To Take On Swinging

One of my former climbing partners was a kettlebeller. I admired him for being willing to take on swinging all by his lonesome. Knew that I couldn't trust myself since, if there's a way to do something awkwardly, I'll find it but it's been six months since I stopped going to kettlebell class and the heavy orb stares at me.

I've been going to Zumba on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. so I have plenty of time to do strength training before class. Looked online for routines and liked this beginner one:

Warm Up -- 3 Minutes

(Did a hodgepodge of jumping jacks, speed skaters, trunk twists etc.)

Around The World, 20 Reps, Each Direction

Figure 8's, 14 Reps, Each Direction

Two-Handed Kettlebell Swing, 20 Reps

Cleans, 14 Reps, Each Side

Halos, 10 Each Direction

Straight Leg Dead Lifts, 20 Reps

Squat Curls, 14 Reps

Bent Over Rows, 14, Each Side

It was supposed to be a 30 minute workout but it took me about 17 minutes. I also added a few snatches and presses...

Zumba, on Thursday, is kind of a "bad" move (pun intended) because it does feel like a party that should mark the culmination of the work week.

Woke up hard this morning and could barely manage to stand. Had a dream that I was in a crowded store with someone else but couldn't identify the person. As we waited to jump into the flow of traffic, I noticed a miniature Buddha with a rather large head sitting on a shelf. I wanted to purchase the Buddha statue but couldn't for some reason...

There's a song from Zumba class that won't get out of my head. It's Pitbull's Alright.

It's alright, it's okay
We gon' party all night and drink all day...

The refrain that's most dominant -- It's alright, it's okay...Probably blocked out the drink all day because I am not a consumer of alcohol unless I, on occasion, cook with it.

From Dream Moods Dictionary:

To see Buddha in your dream symbolizes wisdom, insight, compassion, and inner spirituality. You need to find calmness and peace within your own Self.

...We Are Flexible

Dreamed that I walked into a yoga room and someone had taken my mat and replaced it with a thinner one that was pink and lavender with a diamond pattern. Plus, there was no longer room for me to practice next to friends. While it wasn't a bloody dream, it disturbed me.

To dream that you are performing yoga symbolizes unity, balance, harmony, calmness, and self-discipline. You have complete control of your mind and body. Alternatively, the dream indicates that you are stressed and overwhelmed. You need to take a breather.*

Fast forward to 8:30 a.m... Gathered my belongings and headed out but when I got in the car, realized that I didn't have my gym key. Returned to the house to get key but when I arrived at the fitness club, everyone was standing outdoors. I've never been greeted by a locked door but others have. Apparently, they're short-staffed which is interesting since they're opening up another location which is nothing new.

We decided to do yoga outdoors. We do yoga; we are flexible Gloria said. And we stuck with our decision even when the key holder showed up. I'm glad that the doors were locked. We had a great practice and it got me out of a mood that I was about to slip into.

Gloria -- About to Guide

Downward Facing Dog is just amazing when you're outside. A classmate also let her dog chill out on the lawn and when we went into DFD, I heard his collar clinking. He had gone to check out why his owner was upside down...

I logged about 25 miles on my bicycle over two days. Did everything that I could to stay outside and enjoy the weather.

Kids, don't try this at home. Alison and me.

Not Fredbird.

Every creature wanted to be out.

The others helped me keep my head in the bike ride, part deux.

*from Dream Moods Dictionary

Just Pedal...With Consolations

Ever since Patti started training for her Bike MS event, she's been inviting me to go bicycling and I finally took her up on her offer. Mind you, I've been bicycling sporadically and the last time that I went (on Sept. 4th) a mere nine miles wore me out.

I had a dream last night and, in the dream, I woke up late, forgot to eat breakfast and damaged my bike at the library. Not sure why I made a pit stop at the library.

We ended up doing approximately 28 miles which is the longest mileage that I've racked up in one bicycling outing. I like the art of the drive-by and I'm usually done with bicycling in about an hour or an hour and a half.

At one point, it felt like I was in The Twilight Zone. I thought I was pedaling but didn't feel like I was getting anywhere. I was so relieved when Crystal said something about a subtle hill.

During the last leg, when I felt like we would never get back to the finish line, I told Patti to just go ahead; it was an offer that I extended multiple times because I just ran out of steam. I kept telling myself to just pedal and, eventually, I'd get back to where I started from.

When we finally got towards the end of our ride, Crystal said If it's any consolation, we're close. Although, Michelle did challenge her, very funnily, about what constitutes close.

Michelle also chimed in to say that when she first bicycled that kind of mileage, it was tough but now it's easier. Duly noted...

Patti was coaching me along at the end. You are going to be so proud of yourself when you make it to the end and, later, We are doing this for our health... She also kept trying to distract me with nature which worked...a little.

Nickel Plate Trail

Postscript: Crystal has some gadget and reports that we rode 29.8 miles.