Day 34

No, no, your calendar is not wrong, its Friday and I have indeed missed a blog yesterday!

I've been quite busy with life and all, but have still be reading up on my hike. This week was a bit of a light workout, no doubt Erika will break me physically tomorrow (I need it).

I've been reading about things I should take on the hike in terms of supplies...

There are apparently 2 schools of thought for well experienced Half Dome hikers when it comes to water... whether you should bring all your water with you (which is what I was thinking about doing) or to fill up at a few designated spots, using a few various filtration systems or tablets to rid the water of bacteria... decisions decisions.

I was also learning a little bit about giardia, which sounds gross and horrible, and its something most commonly found in the water in Yosemite. More on that one at a later date but all you need to know right now is here are a few symptoms according to google health: Abdominal pain, Diarrhea, Gas or bloating, Headache, Loss of appetite, Low-grade fever, Nausea, Swollen or distended abdomen, Vomiting). Loss of appetite??? Giardia has never met ME!

I remember when my friend's dogs had it, and she had to follow the pups around with a bleach and water solution and every time she picked up the poops, like the responsible dog owner she is, she's spray "the spot" with the solution! Now I have visions of carrying out a spray bottle... lord!

I hate the thought of adding more weight to my already gonna suck pack, since I'm a bit of a ... pack rat, and will be carrying my camera and at least 2 lens... Below is my camera body and everyday lens I affectionally call "The Beast".

The book I'm reading says to "get serious about the hike 2 months before" so, right now, I'm ahead of the game! I'm hoping that I'll just factor in the weight of the camera (and supplies). I do usually pack and haul like a mule, why should an 18 mile hike to Half Dome be any different?

Day 32

WOW! What a work out. Last night, I had the pleasure of working out with Kazeem which made me be on my best behavior! Nothing like making horrible painful grunting ugly face pains in front of a boy co-worker!

Erika explained how we were gonna be "warming up" today, which was the stairs to the parking garage here at the lot... 5 flights of stairs...

#1 Walk up all the stairs and back down.

#2 Walk up every other step and back down.

#3 Run up every step and back down.

#4 Run up every other step and back down.

#5 Run up every step and back down.

#6 Walk up every other step and back down.

#7 Walk up all the stairs and back down.

I tried to draw a picture, but, it was really terrible! I really thought Erika had lost her mind thinking that I was gonna be able to do this, but I really surprised myself! I, not to give myself too much credit, rocked that exercise!

And we did tons of arm exercises last night too, definitely my weakness, and that's when I really tried to keep my facial expressions at may when the burning in your arms makes ya wanna collapse!

Next... abs... I still get disappointed at how strong my stomach used to be (alas, never skinny enough to rock a bikini) but I had the strength. I year post ab surgery, I'm still trying reclaim said strength.

Erika THOUGHT that she made up the following routine, but Kazeem said he did them before... it was a funny moment. She calls it "climbing the rope." Notice my amazing drawing. And we did 25 of them!

Day 31

My morning of reprieve is only morning long... my training is post-poned until after work... starting at 7 Pm. I'll be interested to see what type of energy I'll be bringing to the table!

I feel like... I'm standing taller... straighter... if that makes any sense. I noticed it yesterday as I was walking down the hallway. I'm not sure if its all in my head, or an actuality, but it really feels nice! Perhaps even my posture improving. As much as I do hate to exercise, I have been really ready to get going. I'm trying to surround myself with positive energy and thoughts (I'm using all the help I can get!)

I'm pretty sore, only doing 4 sets of stairs yesterday, and wondering how Erika might kill us tonight. I guess I'll be sleeping well no matter what!

Day 30 1/2

My lunch break goes as follows:

2 sets of stairs, gasping for breath. (15 minutes)

Writing in my journal while trying to catch my breath. (15 minutes)

Reading a chapter from my book. (15 minutes)

2 MORE sets of stairs, returning to my desk gasping for breathe, red in the face, with beads of sweat beginning to fall down my forehead...

Only to find this...

... from Chipotle... CHIPOTLE!

Its getting a lot easier to resister delicious treats like chips and salsa when you legs are still aching from your workout 2 days ago!

Erika just told me to take it easy cause we'll be doing stairs tomorrow... oh decisions, decisions.

Day 30

Quick easy equation...

+

=

So, I thought that a quick go to protein RIGHT before my workout, like a piece or 2 of cheese was a good idea... NOT SO MUCH.

On my 1 lap, I was GREAT!. First set of circuits, fantastic. But it wasn't until Erika told us to do an "easy lap" (like there is such thing) across the field and back, did the pain in my stomach followed by the lightheadedness and nausea start to act up. I had to take 3 LONG rests and even got exempt from more up and down exercises.

I kinda felt crappy thinking that I didn't work out as hard as I could of... but it turns out, I'm really still sore! And I can feel my thighs getting stronger and firmer! Erika even said that my times are shrinking and I'm taking shorter smaller breaks during my laps. YAY

So today's commitment is... 7 sets of stairs. I guess my goal for the next few weeks is to increase the # of sets by one each week. We'll see! I better get started! I have 7 sets to do!

Fun!

Need a break?

Hit up the National Geographic website below and do a quick puzzle of its truly, HD!

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/jigsaw-puzzles#/recently-added/267381/872635/

(I wish you could see the photo on the blog)

You can customize the setting to suit your challenge level!

Day 27 - Taking Measurements

So, I guess another way for me to keep track of... all things HD is to take some measurements to encourage my progress.

I found this stuff to help. I'll post those numbers once I take them. And maybe I'll play those numbers in the lotto. Why else expose such vulnerability to all to see?

• Bust: Measure around the chest right at the nipple line, but don't pull the tape too tight.
• Chest: Measure just under your bust
• Waist: Measure a half-inch above your belly button or at the smallest part of your waist
• Hips: Place tape measure around the biggest part of your hips
• Thighs: Measure around the biggest part of each thigh
• Calves: Measure around the largest part of each calf
• Upper arm: Measure around the largest part of each arm above the elbow
• Forearm: Measure around the largest part of the arm below the elbow.