Shake it, stretch it

To shake up my workout routine, which, when I was going on a regular basis, consisted of me alone at the gym lifting weights and using the treadmill/elliptical/stationary bike, I decided to sign up for a class. Having done this only ONCE in my life, I was a little nervous. The other class I signed up for 2 years ago (and promptly quit) was a step aerobics class. Let's just say I don't have the gift of the rhythm or of the dance, so I was a miserable little pumpkin. The class I am taking now (and have NO intention to quit! YEAH!) is called "Bodyflow," which is a mix of tai chi, yoga, pilates and basic stretching. It's an hour long on Thursday and Saturday mornings, and this morning was my first class. I LOVE IT! The instructor is very calm and cool, and my "classmates" are totally normal people (that is, all ages and sizes) who mess up the moves occasionally, just like I do. I feel like I've found my people! After the class, I told my instructor that I really enjoyed myself. She said that she had a number of marathoners who took her class because they felt they recovered quicker and that the class provided a good balance to the running. I didn't let it slip that I'm training for a marathon, but I was encouraged that more experienced marathoners (i.e., people that have actually DONE a marathon) find this class to be useful. I definitely did. I have moved and stretched parts of my body that I never knew were there. I'm encouraged by my workout routine. The only bummer is waking up at 5:15am! That was not fun! If I can do this, anyone can!!