Circus Cycling

Sooo I really need to find a gym and get my workout on. This weekend I purchased a 10 for $10 pass at a gym very close to my place of employment. It's kinda cool because this deal is a promotion they're running AND all proceeds (the $10 part of the equation) go to Seattle Children's Hospital. When I saw that on their website, I took it as a sign and went to enroll. I've been there a couple of times since and the jury is still out. It's very small, which after being a member of a mega gym, I can appreciate. When I took a tour of the place, the woman showing me around said something to the effect of there is a lot of camaraderie within the gym and it isn't a bunch of meat heads strutting around. That's something I really would like in a gym, so I was pleased to learn that. I'm nervous that it's TOO small though... we'll see.
(RANDOM PS-- I'm watching FRIENDS and it's the episode where Phoebe changes her name to Princess Consuela Banana Hammock-- this show NEVER ceases to make me laugh out loud... I love it)
ANYWAY-- this morning I went to spinning at ProRobics. It was no Group Ride, but I was sweating (which IS significant because it was a whopping TWELVE degrees this morning and their spinning 'studio' is in an un heated basement... I could see my breath and the steam rising off people!). The instructor wasn't my favorite.. she was very... 'west coast' as we called them in Chicago.. earthy-zen-center-your-soul-esque. Also, she didn't DO the workout... she'd be on the bike and do some of it, then she would either like slow down completely or get off and start barking at people... DON'T QUIT! SIX SIX SIX SIX! SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN! (FRIENDS reference-- the one where Monica gets excited about SEVEN... hahahha). So this clown wasn't my favorite. I know that it's my own workout and it'll be what I make of it blah blah blah... but I think there's a lot to be said for the instructor demonstrating what they expect from the participants. The last straw was at the end of the class we were stretching. Several of the stretches were not only life threatening, but also resembled circus like acrobatic moves. One was where she wanted us to stand up on the pedals, and then lean back toward the seat-- still standing... be completely 'stiff as a board' leaning back at like a 45 degree angle to the floor... then put our hands above our head and stretch. I can't even describe the ludicrous nature of this activity. The other one that made me scoff was standing on the pedals, knees bent at 90 degree angles, leaning over the handlebars. Then "like a cobra," you lunge forward so your legs are straight and you're extended out over the handlebars even farther. I was clinging for dear life when she goes "and let go with your hands and reach out to the stars..." all in her flowy mother earth voice. I just looked around at the geezers who get up at 5am for this nonsense and watched their feeble attempts. I'm sorry, I didn't know this was circus cycling. I achieved and maintained my target heart rate, so it wasn't a waste on any level, but I don't know that I will enthusiastically return to this instructors class anytime soon.

I have decided against the half marathon in January because I'm not ready for it and I need to get into a regular flow with life before I can take on diligent training for an event. There is a half marathon here in March that I'm hoping will work. We'll see. Still unsure about the half ironman, but I have to decide by the 25th, I think. Hopefully registration won't close BEFORE then... and hopefully I can scrounge up the $$$ to register... we'll see. I feel like I keep saying "I'll do it next year" but it really won't get any easier the longer I put it off, so let's just get it done now. Perhappers.

Work is going well. I have GENUINELY enjoyed the classroom time and have been engaged and learning a lot. That's huge-- during orientation in Chicago I wanted to gouge my eyes out with boredom. Everyone continues to be ridiculously nice and welcoming. I'm anxious to meet my coworkers and hopefully future friends! It's a very fun time.