Main Street Mile

Well, if you have been around me or talked to me recently you would know that I have completely changed my life around since moving back to Boise, and in more ways than one. One of those ways has been taking charge and getting fit and healthy again. I typically work out 6 days a week and am watching the pounds melt off and the muscles grow. I have also never felt better and LOVE being active again. Anyways, I have set several goals for my journey. The first of these goals to run 1 mile without walking. I set the date for last night which was the Main Street Mile in downtown Boise. The Main Street Mile is a 1 mile charity race for Mens Prostate Health. My family joined my Dad and the J105 team and my race day was set. Chad has been working me hard the last month or so, running a mile to half mile after each workout. I had never ran the entire mile, I usually would have to slow and walk part of it. But, I felt more than prepared for the race and was determined to complete the mile and my first goal.

Well, I am happy to say that I DID IT!!!!!!! I may have been the last person to finish in my heat (only b/c a few nameless people cheated!) but I never once slowed down and I never once gave up. I gave it my all and came across the finish line a winner in my eyes. Now on to the next goal.....

Rafting

Yesterday, my friend Charity invited me and our friend Logan to join her family in a rafting trip with Brother Swinkles from her family's ward. We rafted the Payette River from Banks to Beehive Bend. It is about a 7 mile stretch and is rated a Class III. It is an easy stretch of the river, but most of Charity's family has not been rafting before so it was a great place to get them out and introduce them to rafting. It was a perfect day out on the river, gorgeous blue skies and SUN! We all had so much fun, even though we are a little sunburned today, and can't wait to go again! Thank you so much Charity for inviting Logan and I along with you and your family!

Erinn

This week is Hell Week at the gym. Basically it is a mark to see how far you have come and the sequence starts over again. Today we did Erinn again, which is described below. Well, last week I completed the workout with 33.5 sets. Today I did 37 sets!

Believing in Yourself

Each day I get a Healthy Reflections email and thought I would share today's because I liked it:

"Limitations can either define us or give us a challenge to outwit. When you look at your abilities, do you see boundaries and limits, or do you see possibilities and potential? Obsessing about weaknesses can blind us to the untapped abilities we already have. You have talent. Everyone does. The secret to success is to find that talent, develop it and push it as far as you can. Grandma Moses might have been a lousy bowler, Einstein probably couldn't sing a lick, Michelangelo could've been unable to speak well in public. So what? They knew what they were good at and rode that pony. Your talent might be right in front of you: where do you get the most compliments? What seems to come easily to you? What do people ask your advice for? Live there. Don't let the rest get in the way."

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do" John Wooden

YMCA

One of the first things I did once I moved to Boise was join the West Boise YMCA. I met with a trainer, started a routine that included pure cardio somedays with cardio and weights on other days. It was going great but I was yearning for something more. Enter Adam and the world of CrossFit. Adam had been going to the Homecourt YMCA for CrossFit classes with his friends. I must tell you that I was a little hesitant at first because I would hear his horror stories about how killer the workouts were. He assured me though that the trainers adjust each workout to the individual. So, I trusted him and my mom and I joined him one Friday (about 3 weeks ago). I was hooked right away. Ryan and Chad (the trainers) are both very encouraging, are great motivators and are great at kicking your butt, getting the most out of you each day. My routine has now changed and I attend the CrossFit class 3 days a week currently and am thinking of even pumping that up one more day.

So, what is CrossFit? Basically, it is a strength and conditioning program that pushed you to your max, getting you more fit and stronger each class. Each day when you get to the gym there is a Workout of the Day posted on a whiteboard. Each workout has a name like Helen, Erinn, Filthy Fifties, Murph, etc. Some of these are timed workouts, others are not. Well, for the last 2 weeks I was doing well, going longer and stronger with each class. On Monday however, Ryan showed several of us an article in Muscle and Fitness magazine about CrossFit. Here is the link if you would like to read an excerpt of the article: http://www.muscleandfitness.com/feature/189. I found the article very motivating and even went online to do more reading about the program. Here is my favorite saying from what I have read:

Rules of Perseverance:

Rule #1: Take one more step

Rule #2: When you don’t think you can take another step, refer to Rule #1.

Well, with these words in my head, and the motivation from the articles, I hit the class yesterday with a new found confidence. The Workout of the Day was Erinn, which is a timed workout. Erinn is comprised of completing as many series as you can in 30 minutes. The series are comprised of 5 push ups, 5 squats, 5 kettlebell swings and 5 mountain climbers. Well, I ROCKED the workout and completed 33.5 series! I finished with the same intensity as I started and never stopped the full workout. Chad was awesome and really pushed me at the end. As soon as the time was called I collapsed from exhaustion and was sweating like a pig. I felt amazing though! I was so proud of myself and am ready to attack each workout with the determination I did yesterday.

Back in Boise

Well, I have been back in Boise for about a month now and am loving it. I have only had to wear a coat once since I left Montana and that is great! I have been so busy, I still don't have half of my things unpacked though. (Pictures of my apartment will be posted soon, I am waiting to have things unpacked first.) Most of my days involve working, the gym and homework. If I am lucky I squeeze in a TV show or two and unpacking.

Right now I am most looking forward to May. I will start a new job with Blue Cross of Idaho on the 5th. The following weekend I am heading to Hagerman to help the Knapps with the plant sale (and pick up hanging basket). Then the following weekend I am planning to run/walk a 10K in the Idaho Potato Marathon.

Has it really been that long?

Wow, I can't believe I have been away from my blog for almost a year. Crazy! The last year has been filled with many ups and downs but I think I am finally going in the right direction. I have given my notice at work and March 12th will be my last day. I am then planning on moving back to Boise. For once though I am moving because that is where I am feeling called to be and not because that is the only place I have to go. I think it will be good to be "home" again and near family. I can't wait to get an apartment and finally be out on my own.

This past year has not really been filled with much happenings in my life. I have mostly just been working and doing homework. 2008 started off great though, I just got back from a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise with my family. I love every minute and really miss the sun.