I realized the other day that not all of you know my journey . . . where I started, how I got where I am currently in my fitness. You see me run, workout, run races and do these athletic things and some of you think I've always been that way . . . which makes me laugh out loud, literally!!
Overall, I'm a fairly private person. I don't post hundreds of selfies to glorify myself or my body. It's just not ME. If there IS a picture it's for a reason. So with that being said . . . I am not writing this blog post to glorify myself.
I think it's important for all of you to see me in the correct light. There might be a few of you that think I'm super human in our fitness & health world, that I haven't faced my own fitness struggles. I have and I want you to know how I've overcome them. I want you to know how far I've come.
I've always worked out. I wasn't ever really toned but I wasn't overweight either.
Once I had babies, things changed! I gained weight, was always tired and faced Mommy Guilt. (I can't go workout, the kids need me.) I would skip my workouts to go home and be with my babies.
One day a friend (Rhonda) came to me and said she was doing this "Boot Camp" and wanted me to try it. Then she told me it was at 5:30 am and I immediately said, "OH HELL NO." I think it took 2 or 3 months from that initial conversation before I finally agreed BUT I only agreed because another friend (Julie) decided to do it with me. She would text me every morning to make sure I was awake and we would take turns driving each other for accountability.
I remember the first week of camp vividly, mind you this was over 10 years ago. I was tired and sore and almost cried when Molli said we were running the mile. My very first time running the mile was torture and it took me over 14 minutes. I walked most of it. (I can run an 8 minute mile now, maybe a little faster when I'm really pushing.)
I used to come home from camp and sit down for a few minutes after my shower. I had to! It was hard! Then I started to notice these subtle changes. I saw myself slimming down. My clothes were fitting different. I had more confidence in general, but also in my physical abilities. I had more energy throughout the day. They were wonderful, amazing changes.
After being in camp for awhile we were approached with a CHALLENGE. "You should run a race." My initial thoughts were, "She's crazy. I could never do that." I saw others running, racing . . . doing physical stuff. I finally caved and said YES! Julie, Patty & I set out to be a team at the MCRD Boot Camp Challenge in San Diego. 3 mile obstacle course, we could run together, help each other, encourage each other . . . . FRIENDS LET ME TELL YOU . . . IT WAS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF!
It was hard and I was dying - I have proof. There's a picture of us crossing the finish line hanging in the Studio. You can see the sheer horror on our faces BUT it started something for me that has snowballed into this AMAZING, WONDERFUL, FUN (YES, FUN) JOURNEY. I WOULD NOT CHANGE IT FOR THE WORLD.
It's made me a better person and for that I am grateful to Molli and Tony for guiding me and pushing me to come into my own.
Fast Forward . . . . (not trying to brag . . . maybe a little) but I've done all kinds of races since then. The Boot Camp Challenge is my favorite and I highly recommend it to everyone. Newbies and veterans. Newbies to do something out of your comfort zone because it's totally doable. Veterans to challenge yourself to go faster each year.
I'm on my 11th year running The Camp Pendelton World Famous Mud Run. I've joined the Trifecta Tribe. In the Spartan world that's 3 races in a year (4 miles, 9 miles & the big 12 mile 33 obstacle race.) I've run other obstacle races, competed in fitness competitions, mud runs, 5k's, 10k's, half marathons, Ragnar's, hiked up Half Dome in Yosemite, hiked all around Sedona (my favorite place of all) and 2017 is a stellar year for me.
Ragnar So Cal in April, Mud Run in June, The 200 Mile Challenge, Boot Camp Challenge, Spartan Beast (12 mile course in Big Bear) and Ragnar Napa on back to back to back weekends in October/ November and the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. There is the possibility of a 15k Trail Race in December but I have not committed to that just yet.
Have my Goals changed from my first day of camp . . . Obviously. Will they continue to change and evolve . . . . Yes. Will I have good years and bad years . . . Yes. Will the bad ones stop me . . . NEVER!
I Love What I do. I love conquering these different challenges BUT most of all I love running along side of each of you (My Wonderful Clients & Friends) on Your Fitness Journey.
So there you have it. Of course, there have been other struggles along the way . . . nutrition, injuries etc. . . . those topics I'll save for another day.
In Health,
Cathy
