Happy Dance

HIPS FEELING GOOD

Good news!  After my last running update, my hips have been doing a lot better.  My friend Marilyn, who is a physical therapist, gave me some good strengthening moves that I’ve been adding to my routine that will hopefully help me in the future with the cranky hip.  Has anyone else ever tried the “shuffle-squat” move?  It’s a good one and seems to helping.

Even though they feel better, I’ve still been treating them with some caution and care though… but so far, so good.

RUNNING COMEBACK

Running in the past two weeks has been more than good… it’s been great.  I think my patience is finally coming together and will pay off  in the long run.  I actually am starting to feel like this running comeback might actually happen.

Here are my workouts from 2 weeks ago…

Early in the week I was still running 30 plus minutes for my weekday runs, but on Saturday it all came together and this happened…

You should imagine me doing a happy dance now…because that’s what I did when I finished the run

This is the run that everything FINALLY seemed to click.  My legs felt lighter, my breathing was more fluid and the whole run seemed to fall into place.  I even felt like I could have kept going.

I know this may seem insignificant because it’s really just a difference of 15 to 20 seconds, but mentally this did so much for me.  In my mind seeing 20 something on the watch after 3 miles meant I was running more like how I was before I got sick.

I was determined to keep my numbers solid through the week.  Just knowing I could do it gave me the extra push on my weekday runs…

And this past Saturday my morning run went by quickly and felt great.

For those of you who are counting, because I AM, that’s four 3 mile runs in a row in less than 30 minutes.  I’m feeling pretty awesome about this.

The cooler weather is definitely helping and mentally it helps to know that I can run that faster without hurting myself.

My next goal for the next few weeks...

1-Add a few quarter mile pickups in the runs to try to increase my speed

2- Increase one run a week to 4 miles.

I’m living on the edge

PURRE BARRE

After my Saturday run I was SO excited to try a Purre Barre class at their new studio.  I have been patiently waiting for them to open since they announced they were coming to Asheville earlier this summer. I was immediately drawn to the idea because of my background in ballet.  I took ballet and dance from the time I was three through college.  I was even lucky enough to minor in dance at UF.

The class is in a really nice and new studio.  It was packed with women trying out the new (or new to Asheville) workout.  It was comforting to know that since it is new to town, most people would be beginners at the workout too.

The class features body weight circuits with mainly small isometric movements that really focus on women’s problem areas.  The workout was challenging and very efficient.  We started with a warm up and arms in the center.  We then moved to leg work including lifts and plies along the barre.  The class finished with lots of core work on the floor and wall.  It was an interesting mix of work that I had never tried before.  I could tell the workout was hitting muscles I normally didn't work out, which is always a good thing!

The one thing I missed was a little more "dance" feel to the workout.  It used some positions that were familiar with a ballet barre, but it didn’t really have the feel of the fluid motions you have in a dance class.   I have to admit I wanted to give my favorite plié’ combination and grande jete’s a whirl.  I resisted though...  maybe next time I’ll hang out after class to give it a try.  Regardless, It felt pretty awesome to be back at a ballet barre again, even if it was for more of workout than dance.

I enjoyed the class and will hopefully get a chance to go again soon.  I can see how this class could really be a great addition to my workouts.   I just wish they had a class that matched my schedule during the week; scheduling is done around more “normal” work hours... not my crazy shift.

I think this class is going to be very popular in town!

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QUESTIONS:

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PHYSICAL THERAPY STRENGTHENING MOVE?

ARE YOU RUNNING FASTER IN THE FALL WEATHER?

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED PURRE BARRE? DO YOU LIKE IT?