Don’t Forget to Play
This is really embarrassing to admit, but as the eldest child in my family, I would play with my younger siblings into my teenage years. Like – games that required an overactive imagination. And I liked it.
I have always loved to play and dreaded the day that I needed to grow up and give it up. Except that still hasn’t happened. I believe the only way to live is to never stop playing and this weekend was a perfect representation of that. I ran trails. I did a wheel barrow carry with my friends in cross fit class. I tried to catch Mark in the pool when we were doing our swim workout. I ran a beer mile in a cow onesie. Basically, I played. And it was awesome.
How did it shake out?
Crossfit
Whenever I am in Toronto for work on a Friday, I meet my friend Todd for a 6 AM crossfit class and some post workout butter coffee. I love the traditions that surround it to make it an experience, especially because Todd is moving to Ottawa next year. For me, it is seizing my moments with someone who is important to me.
Pilates
Even though I have done Pilates at a few gym classes before, I have never had a personal training session on a proper reformer. I went to Merrithew for a session this weekend and it was so much fun to learn some new skills. I will write more about it later, but between crossfit and pilates, I was sore all over for the weekend.
Sunrise Spin Session
We had a jam packed weekend and in order to fit it all in, we were up before the sun to do a Trainer Road workout at Goodlife Fitness on Saturday morning. Mark and I put on music and would spur each other on through the endurance intervals. I bribed myself with Starbucks afterwards.
Trail Run in A Brand New Place
Mark, Todd and I joined a group of friends who were running at Rouge Park in Toronto that incorporated a fun trail run in with collecting food for the Food Bank! It was such a neat idea and we had a blast checking out the new trail system and catching up with some of our favourite Toronto runners! The run was organised by Heather and Jonathan and I got to see Christina again – I can’t wait for the next one!
Beer Mile
It was the Raccoon Christmas Party Second Annual Beer Mile this weekend. You can read about my first beer mile experience here. We did it in onesies and it was equal parts painful and hilarious.
Swim workout
This doesn’t QUITE feel like playing yet for me, but I do find it a lot more fun to do it with a friend. Mark and I did it together on Sunday afternoon and it made the time go past much faster to swap out who was leading the sprints and added the extra challenge of not getting dropped by the other person.
Everyone has a different idea of what playing is for them, but my challenge for you this week?
Rachel @ Better LIVIN says
Thanks for the reminder! It’s so easy to get sucked into ‘work’ mode and stay there. A little play is what everyone needs in their lives.
Kirsten says
Oh my gosh that beer mile I bet was so much fun! I love how you switch up your workouts, it inspires me to try so much more!
Christina @ The Athletarian says
I love this post. You’re right – we can sometimes get so caught up in all the seriousness of training. I like just meeting up with friends and making a workout more like a social outing. It takes my mind off what I’m actually doing (dying on trails lol) and the time goes by SO much faster. You are like my personal cheerleader and positive reinforcer so running with you is kind of the best (minus “kind of”).
Lauren says
Love this reminder! It’s definitely important to remember to take some fun time for yourself! 🙂
Jennifer says
This is so true! Love the ideas of things to switch it up.
deborah says
Working out with friend really motivates me to go! now if I could only convince them to try Crossfit with me 🙂
Erica says
You are an inspiration girl! I love how you switch up your workouts!
Thank you so much for sharing it!
http://www.ericavoyage.com
Lydia says
One of my volleyball teammates does a ton of crossfit, she is so insanely talented at it! I don’t understand how one can be that fit haha!