flax seed granola with yogurt for breakfast, my standard cracker barrel breakfast for lunch, and some go lean waffles with hot tea for dinner. For those that may not know, the standard cracker barrel breakfast consists of whole wheat sourdour french toast, egg beaters, and turkey sausage with sugar free syrup. Sounds gross... I know... but it's really quite good. I was going to go grocery shopping for some food to stock my pantry and fridge, but I didn't want to melt in the rain on the way. I can run in the rain, but grocery shopping in the rain is out of the question.

Oh yes, I must not forget to mention a words of sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who has sent their kindest and most inspriring words of encouragement. There can never be enough.

Welcome to All the Newbies

Since today I sent out a massive email to a ton of people, I thought that I should have a brief moment of welcome. That and my cats Hina and Izzy just came up to the door crying to get in. Since the shun to the outdoors after multiple repeat offenses of peeing everywhere in the house, they cry every other day to come inside. I'm just glad to know that they are still alive.

Anyhoo... I suggest that you go back and read the very first day of whatever you want to call this. (It's back in July in the column on the right.) And, for those of you who can't pull yourself away from this terribly exciting/hysterical writing experience of mine, I'll try to be better about updating things daily.

Warning to all readers... Try to ignore all poor spelling attempts, grammatical mistakes, left out words, confusing words, words I made up (like ginormous), and any other possibly wrong thing in here. I was an engineer prior to being a physical therapist. Good spelling is not in genes. But if you need any math, I'm your girl :)

The Next Gear

Let's see... since Thursday here's the story....

My favorite cousin named Heather (as opposed to all of my other favorite cousins with their own unique names - it's much like I'm my mother's favorite daughter - and her only one!) invited me to go see Sugarland in September in Wilmington!!!!!! I was so excited that I downloaded all of their CDs and have been listening non-stop. My neighbors are probably tired of it, but I really don't care ;)

Hmmmm... ah yes, Friday. I had a student with me observing/trying to learn from the master, aka me, for the day. Turns out, this kid is from Augusta and grew up swimming for ASL, knows almost all the same Augusta swimmers that I did, and the coaches too (include Dave with the coke-glass bottle glasses - remember him mom!) Kinda weird. He even did Social dance too. I guess growing up on the other side of the Savannah River really isn't all that different. Wonder if it's the same for the grass on the other side?

Anyhoo, Friday mornning it was raining (imagine that). We were at Broadway and did a mix of running and circuit training, which basically consisted of running from spot to spot and then doing lots of crunches, squats, lunges, push-ups, a few planks, and some leg lifts. This whole process went on for a little over an hour, or until we all looked like we were going to die of exhaustion. We then proceeded to hop on our bikes (remember, it's raining this whole time) and bike about 3 miles. At this point, the rain reminded me of water skiing when it's drizzling, ie. pins and needles to my face, arms, and legs. Luckily, I had my gloves on (that my favorite mother bought me), so the needles didn't hit my hands too. Afterwards, we all went and froze in the starbucks on 21st.

Saturday, I picked up around the house, did a few chores like 4 loads of laundry, changing the sheets, taking out the trash, working on Carrie's graduation present... you know, the normal weekend stuff. Then I laid out by the pool for a bit and got a little red on my chest. I was going to go to the beach, but the wind was ripping and the sand kinda hurt.

This morning, I woke up at 7:30 am without my alarm. I'm turning into my dad. Yikes ;) So, I decided to go for a bike ride. I ended up going all the way to the pig in market commons and back on ocean blvd, which is about 21 miles. I finished up this hour and half ride with a dunkin donuts coffee (I was good and skipped the munchins). My girl who works there was shocked that I have a weekend off. Guess that it is pretty sweet that I don't have to work more weekends that I do. I'll thank Jackie for that one. As for that diet thing, I've pretty much given up on the no-carb thing. It's just not for me. I'm now on the portion control, try to watch what I eat diet. I figure I've done pretty good not to have had a southwest bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich at DD every morning. Hope that my girl doesn't forget how to make them.

So, I don't know who all out there is reading this, but if you are, let me know by leaving a comment or emailing me. That way I can give a little shout out every now and then. Like, can't wait to see those two in Washington in two weeks. It's looking like the triathlon is going to be rescheduled for that Saturday morning, so I might be rolling into Savannah once that's over. At least it's on the way to Savannah. As of now, I'm heading to the A-towns next weekend for the Labor Day, in case anyone was wondering. :)

Here is the thought of the week:
Never go backward. Attempt, and do it with all your might. Determination is power. Do you have it ?

