Great Morning with the Steel Magnolias!

 

This morning I joined the Steel Magnolias for a make-up bootcamp day.  I always feel right at home with this group as I started bootcamp with them back in October.  What a wonderful, supportive group of women.  Also, bonus they don’t start till 7:00, so I got to sleep in till 5:45!

We met at Club Med where I was surprised to see the Advance Group of Boot Campers running by…Today was their graduation day and they took a different path than Holy Hill.  Congratulations Graduates and special wishes to Dana and Mike for your anniversary date and to Todd for his coaches shirt.

Coach Betsy warmed us up on the beach and then Coach Don let us know we would take the same course as the Sandbar 5k.  We also ran this course for National Runners Day.  I actually like this beach run (liking running is a rarity!) and was happy to take on the run.  Coach Don said we would run at a 9 minute pace, which cracked me up, so I took it at my pace which is not 9 minutes.

I was able to run a few minutes with Lindsey, which was a nice quick visit.  I admire her for working nights, standing for her whole shift and then hitting bootcamp.  That takes determination and motivation.

I am proud to say that I ran the whole time, even though the lower front of my legs were cramping and tight the first mile and a half.  I guess running is not meant to be a pain free sport!

As I was running I reflected on the last time I was with the Steel Magnolias and I couldn’t even run for very long.  I realized that I have made huge progress and it felt good to be back where I started.

When I made it back to the group, Don let me know I had run it in 40 minutes which I was happy to hear!  I  finished the morning with 50 crunches, 50 squats and 50 push-ups and then a sprint drill from dune to ocean 3 times.  Best part was cooling off in the water!

Love This!

 

 

 

Thank you to the Steel Magnolias for being such a great group, hope to see you again soon.

Play Like a Kid

Monday we had Jay and for the record he rocks!  This man will push you beyond your limit, have you playing like a kid, and not thinking about the pain that will be headed your way as soon as you leave boot camp….of course always with a smile on his face!

Jay Bowman

We started our morning with a run to the end of the street by knuckle-up.  I use to loath this street, because I couldn’t even make it half way.  I have even cried on this street more than once and have even wanted to quit.  For the moment, I am happy to be passed that feeling.

At the end of the road there is a little loop like parking area where lunges became the name of the game.  We lunged alone and in pairs.  I am sure that is why my backside hurts quite a bit today!

We then headed down a path to the sound where we did a drill that reminded me of my volleyball days and for others their basketball days!  Sideways steps on both sides, running backwards and then running forwards.  I loved the view when we were facing the sound, and I admit running backwards was fun!  Leave it to Jay to bring out the kid in every one of us!

When we reached the end of the path, we were told to run at about a 7 with a 10 being an all out sprint.  I am all for pushing myself, but I hate when I don’t know where the end is.  The end actually was quite far for a quick pace, started off fast, walked for a second and then went back to a fast pace.  I was a happy girl to see the stop sign!

We then headed on down Kitty Hawk road for the beach where the Ocean was calling my name.  I am a water child at heart and feel quite comfortable in it.  So on a jog I went, with a water chant in my head.

When we hit the beach, we did crunches, and for me more crunches for everyone else some type of side lunge and more sideways running and then I made a pathetic attempt at jumping jacks.

For some reason my legs were like jelly and I couldn’t move them anymore.  We also had some friendly beach fun racing to marked corners, duck walking and backwards crawling to see which team could reach the other corner first.  Yes, we did get in the water…but not for long!

I have to say the hi-light of my morning was watching the folks from N.E.S.T.  around a hatching turtle nest.  I would have loved to spent the rest of my morning there checking out that adventure, but had to run on back to the gym so I could make it to work on time.

 

 

 

As I sit here with my sore legs and glutes I know I worked hard and also had fun!  Thanks Jay for bringing out the kid in us and for pushing us!  In the morning  I am off to run another round of the  Brindley Beach Lighthouse 5k Series.

National Runners Day

Today is National Runners Day so get out of the house and go for a run!!!  I started my morning at boot-camp where 140 plus boot-campers stormed the beach for a 3 mile run by the water.  Can I just say, it is an amazing feeling to run with that many people on the beach at 5:30 in the morning.

Outer Banks Bootcamps Celebrates National Runners Day – Photo Credit Jay Bowman

If you noticed in the lifeguard stand there is a couple snuggled up to watch the sunrise, what a surprise we were!

Today was my day where I realized that I am no longer trying to be a runner, I am a runner!  As I started down the beach, I set a steady pace for me and never had a moment where I needed to stop.  My breathing was controlled the whole time and I was just so tickled to be running with everyone and feeling like I was finally a runner.

Look at all of us and the view! Photo Credit: Jay Bowman

When we reached the half-way point, we stopped for sit-ups, push-ups and mountain climbers.  Of course our morning would not be complete without a line of over a 140 people sitting in the surf doing sit-ups.

Push-ups with the sunrise, amazing! photo credit: Jay Bowman

We then headed back as a group to finish our morning run.  The whole time I am running my mind is going “this is so cool”,” oh my god I am running”. “I am doing this”!  I also noticed that I was right in the middle of the pack which was another hi-light in my mind.  I just want to thank all the people I had the honor of running with this morning.  You are part of the reason I kept going, each and every one of you!  Since I started my journey last October I  have struggled and today was the day my hard work paid off.

I have to thank – Matt Costa, Jay Bowman, Christine McMaster, Adam Swansen and all the coaches for your support, encouragement and the belief in me that I can do this.  I know I would not be on this mission of fitness without the support of all of you and the members of Outer Banks Bootcamps.

In honor of National Runners Day I encourage you to head out the door for a short run (heck just run to the mailbox, but get started!) I know if I have taken on the challenge with my running list of excuses then so can you.  My herniated disk is not going to stop me and I intend to push through and set larger challenges for myself.  I crossed the first hurdle, I ran 3 miles without walking….just have to pick the next goal.  Wonder what it will be, suggestions?