If I were one of the 7 Dwarfs...today I'd be Grumpy

So while the world was going to sunrise services, hunting down colored eggs and accepting the fact that some won't be found til they start to rot in the heat that is inevitable with the coming months, I was at work starting yet another 48 hour shift.  It started just fine, we had shift breakfast that was AWESOME! Did a little work, knocked out some training...and then I put in some work on Megan's school project and took some photos of Flat Stanley checking out the station.  Then 1500 rolled around...PT TIME...*insert music to emphasize impending doom*

Today was mock PT test time...and let's just say it wasn't pretty.  I'm not sure what the problem is.  If mentally I've worn myself down or if physical my body's like What the heck are you doing to me?  But my pushups are still horrible - tricep pushups not that wide arm stuff that I've been using, my situps are still alright, and my run...well let's not base anything on the treadmill run because I ran the course in better time Friday than I did the treadmill 2 miles.  And to top it all off my shins are still paining me.  The advice I get? Keep icing them and buy new shoes...honestly don't have the money right now to buy a new pair of shoes so ice in the magic word when it comes to the pain in my shins I guess.

I thought I'd keep my motivation high through all of this, and don't get me wrong I still want my 300 score.  But I'm starting to just be grumpy about it.  Today I kept my mood in check which is a step in the right direction.  But inside I was not happy about any of it.  If anyone has any motivational tips it would be greatly appreciated.  I'm not quitting, but any motivation I can muster is going to make this easier to handle.

Thursday...but it feels like Monday

Just a word of advice to start off with. If you're in serious work out mode and you're training for something you really really really want--and your squad decides to go on a snowboard trip...no matter how AWESOME you think its going to be, it will hurt. It will hurt you, you will bruise and it will affect your next few days in the gym. I only say this because I wish someone would have forwarned me just how horrible this would play out.

TUESDAY - Snowboard trip day. I got off work that morning-ish...had to go get weighed and taped for WLC (the leadership class I'm starting the end of April). Just so all of you know I was extremely happy to see 147.8 on that scale (the most I've weighed since basic). The happiness hinges on the fact that I can still very well see my ribs and I don't have a gut, so I'm assuming its an influx of muscle mass.

So I finish all the Army neccessities of my day and we all load up for our trip to Steven's Pass. This place is gorgeous! And for me to say that about a place covered in snow is saying something. We get there and we start the day...a short day, by the time we got up there we had a few good hours before they closed. Not perfect some may say, but after the TWO whole trips I made down the mountain it was enough. Anyone that's gone tubing behind a boat on the lake and knows the feeling with the tube skims the water (bump...bump...bump), that's what my rearend did multiple times on that mountain. By the end I was just wishing I could manage a face plant to save what was left of my sore tail.

WEDNESDAY -
Woke up to a VERY VERY bruised bum. I mean nearly a whole buttcheek black and blue. One would think that would be a free pass on working out, right? Nope...I got no remorse from Fike except "The Army didn't tell you to go snowboarding did they?" Just the motivation I need right? Anyone that knows me knows that me being pissed off is just the motivation I need to do something. So the situp routine is what started the day off. Start with 30lbs on your chest (we use 3 10lb plates) you do 15 situps with 30lbs, drop a plate, 15 with 20lbs, drop a plate, 15 with 10lbs, drop a plate, 15 situps. Then you gather your plates back up and do the same thing, this time 12 situps with each, then 10 situps with each. Normally its my legs that hurt after this, but nope, it was my butt. Never realized just what a pivot point your tail is when doing situps. It was horrible.

Then it was triceps time...starting with the pushups...my biggest weakness. My lack of strength isn't in my chest. I can go down fine and I can hold myself off the ground, its the extending back up that kills me. So what do I do? A few minutes back to back of tricep pushups, which I can say are in much better form than they were a few months ago. Then a few more tricep exercises and I would like to think I was done. But nope, run time. Now if I told you those situps hurt, it was nothing like the run was. Five minutes in and I was nearly in tears, my butt, my hip...it all hurt. So I had to tap out and use the Eliptical...which I've decided is worse than running (my personal opinion). But I finished up and topped it all off with a protein shake...chocolate protein powder, ice, greek yogurt, blueberries, peanut butter...and whatever else might have been slipped in there.

