Need a weekend from the weekend!

This weekend was a rollercoaster of events that wouldn't end! Each event on its own would have been sufficient, but racing from one to the next was just plain exhausting!

Thankfully I got a run in at Bootleg Canyon (around 7 miles) Saturday morning. That was probably the highlight of the weekend. When I arrived I noticed they were having a bike race. I was a bit worried that I would be run over on those narrow single track trails or run off a cliff!

A nice biker explained their route to me and I was able to come up with one that would avoid most of the mayhem. When I told him that we would be running a footrace next weekend he stared at us in awe. "How can you run on those rocky trails?" he asked. "I love trail running, but out here is just too much!"

Inside I giggled a little because bootleg has such a reputation as being a bada$$ mountain bike place that I would never imagine the bikers thinking the running is scarier than the biking. I think biking out there would be more dangerous because there would be more factors out of your control like the bike and gravity. Then toss in the rocks and narrow singletrack abutting cliffs and you get the idea!

So off I go running, the bada$$ lady in full on pink with lipstick to boot ;) Watch out for me!

Running out there isn't the easiest, but you can do it. Just pay attention and slow down. It isn't the place for those looking for speedwork unless your version of speedwork involves rocky obstacles and the occassional tarantula.

Speaking of tarantualas, they are oft misunderstood desert creatures and aren't looking to harm anyone. One was crossing our path toward the end and freaked out my friend. Rightly so. They are an awesome sight. It was moving pretty quickly though. Too bad I left my cellphone in the car.

The rest of the weekened included the requisite work function that I was invited to attend the day before. If I were actually thinking I would have had my excuses lined up. Funny thing is when we arrived, the same people who invited me practically ignored me! Next time I am gracefully bowing out. It would have been better if it was a good event. It was the Electronic Media Awards put on by Women in Communication. The audio visual was terrible, the presentations were aweful (and they had teleprompters!), the interruptions (they were interrupting each other) were very unprofessionally done. For experts in communication, you would expect better.

Thankfully Rick and I had our excuse lined up to leave after an hour (it was our anniversary).

However he went off to play softball (first time since he broke his leg) and I went to the Halloween Hafla.

Meantime we were experiencing the worst windstorm in ages, power was out including the traffic lights. Half the hafla was danced in the dark with flashlights which added to the ambiance, I guess. Rick's game was cancelled.

Yesterday involved a lot of driving around for M's bridal shower I was hosting. It was beautiful and a lot of fun. We had Kosher sushi and all the food got the stamp of approval from her guests. They appreciated all the work that went in to it. That felt good.

After Rick and I celebrated our anniversary with a night out at our favorite steak house. I got crab legs and salad bar and ate the whole thing. I am feeling a little rolly polly this morning. Gotta get back on track!

Off and running now!

Bellyaching!

The bellydancing part of my life is in flux right now. My favorite teacher has come down with a mysterious illness (so mysterious she is not even sure what it is yet) so that she had to cancel her classes indefinitely. I love her classes because she is so encouraging that she makes everyone feel like a great dancer. And we are all beginners!

Yesterday I just found out my second favorite teacher is going on sabbatical for an indefinite amount of time as her work schedule has her running ragged.

Alright, illness, work, come on, give me a REAL excuse!

Just kidding. I do love these people and appreciate them more than just as teachers. They are very giving special people and it is too bad they can't teach now. I do feel a little selfish and guilty about my current feelings of desertion over them leaving since I am a "teacher" too (in a way) and I know how important it is to balance giving my time to "students" and to living a balanced life for me.

Meantime I am bored with the classes I have been taking elsewhere I originally signed up to supplement the first teacher's.

Arghhhh. So now Wednesday night is free and nary a good class to take.

On a positive note the Bellydance Intensive is next weekend where there will be nonstop classess and I bet by the end I will be begging for mercy. Hopefully that will give me enough of a fix to last a while. Afterward, depending on what I am doing in my professional life, I may sign up elsewhere on other nights.

This bellydance shell game has me thinking about my weight loss meetings that I lead... Lately I have been missing quite a few due to a trip back east to Syracuse, now Labor Day weekend in California, next weekend's intensive, the Jewish High Holidays coming up in a few weeks and soon, Michele's wedding. Not that I claim to be the Queen Leader of the Universe, but the members make it known how much they miss me when I am not there. It is concerning that some of them are relying on my leadership so much that when I am not there, things fall apart! That makes me feel terrible. But with as many meetings as I am leading, it is inevitable that if I want to live a full life (and my family live in another state), I will be missing my weekend members the most.

So this has made me think about my bellydance hobby again and how I shouldn't stem my bellydance participation on one teacher or another. Yes I am sad about my teacher's inability to teach right now and more importantly her health, but really I should be looking at this as an opportunity to try something new and to learn some new tricks. How sad would it be to stop any hobby just because someone else quits?

This reminds me of my weight loss journey: I started my recent one with my best friend and 20 pounds into it, she decided she was quitting because the scale stopped moving (temporarily). I kept going and I am glad I did.

And working out too: I had a workout buddy when I was getting back into working out around the time I was losing my weight and she quit on me after a few months. How sad it would have been for me to quit too.

So I guess this is the time when our dedication to our pursuits are tested. I am hoping that during the intensive next weekend I will be able to meet some inspiring knowledgeable teachers whose class times mesh well with my schedule. Let's hope.

Meantime I will shimmy on.

You've been served!

Last night at bellydance class our teacher had us gather in a big circle for what she calls the "Yalla circle" (yalla="let's go!" in arabic). Then she had us go in two by two and have a "dance off" with each other. One would dance and the other would reply and try to outdo the other.

It was too much fun! This was the first time that the ladies really came out of their shells and got jiggy with it. In fact those shells were cracked wide open. I keep smiling thinking about how fun it was. It was fun to watch the mothers and daughters especially. Nothing like a little friendly competition to get things rolling.

