Sunday, January 15, 2012

Weekend warrior

It all started with a missed workout. Actually, it started with a blog challenge. Wait. No. It started with an email. Or the discovery that the gym where I took boot camp.

Shit. I don’t know where it started. All I know is I showed up at the gym at 8:30 Saturday morning and didn’t leave till 11.

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After boot camp finished up in December, L and I were excited to learn that the gym was going to offer Body Pump in the new year. I know this class isn’t new to about 90 percent of the world but Tumble X is only the second gym in the area to offer the class and the other one is about a half-hour drive. Arg.

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This week was our second class and let me tell you – I was excited. It’s challenging and fun all at the same time, and I find that my competitive spirit helps me push a bit harder than I would at home.

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It’s just hard not to feel hardcore and not want to work when you are lifting a barbell and weights. Of course, sometimes like my stomach, my eyes were bigger than my muscles.

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There were a couple tracks where I had to stop in the middle and reduce the weight. Just gotta give myself a place to work up to!

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After class, it was time for Zumba.

Now let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am not really a dancer. Sure, I move on the floor but I usually reserve such activities for times when I can consume alcoholic beverages. L had wanted to try it, though, and I’m all about giving things a whirl.

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And I’m glad I did. It was a lot of fun though it was clearly evident that I’m no Zumba superstar. I spent a good part of the class following L’s advice: when in doubt, move your hips. Of course, that’s how I got myself into trouble …

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Anyway … 45 minutes of Zumba later, and we had finished two classes.

While two fitness classes in one weekend is more than enough exercise, I still had a run to fit in.

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I am training for a yet-to-be determined spring race, and I’m following a run less, run faster approach. As the runs are about quality not quantity, it’s important not to skip one.

Even if it’s 7 degrees.

The weather Sunday morning was against my principles (aka the 10-degree rule) but there was no wind and a lot of sun.

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And Denali was on my last nerve. God, that dog gives me a reason to run even if I don't want one.

We logged  6 snow-covered miles, and I felt surprisingly good. I had tried to keep the pace on the slow side as it was a "long" run but Denali kept it honest. (I think I watched too much of the Olympic Trials yesterday.) Thankfully (and surprisingly) my body responded, managing a 9:38 average - a pace that hasn't been seen much, if at all, since I had Miles.

It was a perfect way to wrap up such a movement-filled weekend.

Wait.

Scratch that.

Shopping at the mall and getting two pairs of sweats and a new workout tank ... for $24 total ... was the perfect way to end my weekend.

How did your weekend shape up?

7 comments:

  1. sounds like a great weekend and definitely hardcore! I want to try body pump, but don't think they offer it anywhere near me! I had a good weekend, a few good workouts, some good deals shopping too, and some laziness. A recipe for a good weekend, if you ask me!

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  2. The 2nd picture is my favorite. Ummm - it was body pump, not pole dancing :) ha! Cracks me up (nothin' but love!).

    Love that you did some power shopping to wrap up your weekend. Awesome level of physical activity. So impressive!!! Thanks for joining me in 1 3/4 hours of gym time ;) It's WAY MORE FUN with you!

    Can't wait until next weekend.

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  3. Yesterday, I took spin class and a strength training class and today, I took another spin class and a 15-minute core class. Now if only I could reign in my eating!

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  4. Holy cow - way to go with all your exercise this weekend! You and Wells L look fantastic and supper peppy, I don't think I could have managed that so early in the morning. Love the jacket you are wearing in the last picture!

    My weekend wasn't nearly as exciting, grocery shopping, Science Central, Richard Simmons workout, and a 10 mile run this morning.

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  5. I love weekend workouts that are nice and long! Awesome job! My gym doesn't have Body Pump and I'm dying to take it. Zumba just scares my uncoordinated self. :) My weekend consisted of peanut butter sandwiches and a massage..win!

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  6. intesnse!! what a workout - and it looks like so much fun. glad you had such a great weekend

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