Going out with a bang

As you know, this is my last week here at the BLR.  I always enjoy reading the comments, so please let me know if you have any questions that I can answer this week.  Since this is my last week I have requested to be in the highest van for the hikes.  The program director was going to assign me to this van anyway because there are a lot of people here this week who are intermediate hikers.

I also was informed that our van will be assigned to Solstice, Ocean View, Zuma straight through, and of course the beach.  Today's hike was the easiest of the hikes listed and was at the beach.  It was great because it was the first time in my life to see a whale.  Actually, we could barely see the whale, but could see the water blown from the spout really well.  I tried to take pictures but the whale was out of range.  Regardless, it was still pretty cool.

The afternoon classes were total toning, something in the pool, and cardio intervals.  Now obviously I've done total toning for 8 weeks, but today I had another aha moment.  The trainer had us using a resistance band for the moves.  I've been through this before with the same trainer, but it hit me today that I can take a couple of these resistance bands in a suitcase with me and use the moves from the class when working overseas or offshore.

Some of the classes vary depending on the instructor.  For example, in total toning the purpose is to use light weights to work every part of the body.  One instructor will set up the stations as I have previously described, and another instructor will use the resistance bands to achieve the same goal.

Cardio intervals is a structured class and does not allow for trainer influence like total toning.  During the sprint sessions, I decided to use the Jacobs Ladder because it is now part of my routine for sprints.  I was on it for three sprints, which combined for a total of 4 minutes.  That's right, a total of 4 minutes on the Jacobs Ladder!!

Closing thought for the day:  Now that my final week is here, I have to keep focused mentally.  There are three days of the hardest hikes coming up.  I feel that being here for 7 weeks has prepared me for them and I'm ready.  I'm going to end my day by reviewing my taxes and going to bed early.  For me taxes are very boring so it should put me to sleep easily.  I just hope I don't get sick looking at how much money the government gets of my hard labor.