weight lifting

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Choosing to Wait.

Posted by Splashfit on March 15, 2016
Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

cabo crossfitThe 2016 Crossfit Open is well under way. When I declined to compete during 2015’s Open competition, I fully believed that this would be my year. A lot can happen in a year.

Over this past year, I watched someone that I loved deeply, slowly wither and die. Death and dying can be  a nasty ugly bitch.  I have been consumed with grief, guilt, and PTSD, and it has been paralyzing.

In the last months leading to my Grandmother’s passing, her care required 24/7 monitoring. I could not leave the house unless I hired someone to stay and care for her. I tried to keep the ladies fitness group going, but I could not find reliable help, and I had to put the group on hiatus.

In anticipation of the awesome workout room in the new house we are building, I have been slowly amassing gym equipment. This allowed me to keep some semblance of fitness during a tough time, and my drive and motivation were still quite strong until just 5 months ago when my Grandmother left this world.

gymstuff

Her leaving was not peaceful. It was not calm. Her last months were filled with anxiety, confusion, and dementia induced difficulties.  It wasn’t any easier watching the distant family members show up and grope and grab and lay claim to my precious Grandmother’s belongings.

To say that this event caused dramatic changes in my life would be an understatement. In one day, I not only lost my beloved Grandmother, but my job and what had been my home for the past five years.

The emotional abyss has been consuming. I have been fighting to rise above it all , but just one month ago, I lost my dog. Again, pile on the grief. If I was Rich Froning, I would no doubt be able to utilize this pain and sadness to become even more badass; however, I am a mere mortal, and a middle aged one at that. I have lost fitness. I have lost my motivation. I have become soft.

Sign ups for the 2016 Open came and went. As I could barely muster the motivation to tackle the 2 hour round trip drive to the box for a mere WOD (workout of the day), I chose once again, to wait.

Time takes time and I don’t think that there is one correct formula for when a person will emerge from the shroud of grief. Truthfully, I am not there yet; however, I am seeing glimmers of light through the fog that dominates my days.

Which brings me back to Crossfit, back to my beloved box, and “Fat Jackie”. It is not unusual for me to attempt the WOD’s at home. The 2 hours of driving really sucks. On Thursday, my box put up a 15 minute AMRAP of Jackie. I have been wallowing in self loathing and finally, this was a little nugget to pluck me from the jaws of despair.

I grabbed my barbell… hung the pullup bar in the doorjamb, and got down the rowing machine. In for a penny…. in for a pound. A year ago, I had worked diligently and could go unbroken for the fifty ass breaking thrusters that comprise the middle element of the sweet little triplet also known as Jackie. On Thursday, I had to put the barbell down after a mere ten repetitions. Ugggggh. So, I broke it up… but I did the work, and something subtle happened. I felt better. It is no surprise that I felt better physically, but I also felt better mentally.

I watched the announcement of 16.2 (the second workout of the crossfit open) and made the decision to drive to the box the next day.

Toes to Bar, Double Unders, and Squat Cleans. I can do TTB and DU…. but I cannot yet link them efficiently. I really needed a good workout more than I needed a good score, so I decided to do the scaled version. One wonderful thing about being my age, is that Crossfit HQ gives us a little break in the Open Workouts. Age 55-59, the scaled version called for sit-ups and single unders as well as lighter weights for the cleans.

Imagine my surprise when I made it to the final round. 105 Pound Squat Cleans…. A year ago, I could have easily finished the 7 reps for a score of 430. But, out of shape, weak, and huffing and puffing for all I was worth, I tried and failed 4 times before I finally hit one good rep for a score of 424.

I’m not where I want to be right now, but I think I am back on the right path.

The Bear

Posted by Splashfit on November 6, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized, Workouts. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The Bear

Power Clean,  Front Squat, Push Press, Rear Squat, Push Press, and done… sounds easy right? HA!   This series of exercises comprise “The Bear” or “The Bear Complex”    I’ve always included Power Cleans and Push Presses in my workouts. This complex seemed a wonderful little way to jazz it up a bit and increase the difficulty of the exercise.   I am not wrong about that; however, this is harder than it looks.

