UK Trip Prep: The Best Investment

 This is by far one of the most personal and lengthy blog posts I have ever written. But I think it would be a disservice to myself and to anyone reading this to sugar coat my truth. As most of my family and friends know, I believe in calling a spade a spade…so here we go!

During the summer of 2014, I got more specific about the experience I wanted for my UK trip. I wanted to be physically strong and conditioned to allow me to do anything I wanted on the trip. 

Segments of my trip will be very active…hiking with friends in Snowdonia, the largest National Park in Wales…experiencing a coastal hike on the Isle of Skye with a local historical group…walking the Quiraing, a landslip on the Trotternish peninsula (take note of the picture….it is breathtaking!)…or scrambling the Black Cuillins…or sea kayaking…or a boat ride to the Outer Hebrides. The main point is to be physically ready for any and all opportunities that arise.

Now I have been quite fit at times in my life, but this wasn’t one of them. Injuries and fear of being reinjured, overwhelming time commitments, and basic neglect for my health had left me deconditioned. Things needed to change. I wanted additional accountability and to truly be a student of the experience.  So, this summer, I joined a facility in a nearby town and hired a personal trainer….Joe Johnsonbaugh. I asked to train with Joe based on the recommendation of my physical therapist. I have since realized that he has a well-earned reputation for tough training, but he is incredibly passionate about helping others succeed. His vast experience in training is obvious and I feel privileged to work with him.

In our first conversation, we discussed my goals and when Joe suggested a 6:30 a.m. workout time, I balked! I am not a morning person. But as we discussed other options, I realized that I had to commit to some very big changes or this wasn’t going to work. That is how this night owl came to have an early bedtime, a wake-up time of 4:30 a.m., and pre-workout breakfast of a protein shake. All of these were very big changes!

When I joined the facility, I completed an initial health assessment. The assessment measured several areas of fitness plus some basic bloodwork. Those results were humbling to say the least, but I have learned in recent years that denial doesn’t solve any problems. So, I took those results as more reasons to make positive changes…more reasons to make my health and happiness a priority.

Training day #1…..Misery!! Serious misery!!

At our first session, Joe took my measurements and put me through a physical assessment. I had to complete five repetitions of four exercises with a total of ten sets. It sounded simple enough. Well….I don’t know what my time was, but it was slow. I got sick in my stomach several times. I had to stop and rest. If I thought the blood work results were humbling, this assessment absolutely floored me. I quickly realized how much I had babied myself through those recent injuries and how much I had neglected my body. I struggled.  Joe was encouraging and challenging at the same time, but he must have been wondering if I would stick with it. Well, I made it through and was so sore the next two days I could barely walk. But I was also proud of myself. I hadn’t quit.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks, Joe guided and coached me through my workouts. Some of the exercises were accomplished with relative ease, while others still haunt me because I never quite mastered them. During those first weeks, I iced sore muscles, wore Max Freeze like perfume, and took an antacid tablet every morning on my way to the gym. My Advil and foam roller were always close by (I am not kidding…one roller at work, one roller at home and a travel size roller in my car), and stretching became a serious part of my daily routine. My body was completely shocked, but it slowly began to remember what it feels like to be fit.

During the first few weeks, I was intimidated by the weight amounts Joe expected me to lift. I didn’t look at the numbers because I didn’t want to know. Then I noticed a shift in my thinking. Now, I want to know what I am lifting. I want to mentally prepare and I look forward to the challenge of the lift. I noticed other things were changing as well. I began to hone my nutrition and planned my food choices around my workouts and not on a whim.  Believe me, nothing will encourage healthy food purchases like grocery shopping immediately after a session with Joe. Don’t even change clothes. Just march in there with your hard-earned sweat and red face. Frozen pizza or processed foods won’t sound the least bit appealing.

Joe’s workouts definitely didn’t get easier as we progressed, but my body and my mind adapted. I was no longer nauseated during my workouts, my muscles recovered more quickly, my energy levels increased, my confidence grew and he taught me to appreciate my struggles. I now look forward to each workout. I truly enjoy putting my body through something it hasn’t done before and it feels great to push my limits physically and mentally. I definitely have a long way to go, but I am loving the process!

My training sessions became more that preparation for my trip. Each workout teaches me something about myself. Some things are a rediscovery, while others are completely new. So with each press or squat, I feel more like myself. I believe in my body again. My mind and my body are becoming trusted partners. The day Joe and I finished Phase 1 training, I sat in my car and cried tears of joyful relief. It was the best feeling…a feeling of accomplishment and an affirmation that I can do whatever I set my mind to do. I may struggle, but I won’t quit. For years, I was told by someone close to me that I was undisciplined…that I couldn’t finish anything…that I didn’t have focus. Eventually, I believed them. Now I am rewriting that script.  

 

 My favorite Trainer Joe quote to date:

The struggle is what makes it worth it. When you conquer the trail and you stand there and take a deep breath and say, “I did it!”

