Deep Thoughts in Plank Position

I was walking to the break room today to fix my salad for lunch when one of my friends stopped me in the hallway.  She was breathing heavy and had a red face and damp hair.

"Are you okay?" I asked, wondering whether or not to call the emergency response team

"Jeff. Taught. Boot camp. Today." she said, finally catching her breathe.  "Watch out."

Uh oh, I thought to myself as I was putting together my salad,  I am about to get it. A nervous foreboding crept over me and I added some extra chicken to the salad, figuring I'd need all the protein I could get. Feisty trainer = hard workout.

Down in gym a short while later, I lined up with my team mates in front of not only Jeff but Marisa too.  Oh Lordy, I thought, here it comes.   It was without a doubt one of the hardest workouts yet.  We did twenty some exercises that ended with burpees as the grand finale.   On that last burpee, the muscles in my legs and core were literally cramping in on me and I was drenched in sweat.  Masochist that I am, I loved it.  There is nothing like getting through a tough workout to give you a sense of accomplishment. 

I'm really concentrating hard on the mental aspect of exercise.  As the workouts get tougher and you push yourself harder, it's a must.  Some of the random things I'm thinking while holding a plank position until my arms feel like they're about to break:

• This floor is an interesting blend of black with blue specks.
• Dang this is hard.
• Think about the floor, yes the floor. Germs on the floor! I bet there are a lot of germs on this floor. Okay don't think about the floor.
• Dang my arms are getting tired...they are starting to shake. Okay, don't think about your arms.
• The meaning of life. Concentrate on the meaning of life. Nope too complicated, all my energy is going to holding myself up...deep thought must come later.
• Oh, my abs hurt.  I don't know how much longer I can do this.
• Okay, you got this.  Just look over at someone else.  Look at Lakshmi over there. 
• Bad idea! Looking at her struggling reminds me I'm struggling.
• Okay...think of a happy place.  Think of shopping. Yes, there you go.  Mentally cruise through your favorite stores, you have a wad of cash in your hand, think of all of those new clothes hanging on the rack, waiting to be bought.
• It's getting to be time to buy new stuff...everything is getting too big.
• Oh my arms!
• Dang, how much longer are we going to be doing this.
• Shopping...retail therapy.
• My hands on the floor are a weird combo of white and hot pink.
• My arms are shaking.  Seriously when are they gonna call time?
• I don't think I can make it.
• I am going to give up.
• I can't give up!
• My arms are numb.
• Yay!  Time's up!  Now I can....

...collapse on the floor.