True to what Pinkie said, Rainbow Dash was right beside when I woke up, as grouchy looking as I was groggy. Luckily, though, I didn’t wake up in the middle of Everfree Forest, and in fact, as my eyes opened, I saw that before me, while I was in my bed, Dash was serving me breakfast on that tray with the foldable legs my folks love! On that tray was a bowl of cinnamon oatmeal, a glass of OJ and a glass of eggs. That much didn’t register until I realized they were raw, fresh eggs in that glass, and that my training wasn’t starting until I downed them. I know she wants me to get the most protein in the least time, but isn’t there a more sanitary way to do it? My intuition told me this was a test of how much I was willing to submit myself to her methods, so I looked deep for the needed grit and swallowed them, that grit becoming something of a theme that whole first week of training with her
Since I don’t come from the warrior-centric culture Dash grew up with, I was nowhere near ready for what she had in mind, and it showed in spades. From the very first exercise, I was struggling to keep pace, which manifested when I was reaching for my toes and I could barely touch my calves. After 2 sets of 20 jumping jacks, curls, push ups, trunk lifts, leg lifts, and who knows how much else, I felt like I had nothing left to give, and as I was gasping for air, Dash stood beside me and said, “Alright, enough warming up, it’s time to get to the real workout” I imagine Pinkie had a similar sense of dread fill her up the first time she heard those words, more so as her body cooperated with her less and less.
Speaking of which, when we got to the gym, Pinkie was there to greet us and spot me as I “hit the weights,” as Dash puts it, to gauge my strength. I was quite proud when I learned that I was able to bench 90 lbs and felt ready to take Applejack then and there...until I found out that’s 30 pounds below average. My time at the Chest Press, Chest Fly, and other machines was just as ego deflating, and by the time I was done for the day, I had many doubts over if I could even compete against someone who, according to Dash, could lift more than twice the average on every single machine. Twice! Even when she’s as dazed as someone just waking up for the day!
I think Pinkie heard me express these frustrations during the week, because after one of my warm ups, she pulled me aside and said, “Didn’t you say that with me and Dash in your corner, you know your methods wouldn’t fail? I know this won’t be easy to do, but your focus, determination and creative thinking has come through for you once before, and they will again with us backing you up! I mean if Dash can get me in shape, then imagine what she can do for you” The proposition intrigued me greatly, so to measure how far I’d go, I decided to keep this journal and hopefully reveal what will give me that critical edge when fight night rolls around.
Goal for next week: Reach my toes and not be so pooped after the warm up!
Song of the Moment: The Power is On, by The Go! Team
This one Dash turned me on to during my first sessions with her, and I have to say it suits my time with her well. Certainly helps me push on when I feel like I can’t push no more
