Planks a lot!

[I think it’s important for you to know that I’m writing this in a lunchtime work meeting, surrounded by people scarfing cookies and sandwiches (tuna salad! egg salad! turkey & cheese!). The cookie platter is about 18 inches across and piled high. I just swallowed an Advocare ThermoPlus and some Catalyst, and I’m drinking water until the meeting is over so I can eat my grilled pork chop, zucchini, snow peas, berries, and almonds. Man! I would love a coconut macaroon right about now. But there’s that pesky problem of having goals. Damn it!]

I used to dread Monday mornings but now, thanks to Bootcamp, I have a fun reason to get up early and start the week in a good place.

My knees were a bit creaky during our warmup this morning from the Bat Run last night — and one of the activities I did this weekend made my glutes sore. Running through the rope ladders, I was feeling kinda pooped and was a little worried about how I was going to fare with the workout.

Crystal did a brilliant job putting together a challenging routine for today, and focusing on just getting it done carried me through. By the end, my arms and legs were slick with sweat, and I was happily fatigued.

Part 1: The sandy volleyball court
Tools: Med ball, mat, determination

4 rounds for time:

• 10 burpees
• 15 jumping lunges with a med ball overhead press (8-6-6-6 lbs.)
• 20 med ball slams, 8-lb. ball
• 25 situps
• sprint thru sand pit + backwards shuffle X2

My time=16:24

Part 2: The park
Tools: Med ball, mat, PVC pipe, bench

3 rounds, 20 seconds each activity:

• toe taps on the med ball
• fast feet + PVC pipe chest press
• Russian twists, 6-lb. ball
• 5X handstand pushups w/ feet on bench
• high knees + PVC pipe overhead press

Part 3: Planks
Tools: mat, ego

Round 1 plank = a contest to see who would be the last bootcamper planking. I won! Crystal cut me off at two minutes, but I bet I coulda made it to three.

Round 2 plank = a blessedly brief 45 seconds

The planks are a big accomplishment for me. Back in November when we first started doing them, I couldn’t hold the position for even 30 seconds without resting a few times. I distinctly remember the cold morning in the parking garage that inspired me to scrawl in my workout journal, “I hate planks!!!” in large, angry, red capital letters.

But it’s a fine line, and I was love-hating those two minutes this a.m.