My Butt and Legs are Killing Me!!!

Okay, as some of you may know, I have committed to run a 5K this year. I have selected the race I will be running in and have signed up. Fortunately, or unfortunately, my employer pays my entry fee. I say fortunately because when my employer pays our entry fees, it encourages us to get involved. I say unfortunately because I feel as if I can't back out, because - blast! They paid my stinkin entry fee!! So now I am in.

I have a personal trainer. He is a very nice man. You know...you know how Bob was when The Biggest Loser first started. Like everyone wanted Bob and dreaded getting Jillian. Now, Bob is bad too. So, the first night with my trainer I said to him, "So you are not like Bob and Jillian, right?" His response, "Oh Miss Mary, I am not like them at all." And he laughed. I thought it was a nice laugh, like I had nothing to worry about......I was wrong.

I told my perfectly built personal trainer that I my goals in this lifetime are, 1) run a 5K, 2) become physically fit for my age, 3) lose about 30 more pounds, 4) tighten up my core. He took me serious. He doesn't know me!!! Really!!!!

The first week, we did testing. My endurance, my strength training, and flexibility. I tested out above average for women in my age range for endurance. And in the "excellent" range for weight lifting. Then just average for flexibility. They lied!!!

Kevin gave me some things to work on for the week, then we would meet back up on the next Monday. I worked out all week on my own and was feeling pretty dang good about myself. Then the next Monday came around.

Kevin worked with me on upper body strength training. Yeah. I know I need this bad. I am as week as a noodle. I felt good after this workout and thought Kevin was a great trainer that I could learn to love! This this week came along.

This week, on Monday, Kevin had a list of lower body workout. We started with some weight machines. Then went to dead lift using 30 pounds of weight, while standing on a platform so that I had to really extend the muscles in the back of my legs...ouch! Next we did squats. Oh, but not normal squats. No, no, no....Mr. Kevin the nut had me try it first on a weight bench. "Oh wait!" he said, "I'll be right back." Apparently the bench was too tall for me, so Kevin went to the dumb bells and brought back one that was about 50 pounds (not that it matters how heavy it was) and set it on it's end. Now, a dumb bell is about 12" tall when standing on it's end. Then he handed me a 10 pound weight and had me do 3 sets of 10 squats, going down just low enough to feel my fanny just touch the dumb bell, but not rest on it. I did it, but oh my gosh, I was hurting. Next!!!

Yes, there was a next. Then Kevin, the physical torturer, had me do lunges. You have got to be kidding me!!! I am not sure I can do this. Oh, Miss Mary, you can do it, I have faith in you. Yeah, yeah, yeah....whatever!!! Kevin gave me 3 different options. I decided on the one I thought I could handle. I made it, but it took a few minutes. Whew....and then.

Next. No stinkin way!!! Another something???!!! Yes. Knee ups. Let's see....you step up on a tall step with your left foot, and raise your right knee waist high, then back down to the floor. Ten times. That is when my legs went. Have you ever heard an athlete say they didn't have any legs....that happened to me. Not on my right leg, but when I tried to do my left leg, I did the first one, stepped down to the floor and started stumbling backward. Kevin's eyes were huge! He asked if I was okay, and decided we needed to walk the track. He had many more things planned for me, but I was just a mess. Have you ever seen a new born calf trying to stand for the first time....I looked just like that. My knees tried to bend the wrong way, and every way. Then I had to walk down the stairs to leave the building. Then drive home. I was in no condition. Whew!!! I am way out of shape.

Today, three days after the first day of squats....I was able to use the regular bathroom stall at work and not the handicap stall. I could not sit or stand without the handles. This afternoon I was able to do 3 sets of 10 squats again. I keep telling myself I will run the good race....I hope I live to see the race.