Ha ha, it was a female fight club with hips instead of fists ;) But no black eyes and everybody laughed. Now that is exercise for the soul.

And that was after we each did a shimmy solo in which the teacher told us which direction to move. Again -- too fun!

How could this be exercise. If this is exercise than I will take more of the same please!

This week R and I entered into a little friendly competition of our own, a little weight loss competition to see who can lose the most percentage of body weight each week and by the end of six weeks. Again, no losers. This was just what I needed since I was finding it hard to find a new and exciting way to motivate myself to lose these niggling few pounds (six to eight to be technical if you want to go with the evil night reading at my official weigh in on Monday night). The winner gets a massage! The loser also gets to have one that day, but must pay for the winner.

I too have joined the ranks of myfooddiary.com and am loving the little motivating comments about how much weight I will lose or gain if I choose to continue to eat a certain way. In fact it encourages me to eat my exercise calories to get the most bang for my buck. Interesting how at my weight it also recommends I lose no more than .9 pounds a week. I know I can make that goal. I also know the difference between one and two pounds is dessert every day which I refuse to give up!

I wasn't that way when I was losing 110 pounds. Desserts were sacrificed for the greater good and I was fine with that. Nowadays if I don't get my Weight Watchers cookie dough sundae fix or my Skinny Cow, I am doomed.

In any case the MFD has encouraged me to cut my Skinny Cow ice-cream sandwiches in half and see if half will work as well as a whole. And you know what? Mostly it does!

If you are in any way competitive, I recommend a contest. In the end it is only ourselves we are competing against and if you pick your contests wisely, all will be winners in the end.

Just a catch up on this week's happenings... got in uber long run (13 miles, but felt like 15) with L on Sunday. The heat haze and humidity (welcome Monsoon season!) was a killer, but we did it and finished strong. That post-run dunk in the pool never felt better!

Monday was aerobic machines, abs and free weights at the gym.

Tuesday was my first speed workout in like forever with R. We covered about 5.5 miles of undulating terrain doing fartleks of 2 minutes fast with 3 rest. There were some warmup and cool down miles as well.

Wed I met L and she kicked my b#++ in the weight room. We were doing all the stuff you need spotters for, the stuff I usually avoid doing because I don't have a spotter. The Hubster used to spot me on the bench, etc. Now there is L! I SO feel it now.

Not to mention last night's veil, zills and basic BD moves class.

This morning's 5.2 mile run started slowly and a little sluggish, but I managed to pick it up on the way back. Methinks I just had to wake up.

Shake it Like Shakira

Last night I tried a new bellydance class. My usual Friday night choreo class was cancelled so it gave me the opportunity to try something new. It was billed as the "Shake It Like Shakira" class and since I like Shakira, I was all excited about learning how to do some of those MTV moves.

The class is taught by Maharasha, the male bellydancer (that is his moniker, btw). And we actually learned a choreography to Shakira's "Whatever. Wherever." Now he wants to perform it at the next Hafla (next week!). Unfortunately I will be back to my normal BD class next Friday night.

Too bad this class wasn't going on during that whole time when the Community Center was giving my other teacher heck about having her class there and we had no choreo class for a month.

On another note, I met L yesterday morning for a 5 mile trail run from her house. It was steep to begin with and I actually took a flying header (left hand is all scraped up), but it turned out to be a great run. She brought her dogs which are super running dogs. The run was followed by a dip in the pool, breakfast (I brought melon!) and a nice chat.

We will meet on Wed to work out at the gym (hopefully my hand will be ok enough to grasp those weights by then) and maybe next Friday for a long run.

I took this morning off from activity although I will practice some BD moves today.

Shouting into the Wind

The topic this week in the meetings is activity. There is no other topic that receives such a mixed reaction. No matter how I ask the questions, what I wear (this week I have been wearing my "badwater racing pajamas" -- an spf a million sun suit), and what I share of my good times with friends participating in my fitness pursuits, I can hear the crickets chirping.

One lady I worked with said to me yesterday that she lost weight really well just modifying her food intake and was ready to add exercise when her weight loss slowed down. Well 60 pounds later it didn't slow down so now she is maintaining and wondering how to get rid of her underarm flab.

But you know, I can relate. When I was in the weight loss phase, the eating was the focus of my universe and activity were the little moons that revolved around the planets. They existed, but were secondary to my purpose. Any activity I did was to give the weight loss a little boost, not to be my sole source of burning calories.

It's funny how things are all flip-flopped around. No, activity doesn't burn most of my calories. It is still about the food choices, but activity makes for a lifestyle centered around movement versus couch-potato-dom. When you are at goal, keeping moving is the way to stay there. I don't want to be a slave to my tracker the rest of my life.

Plus the midset is different. Now I am an "athlete." Athletes I know do not blow through an entire bag of Doritos and a gallon of Ben and Jerry's during Prime Time. Or maybe that is the fantasy I choose to believe.

When I go to eat something I have asked myself, "Would Lance Armstrong eat this?" which has often stopped me in my chocolate-hunting tracks.

So it is important to surround myself with people who believe as I do. It feels good at the end of the day to walk into my bellydance class and be greated with smiles and hellos from the other dancers (who remembered my name! I am SO bad with names! I know way too many people to know everyone!) who are ready and wishing to dance. The teacher last night asked how hard we wanted to work and she got a rousing response of hoots and hollers. And she worked us and it was fun. The class is filled with women of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels and we are all there to learn, move, have fun and laugh together. No frowny faces or blank stares.

In fact the positive attitude I sense while participating in these sub-cultures or runners and dancers makes it seem so normal and fun to want to move and groove. Complainers are not allowed. Such a difference from the move less mindset of the general population.

Tomorrow I am meeting L and R for a tough and fast trail run through the hills near L's house followed by a splash into L's pool. I can't wait. I feel like an eager puppy raring rushing my owner to go out for my run.

