STUDENT NEWS: Be sure to let me know how you are doing with your events this summer and how Spinning classes may have helped you prepare for them. Whether it's RAGBRAI, triathlons, or recreational rides. I have an interest in how you are doing and hope you'll stop by and let me know.
MY NEWS: I am off on a two week vacation soon so there will be substitutes for many of my upcoming classes. My pre-vacation goal was to obtain my NASM certification as a personal trainer before I left. (I couldn't stand the idea of continuing the numerous hours of study while on vacation.) I'm proud to report that I passed my exam yesterday. I spent hundreds of hours studying and filled eight 3-ring notes with notes on physiology, anatomy and kinesiology. I hope that some of that study will make me a better Spinning instructor for you. Special thanks in this regard to Mariah Scott, one of my Spinning students. Mariah is a med student at DMU and she tutored me through the more difficult material. Another Spinning student, Dr. Larry Coppola was also helpful with information and encouragement. Thanks to all of you who kindly encouraged me throughout the process. And congratulations to Jen Eubanks, another Spinning student who also recently passed the exam.
MUSIC: Thanks Brittany for providing me with a list of your favorite Spinning songs. I have been including them in my recent classes and I invite all of you to give me a list as well. It's your class, no reason we can't use some of your favorite music. A 100% Polka class?
CONCENTRATION: One of my regular students was telling me recently how the mental concentration required to do an intense 6 minute time trial effort helped him concentrate with his competitive tennis. Staying totally focused while your body aches and heart pounds is not easy. Practicing the intense focus of a time trial translates to other things in life. And it proves that the benefits of Spinning are not just physiological but psychological and emotional as well. Thanks Dean.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF TRAINING: A recent article in Sports Illustrated reported on a new USA Swimming training center in Fullerton, California. The center is headed by Olympic assistant coach Sean Hutchison. Hutchison's training philosophy was striking to me because - even for competitive, elite, Olympic athletes - he advocates the important of a life in balance. To quote the article, "He eschews stopwatches, stressing technical perfection over times; usually runs one practice daily instead of two; and prefers that his swimmers train in a 33 1/3- meter pool (as opposed to 25 or 50 meters) because, he says they have "no emotional attachment" to times achieved at that distance. He often speaks about creating 'a moving piece of art' in the water." One of his Olympic contenders says, Hutchison "wants you to be happy as a person. He believes that translates to your swimming."
I've written previously in this column about how exercise helps you center your life. I believe that exercise make all the aspects of our lives better. And I also believe that having a balanced life makes our athletic performance better. As humans, we want to be centered. We seek balance. The meaning of that balance is different for each of us but there are some common elements. We all have to balance our lives between work, recreation, and family. In addition we need to keep our lives balanced in other ways: spiritual, social and financial. I believe that all of this is important to physical exercise because we cannot do our very best physically if our life is not in order in these other realms. It is a matter of balance.
A THOUGHT: "But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads." Albert Camus.
MY TIPS FOR ASPEN MEMBERS GOING ON RAGBRAI, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR FIRST:
1. If you haven't already done so, get your bike into your favorite bike shop for a safety check before you leave. It's late, the shops are busy, but see if you can get in if you haven't already.
2. Ride, but ride easy, in the week before RAGBRAI. Going hard now is only likely to make you tired. On the other hand, keep riding indoors or out, whatever you can. Keep moving but now is the time to ride easy - not the time to hammer.
3. Pace yourself. The first days of RAGBRAI you will be tempted to ride hard. I'd suggest staying strong and steady but not chasing down sprints etc until you get your legs under you.
4. Food and drink. Eat and drink healthy during the day. Don't eat crap, at least not too much. Enjoy yourself in the evenings but be smart.
5. Rest. It's hard to sleep in the RAGBRAI campgrounds so take advantage of an afternoon nap if you can.
6. Safety, predictability and pace lines. On RAGBRAI itself, you need to be careful to follow some basic rules for both safety and etiquette. A bicycle has all the rights and responsibilities of vehicles under Iowa law so obey traffic laws, especially stop signs. Wear a helmet. Keep to the right as practicable but position yourself in the roadway so you don’t get squeezed off the road by traffic. Be sure to always signal your intentions to cars and other riders. And be alert so you are not surprised by unexpected moves from others. Don’t use pacelines unless you are an experienced rider who knows the skills and abilities of the others in the paceline.
MY TEACHING SCHEDULE:
Alternate Monday's 9:00AM at Southeast
Every Monday 5:45PM at Southeast.
Every Wednesday 9:00AM at Southeast.
Every Wednesday 5:45PM at Merle Hay.
Every Thursday 5:45PM at Merle Hay.
Every Saturday 7:30AM at Hickman.
Check out all the schedules at http://www.aspenathleticia.com/group-fitness/schedules/
Join us at http://billroachblog.blogspot.com
Bill Roach
Star 3 Lifetime Certified Spinning Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine (pending)
Aspen Athletic Clubs
bill.roach@mchsi.com
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