It's Been a While

So, it's been a while since I've posted on here, but after my trek yesterday I figured I should post an update. So yesterday around 1 in the afternoon I decided it was a good idea to get in 20 miles. Mind you it was 95 outside and I didn't really take that into consideration when I was leaving.

I left at 1:20 and after 20 minutes I was hurting. I had my camelbak fully stocked with 3L of water, and by the time I reached my destination it was all gone. The sun was raging and it was taking every bit of willpower I had to keep on going instead of turning around and going home or getting on a bus or light rail. I told myself that I would at least make it 10 and then see how I was feeling before calling it quits.

So, I continued to drink my water, had some GU along the way, and I made it 10 miles in 2.5 hours ... my best time ever. The heat was motivation to kick my ass into high gear so that I didn't get stuck out there.

And what did I do after I got there ... I found air conditioning and rested. I was tired, I was getting the early symptoms of heat stroke and I needed water. After waiting for a bit and resting for about an hour I made the decision that I wouldn't walk all the way back home ... I would take the light rail for part of it and save myself a little bit. I went and got some more water, filled my camelbak back up and walked 3 miles to the light rail station. I got on and the AC felt wonderful. I got off at my stop and had another 2 miles to go to get home. So, all-in-all I set out to get in 20 miles and ended with 15. Not bad for 95 degrees out. My camelbak has paid for itself time and time again ...

I will never do this again in this heat!!!

Week One in Review

Ok, so that sounds like some tacky news headline, but I've been very bad about posting so I have to do a week in review.

I started the 30DS last Sunday, and as expected, Jillian kicks my ass each and every time. I really don't know if I will ever be able to keep up with Jillian but it can be rather fun to try.

So, I'm still doing modifications, but I have been able to crank out a few push-ups without the modifications. Yay for me. On the other hand, I am still following Anita a LOT. By the time the 20 minutes is up I'm breathing like I've lost a lung but feel rather good about it.

I've also started up my walking again, and think that I'm going to start walking to work so that I can really increase my mileage ... perhaps that will make a difference in the way my body reacts to this punishment.

Today, I took the day off of Jillian and decided to go hiking instead. Three hours and seven miles later I made it back to my car, feet covered in red dust/turned to mud and I am SOOO glad I had my camelbak with me - that thing paid for itself. I drank about 3L worth of water and the miles didn't seem as bad when I stayed hydrated. That thing is definitely going with me on the 25th ... it will be much easier when I'm hydrated. That's one thing about Surfside, I wasn't hydrated ... and while I drank at every station, I was parched.

Ok, so back to Jillian - with the upper body changes, I'm noticing the shoulder workouts are getting easier, but Jillian v. walking v. hiking v. biking ... all different muscle groups. While Jillian does help with the walking and hiking, all those damn squats, it doesn't do a damn thing for biking. I think the only thing that is going to get my ass in bike shape is actually biking (or getting an indoor trainer ... why in the hell did I throw out the one I had in Cleveland???).

Tomorrow and Wednesday will finish up level one, and then we shall see about level two. Fun fun :)