Teamwork makes the dream work

I hate when the kiddo feeds me that line, such coach speak and yet, it is big stick week which always gets me thinking.  Teamwork makes the dream work.

Right now, I am in the middle of a very busy year.  This is a great year, and keeps getting better, but it is busy and it is easy to feel overwhelmed and then...teamwork makes the dream work.  If you have read this blog ever (okay, more than for just a post) you know that I like to workout.  That might be an overstatement, I workout because I can and I like the comradery.  During April, I was doing the OTF Marathon Month for ultra miles and, as is my custom, did too many inclines and hurt myself which meant biking.  Then, last week, I started my first Peloton PowerZone challenge which mean biking.  Catch a few themes there?

Yes, I am biking a lot (I have padded shorts, don't worry).  Yes, I am probably working out too much as I have had 4 days of 2 a day workouts over the past week.  Why you may ask?  Well, we have weekend plans and I will NOT let my teams down.  Sometimes, you have to dig deep and stand up for your teams.  

My OTF crew is bad ass.  We are running, walking, riding, whatever we can to get our miles in studio with guidance from true coaches; the competition is only against the person in the mirror but you never know who is being motivated by you.  I can promise you, people would be amazed to know they motivate me - although I tell them as soon as I remember to tell them.  Today was the last day to get our miles and we did it, I even got to run my last set which I hadn't done in 2 weeks (slow and steady but damn it felt good to run again).  We all cheered each other on when we hit goals, even if we hit them weeks ago - we made it through the month together and that was worth cheering.  Why did we do this?  A cool pair of orange socks. We did not let each other down.  We are a team, we made the dream work.

My Ride or Die Trying Peloton group is also badass.  We aren't in a studio, most of us haven't even met, yet we are doing our 3 + 1AR rides a week to get our team points.  As is the case with the OTF crew, we high five (virtually), we cheer each other on through messaging, we are there for each other.  Today ended week 2 for me, of 8 weeks - we have a long way to go but we will not let each other down.  Why are we doing this?  Satisfaction and bragging rights.  We are a team, we make the dream work.

What else has me going?  Event planning is one of my passions. I love hosting people, throwing big or small parties, big or small events that make people feel special.  Then I had to plan my own wedding.  I never thought a small beach wedding would stress me out but here we are.  Let's talk about the wedding crew.  Most people don't know they are in it.  We aren't having a wedding party other than our amazing boys yet I am getting more help and support from people than I ever knew I needed, and I need it.  Some of the support is hands on, some of the support is talking me down (this happens often), some of the support people don't even realize they are giving.  It is support via SoMe posts, jokes sent, texts, snapchats, phone calls (when I answer the phone) that have nothing to do with the big day (112 days to go).  To stay consistent I can ask why are we doing this?  True love and a lifetime together.  This teamwork that is happening?  Well, it is making our dream work - actually it is making my dream come true.

Are you still there?  Big stick week was all about coaches being there for the kid, his community being there for him, his crew being there for him.  Well guess what y'all, my coaches have been there for me without even knowing it, my community has been there for me, my crews are here for me.  They got me through every class, every ride, every oh what the hell moment of the week, every wedding planning moment.  Without even knowing it, my crews, my teams are my big stick - they are making my dreams work.  I only hope I am doing the same for them. 

Let is simmer - in a good way

Crafty people love finding old pieces of furniture, or junk, to recreate into something new.  Heck, American Pickers is on in my house often and it is amazing what those guys find and it is a treasure.  I have watched many a trash to treasure show and wished I had that kind of talent, alas, I have it in my head but not in practice.  However, let's move to my favorite room in the house - the kitchen.

I have this knack for making leftovers into something completely new and creative, in fact, some of my friends can attest to my reinvent left overs dinners I have hosted.  I don't even admit they are reinvented leftovers until after the meal is over of course, I have to have some secrets!  This isn't about those, if you want some ideas, you know how to find me; this is about reinventing something used into something new, specifically a chicken carcass.  Stay with me now - I promise I have a good point.

