Friday, Joshua was actually off work for a change and we got to spend some time together running errands.  On our way out of Albion, we came upon a yard sale with 2 bikes parked in the front yard.  We stopped.  I have been trying to figure out a way to incorporate a bike purchase into our already stretched budget, so when we saw 2 decent looking ones, I knew we had to stop.  They were his and hers mountain bikes.  The gentleman bought them for himself and his wife from Competitive Gear 2 years ago.  He was asking $50 each.  SOLD.  We couldn’t even get a Wal-Mart special for that price, let alone 2 bikes.  I was VERY happy. 

Given the fact that my middle name can be Grace, Joshua insisted I not ride until I bought a helmet.  So Friday evening when Mike and I went grocery shopping, I bought a helmet.  I rode the bike Friday evening with Mike around the Fairgrounds (3 loops = 1 mile).  It felt pretty good riding a bike, fun the way exercise should be.  Saturday, I packed up my backpack with Joshua’s books that needed returned, and Mike and I rode up to the Albion library.  Thanks to Blisschick’s list of great books for inspiration, I checked out White Oleander by Janet Fitch, a new crochet book for babies, and a few books for Mike.  We rode home and again, I was happy with my newest exercise tool.

It’s Monday, and I didn’t get to ride today.  I love my new bike.

Mike, my son, has been a personal trainer to 2 friends, once a week for a few months now.  I have not participated for several reasons, the biggest of which is that I have been slowly recovering from gall bladder surgery and its aftermath.  So now, they are WAY ahead of me concerning strength, endurance, and general capability.  I got the go ahead from my doc a few weeks ago to start “normal” physical activity aka start moving your ass.

Mike and I discussed the different alternatives, and we settled on Budokon.  Budokon is a cross between yoga and martial arts taught via DVD by Cameron Shayne.  I have had this DVD for over a year and used it quite often when I first had it.  The 30 minute session is 15 minutes yoga poses (sun salutation, down dog, warrior I & II, proud warrior, child’s pose, etc), and 15 minutes martial arts (single, double and triple punches, squat kicks, side kicks, skipping side kicks, etc).

We agreed we would do the DVD every week day after he got home from work, and then when school starts, when he got home from school.  Yesterday was our first day.  I was gungho, ready to do what I had to do to start getting into a shape that wasn’t round.  We did the entire 30 minutes, and I was fine, only one yoga position gave me trouble.

I wake up this morning and I am SORE.  My legs, stomach, rib cage, even my arms are sore sore sore.  Who knew a little of this and a little of that would produce such a quick result.  So I go about my day, going into Erie for 3 docs appts, running a few errands, etc.  All the while I am thinking, wow, this Budokon really works.  I get home from Erie, and Mike is on his way to a babysitting job.  Whew, I think.  He’s going to be gone most of the evening, he’ll forget all about the “do it every day” agreement.  Unfortunately, Mike’s babysitting gig ended very early and he walks thru the door at 745, and says, “woman, get your workout clothes on, Budokon in 10 minutes”.  Shit….he remembered.  It was harder today, I am a little scared to see how tomorrow’s gig goes.  Well, at least I am moving….

I can’t remember them all, but here is a list of some of the running activities scheduled in our area.  If you are a walker or a runner, there’s something here for everyone.

June 7- Living Strong 5K- contact mcurtze@earthlink.net

June 14- Moonshine Shuffle (aka the Cheesecake Race)- contact bgoggles9@yahoo.com

June 23- 8 Great Mondays starts at Presque Isle (the cookhouse).  Barb Filutze has informative guests, prize drawings, and independent runs/walks afterwards.  She is a great lady you can learn alot from.

July 5- Katie Sherif 5K at Frontier Park

July 20- Presque Isle Half Marathon- contact Jim Lang- jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.com

August 17- Hamot 10K/Mayor’s Cup- contact djcomi@adelphia.net

I ran my first 5K at last year’s Turkey Trot and it’s a lot of fun.  I am definitely NOT your typical participant in these races, but I do my best.  It’s a great way to meet new people, get a little exercise, have a little fun.

If anyone is interested in these races, shoot me an email and maybe we can meet after the race, or even run the race together.