Pain in the Park

This past weekend was great. My favorite parents came into town for a long weekend visit. There is always lots of shopping, some touristy stuff, and of course - EATING!

To counter some of the delicious food, I decided to go to Pain in the Park on Saturday morning. My parents and brother were more than willing to sleep in while I went to this boot camp style workout put together by Karen. You remember Karen, she is the one who comes up with things like the 100 push up challenge and other fun off season tri stuff. And this was no different. Lead by Jill and Sandy G, it was very apparent how I have really been enjoying my off season.

It was a beautiful day, but a little chilly without the sun. We started with a little jog (major walk up call about my 5K in a few weeks...) and walking stretches. Which turned into high kicks. Somewhere things turned from stretching to more sweating and the need to keep moving so we didn't get cold. There were mountain climbers/high knees/lungs. There were bicep curls with cords and tricep dips on benches. 50 meter 'dashes' and running backwards for 50 meters. There were medicine ball throws. There were a lot of laughs and yelling at Sandy G and Jill for making us do all this stuff (yes, it was our choice to be there at 8 in the morning, but no one likes to be reminded of that fact).

Finally, when we got to planks and boxing, I just took my aggression out on Jill.
I promptly left before the "abs circle of death" and extra squats. I can only handle so much pain and I had to get back to my parents so I could fill up on clam chowder and Eggs Chesapeake.

Thanks to Karen for organizing (and the pictures), Sandy G for constantly fixing my form to make things harder, and Jill for adding extra core work by making me laugh with your crazy ideas of leap frogs and jump switch leg lunges.

Suzie Is Here!!

(Saturday's post)

You all remember Suzie right? When I was in Milwaukee, we headed to the gym a few times, including one booty pop workout. Well, she left her husband and child to come visit me for the weekend. WOOT! And it has been full of food, wine, and a 2 and a half hour workout. He he he.

Yes, I suggested Suzie partake in the second off season "triathlon" put on by Karen, Rob, and Andrea. It was a totally awesome workout and I felt pain like a I haven't felt in a long time.

And while I don't have a picture from this year, I think this one says it all.

AND, I really hope Suzie doesn't want to kill me for making her do this on her vacation.
:-)

Do You Know What's A Great Ab Workout?

(Saturday's Post)

Raking leaves. Lots and lots of leaves.

My friend Dirk and I were talking the other day about his mountain house in West Virginia. I told him I am really good at hanging out at mountain houses, and would even help clean the gutters.

So Friday, I took off a bit early for work and we headed to West Virginia. After lots and lots of traffic, we finally arrived. Such a cute place! We got right to work - making cranberry/orange infused vodka!! It takes a minimum of 3 days, so I will just have to assume it worked out.

I slept so well!! It was nice and cool and there was something about sleeping where it was so peaceful. And the sleep was needed because we got right to work! Leaves leaves everywhere leaves. Dirk did the gross work of the gutters while I swept the deck. Then the raking started. Driveway (up a massive hill), parking landing, side of the house, back of the house, and the other side of the house. But it all seemed to go pretty quick. And I noticed that if I were to engage my core, it was a pretty good ab workout. I was careful to switch sides - not wanting to overwork one side more than the other - but overall, it was just so nice to be outside. I didn't mind the work, just the wind that was blowing the leaves back to where I just raked them from.

Once all the work was done, a quick hike (and this picture does not do the view justice, but you might get an idea for the amount of leaves...) followed by lots of relaxing. Not too bad. Not too bad at all.