Lifting

This is it. I'm done trying to "go for a run after work" by myself. There is just nothing that will make it happen. The weather, chasing a car full of money, the promise of world peace...nothing. I've tried this enough, with all the best intentions, and it's just not meant to be.

So I'm declaring it now:

Stephanie shall henceforth no longer attempt to run after work, with the exceptions of being provoked by a friend or for track night. 

Now that that is done and over with, I can get back to my regularly scheduled program.

I lifted last night instead of running. But, it was a really good lifting session. I bumped it up. I didn't use the baby weights and did less reps if I had to using the big girl weights. I did a couple of different things I've seen people doing at the gym with the trainers too. It felt great. Plus, I felt some new back muscles pop up from yoga (I'm pretty sure they pop up overnight, right?). So I think I'm making some progress in the strength realm.

Today was spinning. I rearranged my Get a New Tooth appointment (crown) from the morning to 2:00 this afternoon. Unfortunately Erin's child poo'd so she had to leave. I guess the child care people aren't licensed to change a poopy diaper. The class was really hard, as all of Melanie's classes are. There were some kick-butt hills in the middle that had me pretty maxed out. It was all good, and I'm kind of glad my legs were fresh since I didn't run yesterday. My spins have been suffering because I'm sore from running. However, looking at the schedule, I haven't ran since Sunday and that's bad. I'm still building up everywhere though. And I don't want to give up a spin day. Maybe next week will be better.

The New Guy in Spin Class

While standing outside of the spin room, Erin (spin buddy and nurse by trade) and I were chatted up by a guy who was taking spinning for the second time ever. He quickly laid it all out: "I've only taken one class, I thought I was going to die, do you have any pointers for me?"

We both thought a bit. My advice was to pace himself better this time. There is no shame in sitting down, or not adding road, or whatever. You're getting a workout in no matter what and it takes a while to learn how hard you can push in spinning. And you want to like it and come back, not be tortured. He agreed his ego got the best of him last time.

Erin's advice was that if anything hurt, you should be aware and stop or adjust. But if it was just hard, you should push through, and that you need to learn the difference. Good advice, but, I think she was eating her words later.

We got set up on our bikes: me against the wall, then Erin then New Guy right in front. Linda the instructor had a cold, so she was kind of foggy and didn't push us much, which was fine by me since it still hurt to walk from Sunday's 8 miles. :)  That being said, spinning is still hard, and especially difficult when you have never done it. You have to learn how much to turn the dial, how much your body can do...

Chatty New Guy is still learning.

After maybe the second song, I heard weird noises. I looked at Erin because I thought she was talking to me. Maybe it was something weird in the speakers or the music. A few more songs and I heard the same thing. At the end of a song after a bunch of pickups while in position 3, I realized the noises I was hearing were from New Guy. I looked over at him; his mouth was wide open and he was gasping and groaning. And I could hear him over the loud music.

Maybe that's why Linda reminded us about 5 times that it was "our ride" and we should push as much as we needed to.

I had a meeting to go to after class, so I was hoping to avoid the chattiness and recount of the class that was probable to come from New Guy. I was in a hurry to get out. Erin was also hasty with her stretching. I figured it was because she knew I was hustling out of there. But it turns out, she was worried he might pass out from the effort.

When we were out of the room, Erin started telling me what was going through her head during class, and it cracked me up. Being closer to New Guy, she had a more in-your-face experience. Her nurse instincts completely took over. She had it all planned out for when he conked out on his bike...she'd tell Linda to call 911, she'd tell me to go to the wall to get the defib machine, then someone else would have to get the lights...then oh no - what if he had spin shoes on! It'd be more difficult to get him off the bike....etc etc. It was really surprising and funny to hear how she had an action plan all worked out in her head. None of that went through my mind. She's such a nurse ;)

I hope New Guy comes back. When I was waiting in line for a smoothie near the exit, I heard him chatting with another guy about tanning packages. He must be really trying to get the entire Urban Active experience! Ha!

My Spinning Instructor is Pregnant!

Oh nooooo!!!

Thursday's instructor, whose class people were literally fighting about getting into at the front desk this morning, is preggers. She was really winded today and said she'd explain that later. So while we were cooling down she announced she is expecting her fourth child. FOURTH. Amazing and inspiring because this lady is fit as anything. But I'm also a bit selfishly sad because I am going to miss her while she's out. She is by far my favorite instructor. Maybe she'll still teach even while pregnant. I know you can still ride a bike for a while, having to adjust your lean for the belly. And, probably like running, you just have to watch your heart rate, which she trains by so I'm sure that would be no problem. Then maybe she'll just walk around and instruct from the floor if she is uncomfortable on the bike? I don't know. I would much rather that than not have her! Then she'll be on maternity leave....  Listen to me. It's ok. I'm sure the sub will be awesome.

