From couch potato to athlete

Although I’m in the middle of Camino prep, I also have other things to prepare for. Tomorrow I’m running in the final Blackout Race of the season. My journey from couch potato to athlete started 9 years ago when I fell off my bike and had a wake up call. Growing up, I was never a jock, never mind a gym rat. I never felt comfortable in gym class and since I was so uncoordinated, gym teachers didn’t pay any attention to me. For years I was slim, so weight control was not an issue. I believe this is called “skinny fat”. The one thing I liked doing was cycling. I didn’t learn to ride until I was 10 years, old, but once I learned, cycling was the one exercise I loved. There’s nothing like feeling wind on my face as I ride along a scenic trail. I had tried running, but my knees swelled up, my shins hurt and I was miserable. I couldn’t play sports because of my poor hand/eye coordination. So, cycling was it. Falling off that bike woke me up. The thought that I was so out of shape that I couldn’t do the one thing I loved brought me to my senses and made me want to get in shape.

At about this time, my doctor told me that my cholesterol levels were getting too high and that I needed to eat healthy and exercise. Eating healthy was not an issue since I’m not a fan of junk food. I decided to start by walking after dinner. At first I’d walk 2 or 3 times per week. I started slowly, by walking 30-45 minutes at a good pace. Each time I went out, I either pushed myself to go farther or faster. As I walked, I started to lose some of the extra pounds that were creeping on me. I felt better; slept better; was in a better mood. Hmmm… maybe this exercise thing was not so bad after all! At one point, I was walking 30 kms a week.

Time to step it up

After walking for about a year and a half, I got bored. I needed more exercise and so I joined a local gym. As I signed up, the receptionist asked if I’d like a personal trainer. I’d never had a trainer, but I figured that it would be a good idea to see someone on a regular basis to get me a program and keep me motivated. Besides, I wanted to try doing weights and I had no idea where to start (since I was never a gym rat!) When I first met Mathieu, my trainer, he evaluated me: weighed me, did the skin folds (yes, it’s as bad as it sounds!) and did a cardio test. Overall, my numbers weren’t too bad and I figured that this was because of my walking. I told Mat that I could go to the gym 3 times per week for one hour each time. He came up with my first program and I started my journey. The first thing I did was put my gym days in my calendar. These became non-negotiable times. I simply would not book anything else if I had a gym date with myself. I also went straight after work. I knew that if I stopped at home, I’d never make it to the gym. I’d go for a walk, but I wouldn’t go for a full workout.

Within a month, I started to see results. I could see some muscles where none existed before. For the first year, I’d see Mat every six weeks or so. He’d evaluate me, give me a new program and I’d do the program on my own 3 times per week. At the end of that first year, he told me that I was good enough to do a group class. I hesitated… The thought of joining a group was intimidating. So, I said “I’m not a group class kind of person.” To which my smarty pants trainer said “it’s ok. You’d be oldest one.” Say what?? Are you saying I can’t do it? Just watch me! So, I joined his group class. Those group classes were so tough, yet so much fun. Yes, I was the oldest. But I never quit. And my fellow class members were so nice and sweet that I actually started to look forward to going to class. We would do circuit training combined with spinning. It was a lot of work, but oh so rewarding to make it through a class.  I also met Louise, who is now a dear friend and workout partner. When we train together, it’s part workout and part laughter therapy!

Le Fitness Loft

The transformation continued. At one point, Mathieu said that my next objective would be to do a chin up. I didn’t think I had the strength to do one. But, with his coaching and programs, I did do one! And I can still do chin ups. What a great feeling. The best thing to have come out of this fitness journey, however, has been meeting some awesome new friends. In May 2013, Mathieu and two friends, Linda and Laura, opened their own gym, Le Fitness Loft (https://www.facebook.com/lefitnessloft/?fref=ts). The Loft, as we affectionately call it, is a wonderful community filled with a diverse bunch of people. We work hard, but we also play hard.

Perseverance and trust: 2 key elements in recovery

In 2012 I had a setback when I herniated 2 discs in my lower back. I spent 5 days in the hospital and was out of commission for weeks. Six weeks off work; lots of physiotherapy, ice, rest, meds. I had never experienced pain like that. It was brutal. I didn’t think that I’d ever get to do my workouts again. And I was so upset. I’d worked so hard to get in shape. But, I’d also ignored my body’s signals for months. Yes, my back hurt. So what? Dumb move. I learned my lesson. During all this time, Mathieu kept telling me that I’d get back to doing what I was doing. That’s another thing I’ve learned: to trust my trainer. He knows what he’s talking about and I trust him. Turns out that he was right, because 8 months after I herniated those discs, I ran in a Spartan race.A few of us were doing the race, so to get us ready, the trainers organized a practice race which they dubbed “Blackout Race” No, not because we’d blackout during the race! Rather, the “blackout” referred to the fact that no one knew where the race would be held until the day before. I’d never experienced anything like it. The races are about so much more than medals. They are about setting and reaching personal goals while stepping outside your comfort zone. The races involve running, obstacles and challenges. There are 3 levels, geared to appeal to a variety of fitness levels. I race in the intermediate level and yes, it’s tough. But, it’s also so rewarding to finish each race. It’s not about the time or getting a medal. It’s about finishing.

Three years in, I guess I’m an old-timer at these races. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for lots of rain, which will make it even more challenging. No matter. I got this! Blackout Race, here I come!