Activity is playtime. When I meet up with like-minded people I am faced with eager smiles and enthusiasm. Nary a blank stare or an excuse.

In my quest to squish more spontaneous and convenient fitness moments into my day, next Wed in between my morning and late afternoon meetings I will meet L near my Wed Centennial Hills meeting location to lift weights. The window is big enough and I won't feel rushed or have to make extra trips to drop off melty bars beforehand. We got the idea yesterday when I called her after my meeting and we met for lunch at Chipotle nearby where we decided that it would be more fun if we worked out THEN ate lunch next time.

Yesterday's activity included a 5 mile early run, tv weights and two hours of BD class (one hour of veil plus one hour of high energy basic moves drills). No doubt I will feel it tomorrow.

Back in the Running

This weekend has been a whirlwind on ups and downs running-wise and lifewise.

On the upside, despite my limiting weekend schedule, I was able (and willing, since ga$ is so expen$ive these days) to have three social runs in a row.

Friday I met R and L at Bootleg for a strong 6 mile trail run. Although waking up for these runs is never fun (since when is a 4:00 wakeup call ever fun?) once I am there I am raring to go! L runs just a bit faster so it makes for a good challenge. There were some harrowing moments like for instance when L went running off a cliff, but other than that we made it back in on piece - whew! It was fun to spend time with both R and L.

Saturday I met on ol' running buddy, Ernie the ultrarunner of running across Nevada two years in a row and badwater fame (see link on the left). The course is challenging (Red Rock Canyon loop), but the pace was not too hard since she likes to take walking breaks up the hill. We met a couple others and we sort of divided into three groups. Terri ran ahead. I ran with Ernie and Steffen ran on his own. We all met up at the end and shared some watermelon I brought (which I meant to bring the day before to Bootleg). E thinks I should just go ahead and train for the St. George Marathon. I am signed up and was very close to cancelling, but I haven't closed the door yet.

I am glad I held back running with E because I knew Sunday morning meeting up with L to run would prove challenging in both miles and pace. Finally I found a running situation that works for Sunday PLUS I can get a long run in to boot! L lives just minutes away from my Sunday morning meeting. Now running with her required a 3:30 am wakeup. It didn't help that Rick returned home at 2:30 am and woke me up causing me toss and turn in bed for an hour before really having to wake up (grumble grumble grumble -- one of the reasons I wanted to give up summer running to avoid the sleep necessary for early morning wakeup calls) I warned her that I am slower and espressed my concerns about keeping up and knowing the course. She said my pace is fine as she runs with another girl who runs probably a little slower than me and is just looking for someone to run with right now. Funny how we push each other in the early miles and we keep having to tell each other to back off the pace. Good thing we did because we lost track of time, which we have done twice before while deep in conversation and ended up getting in 14 instead of 13 miles which was the perfect compromise between her wanting to get in 15 and me wanting to get in 12 or 13.

We ended with a soak in her pool. She let me use her shower too!

Also, on the fun and adventure front, Friday night BD performance practice was great as we continued to learn the moves for Misirlou as well as practice La Playa again. Watching that video over and over really is helpful for me in seeing what I need to work on.

Ok, on the negative front, I am dealing with a car returned from the mechanic that required a new timing belt that cost major buck$. In the process they didn't rehook up the AC nor did they reset the security alarm (insert me picture of me pulling out hair from my head).

Meantime Sunday morning during my meeting, I thought I heard a car alarm go off around 9:45. I asked the receptionists to check. I was driving Rick's car. Turns out thieves broke into his car and stole my gym bag. Given it had nothing but old pink Nikes, skanky sweaty gym clothes (grody shorts and my favorite running expensive bra), a hair dryer and my good makeup collection/deoderant I felt violated nonetheless. I hope they touch the gym clothes and it gives them cooties. I felt sad about losing my favorite WW gym bag. Thank goodness nothing else was taken and thank goodness I had the sense to drag all my other cr@p inside, weighed down like a pack mule before the meeting. I was lucky indeed. Of course having to shell out another $240 to fix the window is not too lucky.

Rick and I had a choice to go home after and wallow and nap or to continue with our plans. We decided to see Transformers instead. Very entertaining, but again too long. I thought long summer movies were a fluke, like when I thought Pirates was too long. But I guess not. 2.5 to 3 hours is too long to sit no matter how entertaining. That is almost enough to erase the entertainment time and make if feel as if I am doing time to get my happy ending.

This morning will be tv weights since I don't want to park Rick's now insecure car outside the gym for an hour, BD moves, appointment and later my meeting and seeing Harry Potter (let's hope it isn't too long) and dinner with M.

PS -- I am no longer tracking my food intake in here. I felt wierd doing it here for all the world to see and was not always around here to do it. It was an interesting experiment nonetheless.

I Love Lucy Sneaks into the Chorus Line

There I am, big hair and all! Hehe! Amaryllis gave us our videos of our first performance Wed night at BD class.


Ok guys, be nice. We are beginners. I can see those mistakes in posture and the occasional flubbed move. But hey, we were working it!

But my little sneaky looks at the teacher to check out what to do next are apparent. I feel like Lucy when she snuck into the chorus line, remember that episode?

Anyway, everytime I replay it I giggle because I look like I have been transported back to six years old (but this time I didn't quit ballet because the teacher said I had bad posture and a stomach that sticks out).

Anyway, I am pleased with the effort and know next time will be better! It was fun even though my expression says the opposite. I thought I was smiling, really.

(By the way -- Today my arms hurt from hurling, I mean, gently waving Alice, my silk veil around during the first class of Bellydance 2 Wed night. Yes she has a name to force me to be nice to her. She is no longer a nameless, faceless veil. You want a good arm workout? Try veil!)

Yesterday was the WW day from hell. I worked FOUR meetings (subbed one) so I didn't have my usual midafternoon break to come home and unwind before revving up and driving off again. There was nothing left by the end of it all. Talk about that run over by a Mack Truck feeling. I had no voice left by the middle of my third Getting Started Session of the day.