girl liftInspired by watching you-tube videos of this exercise, I decided to give it a go myself.   As there are no mirrors anywhere, I decide to set the video camera to film myself and watch my form.   I walk up to the bar, squat behind it, and with a nice strong flat back, I grip the bar and take a deep and cleansing breath.   1…. 2…. 3…. GO!  In slow motion, here are the elements of the complex as I performed them:  Deadlift, check, shrug, check, drop and catch, check, front squat, check, push press, check…. and this is where things started to get ugly.    As I attempt to bring the bar behind my head in order to perform the back squat and the push press from behind my neck, it seems that my big old gigantic head has absolutely no intention of getting out of the way.   I was able to complete a couple of shaky repetitions; however, I had only completed three rounds, when as I dipped my knees  with the bar behind my neck  and powerfully exploded my hips and my shoulders up for the push press, my head was instantly filled with the resounding clang of the barbell smashing into the base of my skull.   Lord have mercy!    Don’t forget, I had video of this, and it is not pretty!

From what I understand about Olympic lifting (which admittedly is not a lot), technique and form play an enormous role in successfully and safely completing the lifts.   When I was studying training in school, we touched on Olympic lifts, but never really focused on correct form.   It became very very clear to me today, that I don’t have it, and I need help.

For some time, I have heard tales of Crossfit workouts and Crossfit gyms, or “boxes” as they are called.     As I daily scour the internet, searching for new and interesting twists on old exercises to incorporate in my workouts, Crossfit comes to play more often than not.     A different and high intensity approach to fitness, the Crossfit gyms don’t have machines, rather the focus is more towards combining  Olympic lifting, powerlifting, gymnastics, running and rowing to create a workout that is always different, functional (the way your body naturally moves), and always intense.

My sheer and utter failure at performing “the bear complex” sent one message to me loud and clear, I need instruction.   If I want to be able to do these more intensive complex movements, I need coaching on form and technique.    It bears mentioning, that there is no Crossfit box in my town.   I had always assumed that the closest gym was in Spokane (nearly 3 hours from me).

I need to go to Seattle next week, and I have decided to contact a gym while I am there.   I got online to find the gym closest to my parents house, and I made an amazing discovery.   There is a Crossfit gym in Chelan.   While this is not in my town, it is just about 30 miles away.   This is completely doable.

I have decided to go.  I will check it out for myself.    I must admit to being just a little bit afraid.   The doubts and excuses run rampant through my mind. This crazy internal dialog is going something like this: “Will I be the oldest person there?”  “Will I be the only one who can’t do a hundred pullups or handstand pushups?” “What if I cannot do any of it?”  “What if my knees and shoulders hold me back?”   “What if they laugh at me?”

Take a deep breath.   My fears are not reality.   They are phantoms of what might be, but also what might not  be.    Here in town, they call me “Ms. Fitness”, but I am human.  I am a real person, with fear, anxiety, weakness, and a bit of an ego.   They say that you cannot change what you do not acknowledge.   Here I am.   This is me.   I will take the first step.

Hey Dude… Pass the Hoka!

Posted by Splashfit on September 14, 2013
Posted in: Running, Uncategorized, Workouts. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

hokaSkeptical, I laced up these freakish monstrosities, and headed out onto the busy sidewalks of Hood River, Oregon to give them a go. When I say Hoka, you might think I am talking about an elaborately designed water pipe, but you would be wrong. Hoka One One is a new and some say “revolutionary” type of running shoe. When I had mentioned to the Running Store’s shop owner that I never thought I would run again because of bad knees, he insisted that I try these shoes. At $170.00 retail, this shoe is not for the faint of heart. As I bounded out of the store, there is really no other word for the feeling, it felt almost as though I was “bounding” on mini-trampolines, or running on marshmallows.  The shoe while appearing gigantic, is surprisingly lightweight, which is a good thing.  Bottom line, there is a lot of give and bounce to this shoe. Which as somebody who is struggling to improve their running pace, I’m not entirely sure that “the bounding” is a good thing. Would that bounce steal my energy?

A few days after my 12 mile trail run, I am experiencing a bit of residual knee pain. Here it comes, that oh so disheartening stickiness and sharp pains in the joint. Back home, in front of my computer, I decided to do a bit more research with regard to the Hoka’s. The reviews are very mixed. It seems that people either love them or hate them. I did watch the official video on the Hoka One One website, and while it inspired me to want to run their sponsored 50K, I’m not sure that it sold me on the shoes.  During the promotional video, there is an ultra runner of some notoriety, (also sponsored by Hoka) who is holding up a shoe with a big gash in the sole. He claims that had the shoe not absorbed that sharp rock, he certainly would have been feeling pain. I don’t know about you, but if I pay $170.00 for a pair of freaking shoes, I expect that running across a sharp rock would NOT rip the sole of said shoe apart.