Today's workout went better. I did run my miles at a 6:58 pace which made me happy, until I thought about the pain. But I did my best not to think about it. And I stuck to working triceps a bit today with the help of one of our Assistant Chief's. He gave me some pointers and some new exercises to try out. We'll see how it goes.

Hope everyone's enjoying reading about my workout adventures!

New Focus, New Blog Topic, New Me

Everyone that reads this keeps up with me on Facebook and knows me pretty well. You should all know me well enough to know that I HATE RUNNING. Yes, I know hate is a strong word, that's been shoved down my throat for as long as I can remember but still I choose to use that word knowing full well the severity of it.

I HATE/LOATHE RUNNING

But anyone that knows me also knows I hate to lose, I hate to fail and I HATE to be the weak link. I'm competitive. I don't like admitting I CAN'T (that's a no go word around here) do something, but when it comes to running so often all of those things I just mentioned swirl around me and I feel like a loser.

I HATE RUNNING

All of this is about to change. I don't know how in tune with the Army Physical Fitness Test any of you are, but its composed of two events, 2 minutes of sit-ups (UGH)...2 minutes of push-ups (DOUBLE UGH)...and a 2 mile run (cringe and curl up in the fetal position). The Army standard is to score at least a 180. That would be scoring a 60 (of a possible 100 - not counting the extended scale - I'm not going into that much detail) in each event. The scoring is based on your sex and age. For me that means 45 sit-ups, 50 push-ups and no more that 20:30 on my run. I don't find myself in horrible shape, but this test kills me everytime. And its going to be a constant in my career so its not like I can shrug it off. I WANT TO BE THE BEST! Which means training to perform.

Right now of the 11 of us firefighters I'm one of the lower PT scores. UNACCEPTABLE, both to myself as well as my NCO's. So to counter this I'm giving the extra effort to pull up these scores. Meaning a whole butt load of working out, a whole lot of running, and a lot of pain in my legs I've found out.

I'm going to change my blog focus, or more like give it some focus. The topic will be keeping you all updated on my progress with this training deal. I'm over a week into the regular workouts with Fike and no lie I think I'd be better off if my legs straight fell off, but I'm going to kick butt on my next PT test and if this is what I have to do that, then this is what I have to do. My goal? A 300 score, because let's face it how can you motivate others to demand and give their best if you don't do the same for yourself. So years from now when someone tells me they can't do it or its impossible I can use my experience and tell them they sure as hell can and they best get their asses in gear! :)

New Year...Same Ole Me

So my New Year rolled in uneventful. I actually slept through it. But that's the thing one should do when they have to be at work at 0700 1Jan2012. I did receive an awesome call from Spensir at 9pm...midnight for you east coasters. Had to smile when she said on television they were playing Frank Sinatra and she thought of me. Can't wait for my trip home in May, it can't come soon enough. I haven't done anything amazing and exciting as of recently so nothing to report on that front. I work, I sleep, I grocery shop, I facebook, I repeat. Thus is my existance as of now.

My Christmas was also pretty uneventful. I happened to be off, and all of my wonderful gifts were locked up in the mailroom until Dec 27th. Just wonderful right? So I spent my Christmas watching movies, napping, and then dinner with King and his wife, both awesome and I'm glad from South Carolina, because the southern cooking was well appreciated. I did call and speak with everyone at Nan and Gramps' and that was cool, probably going to become a regular thing I guess, as I don't want to be part of the mass of travelers around the Christmas holidays.

Work is still work, I'm plugging along. Starting my EMT class on the 9th, which I'm ready for. I'm ready to add something else to my list of training. Hope it'll be pretty much a review for me. We shall see.

Well until next time! :)

Teeth Chattering...is it Christmas, no just Washington

As I was browsing facebook for the millionth time today, I saw Brittany's blog on her cookie making and I realized I had neglected all my blog readers for the longest time.

Well I am now settled into the swing of things here in Washington...that's STATE not DC. Its cold here, and we all know how much I hate the cold. I pull out the sweatshirts when the temps drop below 70. Well its yet to be above 50 this week so just think of the freezing that is taking place! I like it here though besides the lack of the warmth and the lack of a vehicle. I plan to have mine shipped to me after I get my tax return. I figure if I didn't have the money, then I can't miss it, right?