My mother recently taught me how to make chicken stock from scratch (yes, she held out on me for YEARS, what is that?!) - any stock actually.  You put the bones in a pot, cover it with water, add spices - I use mine on the stem from the garden - garlic, carrots, veggies that are ready to be used, whatever you want.  Simmer in your crockpot or on the stove overnight, strain, cool, scoop fat and freeze in 1 cup bags.  Who cares?  Why are you still reading?  Good questions, I don't know but here is what I think...

Today's world is in such a hurry to change, such a hurry to get things done quickly, such a hurry to buy convenience,  such a hurry to throw things away, such a hurry to be in a hurry...is it so wrong to slow down, throw things in a pot and let it simmer?  This doesn't just go for the broth (that is making my house smell amazing), this goes for life my friends.  Before you lash out from behind your keyboard, simmer your thoughts; before you react to a situation or an option, simmer the facts, your experiences and the facts and experiences from the other side; before you write something off as trash, simmer how you can turn it into something new that will open doors for life.

Take a minute to let things simmer and blend into something new, you might just be surprised at how amazing things actually are, or how amazing things can be.

Thanks Mom

5 months and 7 seconds - oddly like life

Full disclosure time, as per the usual, this morning, I was doubting all the things (code for myself) and almost canceled my OTF class this morning as it was the one mile benchmark. 5 months after the last blog entry, here I am writing about the mile benchmark again - wow. 

 But Erin, you like endurance runs. 

Yes, self, yes I do. But I am also a very competitive person and having taken the second month of quarantine pretty much off from working out other than a run from time to time, I am really only one month back into workouts and a mile benchmark (1 mile timed) 5 months to the day after the last one was daunting. 

See, 5 months to the day ago I was still working out at least 5 days a week consistently, traveling, working and functioning like a normal human - if there is such thing as a normal human. Today? Well, I am not sure what this has been but normal is not the word. Back to the fear and dread of the 1 mile. I am competitive with myself, and only myself as I think other people are amazing at what they can accomplish even if they don't believe it, and I knew that 5 months ago I rocked a benchmark at a studio in Oregon in no small part because of a letter that was waiting for me with altered song lyrics from Coach Stephanie and Teresa letting me know I wasn't running without my peeps. 

Back to today, I am intentionally trying not to push the speed to much in my tread blocks as not getting hurt is the goal which means I have to accept that, in order to stay healthy, I may sacrifice some speed and that is okay - it is GREAT. Today I was back with our OTF Murphy 6:30am crew, even showed up way early so Teresa and I could be next to each other on Tread 1 & 3 (socially distance tread spacing thank you very much), Khahn rocking tread 5 and Penny rowing us through it. Coach Hannah on the mic with her ornery demure, at .5 miles you are half way through you know you can probably add a little more if you feel like it smirk that makes us all smile and dig a little more. I was singing lyrics to no necessarily (not even close) the music that was playing in my head and had the mandatory in my life towel covering my total time. I stuck to my plan and increased at every hash mark on the 'track' (1/4 of the 1/4 mile) until I hit my stride then stuck it for .25 miles until an increase, then a .1 increase for each of the last hash marks. I did not die, I did not throw up (yes, the thought was there, it is a much mental as physical for me), I pushed my towel off at .2 to go and realized I wasn't going to hit my last time but at that point, there wasn't anything I could do about it and that had been my plan for myself. 

Self, you don't need to prove anything to anyone other than yourself and you rock today. You can push as hard as you know you can and no matter what the clock says, you are back in the swing of things and doing work. Well done self. 

That self talk was mixed with other salty language cussing myself out about getting it done and not quitting. Let's be honest, we all talk to ourselves and sometimes, it is not nice. In the end I added 7 seconds. Let me put that correctly, in the end, I only added 7 seconds to my mile benchmark after a very interesting 5 months and I am not in pain. You know what? I am pretty proud of myself at this moment. In fact, after the weight floor, I got back on the tread (we had to, this wasn't something I just did because I am crazy even though I am) and worked to get my 2+ miles today because I knew I could. 

