Training in PA

I'm now into my 5th week of structured training.

I'm so blessed to have access to TWO great training facility's while living here in Wexford, PA. First, the Soergel Ranch is a great place for days when I don't need to be throwing around weights... I LOVE being outside & running in the fields! When I need indoor facilities or weights, hurdles, sleds, etc I go to R.A.W-training, a gym located at the WildWood Highlands' old flea market, which provides a wide range of equipment, turf fields, and instruction - and a ton of motivation along with it. Sometimes I hear from Amy, Molly, or Jerame (owners) some helpful critiques or a " WAY to GO Leisl!" ... and sometimes just watching the other clients (all ages, abilities, etc) work their BUTTS off, is complete motivation in itself. I'm grateful to have that!

So, yep, 5 weeks of training in. I'm spending approximately 8-10 hrs working out every week. My training plan is coming from the Head of the Olympic Training Center weight room facility, Brad. He's a brilliant guy, and so I'm sticking to everything that he recommends. He says jump - I say how high.

He can help me strengthen my core and back to avoid my nagging injuries i've dealt with the past year, and he can recommend the best way to get into my top condition...

... but sometimes, he just can't save me from myself.

Bloody shins is like just another day on the job. I've probably used 5-6 bandaids from RAW over the course of my training there. Guess I owe them a box, huh? I've quit noticing the scrapes.

Then about 2 weeks ago, I was pulling a weight off the rack while preparing for back squats, and decided to punch myself in the face with the weight. Blood immediately trickled out of my lips, and I had hit my tooth hard enough that I thought I might have chipped it... Luckily no chip, but I did acquire a funky looking lip for a few days!



I woke up this past Saturday with a very strange pain in my shoulder. I was to help with pony rides all day, but a sick stomach, accompanied with the nagging shoulder, kept me from hoisting children as high as my face. Sunday I turned down a chance to kayak, for fear that the pull on my shoulder that paddling and pulling the boat would cause would worsen my condition.

Monday I worked at the farm and tried to avoid using my right arm too much, and then had a chiropractor work on the shoulder for about an hour - so no training Saturday through Tuesday - but todayyyyyyy (wednesday) I feeel GREAT! Unfortunately, performing any upper body exercises involving weight over my head does still cause some shoulder pain, but I think I should be able to get it all figured out soon.

So when I'm not using RAW-training's turf fields or weight racks and equipment, I do my workouts (usually mid-section based) at our farm.

I'm so spoiled.


Early on a Thursday morning

So training, despite a few bumps, and a couple small set-backs, has been going really well. Time is really clicking along - because in 7 weeks I will be driving back up to Lake Placid to take my physical Combine test, which will determine whether or not I qualify for housing at the OTC again next season. So July 11-15 is the next big event coming up for me in my journey!

Feelin' good :)