I signed up for my next marathon! This one will be my first solo marathon. Hoping to run the whole thing! In my area running is typically a fall-spring sport due to the extreme heat of the summer. For that reason this marathon will not be until the fall. I signed up for the Duke City Marathon (again, I know) for October 23, 2011. I had signed up for this marathon last year and then didn't train for it and didn't go. It has been a source of bad karma for me. I had fund raised for Autism, of course that cause is near and dear to my heart so even though I didn't run the fact that they benefited from my attempts gives me a little bit of comfort. However, I felt at that time that I had let myself and those who had donated down. This year I feel a bit different though, with a half marathon and full under my belt I feel confident in my ability to for sure complete the marathon and hopefully finish at least around the 5 hour mark.
The only problem as I see it is that Octobor is still 6 months away and to not burn out I need a break from running. Not only that but the heat will probably keep me from running most of this summer so I needed something else to keep me in my best physical shape.
The answer to my problem came from one of those half off deal websites. A local business advertised unlimited fitness classes for about 30 dollars. On a whim I bought the deal. The location is about as far as possible away from my house, almost an hour away in fact.
After looking at the website I had seen that they offered a kickboxing class and with my experience with TurboFire I was pretty sure it would be an aerobics class similar to that and wanted to give it a try. To my surprise as I walk through the doors I am greeted by a young lady that asks me if I had brought my own gloves. Ha Ha the jokes on me, as I look around to see a fighting ring and punching bags through out the room. I told her no and she let me borrow some. She handed me wraps for my hands which I also didn't know how to use.
After she wrapped my hands I threw my gloves on and headed over to the punching bags where the class would start. As we warmed up with arm circles the instructor called me out with a smile on his face, I am sure I made his day. He told me I did not need the gloves, because it wasn't time to punch anything yet! I thought, "beginners mistake, Im sure".
Prior to attending this class I had gone on a date with my husband and had eatten a rather large meal. As the warm up progressed I could feel that food not wanting to stay down. By the end of the warm up I was already sweating pretty bad, possibly wanting to vomit, and definately concerned with what I had got myself into!
It just got harder from there. I punch and kicked uncoordinately. The instructor smirking with each or my grimiced kicks and punches. The weight of the gloves and constantly having to keep them up made my arms quiver with weakness. He wanted us to punch and kick fast, showing us various combinations. I was so sure this would never end. About at that moment I kicked the bag wrong and heard a pop as my toe began to hurt intensly. Still trying not to swollow my pride and bow out of this class I pushed myself through it trying not to show my pain. I kept thinking this is impossible. I had just finished a marathon not that long ago, I know I am not out of shape and yet I can not keep up with this class!!
At this point we progressed to muscluar endurance techniques in which you have to keep your arms up and doing various exercises. The instructor made it clear, while looking at me, that should anyone drop their hands we would have to start all over. Determined for me not to be the reason the whole class has to start over I would not drop my arms no matter what and the fire was killing my arms.
Finally, the class was over. He offered for us to stay through another class, but I was exhausted. As soon as my heart rate dropped enough for my stomach to continue digestion, I was glad that I had completed my class. A closer examination of my foot yeilded a swollen purple toe. Not sure exactly what happened there, but I was sure I found my new love! Not that kickboxing will take the place of running, but I think it will definately be my favorite activity to cross train with to increasing my endurance and muscle strength.
Last night, I was able to attend again. This time it went about 50% better. I didn't eat a big meal prior to going to class which was probably the biggest help. I also knew what I was getting into and was able to stay with the class. Overall it was a success. Looking forward to this class again on Monday!
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