January Recap & SoulCycle Review

January Workout Stats:
4 weight sessions
Running: 88 Miles
Spinning: 43.85
Total: 132 Miles

Nutrition - C
Hydration - B

It's not perfect but it's headed in the right direction.  Last week was rough with the travel and all day meetings.  I did manage to fit in 9 miles with one of my Nuun HTC Teammates around the Davis campus, which was immediately followed by In-N-Out, hence the nutrition grade.

#2 Animal Style

As for trying new things in January, I feel like I nailed that one.  I played my first round of 18 holes of golf, bought a Fitbit (review to follow) and went to a SoulCycle class.  I've been hearing for months that I just had to try Soulcycle and that it's the best workout ever.  I finally decided to see what it was all about.  The text I sent J-Dub post class since she was also debating trying one:

Initial thoughts: Mix of yoga shavasana and intense music video/body pumping exercises.  In the dark which is kind of nice.  Good workout-dripping sweat but the spin class at my gym is almost just as good minus the weights so not worth $30.  Maybe once a month or so with friends.  Not too cult-ish except when the instructor starts chanting and saluting.

SoulCycle SF

 If you haven't done one, here are a few things to know before you go:

• Bikes are VERY close together so just plan on being crammed in there 
• You can reserve your bike online - I suggest one near the back/fan for your first class and not directly in front of a speaker (so loud)
• It starts in the dark and stays pretty dimly lit the entire time
• You will sweat profusely 
• It's $30 per class plus $2 for shoes if you need to rent them
• They have lockers for your stuff and the instructor will get you set up for your first class
• They do an arm series with weights while on your bike.  I had 2 lb. weights which seemed like a good place to start and my muscles were definitely burning.
• There is a lot of jumps, pumping etc... that if you're not used to could be tough to follow and keep up with.

I was worried about the cultiness of the class.  Everyone who goes seems to wear the logo-wear non-stop and talk about how it's the only acceptable workout.  Luckily, the instructors were nice and I didn't feel too intimidated.  I get the draw and it was a good workout but not life-changing.  Again I already have the worlds best spin class so I was able to keep up with everything and it was very similar to my regular Monday class.  If you had only done your average 24-hour Fitness spin class before this, I can see why it would be so addicting.  I liked the addition of weights and the meditation in the dark.  I still think the price is ridiculous but considering every class seems to sell out, people are clearly willing to pay it.  Unless friends were going I'll probably just stick with my Monday class.

Has anyone else tried SoulCycle?  What did you think?

2013 Review - Ya Done Good

2013 was once again the "year of Kara."  Since 2006 or so I've dubbed every year the "year of Kara" and I've had some great years, especially since 2010, so I am not going to mess with tradition.  You know things are going pretty well when you look back and try to single out your favorite memory from each month and every month has multiple contenders.  Here was my best effort and horribly lazy editing skills and my favorite moments of 2013:

2013

All in all I had a pretty amazing year.  Looking back at the year I am feeling very blessed with family, friends, health, travel and adventure.  Besides my mothers health (multiple bad diagnosis this year), what more could a girl ask for?  I have lots of goals for 2014 and I have a feeling it's going to be another year jam-packed with fun, new experiences and changes. But before I move forward, a quick recap of last year.

2013 Goals:

• To finish a marathon in under 4:30 - F (FAIL)
• Didn't even run one but this is my No.1 goal for 2014 and one I hope to have completed on March 2nd
• To finish a half-iron in under 7 hours -NP (no-pass)
• Didn't do a half Ironman but I am much more okay with this one.  I knew early in the year I would burnout if I tried to fit this into my crazy calendar.  I am not going to recycle this one for 2014 either.  If I end wanting to do one at the end of the year, I will but I don't need the pressure since it's not a huge priority right now.
• To finish 3 half-marathons in under 2 hours - B (2 of 3)
• I knocked out two right away with Nike DC & MTB.  Both of those I finished much faster than I thought possible but I never got that 3rd.
•  To get on the Nuun Hood To Coast Team (this one is not entirely in my control but I will do everything I can)  - A+
• An amazing experience I will never forget!
• To do more races in the state of CA then outside of it - A 
• Stuck to that goal and didn't get burnt out.  Win win!