Rain on the Way

Well, the triathlon this Sat. was cancelled due to the chance of rain from TS Fay, but it is re-scheduled for the next Sat. as of right now. Yesterday we started off running and my group (the middle achievers) ran about 2.5 miles. Luckily the force was with me, and I did in fact run the whole thing. Near the end, when I was sure that I was going to die or start walking, GI Jane comes flying by saying how good my stride looks. Well, wasn't the the icing on the cake. Not only was I about to die, but I was looking good while doing it. In return of the compliment, I proceeded to pick up my pace and finish the run at blazing speed, which in my case is just one step above a snail's pace.

After that invigorating run, (I think that's what it was supposed to be, but for me it was more like 'now I'm ready to fall over run') we got right into doing more lifting for the arms. They were a little shaky yesterday but are feeling okay this morning. My legs were killing me though. I can definitely tell that he is making me work, which is what it is all about. Tomorrow we are taking the bikes and equipment to Broadway. Look forward to another fun, exhausting, and invigorating day of sweat. Whoohoo!! And another whoohoo for the women's beach volleyball team clinching the gold last night!!!

Week Two Begins

Bright and early this morning, I woke with a bang at 4:15. After listening to some ABBA to wake me up on the drive there, I was ready to go. We started out running 2 miles, and I was called out that I had to run the whole thing, which I did!! Then we came back and did a lot of lifting for the shoulders. I finished up the morning with a starbucks coffee... yum! Now I'm home and planning on enjoying this lovely day since I don't have to work today. I think that we are going to Hard Rock Park today.

As for my weekend, I had an awesome time seeing all my people and having fun, not to mention eating all the good stuff not on my diet. I jumped back on track yesterday. And to my favorite Uncle Jimmy, here is an open invitation to come and visit anytime.

Duathlon Friday

Let's see... Last night I went out with Matt and Beth down at Market Commons. I was a good girl and ate a salad and skipped dessert. Way to go me. But I tell you, this morning came very early. We were at Broadway at the Beach this morning. We started off with a little over a 3 mile run. I was able to run the first half, but then we did intervals of running/walking for the 2nd half. Then I biked 3 miles, followed by 1 mile of walking/running again. We finished up the morning with push-ups, sit-ups, more squats, and finally sprints. Luckily, we went to Starbucks afterward.

So, week one of working out has wrapped up. I'm still sore and tired, but it's a good tired feeling. Tonight I'm driving up to Durham to celebrate Kerry's wedding. Then I'll be back tomorrow to continue with the training. Supposedly, we are supposed to be exercising just about every day to maintain.... we'll see :)

The best part of today is that fact that I'm not working!!!!! Woohoo!!!!! Today feels like a well deserved break after working 11 days straight. Hope that y'all are enjoying your weekend. Get off the couch! Hey Aunt Tree, we still on for that bet at Christmas?!?!?!

Day Two: And the rain shall come...

I was told on day one that we would meet for boot camp rain or shine. This seems a little funny to me, seeing that we meet before the sun even rises!! But, he was very right when he said that we would be meeting in the rain. And rain it did. We started out in the parking garage and did exercises there first. We did 5 sets of 10-15 reps each of jumping jacks, pushups, squats, static lunges, burpees (where you start staninding, do a pushup, then jump up again), running in a pushup position, and last but not least running up to the next level of the garage. After all of that, we ran down the garage back to the first level and proceeded to lift weights there. We did more squats, military presses, bicep curls, and triceps. Then we ran in the rain for over a mile. Oh yeah, I forgot about the challenge after all that weight lifting. He chose two of us (and yes, he chose me) to challenge each other to a duel to see who could do the most standing military presses. This other girl and I did it for several minutes before he finally called it a tie. My shoulders are still shaking from that, and maybe from the 30 min (100 lap) swim in my pool on Tuesday afternoon. Or maybe it's all the whirlpools I've been doing at work lately. At any rate, I wasn't too terribly sore after the first day, but I'm pretty sore and tired now. Not to mention that today wrapped up 10 days in a row at work. Tomorrow is my last day this week and then I get a four day weekend. Oh well that I still am getting up at 4:15 am on my two days off of work :) I'll let you know if I'm able to roll out of bed tomorrow. I'm predicting soreness! At least I've been sticking to my diet.