I have a few friends who are ultra runners. Desperate for these “marshmallow shoes” to be a solution to my running “with bad knees” dilemma, I put out the question. What do you think of these shoes? Again, the responses are split. My friends either love them or hate them. The actual “wear” of the shoe does seem to be a constant issue. The Hoka sales pitch claims that you will get twice as many miles from these shoes, as they will not break down as does a normal running shoe. Unfortunately, that is just not proving to be true among my friends. One ultra runner friend said that he truly wanted them to be the revolutionary shoe that they claimed to be, but unfortunately, they just proved to be a big waste of money. He tried two different pairs, and both of them lost their cushion after a mere 200 miles. Sigh. Since I am not independently wealthy, and not an athlete of any type of notoriety, (sponsorship of any type is extremely unlikely), it looks as though I will not have an opportunity to try these out for myself. If they truly break down after 200 miles, I just cannot justify the expense.

Brooks and me baby!

Brooks and me baby!

So, my dear beloved Brooks shoes, I’m sorry that I doubted you.  I’m sorry that I thought of straying, but if you will have me back, I’m here to stay.

I’ve been a bit remiss in posting.   Even now, fit, trim, and healthy, I find that my “dark passenger” occasionally decides to hitch a ride.   When I am under its influence, writing anything worth reading, just does not happen.  Sigh.  I find myself filled with self doubt and I constantly question the validity of my efforts.  A big difference for me today, (over where I was three years ago) is that I am aware of its influence.  I am fighting to be free of the negative self talk. Although I still struggle, the fight is much less intense now.  Most days, I think I am winning.

The ladies I am training are just a few weeks out from a 5K race.   We are continuing with speed work and strength training.    A few workouts are listed below.  For my ladies, this is a record of what we’ve done to prepare.


Splashfit Tuesday

1new shoesRun 3.5 miles with random speedplay
Plus 10 x hill repeat
Superset x 4
Leg Press, 210, 230, 250, 270 x 15
Stiff Leg Deadlift 10 x 60
Quad Burners x 15 each leg
Superset x 4
Seated Calf Raise 10 x 60
Straight Leg Calf Raise  10 x 210
Reverse Crunch with Leg Lift x 30
Yoga Plank x 1:00
Seated Accordian Crunches x 30
Foot Exercises
Toe Lifts
Toe Lift and Carry
Towel Scrunch

Splashfit Tuesday
sumo10 minute elliptical
Run 4 miles with hill
50 Sumo Squats with Lateral Leg Raise at halfway point
Superset x 4
Leg Press 15 x 210, 250, 290, 310
Stiff Leg Deadlift  15 x 60
Single Leg Chair Squats 10 x each Leg
Superset x 4
Seated Calf Raise 10 x 70
Straight Leg Calf Raise 10 x 210
Elbow Plank x 2:00 minutes
Reverse Crunch with Leg Lift x 30
Accordian Crunches x 30
and done!
Pushup Variations

Pushup Variations

Splashfit Thursday
Warmup Elliptical Ladder
SEVENS  Superset x 7
Seven Push-ups Each set a different variation
Seven Cossack bench dips
Seven Fitband Squat Rows
Sprint 100 yards, stairs
Jog 100 yards, stairs
Stair Repeats 2 x 7
Superset x 3
Barbell Power Clean and Press
One Arm Dumbell Row
Incline Dumbell Chest Press
Alternating Dumbell Bicep Curls
Dumbell Front Shoulder Raises
Elbow Plank 2:00
Medicine Ball Crunch Press x 30
Medicine Ball Russian Twist x 30
Reverse Crunch with Leg Lift x 30
and done!

If She Only Knew …

Posted by Splashfit on August 25, 2013
Posted in: Active Play, Motivation, Uncategorized, Workouts. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

stampede resultsOMG! OMG! OMG!    This morning, I followed an email link to the website of the Warrior Race that we just completed.   The email had communicated that there were professional photos from the race up on their site.   I clicked the link and was scrolling down the page, and there it was…  Again, OMG!   Age Group Race Winners….  scroll some more, and there in black and white, is my freaking name.  OMG!   You know, I don’t think that there is anyway that those race organizers could have done more to make the day of this former fatty.   I wonder if I can figure out how to get a screen shot of that page to print out… clearly, I need to print and frame this wonderful milestone in my fitness evolution!

