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On the other side of town on another day at Pope John Paul
II Park, several yawns mix with the chatter of crickets in
the 5:55 a.m. darkness.
A dozen recruits amble out of their cars and sluggishly mosey
around as though they're about to line up for a high school
phys ed class.
''Your body's gonna feel like a furnace all day long. Let's
stoke it up," instructor Peter Lavelle greets them in
a friendly tone.
Within minutes, the sleepy dozen seem like they're feeling
that burn. They run laps, perform jumping jacks, and do squats
on the park's hilly terrain. The sun barely pokes out behind
the State Street buildings in Quincy.
Despite its intimidating name of Ultimate Bootcamp, ''we're
not military style. It's much more of a motivational, positive
style," says Jill Tomich, who launched the program three
years ago with Lavelle in Watertown. They created the class
after hearing people looking for a quick yet intense regime
that worked around their 9-to-5 schedules.
These classes meet four times a week at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m.
at the Boston Common, Arsenal Park in Watertown, or Pope John
Paul II Park, the newest addition to the program.
''I jumped at the chance to do this. I want to get in shape
for the summer," says a sore Dianne Cushing, a receptionist
in Braintree. She signed up for the Dorchester class because
she doesn't have time to exercise after work.
She also said she was motivationally challenged and needed
that extra push that only an instructor could give.
''They [the instructors] don't let you stop. They don't scream
at you, which is nice," says Cushing, who was gasping
and moaning moments later while doing squats.
Halfway through the workout, Cushing jogs in place along
with her 11 other classmates. She looks exhilarated. ''I love
this stuff," she says.
Lori Whitney doesn't look as if she's sharing the same can-do
spirit. She looks as if she just woke up. She admits she got
up around 5 a.m., gulped some water, and ate a PowerBar before
making the 20-minute drive from Norwood.
But she's here and determined to give it a try. She says she'll
stick with the program to build some physical and mental endurance.
''It's a challenge," says Whitney, 31, her words marked
by puffs of cold air. ''They make you push yourself. I'm not
going to make myself do lots of push-ups. Once you get into
the mind-set, it's OK. You feel great afterwards."
At least until 5 the next morning.
Johnny Diaz can be reached at jodiaz@globe.com. |
