Today is the 68th anniversary of the beginning of the Bataan Death March. My thoughts are out in the desert of New Mexico, remembering our...
Read MoreBack on the Grizzly
Our new French über corporate overlords gave us today as an additional day off (ooh la la!), but I got up at 6:00 a.m. and pretended like it was a regular day. I am officially back on my grizzly.
Training
I had a LOUSY night’s sleep last night. Cedar Fever has struck, so whenever I tried to lie flat, I was tormented by a hacking cough. I spent the night trying to sleep in a halfway-seated position. When I woke up for the umpteenth time at, like, 4:00 a.m., I realized I was still wearing my eye glasses. Yeah, it was that kind of night.
It was sheer stubbornness that finally got me out of bed – 20 minutes past schedule – and into the car… then we almost ran out of gas on our way to the gym. We topped off the tank, and I was perilously close to calling the whole thing off because I had to be at the dentist at 9:30. But I rallied! Only to have my hopes dashed when I saw that both weight lifting cages were being used by other people who also realized today would be a great day to get back to their routine.
Back squats were out. Bench press was in… which made me feel like I was cheating a little because I LOVE bench press. Whatever. I got my ass moving today, so I’ll take it.
My workout5×5 bench press: 95 – 95 – 100 – 100 -1002 rounds:10 med ball situps:15 tuck hold (on dip bars)
The predicted low temperature tonight is 28F which has not increased my enthusiasm for doing Angie tomorrow morning at 5:45 a.m. I’m doing my best not to think about it, and I’m laying out my workout clothes tonight. There will be no excuses. Sigh.
Food
I prepare approximately 19 meals and 13 snacks every week. They’re not all winners, but sometimes, like my lunch today, I hit a freakin’ grand slam.
By now, you’ve probably tried the Sunshine Sauce as a veggie dip or with grilled meat or lettuce wraps. Oh, kids! You have to try it as a stir-fry sauce.
I threw some cabbage, green beans, and shrimp into a pan with coconut oil and when the veggies started to get a few brown spots on them, I added a few tablespoons of Sunshine Sauce and sautéd it ’til the sauce thickened a little. Crazy good. So good, it tastes like “cheating” when, in fact, it’s a beautiful dino-chow feast. Do it!
After lunch, I made Brussels sprouts, spaghetti squash, baba ghanoush, and grilled a bunch of turkey sausage and chicken thighs. The cavewoman kitchen is now open for business!
My appetite is back in full force, so I’ve been on schedule with meals and snacks. In fact, I need a snack right now!
Motivation
On May 1, I will turn 42. How is this possible, people?!
To celebrate, I registered today for the Warrior Dash, a stomach-churning run and obstacle course.
Over the course of 3.5 miles, I will swallow my fear, wear that wicked awesome horned hat, and conquer 14 challenges (with Dave, Erika, Anna, and Catherine at my side), including:
- running in a river
- scrambling up a muddy hill
- sliding down a muddy slope
- navigating over giant hay bales
- plunging under water and swimming under logs
- climbing up and over a rope cargo net
- leaping over flames (!)
- crawling under barbed wire in the mud to the finish line
I’m terrified of the cargo net climb. TERRIFIED. At my first triathlon – way back in another lifetime – I almost didn’t do the race because I was too chicken livered to climb down a ladder to the starting line. I become paralyzed at the idea of going up in the air. So… that should be a good one.
I’m none too excited about plunging under logs in the water, either.
But I’ll be damned if I’m going to turn 42 by just eating cake. FIRST, face death. THEN, eat cake.
In other motivational news, my new trail shoes arrived so I can start breaking them in for the Bataan Memorial Death March.
See? I’m gripping the grizzly with all ten fingers (and toes!) so I don’t fall off.
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Nice job on those bench presses! I wish I could put up 100 pounds! I failed not so gracefuly on my second rep of 85 pounds last week and had to be bailed out by the Army guys who work out at my gym. Not my proudest moment, but that's how we get stronger, right!?
Keep the recipies coming! I always find something inspiring in them.
A few friends and I have been talking about doing the Warrior Dash also.. maybe we will see you there.
Don't be too impressed by my bench press, Mary. On the last one, I croaked out a "help" and Dave had to take the bar 😉
Kim –> Definitely let me know if you do it! It would be fun to meet up before or after!
Georgia, Lyssa, Barbara and I (plus more that I can't remember right now) are signed up for the Warrior Dash also!! Are you camping before/after?
I allergic to camping. I will be staying at a hotel. Badass that we're all going to be there! What time is your heat? We're at 3:00.
I'm signed up for 2:30, Lisa is at 2:00, Lyssa is at 12:30 (I think). Here's the kicker: We got Big Mike to sign up, too! And by "got" I mean we filled out the online form for him so he couldn't back out.
Well-played, ladies.
I'm allergic too camping too so Mel if you locate a great hotel, please let me know.
I am Scared to shit over the logs…that is the only thing that makes my tummy hurt thinking about this.
Other than that..I am totally excited.A TON of my hasher buds are doing this in costume.
Eric told me about this today at the gym, I'm in the 3pm heat! Looks like we're going to have a big group for all this fun
3pm heat is where it's at! Bring it on!
Mel, where do you get your chili-garlic paste? i can't find any and I MUST indulge in your Sunshine Sauce.
Man up and camp already, people! There's a big giant camping party with at least 20 of your closest friends! Aww, either way, I can't wait!!
See how far I've come? The "old" me would see that "man up" comment about camping and feel the need to bend so y'all wouldn't think I was weak. But no more!
I. do. not. camp.
The end.
Catherine, I get the chili garlic sauce at HEB in the international foods aisle. It looks like this:
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/02/44/63/06/0002446306105_215X215.jpg
oh snap, is the whole gym turning out for the race?!?! how much fun is this going to be!!!??? i'm down to tent it up!
Mel, more about the shoes please! 🙂
Hey, Diana. I was going to answer your question here, but you inspired me to write a post about my new shoes. Thanks for the idea! Check it out: http://theclothesmakethegirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-put-my-new-shoes-on.html
I just found out about the Warrior Dash yesterday- from an ad served to me on Facebook- they sure know how to target me! I'm signing up for the Midwest Race and can't wait!
Sookie! When is the Midwest race? Be sure to post and let us know how it goes!
It's on 6/19- just outside of Chicago. Got Mr. Smackhouse to sign up with me- our first race together!
Sweet! GooooOOOOOO, Smackhouse family!