Always on the lookout for a way to shake up fitness routines, this month I am trying something new. Really, it is just a new combination of classic exercises, but a fairly ambitious one. It is called The Iron Goat, and it was arranged (invented?) by a Navy friend of my little brother and sister-in-law, aimed at helping folks stay ship shape (haha) over the winter holiday. If you’d like to read more about it besides what I will patch together, well here ya go.
My basic understanding is that The Iron Goat is is the meat and potatoes of The Iron Man competition, but spread over the course of a month instead of crammed into one day. So it gets a person to run, bike, and swim consistently for about four weeks. What is it we always hear about setting up habits, that it takes about twenty-one days? Well this should do the trick. Either that, or by the end of this month I will hate running, biking, and swimming.
Sugar, one of Mama’s twins. She really was a sweetie! |
Anyway, my gorgeous and already fit sister-in-law did this last winter with a small group of Navy friends and was one of three to complete it. They motivated each other, stayed accountable, and had fun. And I have to say that she looked incredible afterwards. Svelte, toned, and just overall very healthy, lean, and filled with stamina. Yep, that is a good and worthy goal, ladies and gentlemen.
Marshmallow with her twin girls Lucy & Ethel, posing and begging for treats and the same time. |
I have been exercising sporadically ever since our twiggy little Christmas tree came down in January, alternating between the elliptical machine, Pilates, and Jillian Michaels’ particular version of torture. And I have had reasonable results. Really, I have just been working out enough to keep up with my favorite hobby, which is eating lots of good food. Now I’m ready to see some progress, and I think this is going to be great. Surely running 26.2 miles, biking 112 miles, and swimming 2.4 miles will do this girl some good! And it sounds so fun!! Most of this is outdoors, much better than the alternative. And to make things even more awesome, my fellow adventurer Tracy is joining me! She even built a spreadsheet so we can track our progress.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff. This was our motley crew of stinky, aggressive, but very lovable boys. |
Today we begin. June first, day one of thirty aimed at challenging, consistent, variety-filled, full-body exercise. My skinny jeans better get ready, you guys.
To mark this auspicious beginning, how about two few loosely related lists?
Some Facts About Goats:
- They are smelly. Like, worse than skunks in my opinion.
- But they are affectionate and filled with personality and very smart. And highly entertaining.
- Billy goats sometimes pee in their own mouths, sort of doing a crazy yoga pose to accomplish this. Seeing this strange ritual is not for the faint of heart.
- They are so difficult to contain that I fully agree with the old adage, “Any fence that holds water will hold a goat.” I actually doubt they have bones and think they might be made of jello, because I have seen with my own eyes a fat, solid goat squeeze through an opening barely big enough for a cat.
- They will eat every weed and every low hanging branch and leaf in sight, which sounds like a great landscaping help, but they do that only after devouring every rose, hydrangea, and daffodil in sight.
- The females tend to bear twins. This happened on our farm twice during the short time we raised goats.
- There is an interesting and true story behind the expression, “Get Your Goat, ” but I’ll save that for another day.
Some Outright Lies:
- I have a very normal, very grown-up bicycle ready to go for this June event. I am not going to ride 112 miles on a tricycle with a flower basket on the back, up and down our gravel driveway a million times.
- I am not the least bit nervous about swimming in an Olympic pool in front of strangers to accomplish my 2.4 water miles.
- I plan to post before and after photos of myself and also give you my starting and ending measurements.
- I love the taste of goat cheese.
- I have gorgeous feet from all the elliptical work this Spring, and they should only become prettier after I add running to my life.
- My husband thinks I will finish this.
heather @ new house, new home, new life says
Okay, so I googled Iron Goat and the only thing I came up with was a pub in Alberta. Is there a link somewhere so I can check this out? I ran 10 KM back in the day, but cycling and swimming longer distances have never been something I’ve done. I’m interested in learning more. Good luck.
Marie Wreath says
Hey lady!! I’ll send a link to your FB. Oh, and I think anyone who can run a 10K can do the others, but what do I know?? I have only ever biked or swam for recreation! LOL
TangledLou says
I think I would do anything named after a goat. I love the idea of goats. You go, lady! It sounds brutal and fun and I know you can do it.
I love all of your goat pictures. Especially the one of Marshmallow. Those eyes!
Marie Wreath says
Thank you! Marshmallow was the prettiest of the group, although we’re not supposed to pick favorites. They were so much fun. For a while… LOL Thanks for the rah-rah! ; )
tracy says
Haha! Love this, Marie!I am pumped & ready to fill in the empty spaces on the spreadsheet. I don’t usually enjoy ready lies as much as I did these…We can do it!! 🙂
Marie Wreath says
Me too Tracy!! I think I’ll definitely print it and put it on the fridge or in the pantry! LOL Along with my skinny jeans on a clip hanger.
Margi says
Aw, heck. I’m in! Well, except I can’t swim. Can I substitute … Um … 45 down dog poses? 🙂
Marie Wreath says
Oh that’s a great idea!! What else would work for subbing, I wonder? YAY for you joining!!
Vesuvius At Home says
Wow, you are working hard! You have my admiration. I thought I wanted goats for milk and cheese (I love goat cheese) but now I don’t know. I know this is cliche, but their eyes really do freak me out. And peeing into their own mouths??? What the what?
Marie Wreath says
YEAH. Those eyes are sometimes super pretty (like Marshmallow’s) and sometimes downright, dare I say it, devilish? Maybe it’s just a result of too many movies, but at times it can be downright unnerving. LOL If you do it, heed the fencing advice. Goats can be fenced in by anything that will hold water. And enjoy that goat cheese! xoxo
Tiffany says
Good luck!!! You have me inspired!
Marie Wreath says
Yay!! Thanks Tiff!! xoxo
Amy@BuffaloRoam says
Look at those sweet goats! My father in law just got a new goat a couple of weeks ago that have such teeny tiny ears, you can barely tell they’re there. I named her Van Goat. Get it?? Hehee..
Anyway, just saying hi. Dig the blog. Good luck with the routine!!