Footloose and Fancy Free

This weekend I worked out really hard. I did my runs at the gym like a good egg all week and took a body pump class. I was feeling pretty spent after 4 days straight of it, so I took Friday off to go to a yoga class. I had the pleasure of working from home since it was a rainy Veteran's Day and everyone else took the day off. Thankfully, web and graphics work can be done from my couch.

I braved the cold for my first yoga class at Barefoot Movement in Oakland and rewarded myself with a vat of pho after. Mmm, warm noodly broth goodness and lots of spice. Class was an hour long and only 3 of us. I've had the luxury of almost private classes for the last few I've taken. I like the special attention and help with my form. It was a level one class and basically just helped me stretch out, nothing too strenuous.

Saturday, I was to embark on yet another new journey - a boxing class. I have a coupon for one week's worth of classes. I hope to make 3 out of the 6 this week, but honestly it may only be two. I had no idea what to expect, and it KILLED me.

I walked into the gym --a real boxing gym mind you-- in Oakland with real pro boxers who train you. We're talking, you're going to eat thunder and crap lightning training. A boxing ring, minimal equipment, the smell of rubber and sweat (not unlike some clubs I've been to) and a small patch of floor for cardio or free form exercises.

They were the NICEST guys though! However, I never knew a jump rope would be my worst enemy, and I never knew (well, sort of) that a 1lb weight held out, or above you or to your side in repeated 15-30 sec intervals really makes you feel the burn. I sweat RIVERS before I even learned how to jab! I almost puked I worked out so hard, and that has never happened to me. I immediately felt like I was on the Biggest Loser for some reason or that I should bust out and do the Truffle Shuffle to earn my keep.

The goal before class is to jump rope for 15 minutes straight. 15 minutes. I challenge you, my friends, to try just jumping rope-not double time- for at least 3 minutes straight without stopping. I bet you can't do it. I sure as hell couldn't. But boy was my chest bouncing and my heart rate up!

A boxer's shape is the best you can be in, obviously to those guys. It is all endurance, strength and cardio. It's about constantly moving and defending yourself. I felt pretty bad ass. I also felt broken at the end of the class!

I was excited to go out and get some equipment of my own to work with though. I went to Sports Authority on Sunday and picked up some hand wraps (of course I won't forego fashion, see pic!), a jump rope to warm up with at home and some light gloves. Not sure if the gloves are right, but we'll see next class...

I had to run 5mi at the gym afterwards that same day, to get my long run in of the week. Oy. Needless to say, my calves were killing me, but I took Sunday off. I ran 2.5mi before work on Monday in my Vibrams, but I don't think it's wise for me to push myself to another class until later this week. I can't let my legs give out on me and my arches are still not fully recovered. I'm just amazed I actually left the house in the cold, before 7 am to RUN! On a Monday!

That being said, today before work I decided to run again. The Spartan is gone in Santa Barbara til Thursday, so I was able to go to bed obscenely early last night and not even drink wine! Shocking! I laced up my regular sneakers and headed out around 6 am. For the first time in my LIFE, I ran 3 mi straight. Granted it was not a fast run, but I didn't stop. Not once.

I am trying to gauge how I'll do in the 5k I'm running on Thanksgiving. It felt really good. I felt sort of dorky, but at least I had Brimley to cheer me on when I got home. Let's face it though, I can fart and he'll be excited to give me a high five. Just look at that face...