I take a spin class at the local gym about once a week; it's a good change of pace every once in a while. Here's a few of my random thoughts, stream-of-conciousness-style, from the spin class this morning:
- -Must remember to bring ear-plugs next time. The techno music isn't so bad, but it's more the instructor "singing" along that really advances the ear-plug issue to the forefront.
- -I usually do the spin class with a backpack on, much to the curiousity of the other people in class (try it if you're looking for some strange looks -- as if anybody in a dark room filled with exercise bikes, lycra, and loud music is in a position to judge "strange"). Anyway, the last couple weeks I've left the pack at home and I've noticed that I don't bounce on the bike the way the regular non-backpack wearers do . . . I've become conditioned to having the weight on my shoulders that makes any bounce very inefficient, so my upper body remains nearly motionless while my legs spin. Without the pack, this is even more obvious to me. This is a good thing and I think I have the backpack to thank for this "smooth spinning" adaptation; I need to get back to wearing it at the spin class.
- -I'm sure most of you know that Rage Against The Machine is coming back for a reunion; well, I need to find a spin class that just puts the RATM collected works on shuffle and leaves the euro-techno or, worse, country/pop music at home; no ear-plugs for the RATM class! Speaking of a new spin class, my teammate for the upcoming CPZero race, Beth, was considering teaching an "enduro spin" class on the Peninsula a couple times per month . . . something like 2+ hours in duration and geared towards the endurance athlete. I know I'd be up for that, especially if Beth lets me choose the music!