Austin, TX

Week 2 of my Zen Team workout. I managed 3 walks the past week. 32 minutes, 42 minutes and 44 minutes, as well as my hour long pilates session.

This morning I got up bright and early, if not bushy-tailed. 6:45am is an ungodly hour of the day. Somehow or another I managed to talk Chip into going with me. I wanted to combat the loneliness I felt at the last meet-up. We got there at 7:45am and of course couldn’t find a parking space at Auditorium Shores so we had to park nearby and walk over. If you’ve never been in town on the weekend at that hour of the morning you’d probably be surprised at the number of runners there are all over town. Runners, like golfers, are insane. Heh. There were more people on time this time but still a few stragglers who managed to catch up with us.

Patrick, our trainer, said he wanted to do “the hills” today in place of doing the plyometric drills. We must have looked scared because he was quick to assure us that it wouldn’t be too bad. He convinced us and told us to walk to Bouldin Road. That turned out to be a bit of a jaunt and by the time I got there I was already feeling tired. That’s partly because I was walking fast to try and keep up with everyone. As usual I was still the last to arrive. Have I mentioned that I’m short. Really short. 4′11″ short! By the time I caught up with everyone Patrick had already given instructions. I felt discouraged. The exercise was to walk the block. It was a good road for it because it had a couple of steepish hills and a couple of steepish inclines. I made it around 3 times in the time it took everyone else to make 4 trips. Afterward we had to walk up the first hill backward and then back down again. He wanted us to do that 5 times but I made it 3 before my legs refused to do it again. I wasn’t the only one who didn’t make it 5 times. Patrick said we’d all hate him tomorrow and I could certainly believe that because my thighs were burning. I really began to question whether the Zen people really understand the concept of a beginner or if I’m just that out of shape. Quite possibly the latter.

Thankfully that ended our session for the day. Except for the part where we had to walk back to Auditorium Shores. It was a fairly easy walk back and I didn’t worry about keeping up with everyone. I just took my time and cooled down. There was just one thing keeping me going. The Tokyo Breakfast. You can call me Kyla “I’m only here for the Tokyo Breakfast” Myers. I’m happy to say that the breakfast lived up to my memory of it and I had my first moment of happiness as I sat there sipping green tea and eating.

Overall, though, I have to admit that I was highly discouraged today. I remember thinking to myself, “I can’t do this.” I stuck with it anyway and managed to finish. Monday is the day the Austin Chronicle and Zen Japanese Food Fast are supposed to select the 6 people they will train for the Trail of Lights 5k run. Wish me luck.

I got home and spent the rest of the day cooking. I had a party to attend and I’d promised to make the dessert. 100 mini-cupcakes. Let me tell you, that’s a lot of cupcakes. Especially when you’re doing several different kinds.

Yes, I am crazy. So, after getting up at the crack of dawn, I spent the next 5 hours or so baking, filling and icing cupcakes, topping each with a letter signifying the birthday person. It was a joint party for 3 friends who work together. I made 2 other cakes last week. Have I mentioned that I’m a sugar artist/cake decorator? After I finished the cupcakes, I delivered them and stayed for the party and that is precisely why I am just now posting at 1:27am. I am soooo tired! I am definitely sleeping in tomorrow!

Read about Week 1
Read about Week 3
Read About Week 4
Read About Week 5
Read About Week 6
Read About Week 7
Read About Week 10 ( I missed 8 & 9 )

fitness, Zen, Exercise, running, Team Zen, Zen Japanese Food Fast, restaurant, tokyo breakfast, Austin Chronicle, Challenge, Auditorium Shores