COGI Boot Camp

Yesterday afternoon my running buddy, Charity and I started pounding that pavement around town. Charity is also planning to run the 5K November 20th so we pushing each other to the next level and eventually across the finish line. As we were running through mud and water (after the much needed rain, Hallelujah!), I realized how much easier it is to breathe now. At the beginning of the year I was gasping for air after just a short distance; now I can run 2 miles without crying "Air, I need air!"

This morning the alarm was going off at 5:00. I was up and out the door and greeted by this incredible blast of cool air--50 degree temperatures are the best for Boot Camp! Today was the final day of this session of COGI Boot Camp but no worries another one starts Monday and there's always room for people who are wanting to take it to the next level! It's a great workout with great teammates and encouragement. Check out this video to see what COGI Boot Camp is all about. It is sure to take ya to the NEXT LEVEL!!!

2 Miles!!

Yes, I did it! 2 miles--I ran 2 miles!

This morning in the muggy weather, I was out at boot camp bright and early. It was bit more challenging this morning, not that we did anything unusual from our normal routine but the humidity was kicking our butts! As we were leaving, I looked around at all my boot camp teammates and saw I wasn't the only one drenched in sweat.

After I got off work, my mind was made up that today was going to be the day that I crossed the 2 mile marker. I wanted to make sure that I ran a full two miles so I headed to the track at CHS. I've never smiled when I've arrived at a track but I actually did today because I knew today I would leave it having ran a full 2 miles for the first time.

The track was definitely different than running around town. The surface of the track is different and there's no zooming cars or people to watch. The track just goes round and round. It takes four times around the track to make a mile. On my 7th time around, my legs were feeling it. Thankfully, no one was on the track at the time so I started encouraging myself and quoting "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." and "Nothing is impossible with God." On my final round, I was ready to celebrate but kept it together until I crossed the 2 mile marker! My right leg started cramping after the run but after some stretching it felt okay. I was thrilled as I'm sure you can tell.

Just getting closer and closer with each step to that final goal.

Choices

Attitude has so much to do with how my day goes and that includes my 5K training. Today was one of those days; I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and I was immediately in a mood (and not a good one). I was late to bootcamp. I started feeling a little better after some of the exercises. But when the crab crawl came, I could hardly move more than a few feet at a time and I honestly felt like just crying right there in the middle of the field but I kept on with the encouragement of my "team mates".

When I got back to my house and sat down to eat my breakfast, I felt God reminding me that I get to choose my attitude. In all reality, sometimes it's hard to choose a good attitude when you're having one of those crummie days but I truly believe that we have a choice. In Deuteronomy, it says that "I set before you blessings and cursings, life and death. Now choose life, choose blessings." That scripture tells me the way I live my life is my choice. Are there days that my circumstances or my emotions try to tell me different? Absolutely. But it's in those days like today that I remind myself over and over again that I am choosing a good attitude. It's not easy at first and sometimes my emotions rage and tell me that I can't really choose. But I know the truth and I do have a choice.

This afternoon, I went for my run around town. I had worn heels all day long so my legs felt tense when I started running. Thoughts ran through my head telling me "I won't be able to make it", "Why are you even trying?", "Maybe I should just quit" but I made my choice. And I ran--further than I had before and in less time too. (1.8 miles ran + .4 miles walked for warm-up in 26 minutes)

25 Days Until...

Two Days

It's been two days since I've blogged but it has not been two days that I've neglected training. Thursday after work my friend, Charity, and I hit the loop around town. We ran a mile and walked another. It was a lot of fun and we chatted the whole way making the time fly!

Friday morning I was at boot camp at 5:30. I had seriously considered not going because I had coughed all night and my head felt so congested but I determined I would get up and go in faith that I would get better. And I really did feel so much better afterwards!! Plus I did 40 "man" push-ups. I couldn't believe it! I was so excited to have done that many; of course, today my arms are really feeling it.

I have been a slacker today. I wasn't able to go to boot camp this morning because I had to work. It was a disappointment to miss today because Saturdays are run days and for some reason, Saturdays are always my favorite! Boot camp on Saturdays is more like a family run and I love the camaraderie of it all--next time!