This year has not been the worst year ever for me, while it has been hard and sometimes has beat me into submission (also known as me curled up in the fetal position rocking slowly), it has not been the worst. The boys both are college graduates and have jobs lined up in their fields, Bill and I have jobs and stability, my family and friends are healthy. For me, that is not to say this has been a great year, but it has been not been the worst year, let's say it is 7 seconds more than it was when it started in January, and 7 seconds? Well that is damned good considering the insanity the last 5 months.

Yesterday you just smiled at me

A big day - Alex turns 22, the Flyers play SLU, I am starting a fun week in Oregon (it is nice to be able to work from everywhere when you are morning person so time zones aren't scary), and it was 1 mile benchmark day. While not nearly as exciting as Alex turning 22 (did you see the baby pic? oh yes, I did post it on his wall so all his friends could enjoy it too - you should check it out), the thought of a mile benchmark got my heart racing and BP up - just like the thought of labor, all 2 days of it, did 22 year ago.

Let's add to the fun, like I do, and leave the state and comfort of my home OrangeTheory Murphy studio for the benchmark. After much convincing from the incredible Teresa & Stephanie, I swallowed (pushed down in places we push things down to) my fear and went to the studio this morning for my benchmark alone. But wait - what is this? A note waiting for me in West Linn OTF?

In a way only the Barenaked Ladies can, Teresa & Stephanie sent me a note to keep me motivated and on track (literally, let's remember I have fallen off a tread more than once) for my benchmark!!!

I did not cry, there is no evidence I even teared up, and knew I could do my mile. All I had to do was not fall off the tread and match my last time. Well, I did not fall off the tread since July 10th through 6 months of hip issues, 3 months of rehab therapy exercises, 3 weeks of 100% rest time on various beaches, and on 5 hours of sleep after a 4 hour flight, I cut 18 seconds off my mile time. 8:23 is now mine.

I have to tell you, yesterday I posted about how amazing people are, today was further proof. Andrea cheered on our crew at home while not being able to workout herself; Teresa & Stephanie cheered me on from afar; the front desk crew at the West Linn location cheered me on & said to pass the cheers along to our Murphy studio for being so awesome; sometimes people make life hard but really? People ROCK. Thank you to all in my life who make this journey fun. And thank you for reading all of this - now Harrison Ford is getting Frantic, I look like Hot Wasabi when I bust a rhyme, and, let's go folks, Get it together and come back and see me! 💪🤜🤛🧡

Heading into crazy time - celebrating the little things

Fat Tuesday is almost upon us, in fact, in 1 more Friday I will be touching down in New Orleans where my many beads, tutus and MG family await so that we can ride in our Krewes, dance in the Garden District and pay the proper respect to both Pat O's and Marie Laveau.  Rest assured that I do not forget tiaras, they simply travel with me on the plane so they are not already in the Crescent City (unless I buy a new one again this year, then that one is still waiting for me in the store but I digress).

While Mardi Gras in itself may seem crazy to most, for me it is the time leading up to it and following it that is even more insane.  Between now and then I will be traveling to see family and friends - UD will beat SLU while I am cheering in red at the Arena, I have no doubt AND I get to see the Kiddo doing his thing, always awesome - working and doing other adult things.  Immediately following MG, we have a busy month of out of state weddings, games and a jaunt to CA for a race and some baseball.  Now you see my crazy, however, I don't mind it.  What I hold on to is the calm  - the routine of getting up and working out, feeding the dogs, hanging out with friends, working during the day and spending time with the Big Guy at night.  I find time to celebrate the little things like the fact that the dog didn't catch the rabbit, drinking wine on the porch with my neighbor in rocking chairs, the bed being made when I get home in the morning (and not just because I make it wrong, but because Bill rocks), What's App and SnapChat messages from the kids.  Sometimes it is hard to find the little things because life is overwhelming, I have A LOT to get done before the travel starts next week but sitting here, sipping coffee, looking over work email and writing this blog reminds me that the little things make the big things worth it.

