Follow My Fitsteps

Hey, hey

I hope you had a fantastic weekend!

I can’t believe April is just about over and we’re heading into May this week.  Zoinks…time sure flies.  May happens to be my favorite month and I have a bunch of exciting things going on over the next few weeks.

This weekend marked a huge milestone for me, career wise.  Our Red Rocks Fitness Challenge/Boot Camp kicked off and I embarked on one of the most challenging and exciting fitness endeavors of my life!  After months of planning, I executed a successful workout for nearly 400 people-aged 12 to 77, ironman triathletes to individuals with 100+ pounds to lose.  I lost much sleep over modifications, speeds of transitions, in-place dynamic warm-ups and the like.  When we pulled up to the amphitheater on Saturday morning at 6:00 AM, I was shaking with emotion as reality hit.  This was a big deal and everyone was counting on me to make sure it ran smoothly.  Luckily, it seemed to go great!

I led the entire group through a dynamic warm-up then split them into stations.  We did 6-minutes per station with 1-minute to switch, and one of the stations was strictly stairs.  I didn’t man a station but ran around checking in with my trainers and making sure everyone was doing okay.  I probably ended up running from the bottom to the top of the amphitheater a dozen or so times.  It was a blast!

And how about this view:

I got some awesome feedback after the workout and can’t wait for next week!

***

Post-workout a group of the trainers stuck around and I put us through a quickie workout.  We figured it would be a shame to go all the way up there, help everyone else get a great workout, and not get one ourselves.  Here’s what we did:

30-seconds on/5-seconds off
High Knees
Burpees
Pushups
Step Ups (R)
Step Ups (L)
Lunges w/ Front Leg Elevated (R)
High Toe Taps on Bleacher (R)
Lunges w/ Front Leg Elevated (L)
High Toe Taps on Bleacher (L)
Dips
Mountain Climbers
Slow Plank Windshield Wipers (R)
Slow Plan Windshield Wipers (L)
Box Jumps

repeat three times

Post-workout I headed to the car to meet Colin and we drove into Boulder to meet Paige and her hubby for a hike.  We met at the trailhead of one of my favorite hikes that we haven’t done in years.  It is relatively quick (like 4-miles) and the first half is super steep, but the backside is nice and easy.  We had such a great time chatting and enjoying the views.  I have a feeling we will make this a very regular thing…in fact, next weekend we plan to meet them again, along with Lauren, who just moved here (like today!).

After our hike, Colin and I ventured home and crashed out.  We were exhausted, a little sunburned, and so happy.  The rest of the evening was super mellow.

***

This morning we got to sleep in (my first sleep in day in over 3-weeks!) and enjoyed a lazy Sunday morning.  We had another day of fantastic weather and definitely took advantage.  After I cleaned the house from top to bottom (much needed and long overdue) we walked to the park up the street.  Colin read and I did a yoga podcast.  At first I felt completely silly in the middle of the park with my headphones on, but after a few minutes I got into the swing of things and it felt incredible!

After my 75-minute “class” we packed up our stuff and grabbed our groceries for the week, then back home.  It was the perfect amount of active recovery for my legs and I loved being outside for the afternoon.

I got home and made a few phone calls, most notably catching up with my very best friend and getting to chat for nearly 2-hours.  Apparently we had a lot to say

Tonight we enjoyed dinner on the back deck [grilled salmon and asparagus] and Colin and I both kept saying that this was the best weekend ever.  We both felt so grateful to live 20-minutes from the mountains and in a place that supports our love of outdoor adventures.  As time goes on and we meet more like-minded individuals, I have a feeling our gratitude will only continue to grow.

***

With that, I’m off!  I hope you have a fabulous Monday and I’ll catch up with you soon…

*TIP TIME*
Take your workout outside!  With weather changing after what feels like a LONG winter, your body and your mind will benefit from the natural endorphins that come with the sunshine and fresh air.

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Hi there!

How’s it going?

Besides the fact that life is moving at 100 miles per hour right now, I am doing pretty well.

How about some updates:

1.  Zoey is doing better.  In fact, I dare say she is 100%!  We found out she did have food poisoning, but not salmonella.  It was called campylobacter and the vet kept telling us that was way better than salmonella.  Thank goodness!

2.  We may not have to move after all!  Our landlord decided to buy a second home which will serve as her primary residence.  We are still going to see if we can buy a house, but we don’t have the pressure of getting out by a certain date.  It’s a crazy sellers’ market around here, and houses are going in like 24-hours, so this comes as a huge relief.

Okay, I think those were the big ones.

Rather than bore you with the details of tons of work + workouts + food for the last few weeks, I’m just going to give you a few highlights, leave you with a KICKIN’ workout, and one easy recipe.  How does that sound?

So…

Today was the kickoff event for our Red Rocks boot camp/fitness challenge.  The past two weeks getting everything together has been one of the most exciting and challenging endeavors of my career.  We did five days of assessments and I got to meet about half of our participants.  There are two more days of assessments left.  I’ve never planned workouts for this many people (400!) and working out the logistics, progressions, modifications, and equipment needed has been a lot.  Now that we’re getting closer to the first workout (next Saturday) I feel a bunch more confidence and am so excited!

Today’s event was for media coverage and a “meet your trainers”/packet pickup for the participants.  It was a gorgeous day and the amphitheater amazing.  Once I was up there and truly felt the awesomeness of the venue, I was convinced that it would be worth it to get up at 5:30 AM on Saturday morning for the next 13-weeks

***

Yesterday morning I planned a workout for boot camp that I could do too.  While I had a very active week, I didn’t get in any strength and I was totally craving it!  This workout turned out to be a great one.  So challenging!  Colin and I both wok up super sore in all the right places:  buns/thighs, triceps, chest.  I was sweaty after nearly 10-minutes!

EMOM Blast

*This is an every minute on the minute workout.   Each circuit goes for 8 rounds and at the top of the minute, the exercises are completed.  Once those exercises are finished, you rest until the top of the minute when the circuit begins again.

1a.  10 Pushups
1b.  15 Squat Jumps

2a.  10 Lateral Raises
2b.  7 Burpees (no pushup)

3a.  10 Jumping Lunges
3b.  10 Lateral Hops (each way)

My core circuit was pretty great too!  The circuits are completed without rest [go directly from a to b back to a without coming down or resting].

1a.  30-second Forearm Plank
1b.  20 Seconds Slow Mountain Climbers (from high plank position)
repeat circuit three times

2a.  30-seconds Basic Crunch w/ Legs Elevated
2b.  30-seconds Bicycle Crunches
repeat circuit three times

3a.  30-second Superman Hold
3b.  30-second Superman Swims
repeat circuit three times

***

Yesterday I met Paige for class at CorePower, lunch, and a little shopping.  It had been quite a while since we last got together and it was fun to hang out.  She let me know that Lauren is moving to Colorado in a few weeks and I’m excited to hopefully make some more blog friends!

After today’s big kickoff event, I did some errands to get ready for the week, took the dog for a walk, then whipped up this fabulous dinner.

For the salmon, I simply seasoned with salt and pepper then grilled about 6-minutes per side until it flaked easily.  While the salmon was cooking, I chopped up a head of cabbage, one sweet potato, and a granny smith apple, drizzled with olive oil, and baked at 400° for about 40-minutes.  It was delicious!

***

Okay, I’d better get a move-on.  It is a busy, busy week, but I’m hoping to take Wednesday off as I’ve worked so much the past few weeks.  We shall see.

I’ll try to get back on a “regular” blogging schedule, so keep checking back…please?!

*TIP TIME*
Tell those in your life that you love them.  Right now.  Don’t wait because life’s too short.

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