I obviously prefer running over most other activities, but I enjoy mixing it up and cross-training as well. Years ago I managed a gym and would just workout there with friends to get my weight training done and go to the occasional yoga or Pilates class. After I quit there (and started running more often) I was without my cross-training element. I stopped doing strength training or would do it maybe once a month at home with body weight exercises. It definitely wasn't enough though.
I had joined Orangetheory when it first came to New Orleans and found it was a great mix of cross-training that helped me stay on track for a while. I eventually had to quit though because I couldn't make it as often as I wanted (and all the good teachers were leaving). So after I left them, I needed to find something that would hold me over. That's when I found ClassPass! I first heard about them through my part-time job at Athleta. They had sent us codes to use for half off the first month, so I figured I'd give it a try! I'm glad I did too, because I love it! If you aren't familiar with the app, it's a great concept! Depending on your plan, you get so many credits a month. You use those credits to go to classes at local studios that are a part of ClassPass. The classes range from cross-fit to yoga to cycle and everything in between. You can even use it when you are traveling to other cities who have ClassPass! It usually works out to be cheaper than most studio packages too. There are a few restrictions to it though. You can only go to the studios three times a month or they charge you more credits per class after. There are also premium spots at studios that will take up more credits if you select them. These aren't huge deals for me though. If you only use it for yoga, you can find different studios all over town to use without going to the same one 3 times. I have even received emails from different studios offering supplement packages at cheaper rates if I wanted to use their studio in addition to ClassPass!! I think the biggest thing for me is the cancellation window. I totally understand the need for it, but if you don't cancel within 12 hours they charge you $15. (If you are a no-show to the studio it's $20.) My biggest gripe with that is, shit happens! What if I get sick an hour before class? What happens if a mom has to go pick up her child from school because they got sick? Things happen unexpectedly. I personally think they should follow the studios cancellation policy, but if you really are unsure of what the day will hold, just wait to schedule the class an hour before! The app has allowed me to try some things out I never would have paid for (Jazzercise!!) and I've found some new classes I want to continue going to! It's also helped me do more yoga and stretching to help with my running. I never get bored! If you are the type of person who needs some variety or doesn't want to commit to a gym, I highly recommend trying this app out! If you need some (financial) motivation, here's a link for $30 off your first month!! http://class.ps/hAEQk Give it a try and let me know what you think!!
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2018. A new day, a new year. A new opportunity to better ourselves. But why should we have to wait until this day to make a promise to ourselves that we will be better? Shouldn't we be making that promise when it originally comes to us? Michelob Ultra recently did a campaign of Anti-Resolutions and Living Ultra about this same idea( www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lcs6QJn9HE ) and it's what I was doing for 2017 without realizing it. I was living for the day and not waiting to put it off until the New Year.
After my marathon in Jan 2017, I thought, "Okay, I can do this again. I can mentally handle this." I kept up with running to keep improving and keep up my health. Then when I got chosen to run NYC, I made a commitment to push myself through the training despite the 90+ degree heat and 100% humidity that comes with South Louisiana summers. At time I told myself "I can run, why push yourself training so much?" but then would remind myself that you can't improve if you don't work at it. So I worked at it. I missed football games with friends to run for 13 miles alone. I missed family pumpkin carvings to run 20 miles alone. Just me, my music, and my thoughts. No one was going to make me better except me. Why should a date on the calendar matter so much to starting something? Since I started "Living Ultra" in 2017, I decided not to make resolutions for 2018, but promises. I promised myself that I'm going to continue working hard (or harder) to improve my running. I promise that I will work on getting another World Marathon race entry. I promise that I will live my life to the fullest and not let others change my mind. (If I want to skydive, then I'm going to skydive; if I want to try something new, I'm going to try it!) I promise to make time for friends. I also promise to be more disciplined. I want to stick with my routines and good habits. I hope 2018 brings about great things though. I am hopeful that this year will be my best one yet. I'm running Chicago, Disney Princess, Best Damn Race, and hopefully a few more. Maybe we'll start a family this year. I'm hopeful new opportunities will arise as well. Whether you have resolutions or not, the year is what you make it. If you start 2018 off positively, I believe that can help carry you through the year more optimistic. Make this year YOUR year. Be the best version of yourself that YOU can be, don't try to be someone else. And remember to Live Ultra. Have a Happy 2018 y'all! |
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October 2018
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