A few weekends ago, I hiked the Gloss Mountains near Fairview. The purpose of the hike was to get used to my new trekking poles, break in my boots a little more, and to test my physical conditioning in a hiking situation. The results of my hard work were immediately obvious.  I navigated the 150 stairs and the rocky terrain with energy to spare. My training is doing exactly what Joe said it would…preparing me for the activities of my trip. With that hike, my motivation has increased even more.

So…I am eight weeks into this experience and have about six more weeks of training before I fly to London. I don’t know what my new training goal will be when I return from my trip, but I can guarantee that I will have one. The investment of personal training is the best investment I have made in myself in a very long time and I don’t plan on stopping. Thank you Joe!

Lastly, I feel obliged to share a few of the measurable changes that have occurred in the past eight weeks.

·        As I write this blog, I am wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt that haven’t fit for the past three years. (Yes, I kept them that long even when I couldn’t wear them…..they are old favorites!)

·        My blood pressure readings at week 7 were 122/55 and 116/65 with a pulse reading of 61 beats per minute. These are my best blood pressure readings in the past 20 years.

·        Triglyceride levels dropped from 227 to 77 in six weeks.

·        HDL level (good cholesterol) increased 6 points in six weeks to the highest reading I have ever had.

·        My movement is easier and my flexibility is greatly improved.

·        My sleep is more restful.

·        I am physically stronger with an increased endurance for daily activities.

I will post again on my training right before I leave on my trip. I have no doubt that I will continue to see more positive changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspirations of Wanderlust

As with most things in life, my United Kingdom trip was planned through inspiration from others. While I knew I wanted to travel to the UK at an early age, there have been several people who have inspired, encouraged, and mentored me toward taking this traveling plunge. And they have done so without even knowing it.  One person, in particular, has had a powerful impact on my trip. His influence has played a role in everything from inspiration to the specific dates of the trip.

I met Andy Elliott in 2000 when he traveled to the U.S. to coach soccer camps during the summer months. He was only in Perry for a week, but we remained in contact through emails and then social media. To say Andy is an adventurer is an understatement! I have lived vicariously through his trips as he has traveled to Tanzania, scaled mountain peaks, cycled in 100 mile bike races, and traveled around the world….no literally, traveled around the world!

Andy inspired my trip in several ways. First of all, his attitude about travel is refreshing. He seems to dive in to a culture and gets to know the locals. I am adopting that same attitude for my trip. Secondly, Andy is a basic traveler. He doesn’t need a fancy room or a lot of luxuries when he travels. In that way, he and I are definitely kindred spirits. His travels have shown me a way of traveling to which I feel very connected. Andy has also been a wonderful source of information as I planned my trip. He offered advice on accommodations, car rentals, and many other things. But the thing that impacted my trip plans the most was an offer from Andy to take me hiking in Snowdonia in Wales.

When I started planning my trip, I knew I wanted to hike in Snowdonia. The views are breathtaking and every time I saw or read something about its beautiful mountains and valleys, I felt a stir. In one of our first Messenger conversations, I mentioned to Andy that I knew I wanted to hike Snowdonia. He told me that he has taken groups there and offered to do the same for me. I was thrilled! As our conversations continued over the coming months, Andy offered to also be my tour guide for the southern part of England where he lives. It simply doesn’t get any better than that! A local perspective and viewpoint is exactly what I want for this trip.

So…when Andy gave me the dates of his fall break, that was the starting point for planning the trip dates. Everything has revolved around his generous offer to act as my guide and host. Once the dates for staying with Andy were set, it was time to start penciling in my other adventures. The time with Andy will be how I end my trip...a wonderful reunion and the perfect ending!

The other person who has influenced my travel dates in Liam Sweeting. Like Andy, Liam came to Perry to coach our local soccer camp. The year was 2009 and everyone felt an instant connection with the young soccer coach. He simply fit with our community. Liam and I have been in communication about my trip also. I was hoping to schedule a visit with him while in England.  A few years ago, he moved to London...the perfect location for a visit, since I will be flying into London.

This summer, Liam returned to Perry with his fiancé, Daley, as they traveled Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. Their sense of adventure and easy manner of traveling are another great example for my trip. While they were visiting, we looked at our schedules and the best dates for my London visit. As destiny would have it, Liam is off the weekend after I fly into London. Perfect timing! I want to catch some of the major tourist sights, but I also want the flavor and feel of local London. Liam and Daley have also offered me a place to stay. I am overwhelmingly blessed. Not only is that a great comfort as I get acclimated to the new culture, but it is allowing me to do some other exciting things while I am on my trip.

 There are segments of my trip where I will be traveling solo and venturing out on my own. But it is nice that I am starting and ending my trip in the company of friends. I will fly into London and have a few days with Liam and Daley. Then, I will meet Andy in Liverpool two weeks later as we travel to Wales to hike and southern England to sightsee. I can’t help but smile as I write this blog. This truly is a trip of a lifetime and I am blessed to have friends that are playing such a pivotal role in making it happen.

The countdown is now 52 days! That makes me panic just a little bit...there is still so much to do!