I had a bit of a dilemma yesterday.
On one hand, I wanted to go for a run. After my little hiatus I'm back to comfortably running a 5k with no pain, soreness, or need to 'push.' It's a wonderful feeling. Plus I need just 4.2 more miles to reach my mileage goal for the month.
On the other hand, I really wanted the fun and upbeat environment of zumba!
So what did I do? Both, of course!
I started with a 3 mile run around campus in the rain. It was wonderful. Then I headed indoors for an hour long zumba class.
Now I just need to run another 1.2 miles before tomorrow night to reach my mileage goal for January. Easy as pie!
1.30.2013
1.23.2013
My favorite awkward moments in Zumba
I'm relatively new to Zumba. I had my first class last fall and have been to maybe six or seven classes in total. But I already have some wonderfully awkward moments.
The first comes from my very first class. The teacher was a Colombian native, a petite and feisty little thing. The class was full of energetic middle aged women enthusiastically shimmying and shaking what their mamas gave them like it was going out of style. And then there was me, unable to move my hips and trying to shimmy with a non-existent chest. When the fifty-year-old grandma is sexier than you, you know there's something wrong. Awkward.
The second moment comes from a class just before winter break. I finally got my hips loosened up and could get into the beat of the music. I was gaining confidence, and feeling good! I was dancing next to a muslim woman in a hijab and a very conservative looking older woman. Then this song came on.
The coordinating dance involved a lot of booty popping. Er, awkward.
The most recent awkward moment came last night. I was wearing spandex running tights because I went to class immediately following a run. In case you don't know, my rear end looks fantastic in running tights. However, dancing directly behind me was an eight year old child. Any time there was a move involving the booty I felt so self conscious. Should I be dancing so provocatively in front of a child? Or should the child not be in the room? Definitely awkward.
The first comes from my very first class. The teacher was a Colombian native, a petite and feisty little thing. The class was full of energetic middle aged women enthusiastically shimmying and shaking what their mamas gave them like it was going out of style. And then there was me, unable to move my hips and trying to shimmy with a non-existent chest. When the fifty-year-old grandma is sexier than you, you know there's something wrong. Awkward.
The second moment comes from a class just before winter break. I finally got my hips loosened up and could get into the beat of the music. I was gaining confidence, and feeling good! I was dancing next to a muslim woman in a hijab and a very conservative looking older woman. Then this song came on.
The coordinating dance involved a lot of booty popping. Er, awkward.
The most recent awkward moment came last night. I was wearing spandex running tights because I went to class immediately following a run. In case you don't know, my rear end looks fantastic in running tights. However, dancing directly behind me was an eight year old child. Any time there was a move involving the booty I felt so self conscious. Should I be dancing so provocatively in front of a child? Or should the child not be in the room? Definitely awkward.
1.14.2013
This Year's Resolutions
1. Run the Bix. Again. Last year I ran the Quad Cities Bix on my birthday as a little treat to myself. It's a 7-mile road race with some very intense hills. Last year I finished 5,806 out of nearly 18,000, thank you very much! Registration is open, but I don't want to be one of those silly amateur runners who signs up early and gets a low bib number. I'll wait until April or May to register.
2. Do more 5ks. I fully intend to run the Robins Roundup again this year (last year I placed 2nd in my age group). I'm also going to find a few more small races.
3. Cut toxic people out of my life. This one is targeted at one person in particular (an alcoholic who is regularly rude and insulting). But I'd really like to get rid of all the bad people in my life.
4. Volunteer. Last year I signed up as a volunteer for RAGBRAI, a bike event across the state of Iowa. This year I'd like to get more involved in the community. I signed up for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and also for Families Helping Families, an organization for foster families.
5. Find a Big Girl Job! I'll be graduating in May this year. It sure would be nice to get out of the pizza industry.
2. Do more 5ks. I fully intend to run the Robins Roundup again this year (last year I placed 2nd in my age group). I'm also going to find a few more small races.
3. Cut toxic people out of my life. This one is targeted at one person in particular (an alcoholic who is regularly rude and insulting). But I'd really like to get rid of all the bad people in my life.
4. Volunteer. Last year I signed up as a volunteer for RAGBRAI, a bike event across the state of Iowa. This year I'd like to get more involved in the community. I signed up for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and also for Families Helping Families, an organization for foster families.
5. Find a Big Girl Job! I'll be graduating in May this year. It sure would be nice to get out of the pizza industry.
12.30.2012
End of the Year
Well. I did not run a marathon. I cannot do a handstand press. In fact, I have not steadily worked out since about August. Since then I have been busy working two jobs while taking five classes (passed with very high grades, thank you very much!).
Looking back, though, I am pleased to see I did stick (somewhat) to my goals.
I cut back on my Internet time. I successfully cut out my former favorite website, and I managed to read two books per month. It is not a lot, but it is more than I was reading!
I took more pictures. Hundreds of pictures. It makes me happy to look back on all the things I have done with friends and family.
I sewed. Not much, but some. I made some clothes for my doll. Anything counts!
I worked out. I ran two races and at one point this year was in the best shape of my life.