Keeping in the theme of my last blog and my journey - I have a new little thing to celebrate today.  Green.  No, not money, while important, it is not the green I am talking about.  It is the colors of me in the green, and orange while still in my red.  Yes, check-ins at OTF help different charities (while giving them free marketing, something I also support), it also helps me and reminds me that I am not alone in my journey.  I have friends across the US in OTF and when I see them check-in, I feel like, even with the distance, we worked out together (yes Mel & Kim, I am talking to you!).  For someone who traveled and moved most of her life growing up, holding onto the fact that no one is more than a plane ride away and that we are still living life together is important, this has not changed as I have gotten older. Anyway, back to the celebrating my little thing - GREEN AND ORANGE!!!  Yes, I run red on the tread (I see what I did there 😂😂) but I am celebrating the green and the orange! What are you celebrating today?

Pretty Greens and Orange!!!!! 

A journey without a suitcase - but it has lots of color so why not?

I started a new journey last month, one that is personal in it's own way.  At 35, I started working out hard core and ran the first of many races.  Since then, I have completed numerous halves, a marathon and enough mud runs with obstacles to be considered a mud loving pig.  I really do miss a good mud run.  I have also gone up in down in fitness and weight, and when the weight goes up, let's be honest - it is harder to get the fitness back.  The word embarrassment comes to mind, but why be embarrassed about who you are?  Well, that is an age old question and I am NOT tackling the world here, only my world.

My new journey includes some pretty hard core fitness at OrangeTheory.  Today was distance day, and while I am a distance girl, even at a much slower pace than I ever was before, distance on a treadmill is a whole different story.  And then we need to add in the very daunting heart rate monitor that posts your effort range on very large TVs in the room.  The intent is to get green, orange and some red.  Now, I run red - shocking I know, drama everywhere - my heart rate runs very fast and it seems that I am dying if you look at the screen and yet, if you look at me on whatever device I am currently using, I could be singing or smiling (unless during all out - then I am full on game face, RBF has NOTHING on my all out face thank you very much).  My amazing coaches have assured me that I am good - and they are trained to know - at my 50 splat points while others work to get to 30.  Today, I still had my 48 splat points yet I somehow also managed 21 minutes in orange and 14 in green.  How?  No idea other than the distance run felt good - like, really good.  What is the point to all this build-up?  It is not an OTF commercial I assure you.

The point is I was scared to get back into working out with others, and I need others to be successful in my workouts just like my life.  Yes, the competition is against yourself - be better than the you of yesterday is not just a cheesy saying - but my old self was kind of badass and the new self?  Well, she is getting there again. This is all in my eyes, and how you see yourself is very important to your personal success. 

We are past the first month of dying new year's resolutions so now is the time - challenge yourself, not to be who you may have been in the past - stop comparing yourself to that person, rather challenge yourself to take on your fears (mine was humiliating myself in front of others while trying to better myself, I know, ridiculous) and get through them.  You might be in the best shape of your life right now, you might be exactly where you want to be, but as a human, there is something you are afraid to take a chance and do, DO IT!  Don't do it for me, or your kids, your loved ones, do it for YOU.  Find your green / orange, don't fear the red - and no, this does not only apply to fitness.  I hadn't written since October of last year...another fear overcome.  If I can do it, I know you can.

A room with a view

My latest trip takes me quite literally around the world.  After a whirlwind month, I am in Thailand to end my travels.  Thailand, a country of mystery, and specifically Bangkok, a beautiful city where the hotel staff tells me not to walk half a mile myself to a park just in case.

After a day of working in my room and the rooftop garden on a low roof of the hotel, as well as meeting coworkers for a break, I find myself in my room looking out the window.  Who cares?  Well, I do.  As I stare out I notice others doing the same.  Can we see each other?  Of course.  Do we actually notice each other? Well, I do.  I see people staring out the window on the phone, someone dancing to what I can only imagine is a happy dance due to a great day, someone with a glass of wine lost in thought.  As I sit with my glass of champagne, the Villanova versus Georgetown game on the TV and my laptop on the table I can't help but think that this day brings so many different things for different people.

