Tough Mudder Delivers for This Doctor

I have known Amy Van Cleve for many years. Amy’s enthusiasm and love for fitness motivated me to participate in 2 half marathons, a 10K and a duathlon.

When Amy asked me to participate in the Tough Mudder race, initially I was terrified. As I heard that the Tough Mudder race was the most grueling obstacle course created, so I was a little nervous.

toughmudderAnd also, I didn’t think I could sacrifice a lot of training time because of my busy work schedule. As a busy solo obstetrician and gynecologist, I am always on call so I was concerned about the time.

After much thought and soliciting back up coverage during training, I agreed to participate. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but knowing Amy, the training was going to be a well-organized training schedule with the focus on increasing endurance and reducing risks of injuries before and during the event.

Tough-Mudder-Training-AZOur training consisted of weekly Saturday morning workouts, 3-4 hours in length in addition to twice weekly small group workouts (3 hours). The training was long and grueling but fun.

We trained in the heat, cold and rain. We ran over 100 miles, lots of pull ups, jumps ropes, jump squats to name a few. Every Saturday morning, our Tough Mudder training group would receive a wake up text from Coach Amy encouraging us to be on time for our 7:00 am training.

Speaking of my training crew, we had an awesome time training together. I love each and every one. We complained together, laughed together and encourage each other when we were not pushing hard enough and nurtured each other during some of our minor injuries.  What a great team spirit!

Arizona MudathonThrough out the entire training, Amy was also encouraging and selfless. Even when she was injured and not feeling well she always gave it her all, encouraging me to give it my all.

I have always enjoyed exercising, but Amy pushed me to get into the best shape of my life. I am a better runner and cyclist since my Tough Mudder training. And by being in excellent shape I have started training for my first triathlon. Never prior to my Tough Mudder training or working out with Amy, would I have ever thought of training for this type of event. But I know I can do it!

The Tough Mudder event was a blast! The Tough Mudder event wasn’t as tough as I thought, because of the training readiness facilitated by Amy.

Amy bring on the next challenge.

~ Dr. Stephine

Are you looking for a fitness challenge? Stay tuned for an exciting announcement from Team AVC,  with big plans for additional training involving a special destination event in 2014.

A Tough Mudder 58th Birthday Present

When first approached with participating the Tough Mudder Challenge, I checked out the website to see what it was all about. I found my heart racing and my breathing become rapid at the sight of crawling through darkened tunnels, darting through 110 volts of live wire and jumping off 15ft platforms! I was thinking, “I’m too old for this!” Consequently, I declined joining the AVC Elite Tough MuddElite-Training-Happy-Hourer Team.

Fast forward to about a month later to a happy hour with AVC Elite Members.  After two Chardonnays, I was on board!  I was still scared but committed! I knew I could run the 12 miles, but all those obstacles!

Amy created a comprehensive program to begin in October. Just prior to this I incurred an injury to my lower back, pirisformis and sciatica. Uh, oh, could I do this now?

I attempted the training with Amy creating modifications for my injury. This assistance along with physical therapy, allowed me to pursue my goal. With persistent effort and Amy’s guidance during training, I was able to run 13 miles and complete the obstacles she devised.

tough-mudder-training-modificationsAmy created tunnels, found fences for us to jump over, parks with monkey bars, climbing walls, as well as, 6ft. walls to scale (with other members’ help of course). She maintained constant communication, support and advice to the TM team.

Amy’s technical guidance allowed me to cope with my injury and improve its status. On February 23, 2013, I along with my fellow teammates completed the Tough Mudder challenge without injury and with smiles on our faces! Happy-58th-Tough-Mudder

I truly believe it was Amy’s intense and supportive coaching that allowed for such a successful outcome for all. I felt an achievement in overcoming some long held fears and coping with an injury that could have side lined me for a long time. It was the best 58th Birthday present I could have given myself!

Thanks Amy for your all your guidance and support!

~ Cynthia

How about celebrating your birthday with the gift of overcoming fear and tackling new goals – at any age. Learn more about AVC Elite Training and how Coach Amy modifies training to suit everybody and every age while achieving new fitness accomplishments.

Redefining What You ‘Think’ You Can Do

I have been training with Amy for many years now and am always interested in her new workout challenges. So, when Amy announced that she would train us for Tough Mudder, I was one of the first to sign up.Agility drills for running I always wanted to do an event like this, but was worried about doing it alone and being properly prepared. I knew with Amy as our leader and coach, we would have no problem conquering 11.75 miles and 21 crazy obstacles.

