Steppin' it up with Alana

Well, I have a new friend. Love her. She's got an awesome name .. Alana. Isn't it pretty? Hers is pronounced like it's spelled. Her parents were snappy huh? Sometimes I wish mine had a strategically placed "i" in there. I imagine no one would mispronounce my name. Alaina. But maybe they would anyway. What's in a name right?

Anyway, Alana. The Alana-Alana thing gets to be quite comical at times .. especially on Facebook. When I text her .. it looks like I am texting myself. Funny. I guess I am having fun with this because I haven't ever known another Alana before. It's a bonus bomb that we click.

So I do like her in other ways besides the name she was born with. She runs. Hardcore. She's fast. She does trail runs .. which I had never ventured into trying. I pretty much stick to things I know. Things I know that I can excel at. She invited me to go with her and I was scared. If I do this .. then I HAVE to excel at it. No other choice. Alana took me on my first one .. in mud, snow and ice. I just knew I was going to break my leg. I didn't. But I learned I needed to be outfitted in the correct 'gear'.

Now .. I'm hooked. I live in Colorado and she has taught me that I don't have to be on my treadmill staring at the furnace all winter. Who knew? So I have completely taken on this challenge and bonus I got to SHOP. So that meant ...

* trail running shoes - check

* running tights - check

* base layer shirt - check

* base layer underwear - check

* running gloves - check

* thin running headband - check

* thick running headband - check

* running gaiters - check

* cold gear neck gaiter (that also doubles as a balaclava .. it's white and when I have it on - I totally feel like the white ninja guy from GI Joe. I kinda want to wear it when I run whether it's cold or not. Just for the goofy non-cool look) - check

* Nike hooded cold gear pull over - check

All of these items add up quick ($$$). But hey .. staying fit isn't easy (or cheap).

I am really enjoying having a friend who is into fitness as much as I am. She challenges me, which has been awesome. I find sometimes I get into ruts and I was starting to sink into that hole as the snow began to fall. She has quickly pulled me out of it and I am totally motivated again.

Today was another first for me. Alana invited me to go to a spinning class with her. W-O-W. Again, I pumped myself up .. took my energy drink .. wore my lucky sports-bra ... and went into this with my head down, focused. I HAD to be good at this. See a pattern?

In my effort to not let myself down .. boy did I get my AX kicked. Holy pickles .. that ... was ... so ... hard. I have never ever sweat like that during any one exercise. Ever. Not even in my 1/2 marathon last year.

And ... addicted. Going again with her Thursday.

I was looking around the room though .. does this mean I need to buy a gel seat ... and the click in bicycle shoes ... and new bike shorts ... and, and, and ...

For now, I'll stick to the basics with the spinning. Even though my hiney is uber sore from the seat right now .. I'll ride it out (get it?!) without the frills. Besides, I'm out of money.

Good thing motivation is free.

"I hammered up the trail, passing rocks and trees as if they were standing still."