I went to my first tap class last night at Pineapple Studios - can't say I felt very fred or ginger at any point but had so much fun I came home and tap danced for my friends (felt about 6 again - proudly showing off newly acquired skills to a patient mother). That excited them in turn and we ended up rolling back the living room carpet and dancing to 'I've got the power' for 2 hours.
Highly recommended.
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Monday 20 April 2009
Saucy little roadster
On Saturday I purchased a beautiful new road bike - she's black, with a subtle yet distinctive patch of rainbow tattooed on the main frame, slender and light with a curved bar. Ben just kept staring at her which was a little off-putting. It is a sexy bike. And when on it, I feel sexy.
I had never really considered this a possibility. The speed exhilarating, handle bars low, your back dropped, hands grip tightly onto rubber bound handles, feet held in place and legs spin. You stop at lights and you're up front ahead of the dirty traffic, perched lightly on your saddle, a foot in the pedal, the other just touching the ground. Hand on hip for stability the other stretched forward on the handle bar, the sun is hovering and the warmth spreads under your helmet. Then you're off, those first few pushes work your legs and speed builds quickly. I felt majestic -part human, part machine.
While there was beauty to speak of, there too was pain. Ben's friend joined us, a potential half iron man contender, who set the pace. Ben kept close behind, and I, full of pride, worked hard to maintain my speed. Not only did it hurt, but it got awfully boring at times. Music may well have helped, but I had cars and buses to listen out for.
Arriving home, my bottom was bruised and my limbs began to ache deeply - exhausted and unable to move we ordered take out and consoled ourselves with it on the sofa. That was about 4 hours riding time, with frequent breaks on flat land.
Need to up the ante in the next two weeks or there might be trouble ahead.
I had never really considered this a possibility. The speed exhilarating, handle bars low, your back dropped, hands grip tightly onto rubber bound handles, feet held in place and legs spin. You stop at lights and you're up front ahead of the dirty traffic, perched lightly on your saddle, a foot in the pedal, the other just touching the ground. Hand on hip for stability the other stretched forward on the handle bar, the sun is hovering and the warmth spreads under your helmet. Then you're off, those first few pushes work your legs and speed builds quickly. I felt majestic -part human, part machine.
While there was beauty to speak of, there too was pain. Ben's friend joined us, a potential half iron man contender, who set the pace. Ben kept close behind, and I, full of pride, worked hard to maintain my speed. Not only did it hurt, but it got awfully boring at times. Music may well have helped, but I had cars and buses to listen out for.
Arriving home, my bottom was bruised and my limbs began to ache deeply - exhausted and unable to move we ordered take out and consoled ourselves with it on the sofa. That was about 4 hours riding time, with frequent breaks on flat land.
Need to up the ante in the next two weeks or there might be trouble ahead.
Tuesday 14 April 2009
Fitness fun
Completely forgot to mention that I have decided to take up tap dancing. That has got to be a fun way to get fit.
I bought my tap dancing shoes last week and learnt some spangly (rather basic) moves off Youtube - of note was the Shirley Temple step which rather tragically I can only do to the right, attempts at reproducing the step on to the left were both confusing and predictably upsetting.
First class is this Thursday - will let you know how it goes.
I bought my tap dancing shoes last week and learnt some spangly (rather basic) moves off Youtube - of note was the Shirley Temple step which rather tragically I can only do to the right, attempts at reproducing the step on to the left were both confusing and predictably upsetting.
First class is this Thursday - will let you know how it goes.
Spin to win
I got there, my first spinning class took place yesterday at 9.45am. I entered the room and saw people fiddling with their bikes, and so I feigned confidence and pathetically mimicked hand shuffling movements having no clue as to what I needed to do. A nice Irish woman saw my desperate attempts and came to my aid.
Once the bike was set, the room began to fill. And I noticed people greedily grabbing at the blue tissue dispenser - obscene quantities were being squirreled under handle bars and I too went to collect my share. There will be sweat, I thought nervously.
Instructor appears, lights dim, music blasts. Ten minutes in and I realise I have forgotten to eat something, I feel dizzy and all I want to do is go home. It hurts, it really hurts.
I contemplate jumping off, sneaking out. Would anyone notice? Then a large lady to my right steps off her bike. Instructor shouts 'WHERE ARE YOU GOING?', 'to get more tissue' she replies. Yes, I think, they would notice.
So I stick at it, and it gets better - the pain becomes a pleasure, the increasing sweat a salty victory.
By the end I realise it might just be ok. Then I spent the rest of the day touring London on my bicycle with friends. That was delicious.
I have only just remebered the absolute joy of feeling truly fit - and it's addictive.
Once the bike was set, the room began to fill. And I noticed people greedily grabbing at the blue tissue dispenser - obscene quantities were being squirreled under handle bars and I too went to collect my share. There will be sweat, I thought nervously.
Instructor appears, lights dim, music blasts. Ten minutes in and I realise I have forgotten to eat something, I feel dizzy and all I want to do is go home. It hurts, it really hurts.
I contemplate jumping off, sneaking out. Would anyone notice? Then a large lady to my right steps off her bike. Instructor shouts 'WHERE ARE YOU GOING?', 'to get more tissue' she replies. Yes, I think, they would notice.
So I stick at it, and it gets better - the pain becomes a pleasure, the increasing sweat a salty victory.
By the end I realise it might just be ok. Then I spent the rest of the day touring London on my bicycle with friends. That was delicious.
I have only just remebered the absolute joy of feeling truly fit - and it's addictive.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Had an inspiring 2 days away at the Macmillan Cancer Support staff conference in Nottingham university - where I attended uni some years ago. It's brilliant to be reminded of what the organisation is doing and the ways in which Macmillan is impacting upon peoples lives for the better.
It was so motivating that after a tiring 2 days I went straight to the gym this morning and worked out so hard I soaked at least 40% of my tshirt in sweat.
It was so motivating that after a tiring 2 days I went straight to the gym this morning and worked out so hard I soaked at least 40% of my tshirt in sweat.
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