UPDATE: So apparently, I’m totally lame. Spoke with ’someone’ today who informed me he does 6 minute miles easy peasey. And the girl at Fleet Feet said my 10 minuter was, well - fair.  Yuk. So, guess I’ll be working on a 9 minute mile…

Navy Seals here I come! By the way, can I bring my hot pink sweatshirt?

So, awhile ago I posted a comment on Facebook after I got back from the gym (uh, yeah, Facebook! if you’re not on there, join already! you can find a link directly to me on my site under Be a Facebook Friend) about doing the Navy Seals fitness running test and being really bummed because I had scored (sigh) a satisfactory low ( I cringe even admitting this). I was NOT happy. It did not sit well with my little competitive spirit (just try pacing me on the freeway - no really, try it, I dare you! :)) Anyway, so today. My friend Darc and I met up for an afternoon workout and decided to give this another run (no pun intended - will use this opportunity tho to brag about my gym which I love. I practically wear it as a second skin. Really, like I morph into my workout clothes as I leave the studio. It’s pretty cool. You should see it sometime. Anyway, my gym! - Cal Fit on Sunset - has these new - like several months ago - treadmills where you can take the Airforce, Army, Navy Seal, Marine, PEB and federal running fitness test and it rates you. Right up my competitive alley).

So, after a 20 minute walk to the gym from her house to warm up, we hit the treadmills. Bring it I told Marcie Blue (I don’t know, my treadmill needs a name). She whined at me as she started up - like that was going to break my stride. Right. It’s gonna take a little more than that to slow this machine, sister. I started pounding pavement…or - treadmill. Terminator 3 was on which was fantastic because it was the running scene where Linda Hamilton’s character is escaping the mental hospital they have her in and she totally kicks butt as she flies down the hall at a dead run, muscles flexed, solid determination in her gaze. Good way to kick it off. I was feeling it. Pumped. Then, of course, Arnold made his appearance and well, the boy looks good in this movie. Chiseled cheekbones, dark Oakleys (just guessing), leather jacket, snug jeans, no hint of an expression, splitting heads with but a lift of his forefinger - arghhh! (I’m pretty sure Marcie growled too). And eye candy has this really fabulous effect. It inspires you: work harder, walk taller, smile more. I worked harder. Speed. Up. Bring it.

Now, if you don’t know, for the Navy Seals fitness running test - at least the pseudo test Marcie gives out - you have to run 1.5 miles as fast as you can and you’re rated according to your sex, age and weight. As I hit 10 minutes I started to get a nice burn going in my lungs. I’ve come to like this feeling. A little over a year ago, I dedicated myself to working out hard on a regular basis. No more half-dedicated, I’ll go when I want, read a book as I stroll on the treadmill kind of thing. Which had been, up until then, a good chunk of my life, truth be told. But a little over a year ago I took a class that changed my entire attitude about fitness - the Gravity Class. That is by far the MOST challenging thing I’ve ever done. And it came with the most challenging instructor who I absolutely adore and who doesn’t flatter with words and tell you that you’ll achieve your goals working out 30 minutes 3x a week. She lays it out plain - work hard, eat right, get the results you want.  If you’re going to go 45 minutes, why not an hour, she’d say to me. That kind of rocked my world. At first, the idea of doing a hour of the treadmill or elliptical or whatever seemed - overwhelming. But after three kids, one pregnancy being the twins, I had goals (I still have goals) and if 30 minutes 3x a week wasn’t going to cut it, then tell me what was. So, I started on a course, dedicating myself to gym time and over the last year, I’ve come to love it. It’s my place to get peace. To unwind. To leave feeling like a happily deflated balloon. Oh yeah, and to catch all the basketball games (and if any CF Sunsetters happen to read this - who is it that watches the Food Network while working out? Isn’t that kind of an oxymoron? We need to talk. This isn’t working for me. I need ESPN and you need to leave my TV alone. Let us bond over basketball. I think you’ll discover it’s much more exciting that watching cake building contests. Just a thought).

So, Navy running test today. Finished out at 1.5 miles in 15:15 minutes with a score of - wait for it…..Outstanding High (here’s the best part - when my score came up,  I realized I accidentally set myself up as a Male! Thus, the Big Boys title) Okay, no laughing. I know there are much faster people reading this but I told my friend Darcie - I’m all about small joys these days. I was happy. Ready to throw up, but happy.

So, big boys here I come. Me. Navy Seal girl. With the hot pink sweater and camera. Cool?

Okay, going to take this opportunity to show off my cute munchkins and a picture that was taken when they were bebies. I’ve had this bag for over three years and love it - it’s got several pockets including a side water pocket, it’s totally durable and usable. It’s my gym bag and I get compliments on it all the time (if I was really bold, I would have put my logo on it but that’s so not me. I need a public relations person I think! :). I’ll be adding a Boutique gallery to the website soon but this bag retails for $145 and can have a pic front and back.

And I’m outta here! As I’ll be out all morning tomorrow, I’m considering this my Monday post and saying “happy Monday! have a great day!”