So today was 1 mile run before class, 45 minute class, 2 miles after. I felt great! I basically just did a brick workout :) And that got me thinking about doing duathlons this year again... oh the possibilities.

Broomball Update

So apparently, we've made it to the championship game!

It's kind of weird. There are games Mondays, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. And then there are games Saturday mornings - the day we are in. It looks like the Mon - Tues - Wed group is having playoffs this week. Whomever wins that...plays us Saturday morning. We just automatically get in. Kind of weird, but whatever - it's just fountain square broomball fun!

Last game I scored our only goal. Yea, go me! I'm hoping my allergies calm down by Saturday so I can give 100% broomball-i-ness! Day 2 of Allegra...nothing has changed yet.


Today I spinned. I thought maybe there would be Valentine's Day rock ballads, but thankfully there wasn't. It was a good class- a lot of hills. My hammies are killing me. I didn't run before class because they hurt so bad. I stretched and did some rolling on the foam roller. Tomorrow I'll run regardless though. Tonight is yoga - woohoo!

A Ride Inside

Monday - rest and a night out with a couple of friends. I had intended to go home and lift.

Tuesday - spinning! Erin wasn't in the class. I really missed her!  Also the spin bikes have been moved into an arch, which I think is awesome. It felt more fun and now if you aren't in the front row you don't immediately have someone right "in your way". Or, if you're in the front row, you don't worry about your butt being right in someone's face ;)  I skipped yoga that night because my friend who I go to the class with was sick. No biggie.

Wednesday - I was going to run. I didn't at lunch. Then I didn't after work. Urban is in a very small lot, and they have "complimentary" valet at the 5:00 rush hour...but I just didn't feel like dealing with it! Isn't that horrible? Excuses excuses. I decided I'd rather run in the cold. But when I got home, I saw my bike and decided I'd rather ride! So I set my bike up on the trainer. It's been such a long time. I rode for 45 minutes while I watched a Glee episode. Picked it up during the huluplus commercials.

Thursday - I just couldn't get myself in the right place at the right time. All morning I was at the dentist getting a new front tooth. The temporary crown is on and horribly forward and sharp! The afternoon was a whirlwind. I should have lifted at least, but I was mopey.

Friday - I ran this morning about 3.3 miles. It was slow and I was tired. In the middle, I picked it up twice for .25 miles. That felt good.

Tomorrow is broomball and Sunday night is a broomball makeup game. I'm not sure what or where I'll be doing a long distance this weekend.

Consistency

This past week has been a good one for activity. Thursday I did a spinning class...another hard one. Melanie is so good! Friday I ran 3 miles. I took my phone with me to figure out what pace I was going, but the app fizzled out both coming and going. Saturday we played broomball (our first loss...boo). Sunday I ran 6 miles with Greg and Casey. Heart Mini training is officially underway.

Today it's supposed to be near 50...and tomorrow near 60! I have a bit itch to get on my road bike. I have been trying to figure out how to do a bike race in the spring. It is so challenging to figure this out. All I can think of is to go to a bike shop and ask someone. It may be too late to join any teams, and it seems like you have to be with a team to race. I am pretty frustrated with the unsuccessful research I've had. I just want some dates, and to know how it works and what I have to do to prepare. I think it would be fun to try. But maybe you have to be really really good and it's not for just anyone.

I think I'll stop by Swallow Bike Works, the new shop in Loveland that replaced Cycle Sport, and see if someone there can tell me anything to guide me in the right direction.

Spinning and Yoga Tuesday

Spinning was pretty hard. I was already a bit sore from broomball still, and then the 5 miles took more out of my legs than I thought it would. Probably because I couldn't just run them at a steady pace. I blame the treadmill.

Anyway, it was a new playlist. Stinky perfume woman was there, and I learned her superfluous application of L'eau de Urban bothers others as well as me. We did mostly speedy stuff. Lots of pickups, jumps, and "100 yard dashes". Not much for hills. It was a nice change up. We heard they've added another class on Wednesdays, so that will be nice to have another option. I like the Tuesday - Thursday line up, but options are good. Plus, if it will help getting into classes before they fill up, all the better.

I did yoga in the evening. This is the third class. I'm starting to do the plank without my knees down. Other than that, not much has changed in that world. I noticed a guy in class that had a "Swallow Bike Works" shirt on. That is the new bike shop in Loveland that replaced Cycle Sport. It just recently opened, and this guy's daughter and son-in-law run the shop. I asked him about it, trying to get a feel for what kind of shop it is. He asked me if I was a cyclist and told me about some of the races he does. Didn't get much of a feel for the shop, but he was fun to talk to and I got some ideas about road racing...

