Spring Break

After enjoying a week off of school, it’s hard to get back into my old habits like doing homework and being productive with my free time. While meetings, papers, and tests are already covering my desk calendar, one thing I’ve been looking forward to about coming back to school is going back to the gym.

I wasn’t completely inactive over spring break, but I did take a considerable break from my workouts. All I managed to do was one run, a 4 mile walk, and a basketball game. I don’t feel bad about taking the time off though because I got to see some friends who I won’t get a chance to see again until May. To me the break is justified and has left me itching to hit the gym again.

I also decided over spring break that I am going to work out more. Nothing too intense, just an extra washboard abs class some days and now that the weather is getting nicer, I plan to go running outside when the urge strikes me. (I’ve already accomplished the first step by creating a killer running play list.)

I was finally able to cave into my workout cravings last night when I went for a run to successfully avoid the monotonous task of unpacking. I grabbed my iPod, with the brilliantly crafted playlist, and went for a run enjoying a calm, quiet night on campus.

I actually enjoyed my run. Which, coming from the girl who would only willingly run after a hot young starlet, is saying something. Normally I HATE running! Quickly getting sweaty and out of breath isn’t really my kind of thing; I just don’t find it fun. But last night, running felt good. Maybe it was due to all my pent up energy from spring break, or the small part of me that was happy to be back at school energized my run. Whatever it was, hopefully I’ll feel like that more often, so running doesn’t become a chore.

Now it’s time for washboard abs and Zumba, both of which I missed dearly.

Again? ABSolutely!

On Tuesday, while walking back from class, I received a text from Sandra. “Oh and I’M SO EXCITED FOR WASHBOARD ABS/POWER REMIX TONIGHT!” I had just left French class, after which my mind is always a little muddled. An hour of thinking in French causes comprehending English to be a difficult task. I responded with a quick, “Yep, me too,” and didn’t think anything else about it while I walked back to the dorm translating my brain back to English.

 The homemade workout schedule posted on my door says, “Tuesday: Washboard Abs 6- 6:20, Power Remix 6:45- 7:30.” Easy enough. I, however, decide not to look at the schedule Sandra and I follow, but to look at the official Penn State Fitness schedule which has every class located at the White Building on it. Quick glance and I think (post French class brain), “4 o’clock, washboard abs, got it.”

Not feeling like doing any homework I spent the next hour online window shopping, putting items in my cart but never actually checking out. This simple distraction caused me to lose track of time. 3:45 rolls around and I’m not even dressed for the gym yet. After a quick panic attack consisting of, “Oh man I’m going to be late,” and “Sandra will be mad at me,” I changed and was out the door in record time. I practically ran to the White Building, an approximate 15 minute walk, and made just as the class was beginning.


 I threw my stuff down and grabbed a mat, searching for Sandra on the basketball court. Where was she? I couldn’t find her, so I figured I might as well just do the work out and I’d meet up with her before Power Remix. With every crunch we did, I seized the opportunity to do a quick search of the gym for my missing roommate. No luck. Twenty minutes later, the intense abdomen workout is over. Abs sore, I grab my phone. Sandra had texted me, “Where are you?” My response instant and sassy, “Ummm… Excuse me… Where are YOU?? I’m on my way to Power Remix.” She quickly texts back and I know she’s laughing at me, “We go at 6 crazy.”

Oh. Right.



Actual photo: My abs after Tuesday.
Just Kidding!

I walk back. At the sight of my face, Sandra bursts into laughter. While laughing, she manages to gasp, “You still have to go at 6.” Defeated, I answer, “Yeah, I know.”

Rolling out of bed Wednesday morning proved to be one of the most painful experiences of my life. Not really. But my abs hurt. A lot. You don’t realize how much you use your abs for, until every small movement causes them an achy pain.



Oh well, at least I’m on my way to having killer washboard abs.