The Numbers:

• Running: 765 Miles
• Swimming: 13,500 Meters
• Cycling: 277 Miles
• Hiking: 45 Miles (actual hikes, does not include commute & general daily miles)
• 15 Spin Classes
• TOTAL: 1341 Miles

• 15 Core/Weight Sessions
• 11 Yoga Classes 
• 12 Races - One for every month
• 6 Half Marathons
• 2 Olympic Triathlons
• 3 Relays (2 regular, 1 ultra)
• 1 Bike Race
  

I feel good about where I am with my fitness compared to a year ago.  I had some breakout races this year and stuck to my goal of not getting burnt out and keeping my life balanced. I kept most of my races "local" and had a great time exploring my new home state.  There are lots of little things I would like to improve upon (ex - daily vitamins, more veggies) but I am proud of this year and everything I accomplished.  Running HTC with Nuun was better then I ever imagined and I am very proud that I made that dream a reality.  Crossing the finish-line at MTB and Nike DC knowing I had run my hardest and averaged Sub 9 min miles was a big accomplishment for this  previous 11 min/mile runner. I also really enjoyed getting back into the world of triathlon since my retirement in 2011.  Although it was only the 1st half of the year, it reminded me how much I love the sport and the cross training.  Reflecting on my accomplishments before I look forward to my 2014 goals, MFR and I came up with our new motto;  Enjoy the now, then take it to the next level.  2013 was an amazing year - 2014 looks to be even better.

March Stats & The Best Spin Class Ever

March:

• Running: 46 Miles
• Swimming: 1500 Meters
• Spinning: 53 Miles
• Hiking: 8 Miles 

Total: 108 Miles

Well it's getting better.  It's definitely not where it should be but I feel like everything is headed in the right direction.  I think the SF Half this weekend is going to be a real test to see where I am at and April is going to be my training month for sure.  I have two weekends in a row with nothing on the calendar but workouts.  That may not sound that exciting; but for someone who hasn't been home in three weeks I am pretty pumped.  I don't think I'll be breaking any records at Wildflower but I am hoping to possibly PR DC.  Hoping being the operative word.

Please note the spinning mileage above and then note that is from only three 50 min classes!  I have found the worlds best spin class.  There is no arguing with me on this.  It's just a fact.  Over the years I've done many a spin classes.  In at least four different cities, at some pretty fancy gyms,  with some really great instructors but nothing even begins to compare to this one.

I found it by pure mistake.  I had been taking three other spin classes at my gym, all which were really good.  One is based on just a constant increase the entire class, one they play music videos etc... MFR and I decided one morning that we should spin that night even though we didn't know what class it was.  We looked it up and there was one right after work.  What we neglected to note was the Level 2-3 notation which signaled it was for "advanced spinners."

We sat in the front row like the idiots we are, just chatting away about how full this class was, waiting for class to start when in walks the instructor (we'll call her Cici) who's entire 5'5 body is pure muscle.  MFR just looked at me and said, "she could probably kill me with just her ass."  Which is totally true.  Her arms are what every women in America would strive for but still I just figured she was really in shape and how hard could it be?  We get started and halfway through the first song I am pouring sweat.  Like dripping all over the floor style sweat.  Normally in any other class I'd crank down the resistance and take it easy until my breathing slowed down.  Not in Cici's class!  She will actually walk over to your bike and crank it back up.

She is the scariest most amazing instructor I've ever had.  What makes the class so unique is that she doesn't take a single break and she is incredibly motivating.  You just want to please her.  I hope that in her spare time she's a life coach or motivational speaker.  I swear you leave the class feeling pounds lighter and ready to take on the world.  She somehow gets everyone in class on the same beat (it's called rhythm spin) and can get an entire class of sf business people singing along to songs and chanting things like "all for one and one for all."  The first time I was totally embarrassed to be yelling out during a Rhianna song but now I am all in.  Last week she did an entire monologue from the Matrix that had people ready to sign up for Ironman post class because they were so inspired.  Come to find out she was a music major and happens to be in charge of the entire group fitness program at the gym.  Not surprising.

At the start of every class I literally am terrified for what's to come and for getting called out (hence why I am using an alias:)).  But when she calls you out for doing good, you feel like you just won a marathon.  I always think about not going just because I know how hard she'll push us but afterward I feel like I conquered Everest (just look at that mileage)!  To quote a all time favorite movie, "she can make you lose like three pounds in one class, she's completely gifted."  If only I could have her with me for every workout I'd be PR'ing every race I do.  Apparently she also teaches yoga so I need to get in on that too.

Besides losing 3 pounds a week in spin class I've been working on my HTC Nuun application and realizing my complete lack of editing skills.  So that's been interesting but hopefully I'll have it finished by tomorrow and posted by the end of the week.  Wish me luck!