Today I'm taking a day off. I feel a bit beat. I can tell my body is acclimating to the workouts, which is great. I hope the weather is decent this weekend so I can get a run in outside.

Spinning and a Little Run

I'm feeling pretty good recently with the workouts. I think part of it is the holiday food is gone, and the holiday bloat is also subsiding. Geesh.

Today I went to the gym with the hopes of running 3 miles easy before spinning. But Mother Nature poured buckets down onto rush hour traffic. I made it there in time to sign up and get a mile in before class.

I saw Erin and we chatted about running a little bit. She used to race. I'm not sure what that means, but she said she raced 5Ks with some kind of club. So I was telling her about how we're planning to do the Heart Mini and the Pig Half, but that I like 5Ks too, I'm just not fast. I don't know, looks like we might do some in the future which would be awesome!

Spinning had a nice break from pop music overload. It was older One Hit Wonder type songs. Mmmm Bop, Tubthumping, Ice Ice Baby, Rapper's Delight, the Macarena, I'm Too Sexy.... That's all I can remember. It was fun. Each new song brought a giggle and smile.

I definitely feel like I'm in training mode now which is nice. I need to adjust my schedule plan and get to work.

Spinning in the New Year

Yesterday I went spinning for the first time in the new year...and since I was off between Christmas and New Year's. It was insane. Melanie tried to kill us. She is so awesome though. Her classes are hard, and they're also a bit disorganized. But you walk out of there feeling trained and like you just spent your 45 minutes very well. She somehow makes herself more than just a class leader/instructor. It feels more like she's my trainer.

We did a lot of interval stuff. I have been trying to visualize about actually being on a bike when I'm in her class. She throws out some visualizations: surging up hills passing people, etc. I wonder how applicable spinning is for bike training. I barely got out last year on the road. I am curious how I'll do once spring hits.

I need to do more drawings again! Soon soon!

8/16/11: Thriller Spinning

Spinning was all Michael Jackson music one day. It was pretty fun. When Thriller came on, I couldn't help but imagine how awesome it would be if everyone could do a form of the dance on their bikes :)

8/4/11: Spinning Jumps

Today's class had us doing jumps (also called lifts by some instructors) nearly the entire time. It was pretty rough. Out of the saddle, back into the saddle over and over and over again. By the end I was plopping a few times. It was good doing so many because it really made you think about form.

8/2/11: Spinning Supplies

It's simple to pack my bag for spinning class. Need my shoes, a water bottle, and towel, along with whatever I'm wearing. As simple as it is, I've forgotten 2 of the below a few times. Without a towel, it's just a sweaty mess. Without a water bottle I couldn't take the class. I've stopped at a convenience store on the way when I've forgotten that item. Below are the essentials.

7/29/11: Spinning

Just a public service announcement ;)  It was really awful smelling perfume in a closed up, hot room while working hard trying to breathe!

7/26/11: Spinning in Ireland...not really

7/21/11: Spinning

7/12/11: Spinning

7/5/11: Spinning

6/30/11: Spinning at Urban Active

6/27/11

Fluidity

I bought a fluid trainer to replace my LOUD WIND TRAINER THAT I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING OVER a couple of weeks ago. I have now tried it out a couple of times. Verdict is it's 100% awesome.

The days are getting shorter and riding after work is hard. I'm happy to have found a trainer at a decent price that works so well for the type of indoor riding I want to do. My setup now allows for a few options: watch Netflix instant cue (TV shows or movies), watch music video playlists, watch shows on Hulu, or just listen to music. I suppose I could pop in a DVD movie too, since I think my laptop has a DVD player in it. All great things to help with various workouts on the bike. I also plan to start doing strength training out here...my jelly arms are getting old. I guess the space is just my own little workout area. Still running outside...that won't change :)

The trainer is out in the "basement" (our attached, heated-but-cooler-than-the-house garage).
So here's my geeky picture of the setup from the bike point of view...

A. TV monitor
B. Lappy, the hook-up for mtvmusic.com and anything else on the internet
C. Receiver
D. The Wii, which has a disc in it from which we can stream our Netflix instant cue
E. Books to stack my lappy on so it can reach the cord and be away from the speakers
F. Speakers which fill up the room nicely with sound (still working, Dad!)

I'm thinking the Netflix type of workouts will just be time in the saddle, moving at a decent pace but more for longer times. The music workouts will be more like a spinning class. I've already done this once, for a few songs. It was great.

I'm slightly excited about all this!