Gut Check Training

Photo from Maryanne Eve

Photo from Maryanne Eve

The weekend started nice and early, with a wet and windy drive to Barwon Heads just past Geelong and heading towards the Great Ocean Road.  I thought since we had signed up to do the 12 hour Suck session, that doing some Gut Check events may help us to prepare us for what may be in store.  Dave couldn't make it due to work, so I set off on my own and actually managed to find it ok, without getting too lost.

Barwon Heads is an absolutely beautiful location even with the slight drizzle of rain, it was the perfect spot for my introduction to Gut Check Fitness.  Armed with two large buckets (which were bright pink), my spartan hat, gloves and some thermals I was all set to go.

After a brief warm up which included some star jumps, we were instructed to fill the buckets with sand and get to the set destination point.  OK, the dilemma would have to be, how much do you fill your bucket?  To the top? so its ridiculously to heavy to carry or try and ease into it.  I opted to go three quarters full, which I thought would be a nice balance to start with.  Yes it was heavy, but it was bearable, although I may have gone too hard too soon, but through gritted teeth and maybe having to stop and reset, I got through it.

There was no getting away from filling the buckets up with water, so it was straight into the sea to fill them up, you just couldn't think about your wet cold feet and just get in there and do it.  These then got carried across the sand and then up and down some stairs, until we could use it to water some of the surrounding shrubbery.

The day was not complete without getting completely covered in sand, doing leg flutters, planks, burpees (of course these had to be in there), walking planks and anything else that could get you wet and sandy.  

The hour and half went really quickly, probably due to the variety of exercises involved.  It was hard work, but a lot of fun, the sand definitely made for some interesting terrain, especially as you started to sink into it.  I felt the workout in my shoulders the next day and I swear I am still finding sand three days later. 

It was well worth drive and to spend the morning with some amazing and inspiring people, is also an added bonus.   Looking forward to doing a few more Gut Check Sessions in preparation for the Suck in January.