Just now compiling a Christmas present list, all of the shopping will probably be done online to save me from shipping things individually. Also planning to buy a mini tree this week/weekend to get into the spirit.

I have already watched The Nightmare Before Christmas, A Christmas Story and Its A Wonderful Life, the 3 staple movies upon which the entertainment portion of this holiday season should hinge on. So I feel I'm off to a good start, if only I could stay warm!

Hey I Put Some New Shoes On...

I don't know if anyone has heard Paolo Nutini's song "New Shoes", but its become a regular on Pandora as of lately just for the upbeat tempo and easy going feel of it. He's a Scottish artist who's first album came out in 2006, so I'm a little late on getting into his music, but better late than never, right? I think everyone should at least give him a listen. I got a new pair of Chuck's the other week and every time I put them on, which has only been 3 times since I purchased them...thanks to a daily uniform, I get that song in my head!

Tried to watch Green Lantern last night here on base. I was a little excited about the Ryan Reynolds-ness of the flick, but did not expect to give up on it. Which I did. The movie was supposed to start at 1900 (7pm), so I got there about 15 mins early to get my ticket and get situated. Well the movie didn't start til at least 8pm...so after an hour of sitting tight waiting on the movie to begin I was a not the happiest camper. But it started and I gave it a chance, I sat through an hour of sci-fi, computer generated scenes mixed with real time/live actor moments and what I considered sub-standard acting. I tried to enjoy it, I really did. But the whole plot seemed a little too far fetched and far too predictable for me to sit there much longer. So up out of my seat and back to the dvd's I had picked up from the library. This weekend I chose Confessions of a Shopaholic, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Sound of Music (all movies I've seen before, but enjoyed for different reasons) and I picked up The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe which I've never seen but it drew me in so we're giving it a shot.

Oh! And yesterday I finally got ESPN3 to work on my computer so I had the priveledge of watching Manchester United take on Chicago Fire! My biggest regret is that I didn't get into soccer sooner. I enjoyed the whole match and the time passed so quickly. And that's saying a lot since Michael Owen didn't even play yesterday but still I watched the whole game! Seattle has a team so once I get situated at Fort Lewis I may be looking a little more into that and my fan-ness will probably grow. But for now I'll be content with ESPN3 and the upcoming match Man U has against the MLS All-Stars Wednesday! Oh! And ESPN3 shows a few baseball games during the week I'm also looking forward to checking out! SPORTS HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU BEING WITHIN MY GRASP!!!

Hooah!

Could it get any crazier?

The answer to that question is a resounding YES! (and FYI I had to check my spelling on RESOUNDING and the definition google provided me is quite fitting - loud enough to reverberate) I start block 4 Friday, which means I have that class and 2 more left! I'm halfway done. That's what that means. But block 4 is the the first totally tough class. I'll be outside everyday, all day, in the Texas heat. Which means tons of hydration, moreso than I already am. Praying it passes quickly. Block 5 is hazmat and is spent almost entirely in the class and then its to Block 6, aircraft fires which is a mixture of both and has its difficult moments.

New flash for all who didn't catch the news on facebook, I'm heading to Fort Lewis, Washington in September. Yay for not Texas and yay for not Leonardwood! And yet again THAT could get crazier, I'm assigned to an EOD unit...just think The Hurt Locker. Me assigned to a bomb unit...guess someone has to put it out when it catches on fire. Crazy life I lead.

OH! Anyone in the US that's able to go see Man Utd while they're stateside should! If for no other reason than I can't. I tell you though, if they played in Texas on a weekend I would def be there. They're in DC the end of this month! And anyone searching for an awesome birthday present for moi...less than a month til I hit 28...a Michael Owen jersey would be on point! ;-)

Josh Hamilton got a sweet hit in the All Star Game last night! Didn't see the game, but I saw the highlights...my butt was in bed super early. Hmmm...thinking of other interesting sports news...I'm not following the New York Rangers on twitter since Brad Richards is there.

And that's all I've got for now, have to take my Block 3 end of block exam in a few hours and should probably do a bit more studying.

HOOAH!