Reps

Kip 

Do you really think getting a personal trainer will break all those bad habits I have cultivated for years? Lynn, ever the optimist, gave me a Christmas gift that just keeps on giving... a personal trainer (for a limited time!). She told the folks at 24 Hour Fitness she wanted the biggest, ugliest, meanest, trainer they had to get her husband in shape. What I got was Kip. Great kid! From Arkansas at that! He starts going through the routine and talking about these reps. I am going through the routine thinking after each sadistic tool he introduces, "Man, I'll never use that again." and "Boy, I'm glad that's over with." Then at the end, I'm gasping for breath and he's saying stuff like "Do this one 3 times 15 for 45 reps." Do that one 75 reps." "I want to see you here 3-4 times a week working on these." So, in my head, I'm lining up 12 friends that can be my representative for each of these knee crunching, belly busting exercises--but there's no way, I can get 75 friends to be my reps. Then, the fog clears. Kip thinks I am going to sit on that ball and contort my body 75 times -over and over and over. I've got a headache! Think I'll have some ice cream and go take a nap.

Do two halfs make a whole?

Seven days apart produced 26.2 miles! The Kansas City run was fun, but challenging in the ups and downs. Who knew KC was so hilly! While finishing with a time of 3:17 was not impressive, I did accomplish all my goals;
1. Completed the race! without injury...
2. Did not finish last.
3. Did not finish last in my age class.

L.A. was another race with a unique set of rewards and challenges. My son, Kyle, and I arrived just before the start. We were both in the porta-potty lines when the gun went off. Finishing my biz, I buzzed off to catch our time corral and wait for Kyle there. Kyle, meanwhile, waited for me back at the potties. Awkward... We did hook back up and cross the starting line together. I am convinced the City officials had no interest in this 30,000+ participant run and routed us through road construction, rundown neighborhoods, warehouse areas, unused parks and backroads. Rock-n-Roll Races are some of the best organized I have ever run (and many others, that's why they are so popular), but I will NOT be going back to L.A. for a race. Even with our communication trouble at the beginning, and my complaining about the course, we still had a great time! pic taking, band sing alongs, Kyle pacing me--all with a 3:10 time. And best of all, if everyone came through with their pledges, we raised about $1,500.00 for Outreach. Thanks!