Spinning Tunes
I know I’ll soon be sick of the Pink song that kicks off this mix, but I’m loving it right now. Here’s this week’s Spinning playlist, with some quick flats to keep things moving and some Halloween (Haul-o-ween?) songs to keep things ghouling.
- Raise Your Glass (Clean version) — Pink (3:22)*
- Cousins — Vampire Weekend (2:25)
- Are You Gonna Go My Way? — Lenny Kravitz (3:31)
- Ghostbusters — Ray Parker Jr. (4:00)
- Follow You Down — Gin Blossoms (4:30)
- Thriller — Michael Jackson (5:57)
- Check On It — Beyonce (3:33)
- Forget You — Cee Lo Green (3:42)*
- Showdown — The Black Eyed Peas (4:27)
- Mr. Brightside — The Killers (3:54)
- My Life Would Suck Without You in My Place (Kelly Clarkson vs. Coldplay) — DJ Earworm (4:12)
*These songs are also available in saltier versions. Because I don’t want to get fired, I used the PG version in class.
Would you want your boss sweating it out next to you?
A few articles recently came to my attention: Both are from The Wall Street Journal, and both are about Bikram yoga. (Bikram Yoga NYC, which is mentioned in both pieces, is one of the places I practice.)
For the uninitiated, Bikram is a style of yoga practiced in a room that’s heated to more than 100 degrees. Depending on the day, it can be intense, awesome, totally bizarre, frustrating, and/or empowering.
The first piece gives a good, funny, first-person sense of what it’s like for newbies. The second piece is all about companies that offer fitness discounts to their employees; some offer reduced-rate Bikram, which means there’s the potential for bosses and minions to be side-by-side on the mats.
I’m lucky enough to have cool co-workers who love to sweat like I do. I’ve taken yoga classes with my boss and some of my colleagues on multiple occasions, and it’s been fantastic and fun every time. If you’ve tried Bikram or other styles of yoga, what did you think? Leave a comment! And if you’d never try Bikram, leave a comment and let us know why! How about working out with your boss? Would you ever do it?
Developments
Loyal haulers, how I’ve missed you. Both of you. (No, I’m kidding. There are probably three or four of you, not counting my mom. Hi Momma!)
So much has happened since last we met! A highlight reel:
The Boyfriend is now The Fiance. (Insert girly sounds of joy here.)
Photo credit: Stephanie Pinsdorf
I attempted two triathlons this summer, one of which became a duathlon due to poor river conditions. . .
Photo credit: The Fiance
… and one of which caused me to have a sobbing breakdown one mile into the run. Gory details to follow in another post.
Not crying here... because it's over. Photo credit: The Fiance
I ran a PR (personal record) at this year’s Boston Half Marathon, which left me sore for days but happy to run with old and new friends!
Cez and David, meet Rose and Steph. Photo credit: The Fiance
The good news, which is making me just about as happy as the sparkler TF put on my finger, is that the nagging plantar fasciitis that was keeping me from running and teaching step has calmed a bit. (Thanks, physical therapy and yoga!) This means I can finally run again, which means I’m no longer feeling frustrated and insane. Yay! Thank you to everyone who offered kind words or sent healing vibes into the universe.
The bad news, which is making me really quite bummed, is that my physical therapist and doctor have decided that step classes aggravate my chronic injury in a way that running doesn’t. In step, there’s just too much bouncing on the heel, which tightens the calf and inflames the fascia—a thick band of tissue that inserts at the heel. Not wanting to believe my doctor, I secretly snuck in a step class at a friend’s gym two weeks ago. Though I got through the class all right, I could barely walk when I woke up the next morning.
For now, at least, my step days are done. I won’t be returning to teach the Wednesday evening Intro Step/Step I class at Feminine Fitness, and my Thursday morning FemFit class is going to remain a Spinning class. I don’t know who will teach the Intro class from here on out. Please know that step didn’t cause my injury—that happened when I was dumb enough to try to text and walk at the same time a few years ago, breaking my foot as a result.