Okanogan RiverYou might think that with my lack of sleep the night before the race and my all out effort during the big event, that I would want to kick back and chill for the rest of the day, but you would be wrong! After I headed home and spent several hours taking care of my 95 year old grandmother, we headed out in the kayak on the Okanogan river. Not only did we paddle for 8 miles, but we paddled half of those miles up and over the rapids and against the current.

We are Athletes!Yours TrulyAngela in Fine FormSunday we really did have an active play and rest day.  All of my ladies and various others, headed to Omak Lake for a relaxing afternoon of sunshine and water.  We paddled across the lake to a lovely little cove where we climbed the cliffs and jumped into the crystal clear and brilliantly turquoise blue waters.  We sprawled along the beach, swam out to a little island, tried our hands at the stand up paddle board, and finished with yet even more playing in the muck.  I would have thought that we got our fill of muck and mud during the warrior race the day before, but clearly, I was wrong about that!

I woke Monday morning with a slight flare up of plantar fasciitis.   I had planned to go for a long run, and amazingly, I was even looking forward to it.  However, the last time that nasty little tendon had a flare up, I was out of the game for nearly 4 weeks.  I opted to take a complete rest day hoping that would allow my foot to heal. This was a great plan, as I awoke Tuesday morning, ready and raring to hit the gym!

Splashfit Tuesday
Angela Taking the PlungeWarm up 15 minutes elliptical
Run 4 miles moderate pace
Superset x 4
Leg Press 230, 250, 270, 310 x 15
Stiff Leg Deadlifts 60 x 15
Superset x 3
18" Box Step Ups with Knee lift 30 lbs x 10 each leg
Seated calf Raise 65 x 10
and done

Our run was unique for us, in that it was just a straight, pure and simple 4 mile run. There was no stopping every half mile to do a hundred squats and lunges, there were no sprints or burpees or assburners thrown in for fun. It was just a run, and I completely surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying the simplistic nature of the single event. It felt good! It made me seriously ponder what alien lifeforce had inhabited my body. Aren’t I supposed to hate running? What happened to that girl?

We have been pretty visible in our gym during the past several months.   My training style opts for high intensity intervals, and alternating heavy weight training with high rep (think one hundreds) training. Needless to say, we work harder than almost anybody else in the gym.  This intensity garners quite a bit of attention.  We all wore our “Warrior Race” T-shirts to the gym on Tuesday.   Of course, we were asked how we did, and it felt great to re-tell our stories of the race.

There is a woman who works out at the gym, she is about my age.  Several months ago she had told me that I was her inspiration. She said, “you always work so hard that it inspires me to push myself a bit further”. It seems clear to me that she wants to get back in shape. Feeling a kinship with her that only those who have struggled with their weight would understand, I suggested that she join my morning fitness group. She hesitated, and her face turned red as she blurted out, “oh, I could never do that… I’m too old and too far gone.” It gave me a lump in my throat and added a bit of huskiness to my voice. If she only knew! I tried to swallow away the growth in my throat that was threatening to send me running for the locker room in tears. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then told her some of my own story.

I softened my voice and said, “no, you’re not too far gone. I need you to know that just three years ago I had told myself the same thing.” I told her of my struggle with my health and with my weight. I tried to convey that we were more alike than we were different. She smiled and thanked me for sharing my story, and then walked away. I have to admit that I feel a bit sad that she didn’t grasp hold of my outstretched hand. Even though I’m feeling a bit of a failure in not effectively helping her to turn the proverbial corner, I do hope that I have at least, planted the seed of hope.

We are Warriors!The bright spot of my day came when one of the young high school athletes training at the gym approached me. She asked about the warrior race, and said it was something she would like to do someday. I smiled and told her, “next year… you should do it next year!” Her face beamed at the notion, and she earnestly asked if I would be her trainer. Grinning from ear to ear, I promptly responded, “absolutely!” So, it looks as though I am in for a penny, in for a pound… next year, we will once again strive to achieve that much coveted status of “warriors “.

