BACK TO BOOT CAMP

I arrived at boot camp early so I could run my mile warm up and then have time to cool off. As I was finishing up Shayla came out and told me not to run any more because she was going to time us for a mile. I'm dripping sweat and thinking I got to run a mile again, damn! Used the bathroom, got some water and lined up to run, again. I didn't think I was doing that well but she timed at a 10:33 pace.
Next on the agenda was a short work out in the parking lot and then we would be going inside. I started with the girls but when we got to frog jumps after about three of them I felt like I was going to loose my breakfast so I went and sat out. Was it the heat, was it the antibiotic I'm on, was I getting hungry... I didn't know.
We moved inside and I still wasn't feeling up to par, my stomach was starting to grumble so I went and got a Lara bar from my car. This seemed to help some but I decided to pull the "old lady card" and not do any of the jumping circuits.
Made it home and made a protein shake and took a shower, feeling better but still wiped out. It's funny how just missing a week of work outs can set you back.

MISSING

The pretty town of Breckenridge with all its beautiful flowers.

The tall green pines and deep blue lakes.

The Quakies shaking in the breeze.

The wide open spaces.

The snow capped mountains, cool temperatures and fresh air.

Yes, I'm back from vacation. Texas greeted me with a temp of 100. I did run on Sunday but that is all I've done since I got home on Saturday. Tomorrow is boot camp and I will be there.

MAN MY @$$ IS SORE!

This morning our workout took us to the ranch. I didn't realize riding a horse used so many muscles.

We have our helmets on and are ready to mount our horses.
I got Sunny and found it was easier to get in the saddle than I thought... they had a stool for us to step on.
The trail wound up into the high country. I was using abs, back,thigh and bicep muscles.

Finally after 11/2 hours we reached the most beautiful spot by a waterfalls where we stopped to have lunch. My legs felt like noodles when I got off the horse.
After lunch we headed back to the ranch. I have never been so sore, everything aches but it was worth it.

RUNNING IN BRECKENRIDGE

Beautiful morning, temperatures in high 50's so Christy and I took advantage of the cool weather and went for a run.

There are flowers everywhere, I even spotted some daffodils, but this hanging basket caught my eye.
We started up the hill, not really knowing where we were going but I figured I'd rather have the up hills at the beginning of our run.

When we came to the top of the street we spotted a trailhead. I thought it might be fun to get off the pavement and have the challenge of a trail.

To get to the trail we had to walk cross a small stream using the boards.

The trail ran parallel with a stream so the whole time we were on the trail we could see the stream.
Christy tried running on the trail but I was worried we might trip or twist an ankle so we walked fast instead.
When we came back down we ended up by lake Maggie where this warning sign was posted. Being good girls we stayed off the ice. Returned to the condo, did 3.50 miles.

CINDY'S BOOT CAMP

This morning I set

up 5 circuits in the parking lot for Christy and I to do. I must admit that it is easier to just go to boot camp then to have to think up the exercises. Here's what I came up with:

Squats with shoulder raises using the kettle ball 10 rep

jump rope 20 jumps

shoulder press using elastic band 10 reps

push ups on big rock 10 reps

lunges 10 on each leg

sprints around the lot

We did three sets of each exercise.

End of the workout, great job on getting it done.

COOL COLORADO

I'm in Mesa, Colorado which has the largest flat top mountain in the world. The weather has been perfect, 60's in the morning with a high around 80.

Christy and I went out yesterday for a short run around the resort. We ran down to the main road and passed an area where there were prairie dogs busy with there morning.

This morning we are going to go out in the parking lot and do a little boot camp work out. I brought a kettle ball, jump rope and elastic band to work with.

WATCHING MY INCHES

Fitness day, the last time we were measured was on March 22nd, almost three months ago. I was ready to see some new numbers and hoping it would be good.
WOOHOO! I lost a total of 8 pounds and 5 inches and my body fat dropped 2.1%. Shayla said I had really good numbers. That's a great feeling ! Here's how I did:

Shoulders down 1 inch
Chest down 11/2 inches
Waist down 1/4 inch
Hips down 1/2 inch
Thigh down 1 inch
calf down 3/4 inch
Body fat 34.6% down 2.1%

Boot camp today was outside on the covered side walk with a really nice breeze blowing the whole time. Heidi had 5 circuits set up that we were to do three times. One circuit was using the kettle ball and passing it around us with our arms slightly raised. I love using the kettle ball.
We also had to do triceps extensions, push ups, suitcase crunches and dumbbell one-point row. This never felt like a hard work out, maybe because we had the nice breeze.

RECIPE FOR A GREAT WORKOUT

This morning was boot camp and there were three of us, one was new. We were going to work out inside because of the heat. I did do my mile run before class. So here's what we whipped up in one hour.

squats and shoulder presses with weighted ball
reverse lunges with bicep curl using weights
burpees with push up

Do each circuit for one minute three times.

