August 7 Day 16

So today did not start well. Stated getting nauseated during stretch class and then at breakfast my lower stomach started acting up. At first I thought I would have to skip the hike, but then found out that I had to go to beach work out. There are several bathrooms along the beach so I knew I was safe if it hit me from either end.

 I was happy to find out that beach work out was not Tania but Mimi leading it. Nevertheless it was another tough one. After hiking in deep sand for 30 minutes the insanity began. At this point my stomach was feeling better-i guess I was feeling alot of other pain, making the stomach stuff subside. I got challenged by one of the hiking guides (they come along with the trainers to hike us 30 min at the beginning and 30 min at the end) to run hard at the suicide station, and I am proud to say I beat her. Then Steven the other hiking guide approached me, and challenged me on my next station, the sand push up and clap the hand of your partner-he was my partner. I was able to hang in with 15, but then he had me.

When I got back to my room I was very nauseated again-almost sounds like its the room- so I decide to take the next class as a pool class. Of course my calculation got screwed up when Tania showed up-no rest for the weary.

After lunch it was a medium intensity walk for me on the treadmill, as I was really struggling with even going to open gym. This was followed by the dreaded 'total toning" (only dreaded when John teaches as he is into squats). We got through it and at the end of the class we had a "plank off". I won the challenge, not sure it was due to strength or German stubbornness, after holding plank for 6 min plus.

The it was off to pool followed by cardio intervals. i chose the treadmill class in the interval class and had one of my team mates next to me. So in this class you go up a level every 30 sec up to level 8. After the highest intensity is reached, it goes back down in 30 sec intervals. I walked at a medium speed nothing to note down here, but increased at the last few levels. We were then asked to go at the highest speed we can for 1 min with an immediate recovery. i knew I could go pretty high so raised it to 8.0 hoping I could sustain it for a minute. The lady next to me went to 7.0 and when she saw my 8 her words were 'oh yeah' and she increased to 8, so what do you think I did? of course I said the same and increased mine I got all the way up to 10 and she made it to 9.7, with the whole class laughing and cheering us on. I only lasted 45 sec, she made the entire minute. I am not sure what brought on this entire day of challenges, but again I am as tired as I was in week one.

The best part of the day however was Regina and her determination to not quit! She came back from the hike with hurting knees and iced them over lunch time. She was really in pain I could see it on her face, however when it came time to do our three afternoon classes she came and finished all three. What a feat, mind over matter. Really encouraging to witness.