Enjoy The Movement....And Calf Cramps and Shin Splints....

Let's start by saying that yesterday I thought it would be a good idea to up my exercise frequency so I decided to try Zumba after work. First of all, it's probably been 3-4 years since I've tried Zumba but it seemed more like Bollywood. Anyways, for the majority of the class I felt this painful stiffness in my ankles from all the jumping around then of course there's my fluid-filled knee from Monday's "running" so I was doing the best I could with my broken body. I guess the factory installed shock absorbers of my body's suspension system weren't built to carry this much. But I know time heals all. I will say though that the best part about Zumba at the Y is that they turn down the lights and turn on the multi colored club lights. The lower the lighting the better for me!

It's sometimes surprising to people when I say I'm shy just because of my involvement in the performing arts but I am especially when already so far out of my comfort zone...like exercising. I honestly avoid the partner exercises on circuits when I can because everyone just seems to already have their partners. Every morning we warm up before class by walking laps around the basketball court. For the first time someone actually took the time to chat with me at my half asleep zombie pace and it was very refreshing. We'll call him Harry Callahan, (Probably an easy code name to figure out for bootcampers familiar with classic action movies) so thanks for the company Harry.

The circuits started with two tire flips and two jumps where you had to jump up onto the tire. I kept trying to hold off and wait for one of the shorter tires but that line kept getting longer so I finally gave in and went to the tires that are probably a foot and a half thick. Flipping is no problem, what I'm afraid of is falling on my face. After flipping and jumping we run around the building and go to the first classroom where we do something called froggies. We lay belly down on a stability ball hoping not to pop it and lift both legs up behind you and trying to clap your feet behind your head....yeah it looked as ridiculous as it sounds. We then went to the next room where we did squats with weighted bars and finished it off with suicide burpees. That's when I got my third injury of the week, the worst calf cramp I've EVER felt in my life. We were supposed run loops around the parking lot in our respective speed class but I got through the first loop and the cramp was just too much. I tried stretching, massaging and icing but nothing was working. I finally just made the determination that my sister paid too much money for me to sit this out so I pushed through. Drill Sargent Laura kept saying "Enjoy the movement". I had no idea she was a comedian too. :-P