Some people are here for fun, to enjoy the beautiful temples and parks.  Others are here for work and might never make it out of the hotel for anything other than a late night drink or dinner.  I am more towards the latter but that doesn't make me appreciate the city any less.

I know how lucky I am, despite the long travels in coach, the working time zones for both sides of the world, the jet lag, everything else business travel brings to the table.  I am lucky to be someone that is in the window with a glass of champagne, the Villanova versus Georgetown game on the TV and my laptop on the table.  I only hope that the people I see in their windows see me and imagine their own stories that bring them a smile as I am certainly smiling for them.

Butterflies - someone has them for you

It is no secret that I am the biggest supporter of my boys.  Home, school, sports, work - I will always have their back and brag about them to the point of embarrassment.  That is just the kind of Mom (& Daddy) I had so it is the kind of Mom I am.  I have never felt the need to apologize for it, I have never felt like a helicopter parent due to my pride - in fact, and if you as the boys they will probably agree, I am harder on them than other kids simply because I know they can reach their goals.  They both have all the tools they need to do work and accomplish whatever they set their minds too.  This is one of those proud moments for the kiddo - the one that used to be the short one.

Today I am on one of my random trips.  Some people think I am crazy, I am probably am, but sometimes I think you need to use your miles, get on a plane and go for an adventure.  This adventure took Alex & I back to Dayton - UD specifically - for the biggest game to date for our Flyers.

Today I dropped him off at the back of the Arena, a door I never knew existed in my 4 years here, so he could do work.  My son will never wear a basketball team uniform, will never make the winning free throw (and not just because he misses those - always) in a D1 game, will never be in the player hall of fame, but that kid?  He goes through the back doors to the UD Arena.  He, and his fellow managers, set up the benches, the locker rooms, the uniforms, the water bottles / towels / chairs with smiles on their faces.  If not actually on their faces, they have them inside as they know what a privilege their jobs are. Every time they enter the arena and hit the floor, they have the same butterflies the players do.  They feel every swish, every miss as if they were suited up to play.  They do their own shoot around before the players hit the court.  While I know in reality this is just shooting hoops with buddies, part of me wonders if they do it to make sure there is nothing wrong with the rims, the balls, the shot clocks.  There is nothing these managers won't do for their players, their coaches, their team.

It might not make sense to everyone, and it sounds irrational when you say it out loud to be sure, but tonight, as I am cheering on our Flyers, I will have butterflies for those men behind the bench.  For those who do work because they love it and because they know that it is their job to ensure everything behind the scenes works so their players can go and make the shots and get the win.

Moral?   Decide what you want to do, do the work, go through the secret doors and get it done. Somewhere, your mom, grandmom, dad, grandpa, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or friend (okay, all of the above I am sure) have butterflies for you.  Know you are going to get it done right because whether you are the guys on the bench or behind it, someone has faith in you and knows you can get it done.

They inspire me

Today has been one of those days.  People are being horrible to one another, without full knowledge, without understanding, without tolerance.  Glass houses are being shattered without thought, without care about emotions, without facts.

This all scares me.  Worse, this makes me sad.

I am a passionate person, so things effect me more than they should and I acknowledge that.  I lean towards the dramatic, it is what it is.  I could apologize for it, but I can't change it as that would be changing who I am!

Today I was sad, I was worried, I was drained actually, then I went outside to get my mail.  That is when God reminded me how great our country is.  In my cul-de-sac the kids were playing life sized PacMan.  The girls and boys played together; the preteens and the elementary school kids; the Christians and the Muslims.  When they noticed me, one of the girls ran over and sat with me and the dogs and talked about her day, talked about how excited she was as her brother had a concert at school.  Her eyes were sparkling, she was so excited to support her family.  Then the other kids noticed the dogs and gave me a huge group hug before chasing their furry friends around.  It was at that point that the two little girls told me they thought my tree was inspirational.  Why?  Because the tree had to be chopped down quite drastically because half of it had fallen in the yard.  Well now, on top of the cut thick limbs, little green leaves have started to sprout.  The girls said it shows that even the dead looking stuff can regrow and that they would keep growing.  Then back to cuddling with the furry friends leaving me with a warm heart and a smile.

