For a long time, I've been tempted to try out a bootcamp class. I've been plodding on the treadmill at the gym, watching the class taking place in the car park and thinking I'd rather being exercising outside but lacking the confidence to do anything about it.
Yesterday, inspired by a Try Something New Summer Challenge on the Beyond C25K facebook group, I filled in the bootcamp enquiry form on The Fitness Booth website, expecting to hear back in a few days or weeks. I was caught on the hop a bit when, a couple of text messages and a phone call later, I had committed to my first Booth Camp session at 6:00am this morning ! As soon as the phone call was over, I realised it was probably really bad timing to do my first bootcamp the day before running a half marathon. I thought it would probably be more sensible to postpone until Monday but didn't like the idea of starting off by putting it off !
I set my alarm for 5:00 am but woke up slightly before the alarm went off and managed to get up without disturbing the men of the household. It was a misty morning, refreshingly cooler than the last couple of days, the sun breaking through the mist as I drove to the gym and it felt like the perfect conditions for an hour of early morning slog.
Booth Camp leader Ben was enthusiastic and welcoming as were the other ladies at the session. We started off with a mile run, two laps with a bit of a hill. Ben said he wanted us to get faster each session so the sensible option would have been to take it easy but I was feeling enthusiastic and pushed myself a bit - it usually takes me a good couple of miles to warm up so I was happy with a time of around 8:50 (I can't remember the exact time) and I'm trying not to think about how I'm going to improve on it each time !
After that, we did several circuits of, I think, 10 different exercises with the exercises changing each circuit. We did various squats, planks, press-ups, burpees, lifting tyres above our heads while squatting, lifting and turning bigger tyres, duck walks, mountain climbers and all sorts of challenging exercises. My feet hurt throughout the first circuit but I had the same issue when I first started yoga so I'm sure that will improve and I might be more comfortable in less cushioned, more grippy shoes in future. I found the exercises that worked the arms and shoulders the most challenging but it was all hard work and I felt quite light-headed at the end. As hard as it was, it was enjoyable and I was glad to be there throughout - the other ladies in the group were helpful and friendly and Ben did an excellent job of motivating and encouraging us, helping us smile and laugh through the pain !
After a refreshing shower, came the moment I'd been dreading - weighing and measuring. When it came to it, there were no nasty shocks, it was just a matter of recording the starting point and Ben suggested an eventual target loss of about a stone and a half, but starting off with an interim target of losing around 5lbs and 8 inches (from chest, waist, thighs, calves and upper arms). I'd been thinking of aiming for nearer two stone or more of loss so the stone and a half is less daunting and may be a better target.
I have no idea how I'm going to feel for the half marathon tomorrow - I noticed my arms were feeling weary during the rest of the day, although they feel better now, so I'm hoping I won't be suffering too much to give it my best.
I'm really looking forward to the next bootcamp. For ages, I've been planning to go to the gym on a regular basis but never quite get there and I think that committing to regular bootcamps will keep me on track and hopefully help get me in better shape for my longest distance yet, the Run to the Castle Ultra in August and later on for the November Nightmare of six marathons in six days !
