Blend Retreat Kicked my Booty

Happy Monday Friends!

 
In case you didn't catch my last post entitled "Uncomfortable," I addressed the fact that I was super nervous about attending my first blogging meet-up, Blend 2012.

I'm happy to inform you that I did survive the Denver airport.  But now I'm not quite so sure why I was nervous about it.  Just follow the signs and get there early.  And find a friend to conquer it with you on the way back...especially if you get there four hours early on the way home.

How will I ever make that important phone call??

Not only did I survive the Denver airport, I survived TWO bootcamps and a FOUR MILE HIKE within the span of two days!  Another factor that played a part in wearing me out was the thin Boulder air. 

I was actually panting walking with my luggage to check in.  

It was a little embarrassing when I could only get out a strained, "Hi" when Lindsay hugged me and told me it was so good to meet me.  Although thinking about it a few minutes later...I was excited she recognized me!

Saturday morning, bright and early, Tina from Best Body Fitness and Lindsay from Lindsay's List led us in an intense and fun bootcamp.

Lindsay is telling us the importance of staying hydrated at such high elevations

(If you remember, these gals wrote a couple of guest posts for me for Love Yourself February here and here.)

I'm the teal jacket waving like a goof.

We started out running around the park a couple of times.  I was panting after a couple of minutes!!

It was insane how the elevation can have such an effect!  I mean I ran 9 miles the week before..I can't run a couple blocks??

Pink top with black pants pretending to be tough.

After the run I think a lot of us were spent, but that didn't stop out bootcamp leaders!  We did squats, lunges, used workout bands and even split up in groups for a friendly competition.

We won, by the way.  Team awesome...we can't help it!

Chobani rep, me, fitmixer dietician Candace, Julie, Ashley

We had a little bit of time for breakfast, then proceeded to hike up the mountain you see in the background (sans shower!).

Thanks Melissa for carrying all my junk!  *Must bring bag for hiking next time.*

I'm not a hiker, so the amount of heavy breathing that was coming from me was a huge surprise.

I mean this was a serious hike.  We took lots of "photo stops."  (aka time to catch our breath!)

I am pretty sure that when I was hiking, I was leading with my right leg.  Every. Single. Time.

How do I know this?  My right leg is so sore that I'm hobbling like an old lady today!!

The next morning at bootcamp I tried to make up for it by leading with my left leg in most of the exercises. 

That's my blue booty on the right.

Saturday's bootcamp was led by Chobani reps.  We warmed up as a group and then split up to do lots of fun circuits.  (Like stepping up on waist high rocks.)

I had a lot of fun meeting people at the different fitness activities.  It really helped to have something to do while meeting people and something to talk about.  

Like, "wow I'm dying on this run...is bootcamp over yet??"

**Be prepared for more BLEND talk on the blog this week!**  


I had an amazing time and have a newfound confidence in my meeting-new-people skills.  Believe me I'm miles away from my "Uncomfortable" post and I need to do a reflection post on this to hopefully help those that have some of the same hesitations that I had going into the weekend.

Have a great Monday friends!!

*~Amanda aka Semi-Health Nut~*

What was a recent booty kicking workout you had?


Does high altitude affect you?


Many of the photos at the bootcamps were taken by Janetha at Meals & Moves.  I appreciate the bazillion photos she took on the trip!