Insanity: Fit Test

Okay, I just finished my first Insanity DVD two days ago. Initial thoughts? This is going to kick my ass and I LOVE IT. I only did the Fit Test since I had gone snowshoeing the day before. I was sorta extremely wiped out due to working the entire night before and then heading right into a three-ish hour snowshoeing escapade without getting any sleep beforehand.

The Fit Test was 30 (I think) minutes long and consisted of back-to-back timed movements in which you document how many repetitions you were able to get in during the allotted time. This way you can track your fitness level by going back every few weeks to challenge yourself by increasing your repetitions. The background was of a gymnasium with tall wide windows- it was simple and appealed to me. The music was modern and with great bass. Nothing cheesy or reminiscent of the 70-80's.

I really enjoyed the simplicity of the workouts and the no-nonsense approach Shaun T took towards motivating you. He was not trying to toss out corny one-liners that a LOT of these hooligans tend to do. He gave a few "I know you can do it. It's hard but push through it" speeches while the timer ticked down. It was persistent but unobtrusive and definitely not annoying. Like I said before, he was easy on the eyes, ripped enough to be inspirational but not overly ripped to the point you are thinking to yourself "the only way I could look like that is to hop on the steroid wagon or pay rent for housing at the gym".

When I choose a workout DVD I want to be inspired by the trainer- visually. I want to see a beautiful body (that isn't fake, baby oiled, or spray tanned) and I want their personality to match their strong sexy body. With Tony Horton you received a decent body (strong but leaning a bit more on the sinewy look) but you got the personality of a slightly more masculine Richard Simmons. No. Thank. You.

Honestly, as I started the Fit Test, I was so focused on doing the move correctly that I quickly lost count of my reps. I figured it was fine as I was just dipping my toes in for the first time.  I did the first several moves feeling pretty darn peachy with myself until I got to the suicide drills. Daaaammmmn. I wore out quick and had to stop a few times to catch my breath. Another great pointer about the videos: the other people doing the Fit Test had to rest here and there also. Made for a realistic setting and I liked it. There's nothing wrong with resting and the Fit Test was designed to make it as easy or as hard as you chose.

Having only done the fit test, my initial reaction is incredibly positive for the Insanity set. In my opinion, it is not for newbies just starting a workout program, nor for someone extremely obese as I think the activity level is pretty high impact and fast paced which could easily lead to injury. Overall, I'm inspired and excited to have finally found a workout program that I don't have to mute.

Snowshoeing with My Honey

 Beginning of the Trail

I love this man!

Argos was instructed to keep on high alert for kitty cats. The big ones...

 Love my MSR Lightening Ascents

 Happy Pup!

 I was told a bench was at the end of the trailhead. Thinking this was a very anticlimactic ending after a big uphill climb in snowshoes, I then realized this was not the bench at the end...

This was the bench at the end...and well worth the climb.

Bunny! Argos had no interest in chasing this little guy (he usually has no desire to chase any wildlife though he will whinny and alert me to it). He sniffed and kept walking. What a good puppy! 

 So, I just have to ask...if a bear can sleep up to 200 days, can you just imagine what that first morning constitution upon waking would be like? Or maybe even worse, a bear fart? Whoa buddy!

 I would like to build my house right here and fix up this barn! Chickens!!!

per hubby: interesting that their "fine" for carrying a firearm is illegal per state regulations. Unfortunately it would cost thousands to fight and win that in court. I disapprove.

Fabulous three hour hike with my favorite company and it's always wonderful to see Argos so happy and excited about life. We promptly headed to our favorite sushi bar Zen Mai in Boulder  for some Z9, Gladiator, and Firecracker Rolls (to die for) with toasted brown rice hot tea (sigh, love this stuff).  Finished the night curled up watching a rental movie. I love my life...

Snowshoeing at Walker Ranch

I gathered my girlfriends yesterday and headed out for some snowshoeing at Walker Ranch! It was their first time snowshoeing and I wanted to make sure it was a great experience for the three of them.

