No Training wheels!!!

WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO! I cant really put it in better terms than that. That is how I feel. What a Rush!!!! Last night was absolutely AWESOME. I will never forget it, for the rest of my life. Last night will always stand out for me...forever.

Last night was our first biking class. Last night was also my first time on the bike. I wanted to ride but was far to intimidated. Last night I threw myself into it. We started off with a warm up with Suzie. Suzie really inspires me......her presence puts my mind in a good place. I want to make her proud !

After the warm up we drove off on our bikes. I was honestly thinking "What mess am I gonna make of myself today?" Before we hit the trails I noticed a couple sitting on their porch. We waved at each other and I let them know its my first time on a bike in 20 years. The gentleman clapped his hands and said "You are doing great". A minute later I tried to pop the first curb and wiped out!!!! I turn around to let the couple know I was alright. God love em'....he was still clapping for me. Thinking about it today makes me laugh out loud.
I hopped right back on. Thanks Tracey for your support with the curb incident.
Every curb after I popped successfully!!!!! Woo Hoo. I am so impressed with myself!

I had another wipe out!!!! I think about that and laugh out loudas well. For someone who was so scared to get on a bike it certainly didn't show as I flew down the hill. What was I thinking? I landed on my back when I flew off the bike. I think my backpack helped with the fall. I am sore today but not really from the fall. From the whole experience. My butt hurts alot, my arms hurt even more. I LOVE THE PAIN!!!! I still cant believe I was biking last night. So proud of myself. I am so empowered right now. I never thought I would find myself on a bike, let alone be popping curbs and flying down hills!!!! WOOOO HOOOO. I don't even have a drivers licence..Never driven a car in my life........so to be in control of a moving bike was really foreign to me.

I had a bit of a time dealing with the gears. Thank you Shane, Neil and Matt for your patience. I kept finding myself in the first gear. I think I was turning it and not realizing. My chain popped off twice. Grrrrr. That was really frustrating for me. I was rearing to go and didn't want to stop. The cardio part wasn't hard at all for me. I did find my legs were getting tired on the ride back but it felt good and I loved every minute of it. Biking is definitely something I would like to carry on after this challenge is over.

I still have alot to learn. I am devoted to this and will do whatever I have to to get better at the biking. BRING IT!!!!!

Thanks to the whole team for your continuous support. I couldn't do it without your encouragement. Thanks for your part, in making last night one of the most memorable days of my life.

Back in the game

Well.....you haven't heard from me in a while. It has been a bumpy few weeks. Things fell apart for me for a little while with the passing of Meredith, our PHAT CHICK trainer. An awful tragedy. She was so incredibly beautiful, so incredibly alive. Even though I didn't know Meredith for a long time, her death really messed me up. I was angry and sad and confused. I didn't think I wanted to go on with this, I didn't think I deserved it. With many conversations with friends and family I realized I couldn't stop now. I had to push on, I had to dig deep and find the passion again. Over the past three weeks I have done a few workouts and had a few runs and every time I think of Meredith and it helps me. I feel her when the wind blows on my face, when the sun shines down and when the raindrops hit my skin. I feel her and I smile. I have gained strength from this tragedy. I now want to spend more time outside, I want to challenge myself and I want to be more like she was.

Sunday was our first workout with Suzie. I missed it. The Mississauga marathon had me stuck in traffic and I didn't get to Kerns Park until the end. I cried in the car as I really really really wanted to be there. When I did finally arrive , I immediately felt better. I got some sweaty hugs from the girls and that made me feel good again. I thank you all for that. You ladies rock and I am so glad that I am apart of this circle.

When I got home I did my own run. Of course I only wanted to run for 30-40 minutes but I ran 60 minutes. It was a slower pace than usual. I felt so incredible. This evening I did my homework and I must say I struggled. It is harder to do it alone than in the group. I did break a sweat about 5 minutes into it. I always want to cut it short but I always remember that I am only cheating myself. It feels so good when it is over. I swear my little muscles are getting bigger!!!! My stomach feels stronger as well. I feel stronger.

This Thursday will be our first biking class. I am scared but I cannot wait. I am really looking forward to it.

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!

Sunday was a great day! Loved it...every minute of it. Didn't care about the weather. There is no such thing as bad weather. Weather is weather. I embrace it. My favorite time to run is when it rains.....so why not get my butt whipped in it! It makes it more intense for me. Hard to describe. I am sure all you reading this think I am crazy!!!!!
It was so hard. It was harder than last week.....and easier at the same time. Maybe any day is easier when Burpees are not involved. I just felt stronger.
We worked our core doing reach ups and side sit ups. It hurt . Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! I couldn't believe I could keep up. I didn't let it enter my head that I couldn't do it. I think that made a difference. I had to dig deep. I told myself. I AM STRONG. The power of positive thinking. Powerful thing.
I am know known as THE MOANER! I cant seem to push myself without letting out grunts and groans. It was a little embarrassing at first. Shannon had a good point. If I ever fall behind.....I will be missed. As soon as the moaning stops .......it will be time to find the little one!!!

I was supposed to do sprinting yesterday. Never happened. I was lucky enough to walk my dog for 90 minutes. Wasn't our usual fast paced, on a mission walk. But none the less..was a walk. I honestly ached from top to bottom. I still do. My core is so sore. It feels like I am bruised. I cannot touch my rib area. I have never ever felt like this. I LOVE IT.
I did my sprinting today. It was just as hard as day one and I cursed it just as much. Took a few extra sneakers to the park , laid them out and did my best. Between sprints I did push ups and tricep dips. Push ups seem to be getting a little easier. Will have to try some man ones next time.
I wanted to do some core work but It just isn't possible. I am hoping tommorrow the pain will be gone and I can get back to the reach ups etc!!!!

