Today is the day I signed up for several weeks ago. Remember this post?
It's Stampede day and I'm a little nervous, a little anxious but more excited that I'm doing this. It's a long time since I challenged myself to something. In the past I have swam for Breast Cancer but nothing that needed me to train and prepare myself physically beforehand.
I totally believe that things happen for a reason and you need to take opportunities when they arise. For some reason when I was feeling fat and old and miserable three months ago I googled 'Boot Camp Northumberland' and Assert Fitness came up along with a few others. I liked the look of the website, I read testimonials and what Dean Coulson had to say about his training methods and decided there and then that I was going to join.
I know that had that his website not been there I would have hummed and haa'd undecidedly and moved on to Pinterest or Twitter and might still be feeling fat, old and miserable now. I would not have lost weight, become more energetic, more positive and certainly wouldn't be waiting to don my mud run gear and go do something worthwhile for me and a charity.
Four things have kept me going.
- The difference in how I feel generally from exercising three/four times a week. I no longer feel still and inflexible. I move like I did years ago, I feel more energetic and can even walk up the 14 fights of stairs at the football match without my lungs screaming for oxygen at the top.
- I have lost less weight than I would like, but that's down to me not following the plan 90%. I don't doubt that if I had, I would be a stone lighter than I was by now. Dean's healthy eating advice and recipe suggestions however have made me more aware of the effect of food/water on my body. I eat more fruit and veg, less caffeine and avoid wheat/cows milk as much as possible because I know how they affect my body. Despite not following the plan as I should, I am much more toned and look better in my clothes.
- Fitness Camp. I call 6-7am a 'no excuse' time of day. I can be up at 5:15, out for an hour, shower, get the kids ready and be off to work at my normal time. Had it been an evening camp, I'm sure I would have found a bucket load of excuses to prevent me going. Of course I wake up, see the wind and rain and think "urgh" but once I'm up and have my trainers on I'm in the zone and ready for it. The rest of the gang are great, really supportive and we have fun.
- Dean the machine. I have never met anyone who enthuses with passion for fitness and healthy living so much. Not in a pumping iron and 10 mile run way, but a subtle, get's into your head without you knowing kind of way. He's lively, funny and encourages you to do your best - as long as it's at least 100%. His camps work you hard but are never boring -every session is different and often ends leaving you wanting more. His support via email and Facebook throughout the week is fantastic. It's like having your conscience in your phone. "How are you doing with your goals guys?" pops up just as you're thinking of having a biscuit...so you have an apple instead. He expects a lot from you, but only so he can help you achieve your goals.
It's now 7:21am. I leave the house in an hour. I have a few butterflies now I've started to think about it again. I'm going to get dressed and then have some porridge just before I go. I'm picking up a couple of others en route and should get to Gosforth Park about 9:00, park up and get in line for registration. Dean's warm up at 10:00 and about 10:15 the big warm up before starting the run at 10:30. I'm sure there will be several 'toilet' stops between now and then too.
So wish me luck and wait for 'Warriors part 2....the muddy bit' later today.
No comments:
Post a Comment