I won't let that wipe out any warm fuzzy feelings from helping 55 people yesterday (small classes due to summer).

On a positive, I wore a great "multi-tasking" outfit (heals, knee highs, sport coulottes, tank, flowy overshirt) so I could easily kick off my heels and sneak in a 1:30 BD class at the gym.

Here is the combo du jour:
shimmy with arms going up in the air
right bump bump up with arms "directing/pulling" over the hip
left lift with arms in that direction
Figure 8 (forward)
To right, travelling hip circles with arms out and then hands over mouth
reverse to left
keep hands over mouth (so eyes show, very dramatic) 3 full mayas (flat-footed, erghh!)
roll up with hands moving toward head and ending in "migraine position" (very dramatic, see Dina the famous Egyptian BD superstar)at the same time as chest lefts up and down
R foot brushes floor to direction of R front, side, back hip lift with matching arm "directing"
Back to "migraine"
Same on Left
Repeat on Right
Repeat on left but instead of returning to migraine, hands in air and squat lean, pose with hands back in migraine

I know this sounds wierd, but the moves are very dramatic. It is supposed to exude emotion. I think on a nice Jewish girl like myself the moves bespeak, "Oy veyesmere, vat a headache!"

It was fun and I made it do the second half of my "Day of Heat and Hell" on time.

I didn't get to track, but I am deducting 6 points from my WPA to make it 21.

This morning I met R and L for a great run out at Bootleg Canyon. It is a challenging course, but it is so much fun with all the undulating singletrack.

Maybe I will run St. George afterall. L is trying hard to motivate me to do it. She says she thinks I can run it well. I know that is the truth. The heart of the matter is how much I want to dedicate myself to training for it. Well, if she is willing to run those miles with me, perhaps I can change my mind. It isn't too late.

She wants me to come and run 13 with her on Sunday before my meeting.

And tomorrow I will meet Ernie and Steffen at Red Rock Canyon for six "easy" miles at the crack o' dark. Oh summer how I love/hate thee!

Todays journal so far:
coffee/ff milk/splenda

oatmeal, banana, ff milk

six mile, hilly trail run

2 pt bar/propel (3)

carrots/veggies

cottage cheese/yogurt/fiber 1 (1 -- yogurt was a lite n'fit, all I have left!)

turkey salad with veggies, salsa, evoo, few spriztes Wishbone, few pretzel thins thrown in (1)
la tortilla (1)
sf creamsicle, part, rest melted and I forgot about it (0)

Golden Spoon frozen yogurt, small (3)

veggie stir fry, evoo, ff cheese, nf milk (to make a sauce w/evoo & cheese)
watermelon -- seemed like lots
shared choc smoothie w/hubster
2 ww choc cookies (1)

WPA's left: 18 (took 5 from AP's)

Thermal Thursday

Ay yay yay! It is 114 outside! Summer is here for sure. No more teasingly hot days followed by an 80 degree day.

But I did get to gym today for a one mile warm up on the TM followed by 75 minute BD class.

The combo du jour is a spin-off on Tuesday's:

shimmy rrllrrll forward while raising arms
shimmy rrllrrll backward while lowering arms
iceskating move with kick to
4 right hip bumps/lifts while raising right arm
spin to left and figure 8
flamenco grapevine right and then left (unsure what this move is called)
half circle with foot forward to back with hips drop (2)
travelling hip lift (sort of Egyptian) forward
snakes arms (4) shimmy (3) quick shoulder lift and drop (1)

It was fun and I feel like a million bucks. Now I wish I was as motivated to drive all the way across town in the heat to lead another WW meeting tonight!

Points are at 13. I am counting again.

Good Comeback

Ok, this afternoon crazy wedding Monday finally caught up with me and I wanted nothing but to sleep for two hours before my meeting. So I copped out on Body Pain class. Sorry, it is 112 outside and I just got back from driving around in the heat and rushing off again to do the class and shower and get back into my business suit didn't appeal. Downtime was needed.

But I had a second wind. My meeting was energetic and I was upbeat and "on." I think I left them feeling good and motivated.

No joiners tonight and I realized I had a choice... I could go to Golden Spoon and get yogurt for dinner (and to bring home) or I could sneak in a BD class I never get to take since it starts so early on a Tuesday night. So guess what I did, yep, I made it hence to BD class.

There was a sub, but she was good and knew the teacher's moves in and out so we had a good lesson/workout.

The combo du jour was:

double shimmy right/left/right/left while walking forward, hands going gradually up
same backward, hands going down.
iceskate lean L, R , L, kick R (look at foot)
horseshoe hip drops start forward left (f, b, f, b)
again with hands out and in air
turn to left (1,2,3) and hip lift on right
turn right and hip lift on left
2 big hip circles (or one made of 4 hipcircles) counterclockwise
jump shimmy with starburst arms and pretty hands down
I would personally end with a shoulder shimmy instead

Voila!

Dread not Fear not

This afternoon at my meeting (with my one member, but that is a whole other story... biting tongue... biting tongue) we talked about what motivates those who work out to work out? How do we get over our own self-consciousness? How does it become something you look forward to doing instead of dreading?

Good question.

Dance so far has been the one form of physical activity I do not "dread" in any way. Maybe because I have no expectations for myself and I am not expected to perform in any way or using it to "earn" activity points. Yes, I earn them I am sure. But that isn't the point.

Other activities I enjoy once I am doing them or sometimes not until I am done include: running, swimming, working out with weights, tennis, yoga, hiking, cross-training on the gym machines, etc. I enjoy the sense of achievement running gives me; the peace of mind from yoga and the temporary power to eat mindfully; getting out there with nature when it comes to hiking and trail running; and time to bond and socialize with like-minded friends during any of these activities (working out with a friend usually makes it more fun).

