Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

RHIAN'S JOURNAL:

30th January 2007

VANCOUVER FITNESS TWIST 29th-30th January

Even though we have already had an introductory session with TWIST, the people charged with helping us to improve our fitness, yesterday was really the first day we have spent with them.

In our introductory session last Friday 26th January, we were told that this day would be the lightest and easiest session we would ever have with them. So, so you can imagine our fear and trepidation on the morning of Monday 29th January - our first "real day."

I have to admit that, despite my anxiety, I was pleasantly surprised by the day. Please do not interpret this as an indication that the day was not a tough one. far from it. But, at the time, it certainly wasn't the worst experience I have ever had.

TWIST just love their squats. They also love bungy cords and bosu balls (these look like half a giant ball, attached to a plank). Their training programs involve all three of these exercises: Body Squats, bungys and bosu balls. And, all in different combinations. For example, we started with Squats on a bosu ball, followed immediately by squats with a bungee cord on a bosu ball, followed immediately by arm exercises with bungee .... you get the idea. Most of us here have experienced USA and Canadian College weight programs which are dour, and invariably involve plenty of heavy lifting, so TWIST exercises came as a surprise.

This morning I feel a serious need to re-evaluate what I said about the TWIST session not being as hard as some I have experienced. I woke up this morning at 03:00am because I had turned over in my sleep. Today my body hurts so much that even the very movement of turning over in bed leaves me in acute discomfort. At 3:00am, 4:00am and 5:00am, moving my body woke me up, and it was only two Advils later, that I managed to get back to sleep.

Later, breakfast was not easy. It seems that the only thing worse than the ache in my legs, is the much bigger ache in my arms and upper back. The pain of any movement meant that I briefly contemplated lapping up my cereal directly from the bowl, like a cat, but I gave in to custom and decorum and went to fetch a spoon.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we only have one TWIST session. It is going to be a verrry looong session, but at least there is only one of them. My issue today is that TWIST now also runs the first 30 minutes of our soccer practices and I know we will be doing squats again. As usual, I will do my best, but the possibility of my legs giving out and leaving me in a quivering heap in the middle of the field is a distinct possibility. My only hope will be to to drag someone down with me, as there is safety in numbers. Beware anyone who stands next to me on the field today. The Blob of jelly called Rhian may drag you down with me.