freakgirl.com the delicious frosting on your internet

Back to Boot Camp

I decided to return to Boot Camp for a four-week session. I’ve been feeling pretty down in the dumps lately, and thought it might be beneficial to cross-train for derby. I started today.

It was nice to see my old instructor (I haven’t been there since last October) and some familiar faces. Some new ones, too! Even at 6:00am, the humidity is pretty tough on me. However, everything is just as I remember and I fell right back in as if I’ve never been gone. I’ve also got two hours of derby practice tonight, and another boot camp session tomorrow morning, so I figure by tomorrow afternoon I’ll be dead.

But at least I’ll be tired enough to sleep.

Boot Camp, Take 3

I started a third cycle of Boot Camp yesterday. I’ve settled into a 4-week on, 4-week off schedule. It makes more sense for me financially, and I can do some reasonably similar workouts at home during my “off” time. Of course, the past six weeks or so have been extremely difficult for me and I kind of slacked a bit on the fitness routine. So yesterday was a good jump start, especially since I apparently gained about four pounds this summer. F*ck.

Yesterday’s session was pretty typical and easier than I had expected, considering my recent diet/fitness routine of popcorn, red wine and walking to the mailbox. We do our workouts outside (until it gets too cold), but fall is on its way so we’ve been starting each workout in the dark. It’s so weird! But it’s nice to be outside when the sun comes up, and the weather isn’t too cold yet. The cold aggravates my asthma terribly. I did another session this morning (I usually do M-W-F, but I want to take tomorrow off). It went just fine, but then I got home and attempted to walk up the stairs and THAT’S when every muscle in my body said “good morning” by tensing up and then refusing to move. If my cleaning lady hadn’t been on her way over, I probably would have just napped on the steps for a while.

You Have Violated Your Contract

Tomorrow is the last day of this cycle of Boot Camp. The three-day-per-week option was awesome and I really liked it. My body was much more used to it this time and I had few problems, other than some periodic sore muscles and shins. Yesterday during class, we warmed up with what our trainer calls “Personality Sprints.” We stand on the tennis courts and she’ll call out something like, “Sprint if you have a pet at home! Sprint if you went to bed early last night!” and you sprint across.

Beth and I get a big chuckle (and a big workout) out of this, because the trainer inevitably calls these, all in a row: “Sprint if you like wine… if you like beer… if you like hard stuff.” And Beth and I are usually the only ones who have to sprint all three times. Our trainer pointed out as we ran that it says in our Boot Camp Contract that we will refrain from drinking during the entirety of Boot Camp. I thought, “But I’m not drunk NOW,” and Beth yelled out, “Well, then, I QUIT.”

I’m still cracking up about that today.

Boot Camp Redux

I started up a second cycle of fitness boot camp today. This time I’ll be doing the three-day-per-week option, and dragged along Bluebunny for good measure. We’re doing three days in a row this week, then will move to Mon/Wed/Fri for the next three weeks. I think I did pretty okay for having taken a five-week break. Of course, last time, it was Day 2 that destroyed me. Even though I’ve been working out at home, it’s not the same. My shins moaned a little from being back on the asphalt, and I am dreading the day our trainer pulls out the jump ropes. But other than that, it’s good to be back. And Bluebunny did really well; she’s already ahead of several newbies in the class. Woot!

FYI — next Wednesday is Bring-A-Friend Day. Who wants to come with?

Boot Camp – Day Twenty – Washout

Today was the last day of Boot Camp. Unfortunately, there was no camp because it was pouring this morning and the indoor facility we use is closed for Shavuot. Surprisingly, when I woke up around 5:00am hearing pounding rain, I was sorely disappointed. I was really looking forward to what our trainer called “Graduation Day,” mostly because she seemed so excited about it. Plus, I want my t-shirt! I guess I can make up the day next week or something, or during a future session. Yes, I will sign up for a future session! My thoughts on the experience after the jump.