Sure I feel good doing all of them and like the way my arms feel after a good weight workout.

The thing is how do we find that one activity that we like no matter how we are feeling that day? Does it exist? I guess we got to keep looking. That unto itself is part of the adventure. We can't dread what we do not know.

Besides that I did workout this morning. I chose two different aerobics machines (the retro-stair monster and stair mill). I started out feeling tired and draggy yet inevitably I felt better and somewhat competitive with the machine after 10 minutes (you know, make it an even mile, make it an even 100 cals, make it 15 minutes, through the next song, make it 2 miles, 200 cals, etc etc).

This morning's was a fake it until you make it kind of workout. I can do anything for 10 minutes. And you know, I did! I did it for 40 -- yeah me!

Hot Hot Hot Hot Stuff. . . Hot Hot Hot Hot

Donna Summer with her famous disco tune and her appropriate last name pretty much sums it up right now.

Welcome to Las Vegas in the summertime. Today's high will reach 111 (I have a feeling it will be hotter since it is just 110 now) with the temps rising steadily throughout the week peaking at 116 on Thursday.

Every July and August I ask myself the same things, why do I continue to put up with this heat? I guess because the weather is pretty much perfect if not fairly cold in the winter so much so that we forget how hot it can get. This too shall pass.

You want hot? Check this out! Hey at least I am trying to avoid the hottest times to run.

So 4:00 am wakeup calls to run are pretty much the norm, that is if I want to run half-way awake with my body functioning and all that jazz.

Yesterday I ran my new 9.5 mile loop from my house, down to the evil community center and around through a neighborhood, past a park and down a parallel street home. Can you believe it still felt hot at 5 am? I started off on dirt, but as soon as I hit the pavement the residual heat left over from the day before raised the ambient temps by about 10 degrees.

Why continue to run during the hottest time? Well there is always an excuse why I can't run and if listened to that voice each time I wouldn't be running. It sure feels good to be done and to say I have done it. And no doubt it will make running through 50 degree temps feel like a breeze. Try running with an anvil strapped to your back for two months and you too will come out stronger, LOL!

And by the time I made it to my WW meetings I felt accomplished and ready to give to others.
After was the requisite reward of a regular (3 points) Golden Spoon yogurt as my reward for making it through my morning followed by a not so accidental dunk in my inlaw's pool in my clothes and a bellydance class.

I was glad I went as it would have been so easy not to go. We focused more on folk-style with a lot of hoppy steps. She had us wear skirts. Darn it! I wore one last week and all we did was roll around on the floor like Madonna so I refused to wear a skirt again to BD class. We only did a little rolling around today. We also played with the veil and she reviewed some moves she showed us a while back I was ready to be reminded on.

So I have a few things to work on this week including my camels. Gotta work on being more "snakelike" and flexible. That comes with time I am sure. Hey I started out totally stiff with two left hips and now my hips are in the game which is good progress. Again I am not only learning how to bellydance, but how to learn to dance in general. This process requires patience.

So lately I have been struggling with an issue about one of my instructor's occassional comments putting down other instructors (which I take from). I did speak with another instructor about the situation because I didn't want her to feel as if I was "cheating" on her by learning from someone else. She said I should continue to learn as much as I can from everyone. But as soon as it gets too uncomfortable, it is time to go.

Back to Sunday's class... I go with all the positive self-talk about how much I am learning and how fun it is to bellydance when I get a snide comment during a correction to one of my steps. Ok, what I was doing wasn't wrong per se, but maybe not the best choice of move for the music. But we were playing with the veil and I thought a camel would look nice. Like anyone was following the music anyway? But ok, I can take a correction. I want to learn. I did feel like a kid sneaking a cookie from the candy jar (No slow moves, this is fast music!). Then she says something like your other teacher may have taught you that, but that is wrong. Um, no one taught me that. I was just freestyling with the veil. But to dig on my other instructors was mean. Last week and some other time she called the style my other instructor teaches us is akin to "stripping." That is so wrong.

That makes me laugh, though, since this teacher dances the same style! Cabaret!

Anyway, I will stop rambling. The point is if I am starting to feel like I can't express myself in this class for fear of being judged or if I keep hearing negative comments, I may have to change. I joined that gym because that class is offered at the right time on the right day. Too bad.

Did It!

Sorry it took me so long to post about our performance. I just wanted to have a picture to post simultaneously.

Anyway, we did it! We did our little 3 minute dance to La Playa. Rick was there and said it looked like we "had fun" which is a big compliment from him because he dislikes the utter look of concentration many dancers have.

I figured I practiced so much (and more than anyone) as well as showed up to EVERY practice so I had no excuse not to know it.

We went on first so we were able to sit back and relax and enjoy the rest of the Hafla. A video will be forthcoming. Keep in mind we are practically raw beginners and for now perfomances are practices unto themselves.

As for being nervous, I wasn't since I am so used to getting up in front of people and acting, either good or bad. So what was a little dance? Besides, I wasn't alone.

As for the rest of the FUN adventures, here is a rundown of the week:

Sunday bellydance with Y at LVAC. She said I danced nicely on Sunday which was a big compliment since I was so not in the mood that I almost went straight home instead of to class. We went over the Yemini step (again.. this time I think I got it), the veil, walking on the knees, moving splits (more floorwork). Was a good class.

Monday night was troupe practice with A. She is such a sweetie. Even though I must arrive late due to "work" we stayed until I "got it." I felt stupid in the beginning not getting this complicated serpentine entrance, but once I saw it in action I was good to go. It will be to Mizerlou and the theme will be surfer-style. I can't wait to perform it at the August Hafla.

