How to Sh*t in the Woods

I received this book in yesterday's mail, completely by surprise...

Brian was hysterically laughing moments after opening the book up.

Its very fitting because, well, p00ping in the woods is one of my biggest fears about this hike... I mean, if I'm out for 16 hours, forced to drink and keeping nourished, I think nature will naturally be calling. The last time I had to do this, I was mortified and suffered more than the hike I was on.

Thanks Michelle for the gift. Right now, you can find it sitting on the back of the toilet!

Day 11

Today, was yet again another gloomy morning. And as my alarm clock went off for the 2nd time, alerting me to the 5:45 am hour, I rolled over to see the sleeping husband, and boy, was I jealous!

Another great workout with great company! We started off with a jog around the dirt path... 2 times this times. This is how I choose to start my day? Me? Who refuses to run unless food or weaponry are involved? But at least Erika said I did a good job. A pat on the head like a good doggy, and I was ready for the next task...

Circuit training. Besides the fact that these simple looking exercises take quite a toll on ya after just a few reps, I told Erika, who was so politely trying to fix my pose to get the positioning right, "Just man handle me" cause I could not (especially without the aid of coffee) take direction on the correct form my back and legs were supposed to be in. Ms. Erika is a lot stronger than she looks. She also yelled at me when I started to walk when I was supposed to be running. And when I say she yelled at me, she just asked me "Hey, what are you doing?", but it felt more forceful LOL.

Oh, and I pet a puppy who passed by too! Probably the highlight of my morning.

It was rainy all throughout the workout which was kinda nice cause it kept the little flying bugs from buzzing around... which did happen when it stopped... and one flew up my nose. Bugger!

Stairs later on today, when I get some feeling in my limbs from the AM workout. Managed 4 sets yesterday.

Coffee... NOW.

Stairs, smairs

3 times up and 3 times down. My legs are like jello again. I'm trying to see if I can sneak another set in in the next hour and 12 minutes of work...

I'm getting pretty anxious about this whole thing. Maybe once my reservation for Housekeeping it booked, I'll feel a little bit better. I'm having all sorts of plans on my plate that I'm trying to juggle.

Tomorrow, I'll meet with Erika and my co-workers again. And Saturday we're gonna do a "total body workout". I would rather just turn in my total body for another new total body... no such luck.

Right now, my co-worker as I type this, might be looking at Half Dome... she and her family are in the high sierra's on holiday... lucky woman!

Day 10

First of all, a big shout out to my 4 FOLLOWERS!!! who will keep me honest and keep by butt moving!!!

Yesterday, after much hesitation, I strapped on my roller blades without protection ie knee/wrist/elbow pads, but I did wear an old pair of jeans which hopefully would buffer a fall. I also had the company of Brian who helped me on rocky areas, big cracks in the road and getting up and down curbs. I roller bladed about a mile, and I was pretty impressed with how much roller blading is like "riding a bike." I hope to get out there a little more and tighten up these tree trucks I like to call "legs."

I got a bunch of swimming in over the weekend. We had the pool all to ourselves... Its amazing how many people in our building DON'T use the pool. More for me then!

In an effort to keep preparing for HD, I bought "One Best Hike: Yosemite's Half Dome" by Rick Deutsch.

Rick has climbed Half Dome 26 times in his life and has put out a big tips guide. I'm a creature who loves accessories, so I couldn't resist. Rick also has a blog out that I follow called "Mr. Half Dome's Blog."

Since its kinda gloomy today in Los Angeles, those stairs in the office are calling my name!

Day 8

So, I'm not as terribly sore as I thought I would be for a "48 hours after workout". Yay. Maybe that means I'm not in as worse shape as I thought???

Spent most of today prepping for our little 4th of July day BBQ tomorrow, but did make 2 trips to sporting good store...

Am I the only person looking to wear elbow/knee and wrist guards while roller blading? Cause the selection out there would lead me to this conclusion. Here I thought I was gonna find a set of purple pads, but I can't seem to find 1 knee pad that doesn't squeeze my knee fat (yup, apparently I have knee fat... kinda looks like back fat when you're sausage'd into a dress you probably aren't suited for)from hanging out... I never thought one could be self conscious about the fattiness of your knees. Who knew? Nonetheless, I'm still on patrol for some guards. It would be my stupid luck to fall my first roller out there on anything other than the carpet of my apartment.

I found these below on the internet. I might go with them. I always did love Barbie.

Tomorrow I expect to do a lot of swimming. I hope this is the case! I got to keep the body moving! Specially with all the moving my mouth is certain to be doing!

PS! And a big shout out to my 3 FOLLOWERS!!!! Thanks guys!

Day 7

So apparently, walking around like a crab with rubber bands around your ankles isn't a form of torture, but actually a very effective way of getting that inside thigh meat! Below is my favorite crab commercial of all time...

This morning would have been a wonderful opportunity to go for a swim and loosen out my muscles if... well... I could have gotten out of bed. But I'm hoping for tonight after work!

Tammy told me to chant to myself "Its worth it, its worth it." She's a funny little thing. But then again, she has gone down 3 bent buckles, so I'll believe her.

Ps. I have 2 official "followers" of my blog... makes me feel soooo special! Thanks 2 followers!

Day 6

If you saw someone this morning on the 101 with their head on the steering wheel swerving... that was probably me.

I made it to the group training session this morning with my co-workers Tammy and Heather.

I did lovely things like "prisoner squats" and was tortured by having rubber bands tied around my ankles and was instructed to walk around like a crab.

I almost started to cry by my 3rd set of 8 reps of push ups. I'm so lame. I jogged around the field 1 time and thought I saw my own life pass in front of my eyes. Next time, I think I should attached a bag of Doritos to my head, just out of reach like so. I might be able to go for days with that trick.

I was on my best behavior, so I complained very little... that will probably change.

While I was driving home, I was trying to figure out again why people put themselves through this time of pain... oh yeah, to be fit. And Half Dome. I'm visualizing my "skinny jeans" being loose on me :)