Add
plank for one minute
abdominal crunches for one minute

Throw in some extra abs like bicycle and hip thrust

Finish with a nice stretch.

This was a great Monday work out.

DADFEST 5K RACE

This week Christy and I decided to run the Dadfest race. This was the 17th year for this race and they support men who have or have had prostate cancer. They even had a tent set up where they could get tested. We arrived early, not sure about how many would be racing or how the parking situation would be.
Everything went like a breeze, parking in a garage only a few steps from the start line. We were early so went and checked things out and got a banana to eat.

I was ready to race. The weather was very humid with clouds and an occasional breeze. I spotted the lady who always beats me and congratulated her on her win last week. I also ran into my running coaches wife, she paid me the nicest compliment... thought I was in the 55-59 age group. Edna told Christy and me that there were several big hills on the course. I wasn't looking forward to that.

She was right, I had to walk a few hills. Between the hills and the heat it was a struggle but I finished with a time of 38:27 and placed 5th in my age group out of 7 ladies.

I love this picture because it is where the race ended so if you were really hot you could cool off in the fountains.

OUTSIDE WORKOUT

What part of the sun is out and it is hot and humid don't they get? I was sure we would be working inside today but as I was finishing my warm up run I spied Heidi taking weights, mats and other paraphernalia out to the parking lot.
There were 5 stations set up and we were to do them 3 times,

25 crunches
lunges with weights
sprints
squats with shoulder raises
drag the sled down and back with 45 pounds on it

At one point I didn't think I'd be able to finish but I took a small bite from a Lara bar and some water and that seemed to help. I guess it would be smart if I brought some gels along to give me some energy.

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

The race results came through today and my time was much better, 38:16. Even though I had a better time I took 2nd place which is okay by me. I just feel bad that the gal that got first didn't stick around to get her medal.

RACE UPDATE

Christy and I had signed up to run the Red White and Blue 5K in our neighborhood on Saturday there were also going to be several girls from boot camp running.
The race started at 8 am, it was hot and humid but I run these trails and thought I'd be okay. I was smart to carry water with me as the first water stop was out. I think people were probably using some to cool their bodies off. The first two miles seemed to go okay but then I started to feel the heat and made a decision to walk more than I would normally do.
This was not a chipped time race and I am still waiting for results to be posted, I forgot to turn off my Garmin at the finish but think my time was around 40:13. Disappointed with the time since my last few races have been under 40 minutes.
We waited for results and they called out the 50-59 age group winners and then the 70 and over. HEY, what happened to the 60-69. I went up to find out. "We called that " the lady said. I replied with " no you didn't". She again said yes they called that age group. Christy said "no you didn't". The lady started looking at the results sheet and asked if I preregistered. I spotted my name and pointed it out. " Well you're the only one in that age group and that's why I missed it"
They gave me a first place medal and I was on my way. I'm still waiting to see the results because I don't think I was the only one in that age group.

So here is the medal, but I'm sure sure about what place I got.

At boot camp today there were a lot of complaints about how poorly organized the race was and how hard the course was with all the hills. One girl who runs a lot said it was harder then some half marathons she has done.

WILD RUN

What a great run today. There were so many different kinds of wildlife out there I couldn't believe it.
I saw not only a blue jay and a cardinal but a bluebird sitting on top of a bluebird house. I wished I'd had my camera.
When I rounded a corner there was a very big road runner with either a small snake or a lizard between his beak. We both stopped and watched each other and then I continued on.
I saw several rabbits when I ran by the fields. I'm always glad when that's all I see in the field, sure wouldn't want to run or step on a snake.
I finished with a total of 5 miles for the day, came home and jumped in the pool to cool off.

SUNNY DAYS ...

I headed up to the gym this morning, arrived a bit earlier than the other girls so started my 1 mile warm up outside. It was warm out and as I rounded the corner I looked for the others, no one in sight. I kept running thinking I just missed spotting them. I hit the mile mark and headed for the gym, still couldn't see anyone. Walked in the gym dripping in sweat and there they were, one on the treadmill and one on the elliptical, oh those clever girls they didn't run outside.
Heidi had set a circuit up with seven stations that we would be doing 5 times. It was nice to have the air conditioning while we were working out. Today we worked on legs, back and chest.

SKIPPED

I skipped boot camp Friday because I didn't feel good.
I skipped boot camp Monday because they were doing hills at 10 am and I thought it would be too hot.
I ran Saturday and it was very warm out.
I ran Monday and went out earlier, it was still very warm.
Tomorrow is boot camp and I can't skip it. It will be very warm but I will do it.
I have a race on Saturday and the weatherman is saying that we will hit triple digits on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. My thermometer is saying it will be 105 on Saturday. I'm trying to remember what a cool morning to run is like.