You’ll still see me around the gym. Karla, one of the cool chicks who reads this blog, is whipping my tush into shape for my big day. I’ll still sub for body sculpting classes when I’m needed. And you know I’d love to see you haul your buns to my Feminine Fitness Spinning class at 6:30 on Thursday mornings, or my New York Sports Club Spinning class at 5:45 on Monday mornings. Come on down, and give it a whirl! At the very least, bookmark www.haulbuns.com and visit it often. I promise to update it on a much more regular basis.
Teaching the Wednesday night intro class has been my extreme pleasure for the past five years. I will miss working out with all of you intro steppers, but I know you’ll keep on showing up, putting in the hard work, and supporting each other like you always have. Ladies, you’re awesome.
Hasta la vista.
Spinning Tunes
I’ve used this mix for a few classes in recent weeks, and it’s gotten a pretty good response. It’s a nice blend of quick, all-out songs and slower, yet driving, numbers. See what you think!
- History Repeating — Propellerheads & Shirley Bassey (4:01)
- Time To Go — Dropkick Murphys (2:53)
- Supermassive Black Hole — Muse (3:29)
- Bulletproof — La Roux (3:25)
- Breakeven (Falling to Pieces) — The Script (4:21)
- Showdown — The Black Eyed Peas (4:27)
- Truckin’ — The Grateful Dead (5:08)
- We Will Jump You — DJ Party Ben (3:33)
- Heartbreak Warfare — John Mayer (4:29)
- A-Punk — Vampire Weekend (2:21)
- Chelsea Dagger — The Fratellis (3:35)
- Ecstasy — Rusted Root (5:02)
- Against All Odds — Phil Collins (3:24)
Where’s Kim?
Greetings!
Here’s where I’ll be this week. Will I see you there?
Wednesday: 5:45 a.m. Spinning at New York Sports Club Butler; 8 p.m. Intro Step/Step I at Feminine Fitness
Thursday: 5:30 a.m. Ready to Race small group training followed by 6:30 a.m. Step Blast at Feminine Fitness
Ready To Race: We’re On!
As of 11 p.m. Wednesday night, the Ready To Race small group training will still take place at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday. I’ll call you by 5 a.m. to let you know if anything changes. If you haven’t heard from me, class will take place as scheduled. Be safe!
Snow Day!
Good morning, Haulers. Because of the wintry mix in New Jersey today, Feminine Fitness is closed. I’ll update with more info on other gyms as I receive it. Stay warm!
Where’s Kim?
Hi everyone!
There are some changes to my schedule now that I’m working a different day job, so make sure you check in often while I’m ironing everything out. Here’s what this week looks like:
Monday: 6 a.m. Spin at New York Sports Club Butler
Wednesday: *please note time change* 8 p.m. Intro Step/Step I at Feminine Fitness
Thursday: 5:30 a.m. Ready To Race! small group training, followed by 6:30 a.m. Step Blast at Feminine Fitness
See you at the gym!
Spinning Tunes
There are some heavy hills in this week’s ride, kids. Hit ’em hard!
1. Toxic — Britney Spears (3:20)
2. Makes Me Want To Pray — Christina Aguilera (4:10)
3. Dominos — The Big Pink (3:48)
4. Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) [Live version] — Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge, Rihanna (4:27)
5. I Do Not Hook Up — Kelly Clarkson (3:20)
6. No Woman, No Cry — Bob Marley & The Wailers (4:08)
7. Sing Along — Blue Man Group feat. Dave Matthews (3:26)
8. Green Light — John Legend feat. André 3000 (4:44)
9. LoveGame — Lady Gaga (3:38)
10. Miss You — The Rolling Stones (3:35)
11. Funhouse — Pink (3:25)
12. Clint Eastwood — Gorillaz (3:45)
13. Let It Be — Jennifer Hudson feat. The Roots (3:53)
Where’s Kim?
Hi everyone! In my out-of-the-gym life, I’m starting a new job this week, so there are some interruptions to my teaching schedule while I figure everything out. Please bear with me, and please be nice to my subs! I can’t wait to get back to working out with you!
Thursday: 5:30 a.m. Ready To Race! small group training, followed by 6:30 a.m. Step Blast at Feminine Fitness
Keep up the good fight!
Haul Buns 