Heavyweight Workout

[Highfly]

Alaina was at the gym bright and early today, and it was a quiet place because of it. You could hear the clanking of a machine or weight there were so few women inside. Alaina was all smiles today because of that. She was going to do a workout early then have the rest of the day with the family. Wearing black spandex shorts that showed a good bit of leg along with a pink tank top and sneakers the amazon was ready to go all in for a good strength workout this morning.

Alaina made her way to the book for a quick ten minute warmup before getting ready to go big on the weights, happy as can be to be blowing off steam and continuing to work towards making a mark in her comeback from retirement which was now about two years old! Alaina looked about the gym, scoping out some of the younger competition as she went about her business eager to see who seemed to be taking all the little work seriously. While each woman in LAW was a good athlete in their own right this morning there were sure a couple standouts from what Alaina saw...

[CaptainL]

To many, 5 in the morning was a terrible time to get out of bed. But Astrid was committed. She was proud of her strength, and her prowess in the ring in recent matches had definitely stood testament to that. But it was still important to keep that up, and that went doubly so when the stakes were so high, as she had just announced her intentions to compete for LAW's Heavyweight Championship! She really couldn't let anyone down now - not her fans, not her family, and especially not herself. Astrid needed to push herself even harder than the strict regimen she was used to, just so she could be sure she'd be able to tell her father that she wasn't only the first woman to make waves in the Ostberg wrestling family, but the first to hold a women's championship as well. That was a future she had to chase, and that meant commitment!

Luckily, Astrid wasn't bothered by such a schedule. She had the stamina to endure it, and in her native Norway she was used to it staying light out 24 hours a day in the summer. So when many were still in their beds, she was already on her way to the gym!

Upon showing up, Astrid took a few laps around the track to warm herself up, getting there before many of those few who were even in the building at such an hour showed up. But soon, they began to filter in - and as Astrid stopped on her fifth lap around to catch her breath and drink some water, she noticed a familiar face nearby. Could it be? She had seen a few matches to recognize a returning legend when she saw one, but Astrid never thought she'd be in the same building as her...until now. Straightening herself, Astrid went over to engage the woman with a friendly wave.

"Ah, excuse me, ma'am!" Astrid called out. "Forgive me for being rude...but you are Alaina Sanders, yes?"

Spoiler

[Highfly]

Alaina was working when a tall, lean powerhouse of a woman approached. Alaina kept going on the bike smiling as she realized that the younger woman was approaching her. "Yeah, thats me! How are you doing today?" Alaina asked as she waved at the woman from her bike. Alaina was shorter than she was, and a bit broader but the tall woman had mass to her as well but in a good, fit way. She had to be a fellow heavyweight. "I think I have seen some matches and you are the Ostberg girl aren't you?" Alaina asked, her smile growing even bigger. "You know, When I wrestled in Europe years ago your dad was a champion when I took a European title from a giant overweight lady named Gretta, she was a 300b butter ball. Him and I tagged a couple times as a mixed tag team, he is quite good. We may have sparred a couple times too. He is the most skilled and good looking guy who I managed to take down in the ring during that stretch." Alaina said with a wink. "All kidding aside though he was a nice guy and from what I have seen of you so far you are equally impressive inside the ring."

[CaptainL]

Astrid took a short nod to Alaina in recognition, and while she was doing her best to remain outwardly well-mannered, on the inside she was practically overflowing with excitement! She'd had her suspicions confirmed that it really was Alaina she was talking to, and not just that, but the veteran had been willing to speak to her face to face! This was almost too good to be true. Astrid really wanted to jump up for joy and ask for an autograph, but she reminded herself she wasn't a giddy little girl any more. She was on par with Alaina herself now, after all!

The Norsewoman leaned in a little bit closer, the smile on her face growing even wider as Alaina brought up her career in Europe and fighting alongside her father. Instantly, the memories came flooding back to her. While Astrid had to grow up with her father away often, she followed every step of his career on TV, and even if the details might have been hazy before, they were crystal clear as soon as Alaina discussed her matches. "I remember that!" Astrid said, stopping herself from clapping her hands on the spot. "I saw some of your matches together when I was a little girl. Even back then, you were an inspiration to me. I don't know if I would have been where I am now if it wasn't for you."

