day 6: the staircase bitchress

our hike this morning was called "central park". i didn't have any idea what to expect at all. well, it sure was hard. i think it might've been the most challenging one so far. there was legitimate hands and feet rock climbing in this one, even if it was only up a very steep incline and not actually a 90 degree angle. matt and jennifer were our hike guides, but there were only 3 of us in the group today so it was awesome and we all went at a pretty quick pace. i'm glad there weren't too many people otherwise it would've been a lot harder to feel safe, i think.

we passed a few different "landmarks", which all had the funniest names ever that really don't correlate to what you actually see when you get there. first, we hit jeff's ledge which is this area that you need to scoot yourself around the ridge wall very carefully so you don't fall. then you need to use your hands to help you hold your body close to the rocks. if you were to slip, i think it could be pretty dangerous. the next was the staircase mistress, better known (apparently) as the "staircase bitchress". i think i like that name better because honestly it's pretty tough climbing up those rocks but once you get there you feel wonderful and on top of the world. it looks like a staircase from one side. it's amazing how beautifully mother nature has designed everything. the last stop was piano rock. "piano rock, oh my god that sounds so cool!!!" you're probably thinking. but honestly, once we got to the top of that one, we decided to change its name to "little rock on big rock" or "rock rock" (i like that one because what's supposed to look like a piano just looks like a big rock...). the hike was quick, less than 2.5 hours but it sure kept us out of breath. i burned about 12-1400 on this hike as well. (my numbers from yesterday may have been off).

breakfast was eggs, a slice of french toast, and turkey sausage. i skipped out on the sausage. after that we had stretch, which i really needed because at certain times during our hike i was afraid my back would maybe give out. it didn't really help, unfortunately. and i went on to cardio intervals to see what i could do. i pushed not so hard in the beginning, but by the end they have you so revved you don't have any bone in your body that doesn't want to push harder. i ran at 8.7 for a minute and that was really quite the accomplishment i'd think.

lunch was red pepper soup and a chinese chicken salad. the salad was mixed greens with edamame, oranges, cabbage, almonds and chicken. the dressing was an asian vinaigrette he showed us how to make in a demo. also, lunch was actually 7th grade in NMS because apparently cute elliptical boy thinks i'm cute too (courtesy of my new friends shanelle and annie, and a server our age named alex). so, that was a fun gossip period, i guess.

after lunch i had a class to prep me for next week, and robin (a trainer) told me if i ever feel homesick especially during the 3rd and 4th weeks i can always talk to someone. i told her i was more concerned about my back than being homesick, no offense guys. i'd rather be here getting my fitness on! hahah ew. anyways, the prep class was wonderful. everyone went around the room and said something they were proud of accomplishing. some people chose to pass, others talked about how they ran for the first time in years, others talked about the hikes. when it got to me, i said something like this:

i came here with a weight goal. i would be here for a month, and i just wanted to lose weight. but i had no idea the amount of accomplishment i'd feel each day when i got to the top of a cliff i never thought i'd climb, or when i hit an all time high on the treadmill. i want to keep pushing myself as hard as i can for as long as i can because honestly everyone here is inspiring. when i see goals like running for the first time, or jumping rope for the first time, or even just making it through the week... it truly hits me that these people are doing it for more than just weight. they're doing it for health, in hopes of living longer than they would if they didn't try at all. i'm so lucky to be here, and i'm so lucky to be meeting the people i've met thus far. every single one of them has a story.

after the prep class i had H20 intervals, circuit training, and zumba. in circuit training, i showed sharon my shirt for the first time today. when i packed to come here, i threw a bunch of t-shirts into my bag. i quickly picked my light grey tennis t-shirt in hopes it'd keep the sun away from me. well, i must've forgotten that the shirt said "bring the pain" on the back (compliments of coach hughes) and sharon said "bring the pain" about 5 more times through the class. i don't think anyone really liked the shirt that much... i did though.

the zumba class was awful. the epitome of awful. it was so boring and slow. she didn't wear a microphone, and she didn't explain the moves. which is fine, i can catch on. a lot of people here can't. i just think her moves should've been faster. i didn't get my heart rate up at all, so it kind of killed that 300 calories or more i would've burned in another class. also, she kept going "WOOO!!" in a really high pitched voice once every minute. literally. i was so mad, and bored, and woo-ed out.

dinner was a meatball sandwich on bread-thins with tomato and lettuce and a little bit of marinara sauce. also a side of string beans (which, mom, you know i hate... ;]). for dessert was a parfait, chocolate pudding on the bottom, vanilla on top of that, and strawberry kiwi on the very top. it was great! (made with silken tofu). after dinner, i scheduled a massage. remember how i embarrassed myself yesterday in front of the cute massage therapist?

well, i walked up to the front desk and said i'd like to schedule one. she said, "how's tonight at 8:30?". of course i was okay with it because massages fill up quickly here. but quickly i remembered my awkward encounter, and i jabbed, "with who though!?". of course, it's scott. kill me! hahah i have my massage in a half an hour. i hope it works out the kinks in my back but if not i don't know what i'm going to do.... it's killer!

so, i'm off to shower before my massage. i have a half a day tomorrow! i'm going to go to a cardio-blast class instead of the hike to take it easy on my back. hopefully i'll do okay. also, graduation and bowling tomorrow night which should be great. i got everyone to go!

love you, goodnight.