the step class that kicked my ass

i like the gym, and i generally consider myself pretty fit. this is the reason that i decided to do that crazy 39.3 mile walk this fall. it also the reason i suggested to my friend that i accompany her to a step aerobics class this evening.

well, i forgot how much i dislike aerobics. and step classes in particular. but then again, i am not know for making smart decisions when it comes to gym classes and step classes.

my freshman year of college, my roommate and i decided to take a gym class in addition to our roster of academic classes. she picked a step class three times a week, and i stupidly agreed. it seemed like a good idea at the time. it would get us out of our dorm in the winter for something other than class (we didn't even have to leave to eat, do laundry or socialize and we couldn't get into bars anyway) and i would get us into shape.

but, the class was hard! and i hated going down to the other side of campus so many times a week for an hour of punishment on a rubberized step.

i forgot how much i hated it until about 5 minutes into today's class. although i admit to being clutzy, i'm not uncoordinated, and years of dance classes taught me how to follow basic choreography. but i cannot concentrate on not falling over while learning complicated choreography involving jumping, kicking and a 10-count mambo step.

that is, i cannot learn step combinations while simultaneously stepping up and down in order to keep my heart rate up, all the while being yelled at by a perky instructor wearing a britney spears headset microphone. i don't think i got the combination right at any point during the class. i always ended up on the wrong foot, or took too many steps, and i generally just wanted to die.

plus, it was about a million degrees in the sunny studio with very little air conditioning and no fans, and my face turned a very lovely shade of tomato. add to that the fact that i've been wearing glasses due to the pink eye and you get a pretty sad amanda. but it wasn't all bad: the bright color of my face made my eye look normal. (and honestly, ever since the class my eye has been looking better and better, so maybe it did some good)

also, it is my ultimate pet peeve when aerobics instructors promise you that its almost over -- just one more set! only eight more! you're near the end! last one! -- and then trick you by adding more reps or additional things to learn. it is evil.

but despite my mild heat stroke and inability to grasp the choreography, i managed to laugh at myself and smile through out. and it makes me feel good to know i survived a class like that in 90 degree heat. it almost makes me think that i'll be able to survive that walk this fall. almost.