So I was there. I just failed to maintain the fitness aspect. That is partly due to my busy schedule. I could have made time, though. I have no excuse now. Perhaps I will make time today?
Looking back, though, I am pleased to see I did stick (somewhat) to my goals.
I cut back on my Internet time. I successfully cut out my former favorite website, and I managed to read two books per month. It is not a lot, but it is more than I was reading!
I took more pictures. Hundreds of pictures. It makes me happy to look back on all the things I have done with friends and family.
I sewed. Not much, but some. I made some clothes for my doll. Anything counts!
I worked out. I ran two races and at one point this year was in the best shape of my life.
So I was there. I just failed to maintain the fitness aspect. That is partly due to my busy schedule. I could have made time, though. I have no excuse now. Perhaps I will make time today?
6.09.2012
Week 4 Day 6
This week got all jumbled. I was supposed to run 6 miles on Thursday but couldn't because my friends deceived me about how long we would be at the beach--and really about going to a beach at all! So instead I hiked about and spent half an hour in a paddle boat.
No worries, I thought. I can just run 6 miles today after work! Well, that didn't happen. Instead I went to a festival with my boyfriend.
So that leaves me running 6 miles tomorrow then 11 miles on Monday.
At the beginning of training I decided to do my long runs on Sundays. Every single week it's been pushed back to Monday for some reason or another. Should I fight this schedule, or just let it be?
No worries, I thought. I can just run 6 miles today after work! Well, that didn't happen. Instead I went to a festival with my boyfriend.
So that leaves me running 6 miles tomorrow then 11 miles on Monday.
At the beginning of training I decided to do my long runs on Sundays. Every single week it's been pushed back to Monday for some reason or another. Should I fight this schedule, or just let it be?
6.08.2012
Race Day
One year ago today I ran my first mile. Since then I've run hundreds of miles. And tonight? I ran my first race.
Well, almost my first race. When I was in 7th grade I joined the track team. I never took practice seriously. I was always faster than my siblings so I thought I didn't need to practice running. Instead I'd mosey about and socialize with my friends.
At the meet we were all lined up for the event, the only event I was registered for. If I recall correctly it was a 200 meter run. I was confident and ready to beat my competition. Ready...set...go!
Within a couple of meters I was already falling behind. I was stiff, slow, and crampy. The pack finished a full 100 meters ahead of me. I wanted to quit, and hide in shame.
So I did quit. I avoided gym class and all other sports throughout junior high and high school.
But that was then. Tonight my practice and work paid off.
I finished 2nd in my age group, with a final time of 25:25.
Well, almost my first race. When I was in 7th grade I joined the track team. I never took practice seriously. I was always faster than my siblings so I thought I didn't need to practice running. Instead I'd mosey about and socialize with my friends.
At the meet we were all lined up for the event, the only event I was registered for. If I recall correctly it was a 200 meter run. I was confident and ready to beat my competition. Ready...set...go!
Within a couple of meters I was already falling behind. I was stiff, slow, and crampy. The pack finished a full 100 meters ahead of me. I wanted to quit, and hide in shame.
So I did quit. I avoided gym class and all other sports throughout junior high and high school.
But that was then. Tonight my practice and work paid off.
I finished 2nd in my age group, with a final time of 25:25.
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| Sorry, the pic is a bit dark. |
6.06.2012
Week 4 Day 3
Tonight I ran a quick 5k. It was my last training 5k before the race on Friday. I did a faster than normal pace without throwing it into high gear and finished with a 25:38 time. I still have a mid-length easy run tomorrow, 6 miles. I'm going to take a slow pace, probably about 9:30 min/mile so I'm not sore for Friday.
Here's to hoping everything goes well for the race!
Also, I used the stick again tonight and discovered a rather nasty knot on my calf that I didn't know existed. I'll have to keep working at it.
Here's to hoping everything goes well for the race!
Also, I used the stick again tonight and discovered a rather nasty knot on my calf that I didn't know existed. I'll have to keep working at it.
6.04.2012
Week 4 Day 1
I took a couple days off. Why? Honestly I just wanted a break. My lower legs were hurting a bit so I wanted to rest them. Then last night a Dairy Queen blizzard sounded infinitely better than a run.
I got right back on the wagon today and ran 6 miles with absolutely no lower leg pain. It was no easy run, though. My heart felt like it was working harder than normal even though I had a slow pace. I blame a combination of the high noon sun and the fact that I haven't gone running since last Wednesday.
After my run I experienced the greatest pleasure known to mankind.
The Stick!
It arrived on Thursday. It's a waterproof and flexible stick with rollers designed for deep massage. It came with a chart on how to use it on different muscle groups.
I used it on my lower legs and my neck.
Oh man it felt amazing.
I got right back on the wagon today and ran 6 miles with absolutely no lower leg pain. It was no easy run, though. My heart felt like it was working harder than normal even though I had a slow pace. I blame a combination of the high noon sun and the fact that I haven't gone running since last Wednesday.
After my run I experienced the greatest pleasure known to mankind.
It arrived on Thursday. It's a waterproof and flexible stick with rollers designed for deep massage. It came with a chart on how to use it on different muscle groups.
I used it on my lower legs and my neck.
Oh man it felt amazing.
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