Mom, hope that you feel better. Happy birthday Uncle Jimmy. And, Carrie, have fun moving in!!!! (Even if you are at that other school in North Carolina!) Don't stress too much, and have a great time. College is way more fun than the working world, so stay there as long as you can... I sure tried ;)

Day One Begins

DAY ONE OF BOOT CAMP!!!!

I got up this morning at 4:10 am, got dressed, drove to boot camp, and proceeded to work out for an hour and half. I couldn't stop yawning until we started running. Here's the breakdown of the workout....

Jumping jacks, jump rope, run 1.5 miles. Start lifting arms... which means lots of pushups, bench presses, flys, jumping, squats, crunches and leg lifts with the exercise ball. Finally we ran another 1.1 mile. Oh yeah, and we ran 1/4 mile in the middle of all the lifting.

Then I sprinted home, took a 5 min shower, and got to work. This was a long day, but pretty good overall. I'm pretty tired now and will probably go to bed early again. I'll keep you posted on how sore I am tomorrw. I'm hungry, so I'm off to grab some food. (Of course now I have to start dieting too....)

08-08-08 Opening Day

Today is the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing. Hope that you are wearing a mask in honor of the athletes over there that are having to endure the horrible pollution and air quality. Thank goodness for the tree huggers here in the US.

As for me, I rested yesterday and today had my opening day to boot camp. I had my assessment this afternoon, which included running 1.1 miles, 1 min of push-ups, 1 min of sit-ups, heart rate testing, body fat measurements, circumference measurements (like arm, leg, waist, bust, hips), and of course weight. I ran the entire mile in about 12 min, which was the farthest that I have ran without walking in quite a long time.

Did y'all see the drummer dudes?? Like 2008 of them together in perferct syncronization?? Amazing. Well, this is my weekend to work. As of right now I have 3 WP's tomorrow nad 4 on Sunday. (WP is whirlpool/wound care for those unfamiliar with my shorthand).

I'm off to watch history. Mom, enjoy your time out west. I just that bud commerical with Hank the horse in training.

Early Running

I did it... I woke up at 5:30am and went for an early morning run. I did intervals of 2 min walk, 2 min run. It was pretty humid, but there was a breeze. And at the finish, the sun was rising. How cool. Then this morning Connie came back to work and then I got to see Jackie's wedding pictures. How fun the late 80's/early 90's hairdos were... not to mention the dresses! But, hey... pepto-bismol did NOT drench the church like it did for Julia Roberts in Steel Magnolias. The pictures were quite good. Ok, back to work. Hasta till tomorrow.

Back in the Swing

I woke with a bang at 5 am and went to the gym in my shiny new shoes. Feel good so far. I lifted my arms and legs today, and then did 20 min on the bike on hill mode level 12. After the drawf left me alone, the chocolate fairy visited and I have been craving the hazelnut-choco combo like nothing else. Thank goodness my superhero Cassie came to save the day by bringing a baggie of absolutely wonderful chocolate shells.

That's really it for today. Nothing much new to say. I'm hoping tomorrow to go for a run in the AM before the temps raise up to the 100's (heat index, that is). Till then, bring on the chocolate.

Goals for this week:
1. Work out at least 4 days this week.
2. Go to the assessment Friday afternoon.
3. Begin the break-in process for the new shoes by running.

The Dwarf Jumps

This past weekend, I was incredibly lazy and enjoyed every minute of it. Today, I decided not get up this morning due to the dwarf that was jumping up and down on my uterus, AKA Aunt Flo came to town to terrorize the neighborhood. Now that the day is over, I am slowly beginning to return to some semblance of feeling normal. I WILL get up tomorrow morning. No question. So, for now I'm going to sit here eating the last piece of mom's banana bread, drink some soothing hot tea, and watch Thursday's rerun of Grey's Anatomy, again.

Good news is Friday I go for my assessment in order to start Boot Camp next Monday morning. Here is Chief Big Daddy's thought of the day:

Start living now. Stop sleeping, and whining your life away. Stop withholding your love until that special person materializes. Every day that you are alive is a special occasion. Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God. Don't waste them.

TGIF and the weekend

Yesterday I was the gym at the ripe time of 5am. I lifted my arms and did 25 min on the eliptical. Unfortunately, my feet started bothering me, so I persuaded my favorite mom to get me a new pair of running shoes (after much research). Other than that, I've been pretty lazy today. I painted my toe nails for Cassie's wedding tonight and watched Dr. Doolittle. Tomorrow I'll take the newbies for a trial run. :)

Here is a picture that my dad sent of the sunset of some road in the middle of absolute nowhere Washington.