Tuesday I ran 6-ish miles. In the pm I was so dragged out and exhausted from running and then literally running around in the 110 degree heat driving, unloading, leading, reloading and driving home to dump my melty stuff off and have lunch I never did muster the strength to make it to body pain, er pump class ;)

Wednesday I had veil/zill class with A as well as Beg 1 class. I am determined to show my silk veil who is boss and want to prove the teacher wrong that I CAN make my lovely veil do my bidding. We learned the barrel roll spin (got that right away) and "walk the dog" (which looked lovely with my veil -- think holding the veil up lengthwise like a train over my head and fluttering it).

Funny thing is today my arms are killing me. Must have been from that -- go figure!

Beg I was a choreography we performed as groups. We called ourself the Sultry Sultanas and they nominated me the leader -- go figure! We kept it easy enough for everyone to get. I think we did great.

I ran 4 miles on Thursday and snuck in a BD class with A2 (Lebanese style). Note to self... bring footless tights to wear under skirt in summer because thighs make umseemly slapping sound when shimmying/hip dropping which caused me to put less enthusiasm into the moves.

Our choreography du jour was:

8 count of mayas (flat-footed -- yes I am improving -- yeah!)

Camel step backward on right and to left

8 twisting shimmies on left

Hip drop forward and back with alternating arms -- 8

jump with shimmy

forward, sit back, kick hip drop

jump with shimmy

forward, sit back, kick hip drop

stepping back kick hip drop

2 circles on left

Whew!

So far I am liking all my instructors for different things. This one encourages us to take from as many as possible so we can learn as much as possible. Unfortunately not all my instructors are that way with some more than others thinking there way is the ONLY way which makes it confusing for me to keep the styles separate, yet wanting to practice the technique that works best for me.

This morning I hiked 4-ish miles at Bootleg with R. I was glad we finally had a chance to catch up since it has been months since we have had more than a few minutes together to talk. The scenery and the comraderie were worth the 4:30 am wakeup call.

Thank goodness today is my day off as the mid-morning nap was time well spent.

Tonight is choreo with A.

My Hero

Apollo Anton Ohno is my dance role model. He is a dedicated athlete who has developed muscles and discipline for going fast, but not grace and timing until he participated in Dancing with the Stars. He also has very well-developed legs that help him sprint. I have well-developed calf-muscles (notice I used positive self-talk). He had to adapt dance poses to suit him. I do the same thing. I am up on releve (toes) as much as I can get away with since it looks and feels better. One of my teachers dislikes her students dancing on their toes saying it isn't "authentic" enough (like bellydance is authentic with all the changes it has gone through in thousands of years?). She dislikes "Cabaret" (up on your toes) style. I think it suits me just fine. Sure I will still learn to dance flat-footed so I can do all the moves that way if need be, like a flat-footed maya or travelling shimmy.

The lesson for the day is listen to your body. I think my body has been yelling at me loud and clear to pass on the upcoming marathon and do the trail race later in October instead.

I love how nothing hurts on the lower half of my body now :-) No hamstring twinges, plantar faciitis, groin-pulls and piriformis syndrome. Gone is the Friday night dread the night before a long run wondering what "injury" will act up on tomorrow's long run.

Not training for a marathon doesn't make me a less of a runner. Just a more well-rounded one, stronger and fitter one ;-)

Moving Violation

Yesterday I snuck in a midafternoon bd class at the gym. I do like this teacher. The class is upbeat and I get a good workout. The one part that scared me was when she was putting together a combination and called on me to add a move. Talk about deer in the headlights I had no idea what to add. Since my toe was already sticking out I just said "grapevine." Talk about an easy out. There isn't a dance that can't use a grapevine, right? That was the first move I learned as a kid when I learned Jewish dancing I have used it in other classes. In hopes the teacher was just brainstorming and others would pipe in with other suggestions, to my absolute horror and embarrassment she included it in the routine Honestly I had no idea how a more complicated bellydance move would fit in there. Hey, I am just a novice! Right after class I slunk away so no one would comment on my use of the grapevine. Talk about a moving violation.

Meantime I did run 4 yesterday. Tonight I've got performance practice followed by the "free" BD class at the gym. This morning I will practice my zills. Gotta get those things down!

Newbie Attitude

This weekend we spent the evening visiting with my husband's Dad and family (includes his wife and three kids 14 and younger).

The oldest, K, is now running cross-country. It was so much fun listening to her talk about her training with the excitement of a kid in a candy store. Wow! That is how I feel lately about my bellydancing. It is so new with so much to learn that each practice feels like playtime.

As K spoke, my excitement grew. Here I had all these copies of Runner's World to give her and some great books to read. Maybe we could get together and run a few miles together some time! Maybe we will see each other at low key 5 k's this summer! :-)

So with my newfound enthusiasm, I got myself up and dressed for my run this morning without any of the recent accompaying excuses or complaining. I just did it as the Nike Ad says. The pace wasn't fast, nor was it slow -- just steady. I just thought if K is out there running this early, why not me? So we sort of ran together, albeit in separate parts of town.

When I returned I felt renewed and more ready to get serious about my St. George Marathon training.

On a separate note, my first performance will be this weekend at the Hafla. I am not that nervous yet. I know the routine. In fact I am a little excited!

Gotta go. Busy day ahead. Got body pump later too. Glad I ran so I don't have to "do it all" later on.

Down Home Down Time

Somehow I survived my busy week which seems to become exponentially tougher in the summer time when we start experienced that over hot heat we are so well known for. Just to give you an idea, it was 109 yesterday. Today it is already 103 at almost 12:15.

I did run yesterday morning, about 5 miles. It was already warm when I left the house at 6:15. This heat is just killing me. I don't know what I hate more, the treadmill or that sluggish feeling I get when I run in the heat. Don't know if I can motivate myself to get moving earlier because that means my body has to be functioning first thing and my metabolism can only start working so early.

This has been the major make plans with out of town friends week. Some highlights include one of my online maintenance buddies, Carolyn, joining me at my Wed night Bellydance class -- YEAH! How fun it was to turn around and see my cyber-buddy dancing right behind me. And you tell me cyber life isn't real?

