I like when things work out in my favor, but I love when workouts are favorable to my training plans.  Home from vacation and jonesing for the gym, I briefly questioned the wisdom of going to Bootcamp the day before a 12 mile run.  My legs were tight and fatigued but my upper body felt like mush, so I threw caution to the wind and went anyway.

When I walked in to UEF and saw the step benches set up, I almost turned around and walked out.  This one time at Bootcamp, I fell off a bench during a plyometric routine and twisted my ankle- bad.  Swollen beyond recognition and forced to take multiple consecutive rest days bad.  But instead of leaving, I hopped on a treadmill and started warming up.

“Are we going to be jumping around today?” I asked the instructor.

“No. We’re doing heavy upper body today…” he replied.

He said some other stuff too but I was so excited about the absence of plyo and the presence of a de-mushing upper body plan that I stopped listening.  I probably squealed, fist pumped and kicked my heels together (on the treadmill) in unison. Honestly I don’t remember how I expressed my joy and relief.  I knew my legs would be safe for tomorrow (and my arms would feel less flabby) and that’s all that mattered.

Although my workout dreams came true, I was reminded to be careful what I wish for.  Performing upper body exercises with weights and kettle bells for an hour is really hard, so much so that doing burpees and mountain climbers felt like a break.  While I doubt I’ll be capable of washing my hair or tying my shoes tomorrow, at least I’ll be able to run.