Cal: Good luck. Let me know if there is something else you want to see.
Mim: Yes stretch! Hopefully it will help. It’s not a cure all. But, I’ve seen some benefits from consistent effort on that front.
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Finally, made it to my first ballet class today. It was hard. So much terminology I don’t understand. There was no dancing on my part–just frantic attempts to mimic the instructor. I suck. But, it was still fun. The instructor is funny. There is a contemporary class that follows immediately after the ballet class. I’m going to do that one next time too.
I did some pullups and MP today too.
More and more I’m realizing that max effort strength–while certainly impressive–does not at all quench my athletic thirst. Seriously, I want to be a football player. I’m a devoted college football fan. Those kids are so fucking athletic. Strong, fast, explosive, fearless. I want shoulder pads for Christmas. I want to be able to run full speed and hurl myself into the endzone ass over teakettle. I think my gymnastics and dance training will help me with that goal. Don’t worry–when it happens I’ll take video. Lucky for me I have a son. I’ll pretend that I’m just there playing with him. Yep. I have it all figured out.
HAHAH! I would’ve paid to see your first ballet class! The image of “frantic attempts” could be incredibly entertaing. But I imagine you’re going to pick that up right quick! You’re so graceful as it is.
And I’ll add, for me, when it comes to dance it is indeed a game of mimicry. When I danced flamenco I would not only mimic the steps, but also the gestures, the facial expressions, the mood…that really helped me learn the fundamentals and understand the dance, and then I was able to dance ad lib and really sell it, so to speak.
And fuck, girl. I’m so with you re: needing more from athletics than max effort. I just want to be the total package!! Stronger, faster, agile. Woot woot! And I’m sure you could totally join a women’s football league somewhere.
I’m guessing your 5/3/1 isn’t optimized to football…yet?
I’m surprised that you didn’t have dance training as part of your gymnastics as a youth. My daughter hasn’t but looks like she has. Her grace is her strength.
Truly, I see you doing some crazy-ass multifaceted race that encompasses all types of athletic prowess: something speed-based, something strength-based, something agility-based, etc. since your interests are so varied. We have a number of those types of “races” out here in Colorado, I think.
And football! My female cousin tried out and made her middle school football team years ago. It was a big deal at the time.
More and more I’m realizing that max effort strength–while certainly impressive–does not at all quench my athletic thirst.
**** oh! my heart! I concur and feel akin to you in this!
however you are about a thousand fold wider in your field of sport! Such a graceful powerful women!
And football? my! I can’t wait to see you busting handsprings in your touch down dance vids!!
Ah! I hear you on the football bit…an old boyfriend and I would go out and play, there’s something exhilarating about slamming your body into someone else, and then being slammed to the ground.
Ha, frantic attempts to mimic the instructor—I bet you were beautiful! I love how well rounded you keep your training.
Btw, I have some gymnastics videos, but the experience has been more emotional than I had intended and I’m not ready to “release” them yet. Ha, so dramatic! Someday I will have them for you though.
Good stuff! Good on for doing some ballet–I have total respect for them dancers. They make everything look so graceful. You should have some carryover, seeing as gymnasts are pretty damn graceful too.
As for football, are there any ladies teams near you? They started one up in my hometown this past year. And not just flag football either–legit “let’s go tackle bitches” football. If you really have got that urge, look into whether or not there’s a team near you.
Masch: That’s what I want to be able to do someday–dance ad lib and really sell it. We spend so much time thinking about moving here. I hope learning to dance will remind me how to let go and lead with my body. Hmm. Am I confusing dancing with sex? Sounds like it.
2busy: Thanks for stopping by. I’ll play football–probably only with my family though. Tag football, but with shoulder pads!
Snap: I got a little bit of dance my last year in gymnastics, but they skipped the fundamentals and went right to polishing up our turns, leaps, and jumps. I’m not sure where my interests will take me. I guess for now I’m inclined to try some different things, but the strength training will stay as a foundation in my training. Bouldering is next on my to try list.
Mim: No, I’ve never done triatholons. Maybe someday. But, I gotta work on the swimming. And the bike riding too! I suck a shifting gears.
Thanks brute. I think football players are some of the most impressive athletes on the earth. I’d like to be one, but I am so not one! Sad face. I am little. I am only strong when BW is taken into account and even then I have substantial room to improve. I am not fast or explosive. I am slow with an ability to run for long distances. I’m like the polar opposite of a football player.
Kimba: I think trying new things is going to be my focus for next year. I am feeling adventurous.
JM: Because of your post I actually looked into whether there was a real opportunity for me to play in my town. And there is–well sort of–there is a professional league. Try outs are actually this weekend! If only I weren’t so little, and weak, and slow, and gutless, and I had time. Not this year. But, I’m going to keep it in mind. This dream is not dead. It’s just beginning. Lifting gave me the courage to try to do gymnastics again. Maybe I’ll learn to play football.
Lula: It’s hard going back. Sometimes, trying to do gymnastics again reminds me of how much I have lost, and I feel angry and regretful. Other times (most times) it inspires me. I am still very much this same girl with of all of her potential.
well strong or not it takes balls to desire to run and tackle people. My life is absolutely about avoiding being attacked and tackled! I say give the tryouts a go!!!
…maybe you can at least looks at the other players if you can’t get to the point of trying out yet?
Brute: Didn’t make it to even watch tryouts. Busy weekend. Tree yesterday. Swim meet today. I hope to watch a game though, and take my daughter. Like every mommy dearest, I’m going to do my best to live vicarously through her so I have, of course, suggested that she might consider playing football next fall. She’s not interested. Blasted! On the plus side, she has expressed no interest in being a cheerleader.
“C-U-T-E You’ve got personality. YOu’re cute. You’re cute.” There were 3rd and 4th grade cheerleaders at Henry’s football games. I only mocked them a little. The didn’t do a “stick it in cheer” though…so hats off to their coaches.
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To conclude my 3-3-3 week, I’ve got deadlifts today and maybe a run of some kind. The highlights of the week to date include fun with kroc rows. Oh, how I suck at these. But, I’m going to get them. Shit, this is my chance to rep out like a dirty whore and I’ve got nothing. Weak. SO weak I had to laugh at myself.
Jim and Molly can row:
I can not:
And squats. At ballet, the instructor said, “Do not plop into and up out of your grand plies–use the entirety of your music.” I hope she was talking to me. I may not be explosive out of the hole when I’m squatting, but my grand plies are dynomite.