We had a chance to reconnect the next day at lunch at Sweet Tomatoes. She brought her darling son Jacob. He is so cute and has such a great sense of humor.

Anyway, she took a picture of us with her cellphone at bellydance class.

As for bellydance class, I did make it in time this week for the beginner 2 where we pranced around with our veils and attempted to coordinate zills with movement. Talk about rubbing the tummy and patting the head at the same time.

I expressed my amazement of the possibility of coordinating these moves and how well the teacher does it when Carolyn pointed out that I have the same body parts as my teacher and with practice, I too can "get it." You know she is right.

Her words of wisdom are the same ones that rang true five years ago when I injured my hamstring while training for my first marathon. I was down in the dumps over not being able to run or even walk when she pointed out how my "arms weren't broken." That was when I set to work on developing the best arms I had ever seen on my body, like that lady in T2! Now working my upper body has been a habit I have been able to keep more or less since then. It sure helps to balance out my developed athletic leg muscles. (see positive self-talk)

Tonight will be Choreography class and after that I may zip over to the opposite side of town for my "free" bellydance class at the gym.

This morning I tried a Jacqueline Chapman Bellydance DVD I got from Netflicks. It was easy to follow plus we learned a sophisticated-looking dance by the end even though the moves were very basic. Why I can't piece together such a basic dance, I don't know. I must suffer from attention deficit disorder half-way through a song. I loved the costume changes throughout the DVD and how she incorporated her veil in one example. I definitely give this DVD three hip-lifts!

Pumped Up!

Yesterday got off to a rough start when my hubby and I got into a spat about bills. One bill in particular he promised to pay off and didn't which caused a finance charge to be tacked on and then increase exponentially for two months!!!! Then he turned it around and said a couple hurtful things to me about not paying it myself (what, could I not afford a minimum payment!). The point is that he said he would take care of it and he tried brushing it off on me.

Even worse he told me to get a REAL job. That was very hurtful. What I do is very real. You try acting like nutritionist, psychologist, counselor, coach, mommy, cheerleader, store clerk, salesperson and group facilitator/entertainer/teacher in heals and pantyhose 6 days a week when some days you feel like stuffing yourself full of oreos while sitting on your sofa all day reading US magazine (which I don't do, but you get the idea).

Nevermind I still squeeze in time to work on my web projects -- Arghhhh!!!!!

So between that and a stressful morning organizing and schlepping around in 100 degree weather for a new At Work meeting which ended up working out well -- nice group -- but I was toast by 1:30.

It would have been easy to blow off the afternoon workout, but I didn't. Since I missed my morning run (was out too late with highschool friend from out of town) I was feeling the pressure to do something. After a quick bite to eat at home I regrouped and headed to the gym where I managed a 40 minute run with a strong effort on the treadmill (which I hate, but did it anyway while reminding myself how proud of myself I would be after) and a one hour killer body pain (I mean pump) class. At body pump I didn't skimp on the weights. It was time to step up to the plate with challenging enough weight. And I did it!

That was all I needed to feel better and more energized for my evening meeting.

Yeah Me! (don't you hear the cheering section?)

Good news... the bellydance choreo class has FINALLY been scheduled AND my friend Carolyn may be dropping in (from California) tonight at my BD class AND the teacher tells me she can just pay a drop-in fee of $5. Yeah! Let's here it for small victories.

Other bonuses... R and I made future plans for running on Friday which I think will work out better than trying to squeeze a run in on a Sat morning (let's go RedRock, finally!) and I have a nice lunch at Subway and Golden Spoon frozen yogurt with a colleague to look forward to this afternoon. Good times, good times.

Cool Running for a change

This morning's 4 miler was cool and easy. It was a trail run along the old historic rail road trail near Lake Mead in Boulder City. I was only semi-coherent at 6am, but so long as legs don't need to talk we are doing fine. It took me almost an hour to complete!

I may need a nap before I see Sharyl tonight. She is a friend from high school who is visiting town to participate in the World Series of Poker -- how exciting.

Tomorrow afternoon as Advanced Bellydance at the NW gym with Y. I noticed some politics going on between her and the other instructors so I excused myself politely out of the post-class discussion she was having with one of her students. I am actually enjoying taking from all the instructors and am learning something from each one.

Being a student for a change instead of a "teacher" is providing me with many lessons I can apply in the real world. For example, never speak negatively about one's colleagues in front of the students. It appears unprofessional.

Off to practice zills! 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2-3

Zen Run

This morning I overslept my alarm clock for the second day in a row. The funny thing is I don't even remember turning it off -- hmm.

So I was left with the question, to run my long run or to put it off by somehow sandwiching it in somewhere else.

After a cup of coffee and my pre-run "breaky" of balance bar I looked at the clock and realized I had time and it wasn't too late. Even better, there would be no school traffic since yesterday was the last day of school -- bonus! So I went for it and off I went!

I wore no watch and merely let the music and my muscles propel me down the street. Once I was warmed up (like after a few miles) I picked up the pace to a good song and by then I was in the zone. Not once did I try to "rush" the feeling. I wanted to be in tune with my body and run how it felt like running.

Funny thing is I didn't get tired at all during the run. There was no "slowing down" point. Each step felt strong in its own way. I did start to get a little hungry during the run so I may have to start carrying gels again.

Ok, now to BLOG what I have learned this week in BD class before I forget.
Yesterday the Thurs instructor was there (finally!). Her style is definitely different than the others. I kept up with most of the class, but there were a couple points when she added arms to the hip movements when everything fell apart for me.

Her maya steps are different than my beloved Wed night instructors. The heals are supposed to be on the ground for hers and the hips should look like they are sliding out and down, alternating in a figure 8 pattern like a waterfall. My hips don't do that. The Wed night instructor has us lifting our heals off the ground which makes for an easier maya, but the effect is more "roundy" than "slidey" if that makes sense. I keep practicing the Thurs version hoping eventually I will get it.

