Friday Flip-up, I mean, Friday Fitness 2: Don't be like me

This week, the only day I was able to get to my actual gym was Wednesday (because it was the only day I was in the office and in town). Monday I worked out at the resort where I stayed in Colorado Springs (approximately an hour's workout), Tuesday I was too exhausted to do anything when I got home. So Wednesday morning I looked at the class schedule and saw a step class at 5:30, so I decided I'd do that.

I didn't take a lunch on Wednesday, so I left work early and did a full weight circuit (meaning, 10 machines pre-programmed to my own workout), which takes an hour. Then I waited for the step class to start. I've never taken step (or anything like it) so wasn't sure what to expect. After taking the class, my opinion is that a) I shouldn't do a full weight circuit before taking a new class (this is the second time I've done it, the first time was before my first spin class) because by the end I am totally worn out, and b) step is kind of like 21st century aerobics with a prop.

The instructor was perky and cute and looked kind of 80s-ish. The music was remixes of Fergie and Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado. The combinations of footwork done on the step were not something easily done by someone completely unfamiliar with the class and the terminology. Luckily with my dance background I have some experience trying to follow unfamiliar movements and put them together with names in a short time period, but I can imagine the class would be really frustrating for someone who hadn't had experience with that sort of thing before. It was frustrating for me as is. There were a few other brand new people in the class, and I think it was more difficult for them. I felt through most of the class like I should be wearing a neon-colored leotard and a sweat band, and like I should start calling the instructor Jane. I'm not a huge fan of aerobics or jazzercise and this pretty much felt like one of those things, only with a big thing to step on. I can't deny that it was a good workout. I think I would have liked it better if I hadn't forgotten my water bottle; the room was hot and I was parched afterward. Usually when I hamster on the cardio machines I'm sipping on water the whole time, so I'm not used to having my heart rate up for an hour with no water. If there's ever a next time, there will be a water bottle and no weights beforehand.

Yesterday I had a training up north, so afterward I went to Dan's parents house, greeted the dog, changed my clothes and went out for a run. My legs were already kind of sore from the weights/step workout (2 full hours) so I thought running might help me to get my exercise in and also help work the soreness out of my legs again. Part of my run was along a public use trail, paved in cement. It's been a long time since I've run on sidewalk, and after the run my legs quivered painfully in the shower. The run did nothing to ease the soreness; but instead exacerbated it to the point where later in the evening I had to walk like an old-fashioned cowboy in order to get down the stairs to go to bed. Let this be a warning to you, kids: don't do a full weight circuit and a step class for the first time, then run 3. 5 miles on sidewalk the next day, lest you want your legs to feel like they ought to fall off.

Today I took a rest day. My calves had a hard enough time dealing with the one-inch heels I wore to conduct today's training.