Tough Mudder to Trail Runner

Posted on July 3, 2014 by avcelite

I have enjoyed working out for many years, but have never been a runner. It always seemed too hard and too boring to me. I did participate in Amy’s Running Programs and Running Clinics which began the process for me in not only learning how to run properly, but actually enjoying running as well.

So when Amy started talking about the Catalina 50k, I initially thought there was no way I could ever do that let alone enjoy it just from the standpoint of it being 31+ miles. But, since I had done the Tough Mudder training with Amy the previous year and successfully completed Tough Mudder Arizona with ease, I knew she could get me ready for anything. I decided to give it a try.

Trans Catalina Trail Run We started out with our endurance running (which at that time definitely included some walking) for about 10 miles on Saturday mornings and eventually worked our way up to 25 miles.

We also had to run on our own during the week and participate in the group training which proved to be very beneficial when we hit nothing but a series of constant serious steep climbs on the Trans Catalina Trail last April.

Slowly but surely, the running started to get easier, faster, and more fun. The shape of my body even changed. I lost about 10 pounds!

Amy always emphasized the importance of proper nutrition and hydration throughout our entire training and I followed her advice as best I could. All areas of our training including recovery and a number of the things we needed to do outside of simply the “physical part” of our training gave me the preparedness needed to complete the 50k.

I managed to stay injury free during the whole process and completed the Catalina 50k with only a few blisters on my feet. What I enjoyed even more was the camaraderie with the people that I trained with.

We had so much fun when we were out there on the trails for hours and hours. It definitely helped the time go by faster. Now, I can even say that I actually enjoy trail running and will keep at it. Thanks Amy!

~ Shannon

Want to actually enjoy your fitness like Shannon does? Try a workout with Coach Amy and experience how we put the FUN in functional fitness. Learn more today!

Strengthening Weaknesses & Correcting Imbalances

Posted on June 28, 2014 by avcelite

So two frightened Elephants walk into a bar and sit down and when they notice their bartender is a mouse……

I discovered Amy through my sister. I had just started working out at another place and was making very good progress, but felt I needed to take things up a notch. I made the decision to join AVC Elite Training, giving it a shot and not really knowing what to expect. Walking dumbell lunges

I had heard how brutal Amy’s Training sessions could be, but when I met Amy she was a sweet person and I thought to myself …”Well, this won’t be that bad.”

I found out very quickly just how out of shape I was as it took me about 1 month before I could make it all the way through one of Amy’s Training Sessions. When I did complete a full one, I felt incredible.

AVC Elite Training makes you feel like you have really accomplished something just after completing one single training session. It is challenging and tough, but makes you feel great and wanting more.

Amy does everything she can to get each person into shape safely and effectively. Her training will get you where you want to go in getting you into the best physical condition of your life.

On a personal level, the one thing I credit her with the most is that I have always had a very weak right shoulder. Due to the type of training and conditioning we do, I have strengthened those weaknesses and imbalances in my body.

I was always embarrassed that I could not bench press much weight. The other day I threw up 225 pounds 10 times. I felt great about that and know that I have made some definite progress in my strength and abilities.

Thank you very much Amy for all the torture you have put me through and all the times you have made me laugh.

p.s. You can either be a scared elephant or a mouse that roars.

~ Chad

Got functional fitness imbalances or nagging weakness? Talk to Amy today about how you too can modify within small group sessions and achieve the strength and balance you desire.

Feeling Like a Million Bucks After 50K

Posted on May 19, 2014 by avcelite

I found myself getting complacent with my workouts. I’ve always been driven and motivated, but was looking for a way to challenge myself even more. I just recently moved to Arizona from the Dakotas and realized there are a lot of things I haven’t tried fitness wise especially now living in the beautiful Southwest.

I’ve never been much of a runner… actually truth be told, I disliked running.   A good friend of mine invited me on a trail run one day and I was hooked. I had run a marathon before, and told myself “never again.”

Trail running is an entirely different sport than marathon running or road running. There are so many things about it that I love…the scenery and terrain alone make it such a beautiful experience and a nice change from simply running out on the road.