Thunder Moon

Posted by Splashfit on July 25, 2013
Posted in: Active Play, Uncategorized, Workouts. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

Moonshine

Just above the surface of the river, the heat of the day was swirling in waves. The only sounds we heard were those of our paddles’ rhythmic dancing in and out of the water. The paddling, when done correctly, is magical. The paddles slice delicately up and down, back and forth,  and the kayak glides along the surface of the river. Many months of paddling have hardened our bodies. This no longer feels like difficult physical exertion, rather it has become for us, physical and active meditation. The muscle memory from hundreds of miles paddled takes control, and our minds are allowed to wander freely. Conversations happen and they don’t. Silence is okay and comfortable. Beavers, muskrats, and numerous avian species share the waterway with us. With the physical exertion, the pressures and stresses of the day leave our bodies. We are filled with the serenity, beauty, and simplicity of the river. After paddling up river for a couple of miles, we disembarked on a small island, and there we waited patiently for the moon to shine. It took just a few minutes for our full moon, in all of its “Thunder Moon” glory,  to rise above the barren sagebrush covered hillside.  I have to just stop and wonder about the moon’s publicist.   I  have to admit first, to spending a fair amount of time looking at facebook.   It seems that every month, there is some new and different type of fantastic full moon to be discovered and explored. I have seen posters promoting  Super Moon, Harvest Moon, Blue Moon, Blood Moon, and now, Thunder Moon (just to name a few).  Apparently the full moon in July is being called the “Thunder Moon” because there are so many thunder showers in July (oh, brother).  Ridiculous naming and publicity stunts aside, it was absolutely delightful to gently paddle back down river with only the light of the full moon leading us back home.

sumoSplashfit Tuesday 

Warm up Elliptical 5 minutes
Run 1.75 miles (moderate pace)
100 Grass Picker Squats
Run 1.25 miles (moderate pace)

Superset x 3
50 sumo squats with lateral leg raises
Sprint 220

Run .5 mile to gym (moderate pace)

Superset x 4
Leg Press 210 x 15, 250, 290, 310 x 10
Stiff Leg Deadlift 60 x 15
Ass Burners 25 each leg
and done!

SUP Stand Up PaddleWednesday was an active rest day for me.   Again, ridiculously hot temperatures sent us out onto the river for a 4 mile stand up paddle.  Of course, I should note, that two of those miles were paddling up river against the current, so I’m not entirely sure I would classify it as a low intensity activity.   Sigh, a girl just can’t catch a break!

cossack danceSplashfit Thursday

5 minute warm up elliptical

Repeat 5 x
Pushup Burpees x 10
Cossack dance bench dips x 10
Lateral Walking Plank x 10 "steps" each direction
Sprint 100 yards, stairs
Jog 100 yards, stairs

Plyo (hand clap) knee pushups x 10
Triangle knee pushups x 10

Bench press drop set to failure

Superset 3 x 
Cable Squat Row 90 x 10
Seated Cable Row 90 x 10
Close Grip Cable Pull Down 90 x 10
Tricep Press Down 35 x 10

and done!

Air Cav infantry Soldiers compete in company challengeLeaving the gym this morning, I feel completely wrung out, but it is in a good way. Fitness tax, levied and paid. I realize that we are just about 23 days out from our Warrior Race.  We have worked really hard.  I think we will be fine.  I was having a conversation about entering races a while back, and this man, incredulously, asked, “why would you even enter a race, if you didn’t think you could win?”  Ouch.   I will not win this race.  I will probably never stand on the podium for any race that I enter. In fact, in some of the races I have entered, my only goal, was to make it through the entire course without being forced into the “sag” wagon. My fiercest competition lives inside of me.  I strive not to win, but to finish;  not to dominate, but to survive, and not to be perfect, but to improve. Motivation is a very individualized thing.  While aforementioned gentleman would only be motivated to enter a race that he thought he could win; there are, I believe, a lot more everyday regular people out there, who enter races to compete with themselves;  to inspire them to greater fitness, to provide a reason to exercise, and to prove to themselves that they can do it.   Setting and achieving goals is a powerful life tool.  My “aha” moment in that regard came while on the summit of Mt Rainier (14,410 feet) for the first time, it was there that I realized I could do absolutely anything that I set my mind on.   For now, my eyes are firmly set on the finish line of that race.  I will not win, but I have no doubt that it will be a stronger person who crosses the finish line.