When Alaina actually complimented her on her skills, though? That was something else. Astrid glanced down, blushing vividly at receiving such praise from a legend, let alone someone she'd looked up to so much. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach already. "You really think I'm that good? Thank you...it's a great honor."

[Highfly]

"I am really flattered that you think so highly of me and yes, from what I have seen so far your career is quite impressive. You have a bright future ahead of you." Alaina said as she raised an eyebrow. "You seem pretty strong, maybe we can work out together today? Maybe we can make something of a competition out of it?" Alaina asked, a small smile creeping across her face. Today she could test herself against a big, strong, young woman and she was excited to see how she stacked up at her age.

Alaina knew she was shorter but that didn't mean much. Being older... well she was trying her best every day to show she could still beat anyone. Astrid thankfully seemed to be a respectful young lady, very much unlike some loudmouths that were running about LAW like Sienna Smith. Alaina looked around the gym and got off her bike looking over at the bench press. "We could head over there and lift to see who can lift more or we could arm wrestle... or we could spar? I am up for whatever you want to do." Alaina said. Today's workout was far more interesting now, and she was happily anticipating how exactly things would progress!

[CaptainL]

As if things couldn't get any more exciting for Astrid, now not only had she met the very same woman responsible for inspiring her to pursue her dreams, she was even offering to train with her! Unable to hold back her excitement, a grin spread even wider across the blonde's face as she stood beaming. She nodded enthusiastically, starting to head over to another part of the gym even before Alaina had said anything more. It would be a great honor to be allowed to train with a legend, and Astrid figured that if she was to train for a championship match, she might as well go to the best person around to help her out!

She stopped in her tracks when she heard Alaina name off some of the options, turning back towards her. The prospect of going up against Alaina in a test of strength seemed enticing...but Astrid couldn't be distracted by being star-struck. She was still here to do work, after all. "I don't know if you've heard, but...I'm heading towards a championship match myself," the Norwegian said. "I'd think the best way to prepare would be to see how I fare against another champion, no?" She smirked back towards Alaina - even knowing that she wasn't in her prime any more, Astrid still had plenty of respect for all she'd done.

[Highfly]

"Oh my, that would be some accomplishment! Linda beat me in the inaugural heavyweight champion tournament so you have your work cut out for you." Alaina said as she tilted her head to the side. "If you think you can keep up with me I think we could arrange for a fun meeting inside the ropes...."

Alaina looked up at the taller Asteid, puffing out her chest and up her body to show off her frame. This could be a great measuring stick to see if she herself was title shot ready once more.

[CaptainL]

"So you already know what I'm up against, hmm?" Astrid's smile grew a little wider. If Alaina had experience against the woman she was destined to face, whatever advice she could offer her would be especially pertinent. Astrid beamed with pride, nodding eagerly to the veteran. "Good. Maybe you can tell me what to watch out for!"

But Alaina wanted to size her up for now - and the ever-prideful Astrid was never anyone to back down from a challenge like this! She too straightened herself, tensing her muscles as she held her head up with her impressive chest pushed outward and her hands on her hips to display her form. "What do you say?"

[Highfly]

Alaina nodded and motioned towards the practice ring. "I can give us a rundown but it isn't complicated. Linda is tough, driven and has a wide variety of offense. You seem pretty balanced yourself but I would love to see the extent of your game. Let's say honor system for the spar and standard rules?" Alaina said, hoping the proposition sounded acceptable to Astrid.

Alaina began to limber up as she stood there knowing that it did take a little longer to stretch at 44 than it did at 24.

[CaptainL]

As Alaina offered her terms, Astrid nodded in agreement, already getting into a stance as her face showed an eager grin. She had to agree with her sparring partner here - if she was to seek advice about dealing with the champion, Astrid would have to show Alaina what she was already capable of and go from there. The Norwegian cracked her knuckles, looking on as she waited for the right moment.

"Alright!" she said. She took a few stretches of her own before stepping closer to Alaina, holding her hands out to offer a test of strength to begin with so that she could assess what she could expect - as well as to show Alaina what she was capable of herself.