I decided to join a training group with a common goal in mind while actually learning from a seasoned, serious coach, Amy Van Cleve. I have had the time of my life!

After meeting Amy, I knew it would be a lot of fun, yet challenging. Amy sent out detailed fueling, hydration and heart rate information weekly. It really helped me to make sure I was on track. She called to see how I was feeling after a couple long trail runs. She has so much heart and truly cares and wants you to meet your goals.

I found myself getting hooked on trail running as we continued our training for Catalina. I wanted to go further and get faster which I was accomplishing throughout each trail run. I learned how much is involved in good training such as proper fueling and becoming a more efficient runner by running correctly.

I learned how effective foam rolling can be along with proper recovery. I’ve learned so much about my body and all there is involved in becoming a successful runner. It isn’t just about tagging on mileage as I have learned from Amy.

What amazes me is how 3 months ago a 10 mile run left me sore and tired. After learning how to train the “right way” while training under Amy’s coaching and preparing for Catalina, hitting those long endurance Saturdays of 20+ miles seemed relatively effortless!

So after a 50k trail run with extremely steep climbs, and serious declines, loose gravel trails and 10 miles of pavement to finish it off, I can honestly say that I feel like a million bucks!

It amazed me, to wake up the next morning and didn’t have an ache, anywhere! I feel I’ve learned so many valuable lessons along the way. I’ve definitely learned I’m capable of so much more than I imagined.

Amy is an awesome coach and will push you with your best interest in mind. She knows everyone is different and we all have different goals. Now with Amy’s guidance, I finished a 50k on the Trans Catalina Trail (on Catalina Island) which was an amazing experience on all accounts! Now that is awesome coaching!

~  Twyla

Are you looking to escape complacency in your fitness regime? You too are capable of more than you imagine. Let Amy help you discover new strength, enjoyment and recovery in your fitness journey.

Strong, Fit & Happy

Posted on May 13, 2014 by avcelite

I first was introduced to Amy and her Trekking program through a friend in 2009. After a few months of trekking, I began Amy’s small group training program as well. I have to say that I have never felt so energetic, so strong and so fit, along with feeling a sense of overall happiness, in my life.

renegade rowbacks

I have experienced and done things I never thought possible! From trekking 20 miles on the rugged terrains and spectacular vista of Catalina Island, to long distance running, to some very challenging group training. I feel an amazing sense of accomplishment in so many ways.

In 2012, I found out I was pregnant and later diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. kettlebell-goblet-squat With the help of Amy’s training and the right nutrition, I was able to keep my blood sugar levels stabilized without the help of medicine. After my pregnancy, I was able to shed the pounds within a few months. I felt and looked fabulous!

One year later I married Jeremy. It was a time in my life where I felt such a great feeling of happiness BOTH inside and out. I loved the confidence I felt in walking down that aisle in my wedding gown. It was a moment I will remember forever.

Amy is a truly excellent trainer. She makes each workout challenging, creative, and most importantly… FUN!

I think I can speak for everyone of Amy’s trainees when I say not only is Amy our trainer, but she has become much more than that… she’s family!

~Codi

Looking for the confidence that comes from your strength and fitness? AVC Elite Training may be right for you. Learn more today!

Offers Something Crossfit Never Did

Posted on May 11, 2014 by avcelite

I am a 64 old woman who considers herself in decent shape for my age. In the past I have taken aerobics classes, had personal trainers, and participated in Crossfit. However, by far AVC is the best overall workout I have ever had.

Kettlebell swings Amy’s sessions work every part of your body and she always makes sure that every exercise is performed the right way by every member of the class. Before we engage in any exercise, Amy or a class member will demonstrate the exercise and Amy will instruct us in proper technique and the “what not to dos”.

Amy always offers training modifications to a movement for those of us who are age challenged; something Crossfit never did. Most importantly, Amy’s approach to fitness makes working out and pushing your limits FUN!

I am retiring in April and live about 40 minutes from AVC Elite Training, however I will most definitely continue with AVC Elite Training.