Y'all - remember when we were kids and played life sized PacMan with our friends no matter what they believed?  Remember when it was as easy as running around and putting cards in the spokes of our bike wheels or chasing the neighborhood dogs?  Get back to that, and get back to remembering that sometimes a tree can inspire you to keep growing.  Give the little kids a chance to inspire you, their innocence shows wisdom beyond their years.

A surprise touch might just be what is needed...

It is no secret, at least to my family, that I don't like to be touched.  Apparently, at some point when I was a perfectly behaved toddler (hahahaha that's for you Mom), I decided I didn't like being touched, loved on, hugged for longs periods of time, you name it.  Touching was out.  However, there are times that even me, supreme bubble girl, needs a kind touch, a hand to hold, a hug.

What I didn't know was that a surprise touch could calm even a person like me for a day.

I go to yoga, it is my strength training and helps me breathe. Yoga is hard.  Breathing is as important for some of us, if not all of us, in distance sports and with asthma, well let's just say I need help and leave it at that.  At the end of yoga, there is the most amazing part of the practice, chavasana.  This is where you are done with your hour long practice and you lay at peace on your back, connecting with the earth, with each other, and being grateful for your ability to share in the practice with others.  At Reef Point Yoga the wonderful yogis place a cool lemongrass towel over your head which, for me at least, helps me to forget all the worries and to dos for the day and just be in the moment.  What does this have to do with my touching issue?  I am getting to it right now so just be patient.

This week, Kathi, who I have know since the boys were little as she was their assistant principal, came around and not only put the blessed lemongrass towel over my forehead and eyes, but she then rubbed my upper arms and shoulders with this amazing gel.  I am sure it has natural relaxation powers and that is why it didn't bother me one bit to have someone rubbing my upper arms and shoulders while I was laying still with closed eyes.  In fact, between the lemongrass towel and the eucalyptus smell of the gel I was reminded of a hot bath (which I am huge fan of) and the fabulous lemongrass and eucalyptus soaps I use to take me to my happy place.

All this rambling to say, we all have something that makes us uncomfortable - mine is being touched - yet if we just let it happen once in a while, we might just be surprised.  We might just find a new happy place.  I did, and not just because yoga was done for the day.  Yoga is hard.

How do we - how do I - handle curve balls?

Today Spring rewarded our fair little city with freezing temperatures.  Yes, I know, some of you got snow. I live in Texas, if we got snow in April there might be mutiny and the city might shut down for a week just because they are angry.  Freezing temps in April after a 70 degree day; it got me thinking about curve balls and how this is Mother Nature's curve ball.  A silly little one that is easy to hit out of the park with a polar fleece and cute scarf.

I moved most of my childhood life.  For most of it, I was too young to realize that everyone didn't move as much as we did.  I remember moving from KY and being very sad; I remember being sad and angry every move after that.  I have blogged how mom would sing Run for the Roses.  I remember thinking that 'maybe this time we are staying put - we aren't going to move.' until my parents would tell us were moving to next state.  Tears would ensue, and not just from me as I remember crying with mom more than once - a moving curve ball.  One I hit with a song, new friends and a new address.

It is April 15th, and a year ago we mourned a terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon.  If you have read this blog at all, you know that I am a runner, a late blooming runner who usually enjoys the scenery than the speed, but a runner nonetheless.  I was watching the Boston Marathon last year and cheering for the victors.  Then, a short time later I got a text from my mom that someone had bombed the Boston Marathon.  I knew people (via Facebook so no, I have never shook their hand or hugged them but I still consider them a part of the running team) running the marathon.  I knew people who had families up there cheering and all we knew was something had happened and people where hurt.  I blogged about it two separate times (here and here). A curve ball - a much more serious curve ball than freezing temps or moving to be sure, but a curve ball for all of us.  A hard, fast curve ball.  Monday we will hit that curve out of the park with the 2014 Boston Marathon and between now and then, many of us will be running in honor of last year's event.  Nothing will stop us.

