Ok…Ok.. The title of my Blog and the content up to now paints a certain image. I like to run, I really like running. It’s simple, it’s free (just don’t total the amount I’ve spent on kit and races) and it makes me feel good. And it also makes me think that I am good. On Sunday, I’ll head out for an 11 mile run and although I won’t break any speed records, I’ll feel pretty comfortable doing so.
But guess what? I am not a one trick pony. There are many sports and activities that I participate in (badly mostly), with yet another soon to join the ranks on Monday, one I’ve just started back at and another that I WILL be returning to soon ( I promise Jen & Elle).
Losing weight opened my mind to a whole new world of opportunity. First was walking, followed by Body Pump classes in the gym and then I discovered Pilates. Almost by accident.
I was looking to organise some activities for colleagues and came across a new business, ran by two girls who radiated a positive fun vibe. I’ve always championed small businesses so I met them for a coffee one day, told them my story, explained my plans (you’ll be hearing a LOT more about that in the New Year) and somehow they didn’t think I was mad…well, maybe they did. Mad seems to sit well with them.
Before I knew it, I was agreeing to sample one of their Pilates classes in an old,cold church. Thankfully though the welcome was warm and any preconceptions I might have had were blown away as first my abs, then my ass and then my belly were aching. It was tough, it was hard but it was fun.
I signed up for a beginners programme and started attending double sessions. Soon I was touching my toes, when a year earlier I couldn’t see them! I was doing side planks, the butt booster and downward dog push ups. I loved my Pilates…..and then I stopped. Can’t really remember why. But I can guess.
I am a glutton. I got greedy, I wanted to sample everything, so I was soon doing Thai Boxing, Bikram Yoga, Kettlebells, Boot Camps and even Zumba. I’ll never knock anything that gets more people active, but it wasn’t for me. And the more things I tried, the more I wanted to explore. I started playing badminton again, took part in a too strange triathlon (that’s a post on its own) and wasted a lot of money on daily deal offers that I never used as I simply didn’t have the time.
I forgot all the little things that made me laugh, that made me strong and made me feel alive. So I’m going back to a place that has always been there for me, to people who have always been there for me. It’s That Place, with Jen & Elle, at Forward Fitness (check out THEIR blog).
Elle is already my running coach, but it’s about time I brought Jen’s crazy mix of Pilates and torture back into my life. I’m smiling just thinking about it.