Don’t vomit on my new shoes

Posted by Splashfit on July 19, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized, Workouts. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

1new shoesWhatever nasty little bug has grabbed hold of me, still has one leg firmly in its grasp.  The good news, is that my fever is GONE!  The bad news, is that I still have little or no appetite and a general feeling of malaise. Yesterday, I took a complete rest day. No running, no biking, no lifting, no walking, and no kayaking.  I curled up on the sofa next to my Grandmother and together, we watched “Little House on the Prairie” re-runs until she was snoring loudly, and I was bleeding from my ears.  There is just something about the vocal intonations present on most Hallmark Channel programming.  It is just a little too soft with cloying, sickening, and sacharrine like sweetness. It strikes me as being intensely phony, and as such, most days it makes me want to hurl a shoe at the idiot box to just make it stop. My Grandmother is old school and pretty much anything more risqué than the aforementioned television purgatory ruffles her feathers in a bad way.  Somehow, I managed to suffer through and survive the day.

 I woke with the alarm at 5 am. Today is a gym day.No fever is present and I take this as a good sign; although I do have tremendous difficulty trying to choke down breakfast this morning. Agggggh. Oh well, off to the gym I go!

Splashfit Torture of the Day

1 plyo (hand clap push up) 9 regular push ups
15 Fitness Band Squat Rows
10 Bench Dips
Sprint 100 yards Stairs
Jog 100 yards Stairs
Lather, Rinse, Repeat x 5
Jog Back to Gym

Superset x 3
Jumping Pull-Ups 21,15,9
Dumbbell Thrusters 21,15,9

Superset x 3
Rear Deltoid Flye x 10
Plank to T-Stand x 10 each side
200 Meter Row

Elbow Plank 2 minutes
Seated Knee Ups x 30
aaaand, Done!

I struggled through my entire workout today. My heart rate was running hotter and higher than it normally does. My recovery time after hard effort was much more sluggish than normal. My perceived effort was off the charts. I continually fought the waves of nausea that hit me like a ton of bricks, ever intent on bringing me down. Our Warrior Race is just one month out from today; the heat is on! I continued to put the ladies through the paces, but I had to back off of my own effort ever so slightly. I really really really did not want to vomit on my new shoes.

1restIn an accomplishment oriented society, it is not always easy to give myself permission to take a down day.

As I mentioned earlier, yesterday was a complete REST DAY for me. So, here’s the deal, in the day following an intense session of athletic performance, a period of rest will allow your muscles to adapt and improve. A day off once a week will refuel your muscles’ glycogen stores, build muscular strength, and reduce overall fatigue. Without rest days, muscular transformation might seem evident in the short-term; however, in the end it will not necessarily give favorable results.  This time, I chose to take the day off because I was fighting a virus of some sort, but truth be told, I REGULARLY take rest days. I do this in a couple of different ways. I have inactive rest days where I do absolutely freaking nothing even remotely resembling exercise, and then I have active rest days. On an active rest day, I might do an easy 30 to 45 minute bike ride, take a 3 mile walk at a moderate pace, or do a nice relaxing paddle in the kayak. The key to incorporating activity into an active rest day is lower intensity. It allows my muscles to keep moving and not seize up. It also allows for some of those “feel good” brain chemicals to enhance my activities of daily living. Hard exercise itself causes micro tears in your muscle fibers. It is during rest and recovery that the body repairs these little micro tears and becomes stronger. So how many rest days do I take each week? Usually one full blown, no activity rest day. I usually take another active rest day.  Statistically, most sports related injuries come from overuse. A day of rest or lighter activity may eliminate the necessity of a long term forced vacation from your workouts due to injury.

1fly3The thermometer on the outside of the garage is registering at near one hundred degrees fahrenheit. I threw on a swimsuit, grabbed my swim bag, and as a special evil thrill, I added a floating pool chair (complete with head and foot rest) to the mix. We arrived at the lake, and as my partner took off on a long distance swim (somebody who does NOT know how to take rest days), I sat on the beach, huffing and puffing to fill my little red plastic oasis with air. I notice that it warns to fill only with cold air…. Hmmmmm… the temperature outside is near 100 degrees… Just how do I manage that feat? I waded out into the alkaline waters of Little Soap Lake, pushing my red inflatable barkalounger in front of me. I grasped the cushy arm rests and lowered myself into the water. Ahhhhhh! I laid my head back on the delightful inflatable neck rest, pulled my visor down low over my face, and sat there lazily spinning in the light winds. I watched the little damsel flies lighting on my skin. I’m not sure that I want to know exactly what they are doing when they are linked up and connected in a row sitting on my various body parts, but as I floated beneath the hot sun, feeling nearly weightless, I felt certain that I could feel my body repairing itself.

Meme of the week: You’re not a dog, don’t reward yourself with food!