Author: Jen Rios

Regretfully, I had to cancel Barwis yesterday.  I cried.

Phil agreed that we’ll make it a “Walking Friday” #2

TOTAL YARDAGE = 347 AND 2 STEPS.

I was extremely excited to go to Barwis yesterday.  After my week off (with the holiday and scheduling problems) I was SUPER happy to be there again.  Phil told me to, “get my rest” on my week off.  It was a very UNRESTFUL week!!!  The terrible weather aside, I hadn’t been stretched out and I realized on Thursday how detrimental it was for me to NOT be stretched.  I pull up to Barwis and am unable to get out of my car.  Nick came to get me.  I immediately thought that that was NOT a good sign but still was glad to be there.  Phil stretched me out by the chairs and told me to go to the Keiser machine.  He stretched me out a bit more and told me to stand.  Now, I REALLY tried.  Shaking legs and all!  (My legs shake as I try to stand because so much energy is exerted) but standing wasn’t happening.  I tried three times with Phil stretching me out between each attempt.  It was a no-go.  Phil told me to head over to the table.  I replied, in a small voice, “It’s a fail.”  I felt a bit defeated but what was to be expected after a week off?!  I turned and rolled down the ramp with not as much excitement (I still raised my hands with a small “Woo” though.  OF COURSE!)

Phil told me that it wasn’t “a fail” and that my legs were really tight and I needed a good stretch.  Well, Phil gave it to me alright!  If by “good,” you mean “painful!”  I told him that it’s frustrating not to be able to control your body because it REALLY is!  He stretched me out very well (I mean painfully) and told me that Nick was going to take me out to my car.  He got me into my chair and pushed me over to my things.  He reiterated that Nick was taking me to me car and told me, “Good job and goodbye.”  He stuck his fist out to which I grabbed it and shook it before he pulled away.  He said that it didn’t count because I didn’t say “Joystick.”  Whatever!

I continued getting my things (leg rests onto my chair and putting my jacket on) together when Phil came back over to sit in the chairs.  He told me that I should just park in the back.  It will be easier to get me out if I need and it is closer.  I was a little bit shocked and I felt my face get a little bit pink.  “I thought that was only for the staff,” I managed to say.  Phil shook his head.  Um.  To me, that is like getting a master-key at work that opens ALL the doors, or having your hotel room key coded to give you access to the pent house, it’s getting the keys to your boyfriend’s truck in some country song.  I asked him, “Is this because I’m a “lifer”?”  Jesse had called me that for the first time last summer.  It is true.  Mike told me on my first day at Barwis that I would have to workout for the rest of my life.  Hence the phrase, “lifer.”  After my week off, I know that is COMPLETELY true!  Phil stood up and said, “yeah” and walked away.

Nick helped me into my car and I realized how tired I was.  On my drive home, (that’s CRAZY long because I-96 is closed) it really started sinking in that yesterday was NOT a complete fail because my lags felt more relaxed.   It was easier to move around once I got home and got ready for bed.  As I was falling asleep it made me hopeful for “Walking Wednesday” this week… and that felt good.

Eric had to come get me out of my car yesterday.  I couldn’t do it alone.  With the long, harsh winter we had, I forgot – well, I didn’t forget but I didn’t remember how debilitating the heat is so Eric helped me out.  Embarrassing.  When you just meet someone and they have to pick you up.  So, I get into Barwis and Phil stretched me at the Keiser machine.  He told me to stand but first WAS the worst here.  I told him about how much I don’t like NOT being able to control my body in the heat.  I WAS able to get up on my second attempt and completed one squat.  I completed 3 stands and I squat before Phil told me to head to the turf not to the mat.

WHAT?!  Not only was Phil wearing his glasses yesterday (it was the first time that I saw him wear them) but I’m walking?!  On a Friday?!  CRAZY!  WEIRD.

I got set at the line and Eric came over to help because Lindsay wasn’t there.  Phil explained how we do this to Eric and then said in a goofy voice making fun of me, “Let’s do this thing!”  I got nothing.  On my second attempt, I got set and then I said, “Let’s do this thing!”  I stood and I felt sturdy and then said, “C’mon boys!”  I got 6 yards on that drive.  I didn’t get anything further for my 3rd and 4th downs.  Before my 3rd down, Phil stretched me out some more.  I told him that I was glistening and told Phil that he was starting to glisten as well.  I looked at Eric and told him that “glisten” is code word for “sweating.”  He laughed.

After my walking attempts, we still had time left over so Phil met me at the Keiser machine for more standing and squatting attempts.  I told Phil about my forearms “killing” me.  I put my car in park at stop lights now because the pressure I exert on them by engaging the brakes with my hand controls hurts too much.  Phil squeezed my left forearm and had me open and close my fist as he moved his hand to different muscles I guess and kind of squeezed and rubbed my forearm.  Then he grabbed my right forearm and did the same thing.  I decided that his hands were GARGANTUAN compared to my forearms and it kind of made me feel like a little kid.  He used his index and middle finger to kind of “walk” up my forearm.  That motion made me laugh like it was two legs so I did the same to Phil’s arm (adding a sound effect of course!). The effect was a little bit different having my little hand walk up his GARGANTUAN arm with a quick, “Boop! Boop! Boop!”  I think I did it twice.  Phil laughed and told me, “You have issues.”  My forearms felt a little better after this and I was able to complete 4 more stands and 1 more squat.  I asked Phil if we will always have a “Walking Friday” when my “Walking Wednesday” is a shut-out like the last one was.  He said, “Maybe.”

I got a total of 7 stands , 2 squats, and 6 yards on this “crazy, weird” “Walking Friday” #1.  Eric helped me to my car that I got into mostly by myself.  He had to help me with my feet.  I’m still waiting for my “a lot” but am racking up the “little by little”s in the meantime.

TOTAL YARDAGE = 347 and 2 steps.