Just Like The Biggest Loser...

...minus the massively overweight people, cameras, and possibility of winning $250K. Yesterday, I had my first crossfit-esque experience, and it was awesome! The jury is still out on whether it was awesomely great or awesomely agonizizng. I love a hard workout. Whenever I happen to catch an episode of "The Biggest Loser" I comment to myself/aloud to whoever it sitting nearby that I would love to go on that show. I just don't want to have to gain 350 pounds to get there.

The good news is that I think I just found the next best thing. There is a gym in Dover (yes, that's right, in Dover) that is associated with/part of a triathlon team. There are 2x/week group workouts that include spinning, plyometrics, weightlifting, running, basket-weaving, and stretching. Yesterday, there was a one-hour clinic on how to change a tire on a bike which was tremendously helpful. Bear in mind, I still know a tad more than nothing at all about bikes. The clinic was followed by a 1-hour interval workout that totally kicked my ass. I was sweating and hurting, and it was the best hour of my week!

Last week sucked. Work is the worst. I am constantly irritated. Until yesterday, I had not seem the sun from anywhere other than a window in approximately 4 days. I took a mental and emotional pounding unlike any I had in a great while. This workout was exactly what I needed. I am sore today every time I stand up, and occasionally when I am sitting and attempt to move my legs. I feel I should include the fact that I did my 12-mile long run for the week yesterday morning before the workout, so I am not a total wuss. Also, I was able to complete my 6 miles today and a light swim. The thing I loved about the workout is that it was tremendously challenging, but I could do it. I can see specifically how the horribly painful things we did will benefit my biking, running, and swimming. Also, it is nice to have a change of pace. As much as I enjoy my long runs alone, it is nice to get that extra motivation to not look like a weak, out-of-shape, lazy bum in front of a group of people. Yeah, that's right, fear of humiliation is a powerful force.

I am not sure exactly how I want to proceed. I think I will try to do one workout/week or every other week until Boston, and then kick it up a notch once my official Ironman training begins. Granted, I will now be working out a 3 gyms, but I will only be paying for 2 gyms (sliver lining). Plus, I continue to look for opportunities to meet people with whom I might be friends. All of my friends live other places, and while I love them, I think it would be nice to have a friend to go grab a drink with or go for a run with from time to time. I'm just saying. Until then, I am mostly excited for a physical pounding far beyond what I can do to myself. Seriously, what is wrong with me?