Week 4: Painfully Awesome

I’m having conflicting feelings about week four:

Feeling #1: I am in pain from having my butt kicked by Jen and Mike and I wish it were easier.
Feeling #2: I am stronger from having my butt kicked by Jen and Mike and it has gotten much easier.

I attended Monday’s evening bootcamp with both Jen and Mike. I was pushed to my limit. I repeatedly had to ask Jen “are you kidding me?” as she encouraged the group to move from one exercise to the next with minimal breaks. This session was no joke.

We started off with jumping, running, skipping, high-knees, butt kicks, and leaping. Yes, that’s right, that is just how we began the evening. We continued focusing on lower body combined with shoulder work, with some plyometrics mixed in for good measure. Every time I thought I was going to get a water break we were given the next task to start. My heart rate was up the entire time, I poured sweat, I grunted, and I cheered.

While I was taken back by the difficulty of the exercises we were doing, I was more shocked by the fact that my body could actually handle them. Sure, I had to take a few pauses between squats and raises, but overall I completed a huge feat. Within the past two weeks (not to mention the previous camp session) I have felt amazing improvements in my fitness capabilities. Monday night’s camp solidified those feelings.

I was able to keep up with all of the other campers. And, while my legs and arms felt like play-doh yesterday, I’m not nearly as sore as I thought I would be. My muscles are getting used to working hard and recovering from the exertion. I am anxious to see my measured progress on Friday when we do our time trials for the mile, push-ups, sit-ups, and plank holds.