Change Up

Everyone has a 'risk muscle.' You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don't, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at least once a day. - Roger Von Oech


This week I shook things up by trying a different type of work out for the very first time.  My heart will always belong to running but boy did I enjoy the Zumba class I tried this week!  What is Zumba?  It's a high-energy workout that incorporates Latin dance to make exercising FUN!!  I am a total sucker for Latin dance rhythms so how how could I possibly say no??  The fun upbeat atmosphere was just the kick in the pants that I needed.  I had such a great time and Craig, the instructor, was a blast!  It is a very intense work out (I was sweating like a farm animal by the end of class) but if you have the chance to take a Zumba class, by all means go for it!!! 

It felt great to do something different.  When I recounted the goings-on of the workout to my BFF, she commented on my through-the-roof energy level and asked me if I preferred it over running.  The answer was "no" but I had to think about it for a minute!  I never thought I would enjoy another form of work out as much as I did that Zumba class.  I know that it's best to change up the work out routine but that has never been something I have been good at doing.  Sure I will do yoga here or there and swim every so often but I have never really added a different activity to my program.  This may be "the one" that I stick with on my non-running/wogging days.  There were so many different movements that were involved that I normally don't use but they could still help improve my running.  Lots of lateral movements and hip movements that require flexibility.  Different muscle groups are needed for many of the dance movements and it felt great to stretch and work those out.  Running works mainly the lower body but Zumba works everything including arms and core.  It also helps with coordination and stability which are key to running well.  I especially liked that the level of impact can be tailored to what your specific needs are - adding more bounce to your steps increases the impact; keeping your feet closer to the ground lessens the level of impact.  If you have knee or ankle issues, it is best to keep it low impact.  I think that for my next Zumba session, I will KT Tape my formerly sprained ankle to give it some added stability (I'm still paranoid about reinjuring it).  

So this week, I will enthusiastically return to my Zumba class to shake what my momma gave me!  If you haven't tried a new new form of exercise lately, I highly recommend doing so.  It can be fun and enjoyable and full of laughter.  And who doesn't need a little bit more of that in their lives?

Happy Trails!
Valeka

Because I Can

Run fast for your mother and fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

-"Dog Days Are Over"  - Florence and the Machine

It's too hot.  I'm too tired.  I'm too heavy.  I don't have time.  There is an Operation Repo marathon on TV tonight. We all come up with excuses about why we can't work out but whatever the excuse may be, it is rarely a good enough reason to not get in some form of exercise.  Yes, there are times when it is necessary to skip a work out but legitimate reasons are pretty few and far between.

This week has been a particularly difficult one for my BFF.  Lots of traveling and worry and very little sleep while still trying to be present at work.  Her father is experiencing a host of health maladies and has been in the hospital for much of the week in ICU.  Saturday morning, I debated whether or not to go for a run because it was an incredibly hot and humid Texas morning and I felt lazy.  I mulled it over and decided to stay in the comfort of my air conditioned home with my pups.  No sooner had I made that decision when I received a text message from BFF letting me know that her dad was going to undergo bypass surgery on Monday morning.  After I got over the initial shock of that, I retracted my earlier decision, put on my running gear and went for a run BECAUSE I COULD.

While I was out running with my dog, my thoughts drifted to all of the people that have been a part of my life that did not have the good health or physical strength to be able to run.  I thought about my paternal grandmother who was extremely overweight (I would say obese but I know she would be offended by that) and got exhausted walking from the living room to her bedroom.  She couldn't lift her legs when she walked and would instead, shuffle her feet.  I thought about my maternal grandmother who had such severe rheumatoid arthritis that she was bedridden.  My grandmothers would not have been able to work out the way that I can.  I thought about friends that I have with health issues that impairs their ability to run the way that I am able to.  I even thought about people that I have seen at the various races I have participated in that are in wheelchairs and how they don't let that keep them from doing what they love.  I thought about my grandfather who was healthy for much of his life and walked every day to the local post office to pick up his mail after dinner. I thought of how he would not have thought twice about whether or not to go out for a walk.  He would have told me to keep running BECAUSE I CAN.  He was blessed with good health and he didn't take that for granted.  None of us with good health should ever take it for granted.  

Enjoy your body and the wonderful things it can do.  Run.  Hike.  Swim.  Bike.  Dance. Yoga.  Do whatever it is that you love doing to keep your body healthy BECAUSE YOU CAN.

Happy Trails,
Valeka