Spin Class: Why Can't I Do This?!

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  • Number of marathons completed: 8
  • Marathon Personal Record: 3:29:45
  • Number of ULTRA marathons completed: 1
  • Ultra Marathon Personal Record: 53 miles in under 11 hours
  • Number of hours spent working out each week when combining running, stationary bike at home, weight lifting, stretch, etc: Roughly 6-8 hours

My point? I AM NOT A WIMP. So will someone please explain to me why I'm incapable of mastering the art sport torture that is spin class??

I attended my fourth spin class this morning with my friend Marty. I dressed cute (don't laugh - it helps) and had the clip shoes BF Trisha had sent me so I was all "in the zone" and professional about the bike. Started pedaling and within 3 minutes was eyeing the clock, counting down the minutes until it was over. 

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It's Not A Scrooge Thing, I Promise

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So it's that time of year when I find myself in the semi-awkward position of explaining to family and friends (yet again) that I don't do the exchanging presents thing. People seem okay with this concept on birthdays and anniversaries and I hardly get any pushback on President's Day, but something about Christmas seems to set them off. 

It's not that I give no gifts. I diligently ask my nieces and nephews what they want for Christmas, trudge out to the store (okay, okay, so I make Blair go), buy the gifts, wrap them in bright holiday paper with bows and ribbons and hand them over with a smile that oozes good cheer.

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Running When You Don't Feel Like It

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I don't want to run today. Not "I don't want to run now," or "I'm tired," or even, "I'm too busy to run." I just quite simply don't want to run. The very thought of even putting on my shoes is crushing. I've told myself that the rain has stopped and the cool temperatures and overcast sky make for ideal running conditions. I've also considered that today's tempo run--while a long one at 8 miles--is only at race pace, so it's not like I have to head out the door and kill myself, trying to hold some God awful 7 minute something pace. 

I'm not having it. I have made up my mind. I. Don't. Want. To. Run. 

Of course, I'll run anyway. It's too late in the week to give myself the day off. I've got 20 miles this Saturday (the LAST 20-miler of the training--WHOO HOO!!) and so I need to take Friday as a rest day. That means that, like it or not, the tempo run is happening today. 

I think of it as a mental toughening. There are some race days where, regardless of the countless hours spent on the road, you line up at the start line and think, "I am not feeling it today." Guess what? Too bad. Run anyway. You may not have a great run, but you will run. 

That's what I'm facing today. I'm not feeling it. It's probably not going to be a good run. I may not make it the entire 8 miles or hold pace but guess what? Today I am running. 

The hardest step is always the first one. Time to go lace up those shoes. 

You Talkin' to ME??

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I talk a good talk but really I'm a wimp when it comes to confrontation. At heart I'm much more of a "Can't we all just get along?" type girl. 

But sometimes you need to stick up for yourself--or others--and I had not one but two such issues facing me this week. One was the fact that the VA Beach Half Marathon lost Blair's official time. He just disappeared off the grid. Not a big deal for him, but it was for me. He trained hard. I wanted him to have an official time and I was willing to throw a temper tantrum to get it.

The second fight was about pants. Dirty pants, to be specific.

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