Bootcamp

At 5:00 a.m., my alarm clock went off and I've got to admit I hit the snooze for another 5 minutes but then got up, got dressed, brushed my teeth, ate half a breakfast bar, grabbed my water bottle and towel and was out the door. At 5:30 a.m., you could have found me at Barber Park at the COGI Bootcamp. So what is COGI Bootcamp?? Hard work! It's very similar to football training which may be explained by knowing the instructor, former NFL Washington Redskins player, Danny Copeland, owner of Next Level Training in Thomasville, GA. So COGI Bootcamp translates into running, push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, bear crawls, crab crawls, and more exercises than I can name. We meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 5:30-6:30 a.m. and Saturday 6:45-7:45 a.m. I joined the COGI Bootcamp back during the summer and kept rejoining. Each bootcamp runs 7 weeks. This bootcamp will end next Wednesday and begin again soon after that. For more information, check out the COGI website http://www.cogicertifications.com/. After Bootcamp, I had to go get gas and of course when trying to pay at the pump, it says 'See Cashier'. I always look a sight after bootcamp because of all the sweat and grass and frizzed hair and no make-up so I dreaded having to go into the store where others could actually see me but oh well! So I'm telling you bootcamp is intense but totally worth it!

This afternoon, I hadn't been feeling too good because of a scratchy throat and an earache. I had almost convinced myself not to go run my 1.6 miles but then decided I had better because I had said I would on my blog yesterday. When I first started running, I thought there's no way I'm going to run as much as I did yesterday but I did! And I'm so glad!! Actually feeling a little better. Until tomorrow...

Morning Run

This morning I woke up at 6:00 a.m. to go for a run! I was on my course around town by 6:22 a.m. and had completed 2.2 miles in 29 minutes, which by the way is a new record for me. I ran 1.6 miles of that without stopping--further than I ever have! I plan to run that 1.6 miles again tomorrow and then the following day add a tenth.

When I got back to my house, I practically dance in because I was so thrilled that I pushed myself a little bit further than last time. The key however was a goal for my morning run. I knew how far I had run last time so I determined to run the next landmark.

Although sometimes it's hard to pull myself from my bed in the mornings, I end up always enjoying my mornings when I do practice discipline and GET UP! I had a professor once who said that it's easy to do what feels good, it takes strength to combat those feelings and do the best thing. Very true! Now if I can just remember that in the morning :)

5k Details

I have been amazed by all the encouraging messages and interested inquiries about this 5k journey since my first blog yesterday. So for all you Cairo and Thomasville folks interested in participating, here's the details:

United Way 5k
November 20th
9:00 a.m.
Starting at Southside

Pre-registration (before Nov. 12th) $15 (t-shirt guranteed)
Registration at the Race $10

You can get a registration form from www.gulfwinds.org.

One of the main questions I've gotten is do I have to run the entire thing? No. You can run, walk, or run and walk this 5k. But set a goal as to what you want to do. Remember: Without a vision or goal, you have idea where you're going or what you're aiming for. A goal gives focus.

Make a Run for It!

Last Sunday at church, there was a short skit about running a race. In the skit, everyone was trained and ready for the race except one. He showed up to the race and made quite a 'scene' at the starting line but was totally unprepared and failed to even begin the race.

The skit was so appropriate and very encouraging to me as I will soon be running a race--a 5k to be exact. It will be my first 5k and although I've been trying to get fit and stay fit since the beginning of this year, I am still not what I would consider athletic or a runner. I am however very excited about reaching this goal. A year ago I would have never even considered making a run for it but thanks to COGI Bootcamps and the encouragement of friends and family, I'm really going to this!

The 5k (sponsored by United Way) is November 20th in the big city of Cairo, GA which allows me 5 weeks of training. My goal is to run all 3.1 miles of this 5k. Currently I can run 1 1/2 miles without having to stop and walk. I plan to continue to gradually increase the distance I run each time. One thing I've already learned is you can push yourself further than you think when you run with a friend so I'm thankful to all the friends who have volunteered to make a run for it with me during my training. So let the journey begin!