After a few clothing alterations (ladies just say no to cotton and micro-socks in boots) we piled into the 4Runner with a Skybox full of gear. The girls had rented some Tubbs shoes so I had to give them the low-down on the fact that with the Tubbs strap system, they would probably be having to stop frequently to retighten their straps (a major complaint I have encountered with their "quick lace" system) and to not let that dampen their experience. Great shoes for first-timers, especially if that was all they had to rent for a really great price, but not ideal for shoes to own if you want to be a frequent snowshoer.

We arrived at the trailhead to find there was only a driving loop plowed and three cars in the only parking spots available. I tried to park next to one of the cars which was partial snow drift only to be promptly stuck; even with my four wheel drive my tires just spun. After some good laughter, we decided it would probably be smartest to dig myself out now instead of after snowshoeing when we'd be tired. I plucked out my handy collapsable Black Diamond shovel and started to dig. I thanked myself for being so prepared...

I also had a small scoop type shovel (the kind you can lash onto your backpack in the backcountry) that I slid under my other tire to gain traction. It all worked and with a few helpful shoves by the girls I was out. I parked in a better spot and we geared up.

 and headed down the trail...

It was a chilly 20-something degrees out but we all warmed up after the first few hills we climbed. Everyone started peeling off layers. Argos skipped ahead of us excited to be outside again.

My "sisters from another mother"- I love these girls with all my heart.

Finally back to the car, girls are still smiling after about three hours of snowshoeing but very exhausted! 

I Work Out....

Four mile run around the park with the pup followed by P90X Ab Ripper (did I mention that guy is annoying?!) due to time restraints. I've been sticking hard to an exercise schedule nearly every day of the week so far although majority of it is coming either from my home gym or at 24Hr Fitness gym. Hopefully this next weekend I'll be able to get outside and do some snowshoeing with some friends. My body is aching for a long run or workout.

The other day at 24Hr I hopped on the treadmill and became so engrossed in a tv show (I have no tv at the house and consequently become pseudo-zombie-like whenever I do catch glimpses of television) that I found I had run way over 3 miles in 25 minutes with an incline of 2%. Hot dawg!!! I didn't even feel like I had been pushing myself too much. Just goes to show how much of a mental game exercising can be. If you allow your brain to convince you that you are exhausted and weak then you will succumb to it. Be strong and push through that mental barrier!! As my teammate and I call it "talking to the piggy".

I felt so good after the treadmill workout that I went and lifted some serious weights for another 45 minutes. Needless to say I didn't do anything heavy yesterday to let my micro-tears repair and build a stronger body. Today's run felt effortless and although Mr. Tony Horton drives me bonkers (not in a good way), his abdominal workout was tough enough that I keep coming back to his stupid DVDs.

This next week I will be testing out Insanity workout, I hear from other athletic friends that it's a challenging workout, the trainer is not only easy on the eyes, but skips the annoying and goes straight for the motivating! Yipee!

Let's compare trainers:

Contender on the Left: Shaun T (Insanity)

Contender on the Right: Tony Horton (P90X)- notice he has to throw out the "X" gesture which he loves to do throughout the entire collection of workouts.

 Shaun T: eh? I could look at this for a few hours

OR

Tony Horton: not so much.

Fit and Fun!

BIG NEWS FIRST:
The Wildchild and her sidekick, Sparkplug (AKA Stephanie), are going to be making a return visit as a team to the TransRockies Trail Run this August!!! We debated back and forth, discussing possible complications/interferences or the possibility of competing solo in the Run3, until we finally decided we were just going to do it! Do all of it...six days...go big or go home we say!
-if you want to see what it's all about, search my blog for the 2009 race updates-




I've been getting some good workouts done on the 'ol treadmill and incorporating some fitness videos with my runs. Two days ago I did 7 miles on the treadmill at an incline of 2% in about an hour followed by yoga (I really suck at this but keep trying) and sit ups/push ups. This woman is a beast:

Shiva Rea

I don't think I've ever hated someone and wanted to be like them so bad before in my life. She is amazingly beautiful, strong, and graceful. Not to mention holy-hell flexible. I was in the middle of some sort of contortion, trying to calmly breathe through abnormally twisted ribs when I finally toppled over onto the floor. I was a twisted heap on the mat- Kerplunk! I dusted myself off, hit rewind, and attacked the position again. Not pretty, but I'm stubborn as a mule and determined. 

