At the helm of the class: ME??

The wheels started turning when I ran with my friend Jamie last week. I need to find a way to make a little bit of extra cash.


"Jessica, you would make an AWESOME spin instructor," Miss Jamie says as we're trucking it up a hill on Raccoon Valley Road in Granville.

I agree half-heartedly. One of the many crazy ideas I'll end up chickening out on. But then I got to thinking, maybe it could be fun. I got a secret kick out of the day at the Y when the instructor forgot her iPod and borrowed mine.

Ok, so I send a couple emails out to various people floating the idea. They're supportive. I talk to the spin coordinator at the Y. Now I'm really excited about it.

On Oct. 8 I'm going to trek it up to Wadsworth to get the official Spinning certification. The week after I have a short certification process to do at the Y. Then, if I can get hired at the Y or elsewhere, I'll be a spin instructor!!!

Indoor track blues

When I left work today ice was pelleting out of the sky. I get to the Y and, of course, every treadmill is full. Only one option left.... the 1/18 of a mile indoor track. I did two miles before ST, two after and then one when I came back for yoga. 90 laps total. Surprisingly, the room is not spinning around me.

(Sidenote: This sounds even more pathetic when I put it in print. I have got to get a life).

Fortunately there were some good distractions... Some general observations while running in the same circle over and over.

• I tried zumba, and disliked it very much. I was well aware of how ridicoulus I looked in the process. But today I have zumba to thank. While I was running in circles, all the ridiculous looking people in the zumba class in the adjoining room kept me very entertained. 
• Little kids trying to dribble basketballs that probably weigh more than they do is about the cutest thing ever.
• Fathers trying to help their little kids do chinups is also very entertaining.
• High school boys on the basketball court trying to impress the high school girls walking around the track by dunking and flexing is absolutely not the cutest thing ever. 
• While we're on the topic, giggly high school girls that must walk slowly and take up the entire track are also far from the cutest thing ever.
• Tom Petty's American Girl is a really good song.
• I'm actually kind of sick of the Arcade Fire album that has been on top of my playlist for months.
• I'm still not sick of the new Girltalk album.
• I consider myself good at math. But while running I cannot count to 5 to save my life, hence...
• I love the lap button on my Garmin

Reality check

I'm shocked my alarm clock (aka as my cell phone) hasn't been chucked out the window by an angry Matt who is fed up with it going off every 10 minutes between 5 and 8 am.

Fortunately, he's a surprisingly sound sleeper. 

I'm subscribed to several health and fitness related e-newsletters, at least three of which decided to send out loving reminders this week that it is, in fact, more beneficial to get your lazy butt up and workout before work.

Shut up.

I know.

I get it.

Running hiatus: Kickboxing and yoga

I'm taking a little hiatus this week and next, except for the short holiday run in Columbus this Sunday. This is to recover from Saturday's 10-mile trail run, which thoroughly kicked my butt. This time it's going a little bit better than last time I tried, perhaps because it's 20 degrees outside and snowing -- an environment just slightly more inviting than the treadmill. It's now Thursday and I have yet to log any miles.

So how have I occupied myself?

Switching health clubs

I joined a new health club this week! I'm now a member of the Licking County Family YMCA (actually I think it's just The Y now) in Newark. It's wonderful, they have so much there. Two pools, two fitness centers, including one for just women and youth, racquetball courts, an indoor walking track, and a remarkable amount of classes. And -- perhaps the best part -- a sauna!

The bike trail starts right outside too, so it will be really easy to do my strength training right after my runs.

I have heard so many good things. Plus I toured it at two times I normally go -- in the morning and after work, so I know it doesn't get packed and the crowd is bearable.

I was going to wait until next year to make the switch but they were waiving the joiners fee this month so I went ahead and signed up.

Of course, it's triple the price of Aspen Fitness Centers in Heath, where I was up through today. My needs have changed since I first went fitness club shopping a year ago (namely, I was looking for something not too expensive because, face it, I probably was't going to use it.)