So what starts with an "A" and is harder than running?

I finally entered the world of crosstraining.....with aerobic classes. It's been years since I attended classes at the gym. I forgot how much fun they are - at least with the right instructor and the right music. Oh, and the right workout buddy!

So how can a class at the gym be harder than running? That's what I wondered as my friend Julie and I attended a 1 1/2 hour Cardio Combo class at the gym. We can run/run-walk for 3 hours straight! Well, it was indeeded much harder. Sweat dripping, cardiovascular system protesting, body tired, just trying to make it thru. But we lasted the entire 1 1/2 hours and then we were hooked!

Last Wednesday we tried a 1 hour Kwando class. We had done one together earlier this year at another gym, but the atmosphere at the new gym we are going to is much better. It's so much fun. The people really get into it - doing the workout while dancing to the music. You watch them and wonder - where do they get all that energy from! And it's the "older" one's who have the most energy!

Saturday, we decided what the heck - let's try the 2 hour "Masters" class. There was a $5 fee that we had to pay for this class - you paid it directly to the instructor who is the same one who teaches the Kwando class. Pay for torture? Are we crazy? Well, in a word, yes! We lasted the entire 2 hours and loved it! Although it's Tuesday and my arms are still sore!

Our half marathon training group starts back up this coming Saturday. I hope the crosstraining will benefit our running. Unfortunately, this means we have to give up the 1 1/2 hour and 2 hour classes at the gym. But we will be there every Wednesday for sure!

Life changing events!

My poor blog. How I've missed you. It's been quite a while. It's amazing how life can change in just a few short months!

Back at the beginning of February, my 4 year old niece came to live with me. As you can imagine, that was a major lifestyle change. I went from a single mother of 1 to a single mom of 2. I can no longer just get up and run on the weekends. I have to make sure I have a babysitter!

During the week, once we get home, I cook dinner, help with Pre-K homework, straighten up a little, and by then it's already 7:30. Bath time is at 8pm, and bedtime no later than 8:30. So that affects what I can do in the evenings on school nights. Since my son is 17, it's been a while since I had to take those kinds of things into consideration.

I've gotten in a few weekend runs here and there. Done a race. But consistently I haven't done much the last 2 months. I've also had some injury issues - the same ones I've had since 2008. I finally have made an appointment with a sports dr to try and get those resolved. I'll have to pay out of pocket, due to the wonderful $2500 insurance deductible

After a couple of months, we finally have a good routine down, and I'm ready to return FULL TIME to the world of the running. My pants and the scale have indicated that it is time to return also. I've also gotten a replacement Bally's card, and plan to utilize the gym on some days during the week when I can't get away to run. They have free daycare. You do have to call a day or two in advance to make a reservation though.

Half marathon training starts back up in exactly 24 days. I can't wait!

Wait listed!

I registered for a 1 month boot camp thru Groupon (http://www.groupon.com/) during the last month of the year. Resolution week!

If you register for their email list, Groupon sends out daily emails for great specials at places through out the Houston Area. The specials are valid for 1 day only, and only if enough people register for the offer. I've bought 5 yoga sessions at Joy Yoga for $25 ($5 yoga classes!!).

For the 4 week boot camp, which also includes access to the body3fit's gym and group classes during the month, I believe I only paid $35! I purchased the boot camp groupon special along with 2 of my running buddies to provide myself with some accountability to stick with it for the entire month. Our intent was to begin the Feb 1st session, held MWF at 6:30pm at Memorial Park, after I had completed the Aramco half marathon.

As I sat here this morning at work, I decided to plan my workout schedule for the Spring since my long distance training is wrapping up. I called this morning to register for the boot camp and to my surprise, both the February and March boot camps at Memorial Park are booked! The body3fit representative said that within 2 weeks of the Groupon offering, they were booked. Guess I shouldn't have put off registering. I didn't even think about both months filling up! They offer a 5:30am Boot camp in the Heights, but I have to be at work at 7:15am. If they were at 5am, I would definitely take that option, since I run at 5am on Tuesdays and Thursdays anyway.

I'm currently wait listed for February and March, but I doubt it if spots will open up - especially 3 spots for my friends and I.

So my boot camp dreams will have to wait until April....