One of my concerns was my breathing and how it seems to close up. I talked with a friend who dealt with asthma and suggested I try a little Vicks around my nose. I doused some of the ointment around my nose and breathed in slowly. Maybe it would help a little.
I also thought about Brian in his Marathon Race, and how he handled the pain in his leg that could have taken him down if he let it. That's when I asked myself, "What would Brian do?"
I find for myself that if I have had little experience in a situation that frightens me, the most positive effective thing I can do is to envision a role model that I respect and admire handling the same situation. He already showed us what mind over matter can accomplish! I just needed a plan for what I would do when the gasping and wheezing began to disable me. I also thought about what Brian had told me regarding pacing, and deviating the stride if need be. He said sometimes changing or tweaking a small detail can have a substantial effect if you find a problem developing.
We gathered at the base camp and were timed and measured on our pushups. I did more than I ever have, probably because my adrenaline was maxed out thinking about the mile run. I pumped them out as fast and furious as I could. I increased at least by 35%. Fantastic! Now, I will need to start doing them deeper, slower, and progress to the standard men's pushup even if I begin with only 1. That's the plan! I also want to incorporate more of those heavenly diamond patterns that usually kick me to the curb! :)
We all filed into the building to mark our numbers on our chart, and then we gathered for the run. Brian threw us for a huge surprise, especially me, when he announced that anyone who did the mile in 12 minutes or less last camp would have to join the running group.
Of course, it didn't register that this would include me, until "the Gold Star" said, "Karen, that's you. You ran less than 12 min. last time!"
My pupils dilated and my eyes got very black. Gulp! I started stuttering to myself. Me? I'm gonna run with the Big DoGs? But I'm not ready. I'll probably be making everyone wait on me as I trail in from the opposite side of the world! LoL :(
I got a little scared. As much as Brian has said that we must believe in ourselves to succeed, I was just flabbergasted. The good thing was that I didn't have much time to ponder it. Campers were getting on their mark. I situated myself towards the back of the pack near "star" and took a deep breath. There was at least some comfort that we would start off together.
The whistle blew and the Big DoGs were off and running. I didn't think about how fast they fanned out in front of me; I just tried to stay focused on my intent. "Gold Star" was moving along the side of me and then I lost her when she moved up towards the sidewalk. I could feel my breathing tighten up a little, but I focused on working through the discomfort. I pretended that I wasn't really running. I was walking......walking on air.....walking on a cloud! Serene, peaceful, easy.
One of the campers I noticed was running close to my speed and we would go back and forth taking a nominal lead. I didn't know her, but for this race, she seemed familiar. She was running and resting at about the same intervals as me. I decided I would use her as my pacer, and not let myself lose sight of her.
My breathing got a little testy at times, but I was working through the discomfort and thought about all the things that would give me mental strength. I thought of Brian in his Marathon, I thought of "the Little Rocket's" smiling face and her proclamation that "I can do this"! I thought of the "Gold Star" and her steadfast determination and competitive resolve, and all the support she and others had given me. I wasn't gonna stop now!
I went as long as I could and then I even accelerated for a brief distance, trying to implement the tidbits Brian told me. The breathing was difficult, but not insurmountable; I could still breathe. And there was something inside me that simply didn't want to quit. I was compelled to push myself all the way. It was the desire to succeed. But it may have been the Fear of Failure as well. Fear can be a powerful motivator, too. I couldn't stand the thought of approaching Brian at the finish line with a much slower time than the last camp run. I had no intentions of embarrassing myself.
As I went around the bend, there again appeared my new running mate. She kicked it up and moved in front of me. I decided I was going to keep up. We each took turns taking the lead, and then we took off for the finish. I was gasping, I was tired, but I kept my eye on the ball.
She pulled ahead of me but I maintained her pace, and was right behind her! Giddy-up PinK Tiger! Make your move! Don't you even think about slowing down now!
At the last turn I tried to sprint with everything I got and finished right up behind her. When Brian announced I had finished in 10:34 minutes I was in disbelief! I had improved by 34 seconds! Whoo hoo! :)
Celebrate, celebrate! Dance to the music!!
My running mate and I gave each other a high five and it was the best feeling I could have ever had! Oh, how sweet it is!:)
Brian looked back at me and said, "And you said you couldn't do it! Good job, Karen!" He gave me a big smile. That was the cherry on top, baby! :)
My comrades came up to me and asked how I did. They must have seen the joy in my face. All those days I practiced running after everyone left camp finally paid off; maybe not last camp but this camp! It might have taken my body longer to process my improvements, but without a doubt it was worth every single minute of hard work and sacrifice!
With that said, I have to give kudos to my "inspiration team", because they were living in my mind every day I got up to practice my runs. They gave me the hope to believe I could do this. And their example motivated me to strive for myself. Thank you, friends! You're the best! :)
I checked in with the "Gold Star" and she also succeeded in improving her speed. Yet, being a true competitor of her self, she was a little disappointed that she didn't show a more significant change. She also had worked long and hard to get her win.
I knew how she felt, because last time after all that practice time, I only best my time by 11 seconds. She had encouraged me to pay attention to my success, my improvement, as modest as I might have thought it was. Now it was my chance to give back to "star" and remind her she's in this for the long haul! Bit by bit she's making her way to the top and she's a champion! She gained in the right direction. Now is a good time to pick up the profits and keep going!
I believe that most gains in life are not made in a straight line. It takes on more of a spiral effect. Weight loss seems to work the same way. It may go up and down a few pounds for awhile, moving 2 steps forward and 1 back. You may not lose anything for weeks, and then it all falls off. :)
Part II:
The rest of the hour was a workout that targeted the lower body and the abs. I was on such a cloud I can't even recall all the circuits Brian directed us through, except I can tell you the leg work was totally awesome. We did some of the gold standards of squats, power squats, speed skater, splits, and maybe something similar to a lunge. I always love to watch one particular camper do this repertoire, because she has such extraordinary form and she jumps and moves with such power and gusto it sometimes awes me.
She is one of the Big DoGs of the camp, and I have always admired her. She runs fast like a blaze, and her effort is never less than 110%. I would like to call her "Blazing B".
I doubt very much if she even realizes that I watch her, but I do. I watch her form, her workout ethic, and which options she chooses. Her power squats are serious! I look at her powerful, toned legs, and tell myself, "I want 'them' legs"! LOL :)
So when Brian directed us to do leg lifts, fire hydrants, and other fun things that made my legs "scream, scream, scream", I looked over at this cool, strong lady and followed her legs. My thighs and buns were burning with a vengeance, but she kept working in perfect form without hesitation. Guess, if I want her strong, powerful legs, I'm gonna have to work for them! :) But I was cryin'! Believe me, I was hurting! LoL :)
By the end of the BootCamp my muscles could hardly move. The abs got a great workout too, but the only thing I could feel was my poor achin' _ _ _ ! :)
Not to be discouraged however! The Star and I decided we were going to come in on Saturday and beef up our efforts for a wham-bam double duty workout! Little did I know that whatever soreness and muscular fatigue I was feeling now, wasn't even the half of it! :)
Tune in to the next blog to read just how intensely effective Brian's super workout was on this Friday, combined with his all body workout on Saturday!! Friends, you've got to give yourself a chance to experience this double whammy at least once! :)
the pinK tiger will see you there!
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