Tara- Boot Camps and Relays

I always wait until I have this epiphany before I blog. And this one is a review of where I was 6 weeks ago to where I am now. Result: I am a new person...well almost...I still have a ways to go.

We had our mid-way assessments last week and I knocked 2 minutes off my mile run, added 10-15 sit-ups and 10-15 push-ups to my totals. That was great to measure the numbers compared to the first day, but I think what gave me even more encouragement was this past Tuesday when drill sergeant Michelle did a work-out with us that she did the 2nd week of training. It is called the boot camp class. We run stairs on the east side of the SRC carrying weights, then some lunges, then some squats with weights, then this crazy run thing with a 10lb weight and you run in a line and pass the weight back (thanks Wes for the extra lap...apparently Michelle thought we cheated so she added another lap) and then we run some more stairs and more lunges and squats. The first time was soooo hard. And this time, it was a great work-out but I didn't think I was going to barf afterwards. Last time, I couldn't complete the work-out because we had to go lift weights with Blake afterwards. This time, I started with Blake and ended with Michelle. I completed the whole work-out. I think that is a great accomplishment. I look back on the last 6 weeks, and the things we were doing those first couple of weeks, I looked at the trainers like "you're crazy!", but now, I say "bring it on"!!! Don't get me wrong, I still struggle everyday, but I am getting the work-out done a little quicker. Running is my weakness (and hate every minute of it), but it is getting a little easier. I reviewed my short term/long term goals and one was to run a mile. I am doing this plus a little more.

Today we did a cardio relay (1 mile on 6.5 incline on treadmill, 2.5 miles on bike at level 6, 1600m of rowing, and 1 mile on 11 incline and 11 intensity on elliptical). We were paired into 3 groups and I was with two other girls. I apologized to them that they got me, the slower one on cardio, in their group. I was out to prove everyone wrong, and I was going to bust my butt for our group so we would not be last (especially me). Well, we did it and with some blocking by one of my teammates on the stairs, we came in first!!!! Yep, it was a fight to the end! If anyone is keeping tabs....YES! That means we beat Sadat's team!!!! That was a great accomplishment!!

Let me end with this. I love this program and am getting really bummed that it will be over soon. Maybe our group can continue through the holiday break until school starts...I don't know. But, I love this!