Oh yeah, getting creative

Here is some running inspired "art" I'm presenting to my sculpture class tomorrow. The first piece is a collage of routes from 14 different runs, and the video is a 3d fly over of at 5.5 mile run.

(The piece is hung by shoelaces from a pair of old running sneakers)

And here is a close up 

Step 12: Zumba!

When I got the bad news on my back, the doctor told me I should lay off the workouts until I got the brace. But the gym has become such a vital part of my routine, I knew I would go crazy if I didn’t get in some exercise So I've been taking it easy for the most part, but there is just one workout I couldn't give up: Zumba!

Now let me be the first to say, that I usually HATE (hate, hate, hate) workout classes, but at the beginning of the semester my friend Sarah convinced me to put my assets to good use and try out Zumba. Though I'm ashamed to admit it, I am absolutely hooked! Every week my friends and I go to our spots in the back, and throw in our own club moves and look absolutely ridiculous. As silly as we look, and as much as we embarrass ourselves, I always feel like I got a solid workout and I am usually sore the next day.

 

Then last week, something AWESOME happened.

For some reason the Zumba gods put in extra pep in my step and I was able (and encouraged!) to shimmy on over to the FRONT ROW. Of course this meant I had to abandon my usual pop-lock-and drop back row ways and actually follow the instructor, but I found that I was way more motivate up at the front.

For Christmas, Alex and I decided to do things a little different and get a gift we could share. While we were running errands a few days ago, we impulsively bought a refurbished Wii! We had been thinking about getting one for a while, but I had ulterior motives... Newsflash! They make a sweet Zumba game for the Wii! Needless to say, I've been dancing up a storm In the apartment, and I burn an average of 500 calories an hour!

I was even able to get Alex to try it (Smurf PJ's and all)

As an added bonus, here's a a rare video of Alex and I in action. Enjoy!

It's probably pretty clear by now, that I have a lot of fun with this workout and if you haven't already, I would recommend trying it out :) But just as a caution...

Fall backs include:

1. Thinking I can speak Spanish
2. Thinking I can dance
3. Having Zumba songs stuck in my head for days
4. A sudden obsession with Pitbull.       
   
   
   But you know, I think if I could just drop out of college and become a Zumba or fitness instructor, I would be beyond happy :) 
   
   
   
   
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Step 11: See A Doctor!

A LOT has happened since my last post. It all started about five seconds after I crossed the finish line of my 10k; I felt a sharp pain in my lower back that I had not had while running and suddenly walking was a challenge. After having a quick photo shoot at the finish line, I waddled back to my car and told myself the pain would pass. But quel supris, it did not. I was convinced to see a chiropractor who adjusted my back, but failed to address the constant pain in my lower back and the feeling remained consistent even though he told me I would be able to run again in two days. When I returned to school I was again convinced (I am very weary and VERY scared of doctors) to see a different chiropractor. By this time I was feeling lousy and missing running terribly. I was even having dreams about racing and ugh... IT WAS AWFUL.

This chiropractor was a little different. For one, he may or may not have been a witch doctor/ medicine man. We did a bizarre series of test to see which muscles were connected to which ankle and which knee provoked which arm... It was all very strange. As the appointment was coming to an end, I was feeling like I would never get better. When I was about to leave, the doctor asked how I was feeling and I responded, very honestly, that I was not feeling any better. The witch doctor put aside his voodoo magic and tried some tests with a back brace. And after a few stretches...

AHA! Finally a legitimate diagnosis! I had pulled a muscle in my lower back.

The bad news: I've been waiting to get a back brace that was fitted to me for almost a week now.

The worst news: I haven't run in almost two weeks.

So PLEASE if anyone knows of any stretches or suggestions, send them my way! I am desperate to be up and running again!