So excited about Sunday and being on the bike. Just excited in general to see everyone. I starting thinking today....when this is all over .....I am really going to miss this. Falling in love with the whole situation!

Sweet Pain

Holy Monkey ! What a week. I did my first run this week on Monday. It went well. I only planned on running 30 min but I ran 50. Felt way to good to stop.
The next day I did my cardio blast at home! OMG. Super hard. Burpees are really really really hard for me! I only did 8 a minute (again). That is o.k. I can handle that. There were a few moments when I was doing the cardio blast that I started laughing. I couldn't remember what a few of the exercises were ie. (sitting V) So I just started jumping around like a fool. Luckily no one was watching!
I did my second cardio blast yesterday. Once again.......so hard. It actually seemed harder than the first. My body was so sore. Especially my upper body. I love the sore feeling though. Really makes me feel good. Makes me feel strong(even though I clearly am a wimp)
Today I did my second 30 minute cardio. Unlike Monday I did NOT pass the required 30 min. I did exactly that. It was a hard run. My body is stiff and sore. My legs felt like lead. They felt so heavy. I didn't think the run would ever end. It did and now I feel tired. I also feel great for completing it. Wanted to cheat. But I would only be cheating myself. SHAG THAT!
My eating has improved. Loving the Kashi go lean. I add a teaspoon of flax to it everyday. I also eat a big spinach salad once a day. I am growing to love it. On a great note I have given up my daily dose of chocolate. Every night around 10pm I would have a box of smarties. I have been doing that for a few years. No more. It has been a week since I have had my late night smarties and I am doing just fine. I still think about them though!!!!!!!!
Cant believe tomorrow morning is another workout session. I hope my little body can perform.
Look forward to seeing the Team

16 hours

That is how long I slept after the first training session. I must really be out of shape. I lid down for a short nap @ 7pm. I cannot believe I slept that long. I didn't even stir.
Yesterday's session was so hard for me. Like really really hard. The suicide sprinting was so intense. My lungs hurt, I felt dizzy, my legs shook. I thought "What have I gotten myself into".

Then came the Burpees. OMG. They are brutal. I did a measly 8 in a minute. I think I did the least out of everyone. I know it doesn't matter what anyone else did, however it did make me feel a little wimpy! What DOES matter is how many burpees I will be able to do when this is all over.

I didn't find the core exercises too bad. I have done Yoga quite a bit in the past and It wasn't all that new too me. It certainly wasn't easy, but a far cry from the rest of the training. The last run up the hill after the stairs.......challenging. I thought my legs were gonna give. Once again I thought I was going to be sick. Thank you Szerenka for the helping hand to get me up. Sitting down seemed so much easier at the time.

I really don't know if I could do this without all the support we give each other. It really is a powerful thing. Thank you ladies and Shane. YOU ROCK. Meredith and Susie....That Chocolate Milk was greatly appreciated and DELICIOUS. Drinking boxes make me giggle. I love them.

Tomorrow I will run, Tuesday I will do my Phat Chick training. I will be back to fill you in on tues evening.

The First Run

I did it! I didnt make excuses and I didnt ignore what I knew I needed to do. After a long walk with Jersey, I tied up those rusty laces..and ran. I thought it was going to be like lifting lead. I was surprised. It felt great. It didnt feel like the Tin man at all.

It was a nice day and The Black Eyed Peas had me pumping. I ran for 40 minutes nonstop! I hadnt planned on running that long but I didnt wanna stop. I think i should have. My knee hurts alot today. The muscles are a little stiff but I have dealt with worse. When I was walking today my knee cramped up. I never really experienced that before. It was a little scary. I WILL NOT WELCOME AN INJURY. Not Now. So I have to take it easy and listen to my body. I will ice and heat .

I maybe a little sore today however my mind feels AWESOME. What a difference that one run made. WOW. I woke up this morning and felt like Rocky(a mini version with a newfoundland accent!!!)
I wanted to run again today. I will wait til tommorrow or thursday. I will see what is going on with this knee of mine.

Meet and Greet

Today was a great day . I always love sundays. Today was a little extra great. The sun was shining and so was I.
I finally met the team. It was great to put faces with names. What a great bunch. Ten ladies ready to jump into the unknown. So proud of everyone. I was a little disapointed with myself. We all had to speak up and say a little something about ourselves. I normally have no problem speaking in front of a group. Most times you cant shut me up!!!! Today I got a little emotional. Dang! I wish I were a little bit stronger. As I sit here and think ....why did I get emotional???? I think it is apart of the process with me. I have to let go of the past. I have to let go of the weakness. Away with you............

It has been 3 hours since the meeting and the excitement is still trickling through me. I keep finding myself daydreaming. I picture myself on the course, biking, sweating and swatting at flies. If I looked in the mirror(while daydreaming) I would imagine there would be a big smile on my face. There is one in my heart. I honestly havnt felt this way in a long time. I am so proud of myself. I am so proud of what is to come. Next Saturday can not come soon enough.

I will attempt my first run (in 6 months) tommorrow. I cant wait to run . Before today I dreaded the run. Already I am empowered! As the lady with the beautiful eyes who was taping us today said........"There is power within this group of Ten women." I feel it already .

Today was so great for me. All of this is so great.