All of those are examples, albeit ranging in severity, of curve balls that aren't the most positive of experiences but we hit them.  I hit them - begrudgingly and after striking out first perhaps - but I hit them. (Yes, I know the cold & moving are NOTHING compared to Boston and I am not trying to compare them but it was a curve ball for all of us.)

What about good curves?  Sweet spot curve balls?  Well heck, I have plenty of those, they are home runs.

• New job with new responsibilities that open doors and allow me to meet new friends (from their spouse no less)
• New schools that led to life long friends (I sense a trend...)
• Going grey at 18 that led me to have fun with various shades of brown (this brunette does have more fun with friends...)
• Unhealthy check-up resulting in boot camps and running leading to amazing new friends (there is that friend trend again...)
• Being single again, resulting in going solo to an auction and meeting the Big Guy (ooo - love)
• The kiddo - greatest home run of my life

Moral of this disconnected blog?  Don't hate the curve ball, find a way to hit it out of the park even if it takes time or tears (or yelling, or punching of a heavy bag) first. Jackie Robinson didn't shy from the curve - step into the box and hit that curve.

Sweat It Out

I like working out in a boot camp. I am sick. Move on.

This morning it was a bitter 44 degrees when 1 other person and I started our 'session' and she admitted that if she had known it was this cold she wouldn't have come. It literally was 3 of us including our CG trainer who was a trooper still leading us with such a small group.

It was a heck of a work out (thanks Shane!), hard push then break, it was 100% to rest every 60 seconds or so and was amazing. Now, there are those of you who like running, walking, weight lifting, aerobics, etc. I like boot camp - it is different every time. There isn't long distance running (HATE) and not much down time so you get a full hour of push. What I like best about the CG boot camp is the fact that we work out as a team - you and your team (could be one person could be many) work together to succeed. We have even done exercises where if you can't finish it, your team finishes it for you. Amazing team work that takes into consideration that your 100% might be more or less than the next person.

Now to the point - I am not graceful. Yes, I can dance but that does not help my lack of grace apparently. I almost bit it 3 times this morning (and only once during something called the Frog Jump - ribbit ribbit). Did I get frustrated? Nope - we laughed and pushed harder. What can this teach us...well, you are going to stumble and fall but don't let it bring you down and collapse on yourself. Laugh it off and push harder. Sweat it out!

When you stumble, are you going to laugh and push?

It's all about comfort

I am on this workout and eating healthy kick that I truly hope becomes more of a way of life than a passing phase (and I have passed the 21 day mark so it stands a chance).

I get up very early and work out with a group of similar crazy people in a boot camp, we are those people you see in parking lots (or parking garages if it is below freezing or raining) before dawn or after work sweating as a team doing things we used to think of as fun in PE. Ah - the ignorance of youth...

Normally I am a heels girl, I am short and therefore like the height, like the way it makes my legs work and it helps with eye level (let's be honest, I like feeling eye to eye with others). What the heck does that have to do with the work out kick? Today I am in flatter than flat shoes because I am pretty sure that my calves would rage up and kill me if I tried to elevate them all day.

It's all about the comfort today - do something to make yourself comfortable and share it with others...you never know what effect it might have. You might just be the comfort they need:)

Questions versus People

Everyone has heard the saying "There is no such thing as a stupid question". After many years of school and now work in the corporate world I would like to take that one step further.

There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

Think about it - how many times have you been sitting in a meeting, or class (or even at a social gathering I suppose) when someone asks a question that is just stupid? Maybe it is something that was just talked about, or maybe it is something you know cannot be answered (legally or otherwise). You know you are thinking "What an idiot" but manners and humanity teaches us to keep our mouths shut and just smile.

While we are in school, we are learning so really, there aren't stupid questions, just not thought out ones - I will give students that. In the older world, I will give you no such excuse, stop being stupid and use your brain. It is what you are paid the big (or small) bucks to do.