Summer (Boot) Camp

Saturday mornings are tough.  It would be nice to sleep once in a while, or watch cartoons in bed, but there is always so much that I want to do.  New York Road Runners holds a lot of its races on Saturdays.  Weekend mornings are the only time that I can hit up some of my favorite Equinox classes.  CrossFit Metropolis runs its super intense Kryptonite Hour at 10am on Saturdays.  And, now that its summer, boot camps and outdoor classes abound. 

IntenSati in the ParkThis past weekend, I joined Jess of Fit Chick in the City for her Saturday morning boot camp in Central Park.  Though it was brutally hot, the park was full of activity, as always.  The Pride Race was done by the time I got there, but plenty of runners and bikers were out on the loop.  Not far from where we met for boot camp, another group was doing IntenSati.  I also saw ninjas practicing!  (Ok, maybe they weren't actual ninjas, but they were dressed head to toe in black and whatever they were doing looked intense.)

I was a little late to Jess's class (new cabbie - don't ask), and when I arrived the group was doing supersets.  I jumped in on the third round the first set which consisted of skipping up a hill, lunging across a bridge, running down a path, doing 20 park bench push-ups and running back.  After that, we did two more equally sweaty supersets before heading to a grassy spot for some tricep dips and planks.  Fit Chick Boot Camp tough and very fun.  If you're looking to shake up your summer workouts, check out her new session starting July 10. 

July 10 is also the day of the Splash and Dash 10K.  (Yay, Lasker Pool!)  Will I see you there?

-Gym Belle-

My New Kicks: New Balance Rock & Tones

About a week ago, after a particularly long day, I returned home to find an unexpected present from New Balance waiting for me: gray Rock & Tone sneakers.  (Thank you, New Balance!)  They fit perfectly, and, while I've only had a chance to run errands in them so far, they are super, super comfy. 

I'm actually not new to the toning sneaker phenomenon.  I've had MBTs for years, and I really love them.  There's no question that toning footwear is gimmicky, and a lot of the marketing, particularly for this new crop of shoes, is irksome.  (Sneakers don't do anything for you; you do the work.)  Reebok's hyper-sexualized EasyTone ads were especially offensive.  Still, it only makes sense that the way a shoe is constructed would affect your gait, and that shoes can be tweaked to align your body differently and target different muscle groups.  Toning sneakers' curved soles create instability, forcing you to engage your core and fight ever-so-slightly harder for your balance as you walk.  In theory, this mimics walking barefoot on uneven surfaces, the way humans were designed to walk.

W hen I had knee problems, my MBTs helped with the pain.  Now, they're just fun.  It really feels like wearing little Bosu balls on my feet.  The boldness of the shoe, though, is somewhat limiting.  I bought mine in 2005 or 2006, back when MBT didn't offer many choices of styles or colors.  My chunky, bright orange pair make quite the statement, and I can't help but wonder what people think when they see me in them.  (She spent how much on ugly sneakers?  Her cellulite must really be awful.) 

In comparison, my Rock & Tones are far more subtle.  The sole feels thinner, the curve is less pronounced and they look much more like regular sneakers.  I'm not sure that these are as "fun," but I'm probably more likely to wear my Rock & Tones around as a result.

I have to admit, though, that a little voice in the back of my head is asking why "more shoe" is the answer to the realization that walking barefoot is better for you.  I've been reading a lot about Vibram Five Fingers lately, which present a far more minimalist solution.  I'm definitely thinking about trying them for comparison.  They're so not me... but that could change.

I'll keep you posted.

-Gym Belle-

After the Race

Yay!!!!  I'm still waiting for my time to post, and I know it wasn't fabulous, but the New York Road Runners Mini 10K was fun.  I did not walk.  I didn't even cramp.  And I was not tempted by the crappy bagels at the finish line.  (I held out for my toasted whole-wheat everything flagel with peanut butter.  Yum.)

Getting ready to race!

Here's the list that had me singing the whole way (no judgement, people!):

1. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum (pre-race)

2. United States of Pop 2009 - DJ Earworm (pre-race)

3. Bamboleo - Gypsy Rebels

4. O.M.G. - Usher

5. Telephone - Lady Gaga and Byonce

6. Not Afraid - Eminem

7. My First Kiss - 3OH!3

8. Ridin' Solo - Jason Derulo

9. Eenie Meenie - Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber

10. Rythym is a Dancer - Snap!

11. In My Head - Jason Derulo

12. Can't Be Tamed - Miley Cyrus

13. Dynamite - Taio Cruz

14. My Chick Bad - Ludacris and Nicki Minaj

15. Rude Boy - Rihanna

16. Shark in the Water - V V Brown

17. Uprising - Muse

18. Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer - Billy Currington

19. Tik Tok - Ke$ha

20. She Got It Made - Plies

It's almost time to go cheer for Team USA!  Congrats to all the runners today (esp. the lady who passed me while talking on her cell... now that's talent)!  Hugs for all the spectators, too!

Ciao!

-Gym Belle-

Update on June 12, 2010 by Gym Belle

Time:  1:01:44 (9:57 pace)