Yesterday Cowboy and I hit the gym late at night. I got four fast miles in (did some speed work) and then lifted weights. You know it's a great workout: when you get done, put on some layers to prepare for the chill outside only to have the layers soak up the sweat from your t-shirt. Awesome. 

Today, I met a girlfriend for lunch to provide some emotional support after she sat for her nursing boards. NCLEX sucks and I don't mean in a little way. Everyone comes out feeling deflated and sick to their stomachs. I forgot that pain but hearing her anxiety coming out of it brought the misery back in a flash flood of despair. I felt her suffering and I tried to reassure her that the "I just got pulvurized by a mac truck" feeling was completely normal. Not sure if that really helped but if not, maybe the margarita did. 

Afterwards, Cowboy took me to Murdoch's and promptly bought me some Ariat boots I had been drooling over for my past lifetime. What a freaking amazing husband. Seriously, I have no idea how I got this lucky nor what I did to deserve him but I am sure not going to question his sanity! Here I tell him I am a closet shoe-aholic (mainly when dealing with heels and cowboy boots- drool-) and what does he do? He helps feed my addiction! Love. Him.

Here's my wickedly cool new Ariats:

 My shit-kickers for everyday wear. 

To replace my falling apart work Danskos: Comfy work shoes AND spicy clogs for dressing up a pair of jeans! Hot mamma!!!

For those that are addicted to Cowboy boots, check these chicks out: Urban Cowgirl. Ran into them at the Western Stock show and nearly fell over in love with their handmade boots. Jaw dropped at the price but Cowboy said that's what a "good pair of boots will cost ya babe". Does that mean it's acceptable to purchase said pair??! I'm not pushing my luck right now but a girl can dream, can't she?

I'll take one of each of these:

But especially, there was a pair there that the owner was displaying (they were her personal boots) that were out of this world gorgeous. She said she could make me a pair. Now to start saving my change!

To my Cowboy, the love of my life...this one's for you:

Now off to do some P90X: Cardio X and Ab Ripper! With the music/voice muted, of course, because un-muted I just curse at how utterly annoying that guy is! Kick my ass, dude, and shut up because when you open that trap you sound like a wuss and it makes me want to break your dvds in half. 

"Jules" & Mt. Galbraith

Remember the last post on strays? Well, here's yet another one that came to visit us just the other morning:

 "Jules" 

(although it appears that way in the pic, I assure you Cowboy is not choking the poor girl!)

Every time a stray comes to play with Argos, Cowboy is quick to say, "Now hon, you know we can't keep it." This time, however, he startled me when he said, "If we can't find her owner, she might just be staying with us." She was so beautiful, well mannered, and chased Argos all over the yard. I loved up on her with all my might and she just gave it right back.

We finally located her owner (a young guy right across the street from us) who apologized profusely about taking her collar off last night to bathe her along with the collar. She had opened the gate and gotten out, but luckily appeared to be distracted from her escape by the sight of Argos. I don't blame ya big girl. 

I am glad we found her owner, who also said she was indeed micro-chipped (what a great guy), but I admit we lamented over not being able to keep the sweet pit. Afterwards, Cowboy and I discussed the fact that we have never in our lives met a pit bull that wasn't the sweetest, well mannered dog. I have found them to be superior family dogs who are all around very loving and happy pups. 

 Yesterday's temps- chilly and snowing

 Mt. Galbraith trailhead- only one other car in the lot. Saaweeet!

 Thank goodness for spikes!

There was a fine dusting of fresh powder atop a very thick, very slick layer of solid ice. It was like glass.

 Argos would find "the perfect" stick, carry it around until he got bored and found another perfect stick.

 Deer!

The run was the first I had gotten for almost a week as sinus colds hit us both hard earlier in the week. We went through several boxes of Kleenex and the couch got some really good use.

After my great run (two loops total) I arrived home to the surprise of fresh flowers in the kitchen. I had had a slightly emotionally difficult day and Cowboy worked his magic on bringing me back to happiness. A great run followed by flowers, a rental movie, and Chinese take-out did the trick. What a great husband!!!