Some motivation

Lately I've been down on myself. Physically and mentally. Sometimes days drag and I wonder if I'll ever get to where I need to be fitness wise. Time seems to move slow yet oddly fast in the same breath.

But this article, Charleroi woman stands tall in service to Marines, put the spring back into my step.

"The hardest part was being awakened at 3:35 in the morning by a drill instructor screaming at you. I never regretted one moment of being there. I learned so much about myself and about life -- how you have to be ready for anything and reach down into your heart and soul to make the most of any situation.

You learn to think on your feet, to make decisions that can save your life and, more importantly, the lives of your fellow Marines."

I marvel at her run time and admittedly, I'm happy that I'm not too far behind her FAH and her sit ups.
 
Martorella posted the highest score among all recruits in her class -- men and women included -- in the physical fitness competition. She ran three miles in 19 minutes, 50 seconds, well below the required 21 minutes to complete the course; had the best hang time (85 seconds) in an endurance test, and recorded 132 sit-ups in two minutes, well over the mandated 100.
 
You are damn right I'm pushing for a 19:40 three mile run time now.

Gettiing stale

Working out twice a day is great. It means I get to move more, eat more, and sweat more.

It unfortunately leads to boredom rather quickly. On day three of this trial run, I've already started to wonder what more I could do and more importantly, what poor soul could I drag to hell with me. As my fitness level increases the more challenge my body and mind demands. I want something fast. I want something heavy. I want a workout that's going to render me to tears, puking, and sniveling on the ground like a little boy. I need that challenge. I crave it. Unfortunately, I don't know people who are as crazy as I am, at least locally.

Getting out and being creative I feel is the only way to reach my goal. And I'm not far off.

If you have any ideas please email me at janewarrior2010@gmail.com
or post them here. :-D

2xDay, 6xWeek

Trying something new: cardio twice a day, six times a week. So far so good! The only downside, so to speak, is that I have to eat a little bit more to accommodate the higher activity level. It's hard for me to eat as it is, so it's a challenge to find time to prepare meals and carry them around. If I want to get in shape, then I have no excuses. Lets see how it goes over the next week!

Stats

Haven't done this in awhile:
3 Mile Run: 28:21
Flex Arm Hang: 63 seconds
Crunches: 122: 2 minutes / 65 Situps : 2 minutes


Getting there. Slowly but surely.

PT! Good for you! Good for me!

Future Marines get a taste of bootcamp

They got taken to Golden Corral? Pfffffffft.

If you haven't made your way over to Mark's Daily Apple. You should do so. A great site on fitness and diet that focuses on a more primal diet and active lifestyle that doesn't tether you to the gym.
Mark Sisson writes:
An active community of active people that want to be healthy in the simplest way possible – by following the direction of our evolutionary biology.

The site is a wealth of information. So run on over and check it out! 

Sand flies and sunburns

And by update soon I mean: twelve days later.
I got side tracked by a beach vacation to North Carolina. And quickly relearned that even though I slathered on sunblock, I got a horrible burn on my back and legs. Think Coppertone baby.

Keeping up with fitness I, of course, could not pass up the opportunity to run on the beach in the morning! How fun! I eagerly rolled out of bed at 5:30am and gingerly put on running capris and sports bra and discovered that constrictive clothing, running, and sunburns do not go together. Obviously. I sucked it up because mainly I need the run, wanted to run on the beach, and wanted to see the sunrise.

Running on sand is different than running on a track, road, trail etc. Even if you run on the packed sand where the surf comes in, there's still give to the ground. The harder you pound your feet, the more you sink, the more you push to go forward, and the more you hurt later on the day. I didn't run more than a mile daily and wasn't looking to break any records. It's vacation! Needless to say, if you have the opportunity to run on the beach, do it.

I will warn you of the sand flies (fleas) though. I knew they bite, but the last time I was bit by one was on a horrid hiking trip from my childhood. Those suckers hurt and left little red welts on my legs. They're not bad in the morning, but the evenings were worse.

On another note: jump rope. Is my new favorite tool.

Poundage

Ten more pounds to go.

But of course, if you could lose ten, why not another five?

::shrugs::

A proper update soon! I promise.