As you can tell I am an avid fan of AVC and recommend joining to anyone who wants to get or stay in shape.
~ Nora M.

Experience the fun of pushing your fitness limits with the encouragement and educated modifications to succeed. Check out upcoming AVC Elite Training sessions today!

The Value of Recovery & Having Fun

Posted on April 27, 2014 by avcelite

I met Amy Van Cleve and started training with her in 2010. My daughter introduced me to Amy and is the one responsible for getting me excited about getting involved with AVC Elite Training since she was already participating in some of her training. At that time, Amy was training a group of people to take on the Trans Catalina Trail on Catalina Island for April 2011. Through the encouragement of my daughter, and Amy’s confidence in my ability to accomplish this goal, I decided to go for it and give it a shot!

The training for Catalina included the Group Training on Mondays and Wednesdays along with big endurance Saturdays. In addition, we hit some mid week training within the group and/or on our own.

Taking on this challenge was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. This is coming from a person who HATED TO WORKOUT, but after I started Amy’s training I started to love it and realize how much better I felt. Plus, it was downright FUN!!

I am currently training for Catalina 2014 in April and am feeling every bit as strong and confident this time around as I did back in 2010.

The Group Training is tough, but Amy and the other trainees in the group make coming to train so much fun that you never realize just how hard you are working. Granted we are working our butts off, but at the same time everyone is laughing and joking. Before you know it all the muscle burn, sweat and struggling is over. Time always goes by so fast! You always feel GREAT by the end of the training session because you just worked your butt off and had fun while doing it.

Amy continually changes up our training all of the time so you are not doing the same workout over and over again. In addition, she keeps things fresh, always coming up with new movements while keeping our safety in mind for each of us. She works with everyone at their own personal fitness level putting a lot of time and emphasis on our form. I will say that there are a lot of things that I can’t do, but Amy helps me at my level by modifying certain movements so that I can get the same results.

I am definitely building muscle and doing things I could never do before. That’s such a great feeling for me personally.

Amy has taught me how eating well and keeping hydrated helps me perform in our training whether it is the Group Training, Trekking or Running. Amy has taught me how to incorporate electrolytes into our training and the importance of nutrition. I now understand why it is vital to fuel ourselves properly before, during and after our training.

In addition, all of us in the training understand the value of recovery and how that is such an important variable to great quality training. This was big for me! I didn’t really know anything about recovery in the past. My thoughts were “Well, I am sore as all out and there isn’t a darn thing I can do about that other than to wait it out until it goes away.”

Amy taught all of us that not only nutrition and hydration play a large role in the recovery process, but other things help us too. I will tell you right now that I don’t always like it at all, but Amy is a big advocate of the foam roller. IT HURTS like heck, but it works!! You do recover faster and very importantly you prevent yourself from injuries through foam rolling.

Amy is also an advocate of FLUID Performance and FLUID Recovery. These are much easier to implement than the foam roller…It doesn’t hurt to drink a FLUID! LOL! And…..FLUID works! I can tell the difference when I drink it and when I skip it.  Amy has a long list of things for us do in the recovery process, all of which works. It’s not always easy to get it done being so busy with our personal lives and all of our training, but I understand that we have to do this in order to be successful in reaching our goals. It is all worth it!

Amy has been a trainer for a very long time. Many of the people in her training have been working out with Amy as their coach for many years. I guess you would say that I’m one of the “newer” trainees on board. Amy is a great person who cares about you. She does not want any of us to get hurt and is very concerned about our overall health and fitness. Amy takes her job seriously.

I have done the gym thing and hired personal trainers over the years and I will tell you that AVC Elite Training is nothing like anything out there. I also love being outdoors and not stuck in a gym.

Amy keeps things on a personal level. Yes, it is group training, but it is also very individualized. The challenges are great, but the rewards are greater!

And again….Did I mention that it is FUN?!!

~Kim F.

Are you ready to escape the gym and discover new fitness challenges? Come experience the rewards – and fun – of AVC Elite Training today!

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