I notice different bodies are capable of different things. I am short with a short torso and roundy, yet small hips so the slide moves are kind of lost on me. Anything where I am sticking my hips up or out works better. Give me the roundy moves. I think angular moves work better on other bodies. Don't worry, I will continue to practice everything and hope for the best.

This brings to mind Axel Rose of Guns and Roses. He does a "reverse maya" to get that snake like move going on (see, guys can bellydance too!). He is tall and lanky so that works for him, more real estate for the moves to flow.

So Thurs' combination was
hips slide: RLRLRL (arms swaying in opposite direction, but moving up a little each time)
fast hip drop on 7&8: down up down (hands above head)
upward chest circlesx3 while dipping down, standing at R angle
reverse ub undulation on 7&8
same thing on L

Wed night beginner 1 class:
Sara, our senior member at 80, did her dance for us. She's got guts. It was great!
Warm-up
Shimmies, slow, fast, travelling fbLR
Hip Lifts and drops and while travelling
Improv Circle (everyone gets a turn in the middle)
Simon Says (we follow the teacher, my favorite part because I really feel like I am dancing)

The annoying loud gum-smacking ladies were not there so the vibe was different and friendly than the last two sessions (I am a veteran now). So I made some new aquaintances. One is a WW member from another class and we got on well. She will be getting an email from me on where to get hip scarves, BD classes, etc. Nice people all in all.

No news on our choreography class yet. The Community Center Director keeps making lame mistakes and continues to "fight" us on getting the class going when all we want to do is dance and follow the rules so we can continue to dance there. Who knows if it will be happening tonight!

Beginner 2:
I arrived in time for hips circles and to learn a "new" move I learned only in Yatoki's Advanced class on Sunday, the arabic, I think. Walking forward doing a half hip circle forward while shifting weight from foot to foot. I have seen bellydancers do this walk while showing off their fancy zill work. Ansuya comes to mind. Now I can do it!

We also played with our veils and zills. BTW, did I mention how much I love my silk veil? The teacher isn't too keen on them because they are hard to predict their flow and fall, but I am determined to become an expert at mine.

BD tally: 3 classes in two days (one back to back and wasn't strenuous)
ET with arms :30 minutes
9 mile run today -- yeah me!

Ok, MK out.

Run not rush

It is funny that no matter how much time I carve out for my running (and it does involve some carving because there is nothing fun about an alarm clock going off at 5:00 am on a Sunday so I can run while it is still a refreshing 80 degrees) that as soon as that first foot hits the pavement, my "list" comes out of hiding.

Right away I start thinking of those people I promised to email or I start editing my notes for this morning's meeting, trying my best to file away those mental notes until I return or I start mentally repacking my gym bag or make a note to self not to forget a water bottle and a snack for my long day out.

It's crazy, but my legs start moving faster when I start this mental checklist thing, as if returning a minute sooner from my run is going to get anything done faster. Meantime I keep reminding myself that this is my time and no amount of stress over forgetting something is going to make me faster. In fact, it takes away from my run being about me, not everything else.

So the to-do's eventually fade away which makes room for life's major issues to make their way in such as when is my husband going to start seeing a doctor again about his leukemia (he recently told me is sick of being a patient with "nothing wrong" except for "bad blood" -- don't worry, he is going tomorrow!), what course we will take with the whole baby thing (adoption, more $$ $pent on treatments or continuing to be happily kid-free and fancy-free) and should I get a "real" job even though my current job is a real job. So my legs start moving faster again as if running faster is going to speed up the decision process.

Again I check myself and remind myself this is not a race and I am worth this time even if I am "just" running and not solving mine or the world's problems.

My legs keep a steady rhythm down the street even though it is tempting to stop and rest. I can rest when I get home. Meantime my iPod keeps a steady stream of music flowing to motivate me forward through the 'hood. Again my mind wanders and I rant inwardly at the race directors of Grandma's marathon to threaten to pull runners off the course if they are wearing headphones. I hope this doesn't become a trend. The music makes the experience more enjoyable for me and even sometimes bearable when I feel like stopping or slowing down. I consider crossing marathons off my To Do list, but Rhonda would kill me if I decided to stop training for the St. George Marathon with her (drat... guess that means I gotta keep running through the summer).

So I start to wonder how long my run is taking me. The legs are moving at steady pace, but I am not motivated to pick it up too much more. Maybe I am running faster than I can tell. I look down at my wrist and I am reminded that I don't run with a watch anymore than I have to these days. I know the time I left the house and that's it.

Pretty soon the four miles are done, finishing more triumphant than yesterday, always practicing my finishing kick and crossing the invisible finish line at my street with hands in the air, not caring who sees. I tell myself I am thin now so I don't care what people think of my public physical actions anymore. Before I would do nothing to draw anymore attention to myself than I would already get (hey, look at the FAT girl with the arms in the air).

Even though it was a somewhat gently-paced run, I did give it whatever umphf I had left at the end. See it pays not to rush!

On a sidenote: This afternoon was my first intermediate/advanced bellydance class (yep, I am moving up in the world). It was great! Before class I bided my time on an exercycle for 52 minutes watching tv while waiting for the spin class to finish up. In BD class we learned circle/figure 8 combos (how to put those together and flow from move to move), played with my new veil for a while (super fun even though I tend to get bored watching long veil routines myself -- guess it's different when it is you dancing!), practiced making a grand entrance, hand positions, head slides (very Bollywood, hehe) and I made a "dance date" to practice with a sister-student before next week's Sunday class.

Taking BD class has really expanded my social circle. Later on I bumped into Rain, a girl I met my first day at LVAC during my free trial week that lasted 10 minutes because she convinced me to join then and there and I haven't been disappointed since. Life is too short to worry about the economic effect of belonging to two gyms. Hey I use both so that is payback right there!