Week 4 and 5- Lots to be thankful for

Holiday times are very interesting and a great excuse to not push yourself. Although at the time it sounds great I am sure it will inevitably hurt me in the end. Plus having changed my race my mind set changed just a little. Anyway here is what I did during Week 4.

Monday- Went to the gym in the morning and rode the bike for 40 minutes. Felt good.
Monday night I went to Barry's Bootcamp. They do not call themselves "The Best Workout In The World" for nothing. We did 30 minutes of treadmill most of it on steep inclines, which I am great at cardio but this is tough when you push yourself not to ever walk. Followed by 30 minutes of Arm workouts and abdominals. I always feel this class the next day.... which is why I go.

Tuesday- I ran on the treadmill for 40 minutes (5 miles). I really dislike the treadmill. The whole time I was on it I wished I was outside.
Tuesday night- I had swim practice with TNT. I am feeling more confident every time I get in "The Drink." ( A new term I picked up for the pool. Yeah... That's what real swimmers call it apparently.) Coach Paul and Rad are definitely helping me with my form. It is amazing how the littlest adjustments in the pool can help you feel more comfortable. I swam over 2000 yds.

Wednesday- I bought a bike trainer so I can ride my bike in my living room. Tonight was the first time on it. It is different but I could get used to it. I rode for 1 hr. and 30 min while watching the movie "Waiting" with Ryan Reynolds and Justin Long. Very funny movie and it helped me not think about riding my bike in my living room.

Thursday- I ran from my gym on Sunset up to the top of Runyon Canyon, Big Dog Park in LA, up to the top of Mullholland Dr. The top of Mullholland is breathtaking on a clear day. You can see all of LA and you are super close to the HOLLYWOOD sign. I ran back down to my gym and that took me 50 minutes. I was happy because I only stopped 2 times, 1 minute each time, to catch my wind. I felt great.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I rested. Yep I took a break.

WEEK 5- Thanksgiving week.

Monday- I did Barry's Bootcamp again. Sooo good.

Tuesday- I ran from the Gym, up Runyon Canyon, to the top of Mullholland and back without stopping! BOO YA!
Tuesday night was swim practice with TNT. I am actually really starting to enjoy it. I am noticing a difference in how I swim and it is getting easier.

Wednesday- I got out of work early for the Holiday and I went straight to the gym for a chest workout. I stayed at the gym for 40 minutes and tried to burn out most of the muscles. Then I went straight home and hopped on my bike that was set up in the living room. I biked for 1 hr and 30 minutes and watched reruns of "The Ultimate Fighter" on Spike. Those guys are animals. Still felt great.

Thursday- THANKSGIVING!!! I went and volunteered all morning at the Santa Monica Civic Center. My job was turkey carving. It was amazing all the people there volunteering and all the homeless or less fortunate that showed up. We must have fed over 1000 people. They had everything there for the people. There were doctors, optometrist, hair stylist, people donating clothes and toys. It was truly amazing. My favorite part of the experience was the group prayer. Before the doors open to the public all of the volunteers, 300 approximately, made a circle big enough to outline the entire civic center and join hands and say a prayer. It is quite remarkable to feel that kind of power in a room.

Still after I was done with that I went home and changed and went back to Runyon Canyon to run. I ran the entire way to the top of Mullholland without stopping. When I got to the top I stopped and took some moments to thank God for all I have in life and all I had learned throughout the year. It was great. I then ran down the canyon and went home. I got home showered changed and waited for my sister Mary to come over. That night we had dinner with my great neighbors Rachel and Joel. The food was amazing!! Kudos to them. It was a great day.

Friday- I was hopped up early and went for a easy run around Beverly Hills and Sunset Blvd. I ran for 45 minutes.

Saturday and Sunday- I went to Santa Barbara with Dan and Stephanie and Mr and Mrs. "D". It was a perfect and relaxing weekend. It was nice to get out of LA.

One Holiday down and the Christmas season is rapidly approaching. So let's crank up the Christmas Tunes and rock the days away.