Friday, January 12, 2007

Surprise!

Today I met with the personal trainer to begin working out a routine/schedule.

Now most folks would think I'm in my mid-30's rather than my later 40's, but there's no mistaking me for anything other than someone in their middle years. I'm also (to use the polite term) zaftig. So by looking at me, there are assumptions made and I know it.

The trainer and I met over the phone, so his initial questions were based on "getting to know" me. What were my goals, did I have a plan and those sorts of things. I'm sure when he saw me, there was something in the back of his mind going, "Right - this woman thinks she's gonna run a half..."

We went through the paperwork, contracts, questionaires and so on before heading out onto the floor to do a general fitness test. Using one of those half ball thingies, I did some lunges and squats. I did some weight work with hand weights and a stability ball and a few other things to put me through my paces. Then he did some assisted stretches with me to cool down - all the while saying things like, "Wow, you're in better shape than a lot of the people who come in here."

During the stretches, he was amazed at how flexible I am.

Again, I know I'm not as flexible as some, but better than a lot.

It was one of those things where I wanted to shout, "Surprise!" to see what his reaction would be. I didn't, but I wanted to so badly.....

We worked out a day where we could meet and I'll do some work on my own. Afterwards I was too late to duck into yoga, so I hit the treadmill in the women's room for a little bit. Now I hate treadmills, but I wanted to start getting over my fear of running after so long a break and figured a couple of miles on a treadmill was a good starting point.

I'm glad I did it. Even if I was slow as molasses rolling uphill in winter, just knowing I logged a couple of miles on the "random" setting was enough to make me feel better about going out for my Sunday run this week. I'm picking up the plan at the end of week 4 (a five miler for Sunday) and I've given myself permission to walk if I need to - so it's a non-stressed activity. But between the yoga, walking and moments I get to hop on the glider, I figure I should be OK for the most part (even if I'll be running as many miles in one day as I have all month so far).

So off to research some weight and strength training work to do now that I have access to all the cool equipment and the (sorta) watchful eyes of floor staff.

3 comments:

Jenn said...

Woooohoooo! I bet that felt great to hear that comment from the trainer. I am sure that I am the last person people look at and expect to be running...LOL. It's nice to prove people expectations wrong, isn't it?

Thanks for your words about my surgery. You are totally right, and I needed to hear those words. Everything happens for a reason.

Anonymous said...

You have piqued my curiosity -- I want to know whether I could similarly surprise a personal trainer. My guess is not. Who knows, though -- I might surprise myself, which could go either way.

JOJIT said...

OOOOOOOHHHHH YEAH! Don't you love it when other people's assumption about you is crushed when they see you do the things you do!?!