DAY 315...hArD wOrK...gOOd tiMeS...

So we've all seen the "boot camp" classes at the park before. Some are legit...people working hard and sweating...others are mommies in cute clothes...not doing anything too difficult...but still they park their strollers and show up so they can feel like they are working hard. I'm NOT putting down "Mommies with strollers"...I was one...once. I mean...I still am...a Mom...but I'm past the stroller phase. The point of all this is that working out can take on different meanings for different people. For me...it's hard work...sweat in your eyes...wondering if you can finish...knowing you'll never just give up. It's about pain and perseverance. It's feeling a sense of accomplishment that I find no where else in my life.

Today, me, J, and some friends from the gym, went to the park to workout...to do a little "boot camp" if you will. Now, I haven't known most of these people all that long...I don't know much about them...but still I would call them friends...especially after a day "in the trenches" together. We hauled a ton of crap with us...a big tire...medicine balls...and kettle bells. We formulated a plan and got started. It was hot, but fun. K and I were the only girls so we teamed up. First thing we were supposed to do was flip a tire UP the steps of the little amphitheater area together. J said he didn't care how we got it back down for the next team. We got it up and decided to roll it down. It was just like the time I threw the medicine ball in the woods and J had to "fetch" it. We rolled it...laughing...and then we were like..."Oh crap! It's goin in the woods!"...and we followed it down the steps...and watched it roll into the brush. K and I went and stood on the edge...wondering how to get it out. We decided to let the "boys" get it. J was NOT surprised when I told him what I had done. They were nice and B (K's husband) and R (B's friend) recovered it from the brush. We moved on to the Med Ball toss and KB throws in the sand pit. By the time us girls finished...the other two teams of boys were already done and waiting on us. After we got done, recovered a bit, and drank some water...J said, "What's next?". I said, "Whatever you want...I'm game." We decided to run the trail to another park so we could do some pull ups and get a change of venue but stay outdoors at the park.

We wanted to take KBs with us. I said, "We'll just run the trail carrying them. It won't be too far. We can do it!" Me and my freakin ideas get me in more trouble. It sucked running with a KB, but we made it. The boys did pull ups on the burning hot bars of the playground. Children looked on in fear...and their parents looked confused. I wanted more leg work so I proposed a KB swing, goblet squat, sprint, lunge combo. No one was excited, but K and I started and the guys followed. After we WALKED back as we were all feelin pretty tired, and headed back to the gym.

There, the boys all showered...YES...it was the BOYS that we had to wait on. Then, we went to Chili's for lunch. S couldn't come, but all the rest of us did. OKay so I'm nervous to say this, because they may see it...BUUUT...when I first met B and R...I wasn't so sure what to think...wasn't sure if I would like them. Those two are competitive and I was still feeling inadequate as a trainer. I was worried that they would think I wasn't "good enough" to work there. Today I decided that I really like those guys. They are really funny and while they ARE competitive...they are also "team players". All three boys kept me laughing at lunch. I have to say that I don't have a lot of friends and I'm not really a social person in general...but I had a GREAT time.

J and I used to always plan long, hard, different workouts for Saturdays. I always looked forward to Saturdays with J as my trainer. Now that I'm not paying him to train me...we don't get to do that as much anymore. There is always other people around...and I have often missed those good times. It wasn't just J and I at the park today...but it was okay...I enjoyed each person there and I loved every minute of working out together. Today was full of hard work...laughter...sweat...and good times.

WORKOUT @ THE PARK
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TIRE FLIP UP THE STAIRS OF THE "AMPHITHEATER" (and a roll down-ha!)

THEN:
20 "BOX JUMPS" UP THE STEPS
20 DIPS (hands on edge of steps)

THEN:
MEDICINE BALL TOSS TO PARTNER (100 TOTAL/50 EACH PERSON)

THEN:
KB THROW ACROSS SANDY VOLLEYBALL AREA (10 X ACROSS-JUMPING JACKS WHILE PARTNER FETCHING & THROWING)

THEN:
RUN DOWN TRAIL AND BACK TO SAND

AFTER:
RUN .5 MILES (approx) ON TRAIL W/ 26 LB KB TO OTHER PARK
25 KB SWINGS (26 LB-varying weights for different people)
25 GOBLET SQUATS (holding 26 lb KB)
SPRINT 100 M
LUNGE ALL THE WAY BACK

WALK .5 MILES BACK TO CAR

CARDIO (included in workout)