After making it through three classes total so far, here is the list of stuff I have to bring:
By the time I hit the shower after my second spin class, my legs were burning — but not so much as the first time! — and my mind was burning too, with conjectures and questions. Fortunately I have two experts to consult: Dan, my resident Tour de Danville expert, and Erin, our helpful Spin leader.
I joined my first-ever Spin class today. I knew what I was getting into because I’d received good advice from the girls at the gym and by researching it on the Internet. But still!
My tendency is to avoid bicycles and let Dan be the hardcore biker of the family. But although I have resisted group classes for years, I decided a morning Spin class was worth doing because it’s a great fall activity to get in shape for ski season and I have not been keeping up on my interval training. I also like the fact that it is possible to work very hard doing this (read: burn more calories!) and make great improvements in both muscular and cardiovascular endurance. I have to say, though, that if this class wasn’t convenient and free, I never would have considered joining, despite the fact my fellow gym mates were always convinced I’d love it and wondered why I’ve held out for so long.
As the harvest hues of autumn overtake the jewel tones of summer, another busy holiday period approaches. For many, thoughts turn from outdoors pursuits to arranging cozy family get- togethers and bracing for cold days and dark nights, knowing that outside the monochromes of winter will reign for months to come.
This turning of the seasons not only signals the end of fun in the sun for most skaters, it also significantly hampers their skating-related workouts and favorite form of socializing. But to me, the colder the weather and the more it rains, the more excited I get.
(See related password free photo albums on Picasa.)
The overnight downpour had me worried, but fortunately, we awoke to high clouds for our Machu Picchu visit. We beat the crowd by leaving on the 6am bus, and as we paused to explore all the important places in the ruins, Santiago did a wonderful job of educating us about its significance, both historically and astrologically.
Santiago knew that the 400 reservations to climb Wayna Picchu were sold out, but Pam was eager to go with me, so he approached the entrance gate and said we’d lost our tickets. The guy believed him, of course (two middle aged blond women!). To our gratification, the stone path was not slippery and there was no crowd.
Though I saw this section in 2008, hiking the first leg of the Classic Inca trail was even more impressive with sunshine to highlight the views of the ruins, the Urubamba River valley, the mountains, and up close, the blossoms of a Peruvian highland springtime.