cute boys (Nate, Teddy, Danz, Pablo and DADDY!!!)
the clan - Mom, Laura, Ted, Dan, Dad, Paul, Hubby, MOI)
Wow it's been a while, but I've been one busy lady. Here are some fun pics of our latest BodyStep release (82). It had a freaky them and everyone has loved it so far. One member came up to me after class and said; "I wish you would dress up like that every week!" maybe...but probs not.
I'm taping BodyAttack 70 on Feb.8th to submit to ONTARIO!!!!!!! I really really hope I get it on the first go cause taping (see a few posts back) is NERVE-RACKING - but we'll see.
This past weekend I attended my second Les Mills training program in the discipline of BodyAttack. Basically, BodyAttack is an hour long group exercise aerobics class with a sports and agility feel set to music that is changed up every 3 months.
In order to successfully complete the first component of training, you must pass a series of fitness tests to prove that you are capable of teaching an entire hour of BodyAttack to Goodlife Fitness members - one of these tests is called the Beep Test.
On the first day of training we did a master class of the latest attack release (one hour) and then had a training session on technique (two hours). After this we did our first fitness test - I know. I felt like saying; "Ummmm, excuse me, but we've just worked out for three hours and now you want to test our endurance, speed, agility, and strenghth?" But I didn't. So the training recruits were split up into two groups. We were all paired up with a partner who we were instructed to cheer on and encourage while they ran from point to point during the Beep Test. I was cheering for Denisa - my group was going to run second.
The first group ran back and forth all together while the scary man on the pre-recorded CD counted up from the number 1. Every time a beep went off, it got faster and faster. When the group got to 50 beeps, everyone watching (including me) was shocked. Where these guys still running? Then the group got to 60 and there were only a few left. When it appeared as though they were literally sprinting from end to end of the gym the group was down to one last girl - AMY. She got to 75 beeps! Everyone was shocked.
Then our group went up - it was really crowded and I felt squished beside all the recruits. I was so nervous that I thought the lactic acid in my legs was going to make me collapse. "I CAN'T DO THIS!!!! 70 BEEPS?!?!?!??!!" My brain screamed at me, but my feet and legs seemed excited about it "yes you can, yes you can, yes you can" - mental. The first beep went and I ran, then it beeped again and I ran. It was pretty strange. I felt like I was in a weird zone where I knew that if I lost focus I would loose the rhythm.
All I really know is that when it beeped, I moved and tried to reach the other side before it beeped again. I just kept going and didn't think about the speed or the pain. In fact, I didn't really know what number of beep I was on. I just kept running.
Then I noticed it wasn't so squishy anymore. I had more room to run after the beeps. Then I noticed I had A LOT more room to run. In fact, it was just me and Derek - the only male taking the training that weekend. But, I just kept going. Then, I heard the number. It was in the high 80's. 80!? OMGosh. Keep going.
Suddenly, there was a ton of screaming and cheering. I looked around and Derek had dropped out. I was the last one running!!! I was somewhere in the 90's but I couldn't hear exactly what number it was because everyone was yelling so loud. My legs were exploding and now my feet and legs were saying "I CAN'T DO THIS YOU PSYCHO!" but my brain was saying "yes you can, yes you can, yes you can" - freakanomics.
Then, the national trainer was running beside me and cheering me on; "COME ON KATE! COME ON!" She was running in front of me and she looked like she was running so easily where as every step was painful for me. It was like one of those dreams you know? At this point, I couldn't hear any beeps at all. I didn't know if I had stopped after 93 or if I was closer to 100. I just kept going until my legs couldn't move anymore. Then, I felt like I gave up, or gave in. One of the two.
97 Beeps.
Everyone was cheering and smiling when I came over to the group. My group was all patting me on the back and my partner Denisa looked really excited. I reveled in the happiness for a few moments and then heard the trainer say; 'Great Job Kate! To be an elite BodyAttack instructor, the number to beat is 80! Okay, everyone. Take five, we're going to do the next three fitness tests."
?*!#&?*#@?&$?!*@#!$???#%*#)$%*@#$!@#?$@*#%$*!?
FINALLY!
Holy cow - that took way too long in my opinion. 4-6 weeks for a return assessment? Try 7 weeks. Clearly, they need to change those estimations for the neurotic girls like me. The assessment of my one hour video took more than one assessor to watch and review; however, regardless of the time it did take - I PASSED!!! I am officially, and legally allowed to teach BodyStep on my own with classes of my own. I've been put on the Fall Schedule at Goodlife Fitness starting Sept 12th on Wednesday nights at Deerfoot Meadows and on Sunday Mornings at Canyon Meadows! Subbing step classes has been more fun than I could have imagined and I can't wait to get my own groups. Gonna kill it!
In November, I'm taking the next step and training for another program called BodyAttack! It's basically aerobics with running, core conditioning, upper body strength and fabulous music. Bring on the sweat! So excited!!!
As I was riding in the back seat of a Calgary Police officer's car last Sunday morning, I encouraged myself to do a bit of self reflection. First, I thought how life can throw you some strange curveballs and then I thought about how quickly something as simple as your daily plan can change - completely out of your control. But then I questioned myself; 'How in the world had I got to this exact point in my life journey? How was a stern policeman stealing quick glances my way in the rearview mirror, my nerves on edge, my husband calmly sitting at our kitchen table eating his breakfast without a clue that a cop car was about to pull up to the house with his wife in the back seat all? How? Well, the 'how' of the story all starts out a few months back when I began to take group exercise classes at the Goodlife Fitness Club.