We started this process with two-hour training sessions and worked our way up to four-hour sessions and 13 miles of running. I am not a runner and never thought I could run 13 miles for anything, yet there I was, week after week, keeping up with the team. I have never felt more strong and “fit” in my entire life!

Amy made sure we were extremely prepared by spending countless hours studying everything she could about Tough Mudder and using this information to plan our workouts. We trained out in the 12 miles of running plus 21 obstaclesrain and mud and even jumped in an extremely cold swimming pool, just to get used to how it would feel when we did the real thing.

On the morning of the actual event, we were nervous and excited at the same time. But once we hit the course, we started to relax and just had fun going from one obstacle to the next.

Tough Mudder Arizona SuccessWe all stayed together and helped each other out when needed. This was truly a team accomplishment. I had so much fun being a part of this adventure and absolutely loved doing the Tough Mudder with the amazingly awesome Team AVC!

I was actually sad when it was all over because our team was like a family.

Thank you Amy for preparing us like no one else ever could.

~Shannon

What fitness challenges excite you? Ready to redefine what you think you can do? Let AVC Elite Training help with Natural Running and total body functional fitness like no other!

Embrace the Journey

I had a life changing event in February of 2009. My husband of 32 years, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 58. I had to create a “new normal” for me, as I transitioned into this new phase of my life without Jack, I was 57. I decided one of the things that would help “go on with my life” was to try new things, activities I never dreamed I could do.

So I signed up for AVC Elite training classes created by my good friend and fitness expert, Amy Van Cleve. I also began her trekking program.  Before, I was not at “outdoors” person. I preferred to be in a cool, air conditioned gym (with a TV), than be outside exercising.

Trekking was quite a new experience for me.  In 2010, with lots of training from Amy I trekked the Catalina trail for 30+ miles!.  I did it again in 2011, but did 20+ miles. Who would have thought that I could do this, certainly not me.

But Amy never doubted I was capable and was always so encouraging. I was older, slower, was usually at the back of the group, but I was steady at my own pace, and I was able to finish both Catalina treks.

After the trekking program, Amy sponsored a running clinic with the Newton Running shoe company in March of 2011.  Again I was hesitant to sign up, because as a 59 year old, I had never run…..or had any desire to run, plus I thought I was too old for this. But once more, Amy encouraged me to try it.

I was a “blank slate” as far as learning the correct techniques of running. I had no idea about form, foot placement, correct shoes, cadence, body position. I thought you just ran.

In the fall of 2011, Amy offered a running program for all abilities –  from seasoned runners to novices, like me. I decided to try it, with a lot of misgivings, but I was determined to continue my goal of trying new activities. So I became a part of this group, learning how to run correctly.

Throughout the fall and winter we met and Amy taught me how to run the right way.   I learned that good running shoes make all the difference and are a “must.” So, I bought good Newton running shoes, used my heart rate monitor, bought a small metronome for the 180 beats cadence, and actually did some running on my own in my neighborhood.

Each session with Amy was a learning experience, where, she observed my running and made corrections/adjustments where needed.

In December of 2011, I decided to try something really out of my “comfort zone.”  I entered the Phoenix Marathon 10K race that would take place in March of 2012.

With Amy’s running group, and her continued advice/help, I trained for the 10K……me, who never wanted to be outside doing anything, was running 3-4 times a week to get ready for the race. Oh, look where I placed….never in a million years would I have thought this was possible at 60 years old!

Next came the Tough Mudder training. I know my body’s limitations, and I knew Tough Mudder would be too much of a challenge for me, but I wanted to do the running training with the group.  So I joined team AVC Tough Mudders. I did what I could, and I was able to keep up with the team when they ran.

I was slow, but steady, and I had the endurance, thanks to Amy’s running training. It was quite an experience, and worth every early Saturday morning training session (in heat and freezing cold).

It has been quite a journey/adventure. I am so appreciative of my friend (hermana), Amy. She always had faith in me, even when I didn’t. Due to Amy’s expertise and encouragement, I was able to reach my goal of “trying new things,” particularly with my running. So, that’s my story……who knows where the road will lead me next.

~Helen H.

Ready to try something new like Helen? Check out AVC Elite Training Small Group Sessions, Newton Natural Running and/or Tough Mudder with Coach Amy. The only limit to your accomplishments are the hurdles in your mind. Contact Amy today and embrace the journey!