My strange journey to CrossFit - pt. 3: BOOT CAMP

What Is a Fitness Boot Camp?

It is a exercise class invented by a demon. You'll spend 45 mins doing some form of cardio (running, interval training, or obstacle course challenges), along with strength elements (using kettle bells, resistance bands, TRX using your own body weight). You'll also work on flexibility in which incorporates elements of yoga or Pilates. You are expected to show up, shut up, pay attention, & give 100%.  It’s disciplined in nature, it’s intense.

In my fantasy world, this is what

I look like doing a Boot Camp.  

In reality, I am neither tall, slim or agile. 

(I do have a cameo, blink and I'm gone).  

I started reading posts from my friends Michele & Jodi on Facebook about this class they were taking at Maui Sports & Conditioning w/Michael Labuanan. 

Michele & Jodi-The reason I

started BC. I miss them.

I thought, great! He can tell me what to do.

All those years of organized sports I was created into a lamb. I could not think for myself fitness wise.

Bah, How much do we run coach?

Bah...For how long?

Bah...How high do I jump?

Bah...When is our water break?

My poor minuscule Lamb brain didn't have a clue what was in store for me going into my 1st class.

That day ranks as one of the longest 45 minutes of my life!

Somebody call 9-1-1: I need a whaam-bulance!

I had to stop & stretch numerous times during the warm-up! We didn't even start the real workout...LOSER! I struggled through every set. I swear to God I thought I was going to die. I remember thinking, Man, I hope someone here knows CPR cause I'm going to have a heart attack.

 

Miraclously, I made it through. I stumbled out of the gym dazed & defeated, I WAS HOOKED! In my defeat, I found a missing piece of me: My inner athlete.  There was no way I was going to go out like a pussy. I'm going to work hard & make this Boot Camp my Bitch!

I'm a sick puppy or Lamby in this case.  I found great satisfaction enduring the torture. Trainer Mike has the innate ability to both motivate & irritate. Reminded me of my older brother. (Only problem I couldn't punch him, give him a wedgy or call him a girl).

My lack of coordination prevented me from publicly doing Zumba yet, I decided to try this?  If cameras were filming while I worked out you'd have viral video gold! I would often trip or fall doing a set. 

My most epic fall was when Augie T was filming something for his show & I tripped doing sprints TWICE.  1st time: tripped & I did a sweet ninja roll out, popped up & kept running. The 2nd time: I tripped again but you can hear me yelling as I'm doing the roll out, "Son of a bitch, not again!" All the while he was filming. I thought for sure I'd be on Tosh.O After that, it was suggested that I stand in the middle of the gym away from any large objects.....

Eventually, I my schedule necessitated I attend the 5:15a class. That's right AM. AHHH! I SO am NOT a morning person. In fact, when people tell me Good Morning I want scream back,  WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT IT?!  Pretty soon I needed more of a challenge I decided to go twice a day 3x a week. Why? Because I suffer from:

ALL BALLS-NO BRAINS

I was driven. There were days in which I could barely get out of bed. I often walked like I had a stick up my ass. Getting up from my chair was an ordeal. If you look in the freezer at work you will find 2 ice packs perfectly molded to my knees. I wore my pain like a badge of honor. This is where a normal person would dial it back...Not me, I am your typical Alpha Female. Go Hard or Go Home! I was grinding myself down, constantly being in pain sucks. 

This cycle went on for 6 months. I plateaued. I didn't get stronger. I was getting bored, my friends stopped coming or they got hurt enough so they couldn't come. I stopped looking forward to class because I knew very few people. (just like in High School I wasn't a cool kid. lol) Don't get me wrong, I'm all business when the class starts but it's nice to have friends to share the misery.

I wasn't happy. I wrestled with the idea of leaving for over a month. I felt loyalty to Mike. He got me this far after all. Fact of the matter, boot camp had run it's course. Then there was Kats, nagging! I thought I could hold out for the last 2 weeks to finish out my contract because I am a tight wad but once I stepped foot into RFM I never looked back....I WAS HOME.

Blog ya later,

Kathy

P.S.

Mike,

Thank you for helping me find what was lost, my Desire. Learning that victory comes from within.