PATIENCE

is a virtue I seem to be lacking. But it's getting better.

Today's Sunday class was the closest to perfect YET. I know, I should not be expecting perfection. No one is perfect. Well, you know what I say to that? PPFFFHHHTTTTT. Because I am just the kind of nutcase that expects a class that is darn close to perfect. I've been told to let it go, and don't beat myself up, but let's be real. I am just not good at that. I want to deliver a great class to my members. And I will. Actually today was pretty darn good.

I didn't start out thinking it would be like that. Yesterday I went to Kristin's BP class for my own workout, and stayed for kick boxing with Doris, who is AWESOME. But I was beginning to feel the old left shoulder blade knot pain and probably should not have gone to work out but stubborn me needed to do something that was NOT teaching. Even if it meant it would be my 4th BP class this week. I wanted the cardio in kickboxing as well.

During the back track, I had to put the bar down. The tightness and pain began to radiate across my entire upper back. Couldn't finish the shoulder track either. I am just too stupid and stubborn to give up, though, and since I had arranged for Steph to meet me for TKB, felt like I had to stay. Let me tell you, punching was not fun. I left 5 minutes early to get home and pick up the family for hair appointments.

By the early afternoon the pain was pretty intense. Iced, took Advil, stretched, rolled, etc. Still not good. Now I am starting to wonder about teaching. I mean, in the OLD days, I would just take a day off from the gym. Not anymore. The show must go on. I cannot just "call in sick".

This morning I was a bit better but still in pain. Popped the drugs, stretched, rolled and went out the door. I knew the Sunday class would be smaller than last week because several people had already told me they couldn't make it. Janet and Jeanett came, but they were the only "friends". No problem.

I tried to eliminate the whole shuffle deal again. Used an old iPod nano that Alex bought with baseball refereeing money years ago. Disabled the shuffle. So I thought. Good thing I gave it to him to check for me last night and sure enough, he showed me a different place to disable it. Whew. One problem solved.

Before class, I ran into Nancy, the nurse at my Ob/GYN office. She has been around since I was pregnant with Alex more than 16 years ago! She also did the SJ half marathon, asked how I did. She remembers my fat years. She asked me what class I was taking and I told her I was the Body Pump instructor! She was so amazed and proud of me. She said she had taken it once but never went back, so I invited her to try again in one of my classes. She said she will be there this Thursday!

Got in after Zumba, set up the music, put on the mic, set up my equipment. An older lady asked me what she needed and said it was her first time so I gave her some guidance and she said she was expecting her sister also.

Began class, felt REALLY good, moved on to squats, used the CORRECT song this time (yay) and had a great time. But alas, an "oops" - finished triceps, set up with the class for lunges, then when I went to turn on the iPod, realized it was biceps time! Instead of freaking out, I just told the class we were going to do lunges and then go back to biceps. No big deal other than being out of body part order.

That was IT!!!!! No other screw ups!! I couldn't believe it~it felt like such a success!!

After class, I was speaking to a young woman who was in the front row, we would make eye contact occasionally and she would smile, so I wanted to check in with her. Her husband came in to get her after he did his weights workout and I invited him to join us next time and he said he would because it's good to change it up. We chatted and she gave me the nicest compliments - said she loves my class, my coaching is so easy for her to follow and she really enjoys it! Made me feel really good.

Then the lady who was there with her sister for the first time came up to me and told me how much she enjoyed it, how hard it was and how she could already feel her abs! She has to be careful with lunges but she was excited to hear I teach every Sunday and she said she would be back!

I feel like I am connecting with a new group of people, ones who will become my regulars. I saw more familiar faces, more people smiling during class, but still pretty quiet. I guess I am just the kind of participant that grunts, groans and whoops alot. Oh well.

Janet and Jeanett both said it was better than last week as well. I am definitely feeling better about it all. Maybe it's just that Sunday is more relaxed, I can get the whole class in. Began at 11:20 and finished at 12:20. Nice to not rush out for another class.

I had 17 participants. Not bad for Football playoffs, or whatever was going on. I counted 6 people that didn't come that usually would have so it would have been a pretty good sized group. Super Bowl Sunday? Franklin said I might as well not have class. I explained it doesn't work like that. Even if I have only 2 people, class goes on......

The real test will be this Thursday. See if people come back after last week's major blunder. Getting in, getting through it, getting out and NOT cutting a track. That's my goal.

I was amazed that I had no pain during the class. I was so worried but the adrenaline kicked in. Now, however, my neck is hurting and I need to take care of it. Guess I'm scheduling a massage for tomorrow.

Oh, and broke a nail switching weights. When will I have a class where something doesn't break/get smashed?

THAT would be the perfect class!