After BodyStep class one day, I was approached by the instructor who strong recommended that I take the training component so that eventually I would be able to teach it. I was thrilled and didn't want to miss out on such a fabulous opportunity. I signed up right away, counting down the days for the session. I was super pumped and was determined to do my best.
The first day of training we were told that we would each be given a 'track' from the new BodyStep release. We had to learn the choreo, start to script our cueing and coaching lines and then present it to everyone else the following day. I was beyond nervous Saturday night and Sunday morning so I made sure to wake up early Sunday morning (we were told that we wouldn't be let in if we were late), so I grabbed a bite to eat and jumped in my car to get to the NW Westwinds Goodlife fitness location way across the city.
Driving down Deerfoot, my 'track' music was blasting at full volume out of my speakers. I'm going over my choreo in my head, and yelling out cues to my imaginary class. All of a sudden I hear a part of the music that sounds totally off. I stop yelling and try to listen carefully to the unfamiliar sound. It's like a weird flapping noise - this isn't right. I went to turn down the music when I notice smoke coming out of the back end of my SUV. I new instantly...I have a flat tire... awesome. I quickly look at the time: 7:20. I have to be there by 8:00 and it takes a half hour to get to Westwinds from my house.
Being the determined young woman that I am, I immediately thought; 'I can make it, I can make it'. So I kept driving. I went for another 15 seconds when all of a sudden I hear a mini explosion coming from the back of the car. Okay. The tire just erupted. My first thought was; 'So how far can you go on the rim of your car?' Well, that didn't last. A moment later, I knew I had to pull over because there was smoke coming from the back of the car. So I pulled over, my plan was to call Nate and he would come pick me up. Well one of those curveballs that I was talking about earlier was coming right my way.
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Nate's number. I'm waiting and waiting for what seemed like hours for him to pick up when all of a sudden I realized there is a ringing cell phone sound coming out of my gym bag that's sitting right beside me!!! I looked at my cell phone in my hand, and ended the call. Immediately, I dialed Nate's number again. I thought I was dreaming. There's no way I could have both MY cell phone and HIS together...here...in this car in my gym bag. But alas, again, after calling his number, my gym bag continues to ring. I dig through the well prepared snacks and extra pair of socks I have in there and sure enough find Nate's cell phone shining and ringing up at me from the bottom of my bag. NOOOOOO!!! Okay, okay. No way to get a hold of my husband because we don't have a land line. I start to panic. 7:30, all alone on Deerfoot on a Sunday morning. Fan-effing-tastic.
What do I do? Do I run home? That would take HOURS! Do I sit there and wait for a random car to drive by? Possibly some early church goers? What time does church start anyway? Is there a church around here? PANIC!!!! Okay Kate. Remain calm. Then out of the corner of my eye, I see the car. The only other car on all of Deerfoot. It was a sign. I had to get his attention. I jump out of my car and start running after him - arms flailing and everything. He pulls over and I run up to his passenger side window.
Kate: 'Hi!' (out of breath) 'Can you drive me to my BodyStep training?'
Policeman: (neutral facial expression)
Kate: 'I just got a flat tire and I have to go to a Fitness session at Goodlife Fitness and I'm already running late do you know what time it is my husband's cell phone is in my gym bag which I only just found after turning down the music to my track cause I was practicing the choreography which I have to teach to the rest of the group today...can you take me there?
Policeman: (neutral facial expression) Get in the backseat. Where do you live?
Kate: ' I just live in McKenzie Towne'
Policeman: (searching computer) I can take you there.
Kate: 'Oh MY GOSH!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK You so much (5 minutes later) thank you thank you thank you. Can I give you a hug?
Policeman: That's ok.
And so by this time, it's 8:00 a.m. and I'm back at the house. I'm dead and I know it. Nate has no idea what's just gone on. I figure I'll tell him on the way.
I made it to training in time to do 30 extra push-ups more than everyone else; but the trainer was understanding enough to allow me back into class. I ended up passing the course (YAY!) and have since been 'shadowing' with instructors all over Calgary. Once I submit my video, I'll be assessed by a fitness pro board (so serious) and hopefully have a summer job at Goodlife. You know what though? Life IS good regardless of flat tires and unforeseen circumstances. I'm loving mine and will be ready to laugh at the next curveball cause it all works out in the end.
Wow! They grow up so quickly! As the weather begins to get warmer and the days start to get longer, (hallelujah) our little kitty Milo demonstrates that time doesn't stop for anyone. He's getting bigger and bigger and bigger everyday. With his physical size getting larger and his piggish eating habits get nastier, his confidence also gets stronger.
Milo loves his little Donkey Kong toy now. He grabs that poor stuffed toy with his two front paws, lays on his back, puts donkey kong's head in his mouth and with his hind legs repeatedly kicks the living daylights out of the tiny donkey. Oh well, he's stuffed and inanimate so it's all good.
Work has been out of control busy. Our gr. 11 PVA students participated in Kiwanis Music Festival with four different pieces - two of which were student directed scenes and the other two were musical theatre pieces directed and choreographed by yours truly. We have a really talented and determined assistant principal at our school who fully supported the notion to compete in the festival; however, having only ever done numerous Dance competitions in my lifetime, I had no clue what to expect or aim for. Our AP and my other two colleages were extremely gracious in their help and direction and assisted in leading the students to two Gold placements and two Superior placements within their classes. I was so proud of them.
