Nordic Swing Dance!

Sometimes a workout is just that: a WORK out! It just doesn't come easy and it just doesn't crank up those endorphins the way one would like.

This morning was one of those mornings. The old upper body ST moves just weren't happening without a lotta OOF and there were no new increments of weight added...just the same-old, same-old. So after almost an hour of that I move on to Spinning Class for an hour. But again it just wasn't happening. I was going through the motions but none of the tunes grabbed me the way they sometimes do. You know: when the rhythm of the music is right in sync with your pedaling or even better, inspires you to pedal harder?

So after a "meh" morning at the fitness center, feeling like my tank was running lower than it should and thinking about my heart, I head out to the car and WOW:

The great outdoors were beckoning! Clear blue skies, sunshine and mid-40's! Within a couple of days we are in for more frigid single digits and below weather: This was clearly a day to savor and treasure!

Although I wondered about tossing another workout on top of two that were already so-so I simply could not let this day pass without taking advantage of it!

Off to Otsiningo Park I go and pull out my Nordic Poles which had been gathering FAR too much dust, put on my mp3 player and I'm OFF to the trails! It was utterly the smartest thing I have done for myself in a while! I was just enthralled with my music, the weather, the trails busy with families, couples, joggers, kids on bikes and moving my body felt just WONDERFUL! I was non-stop smiles and at times even chuckling and chortling with inner dialogue such as:

My inner critic: "You're gonna PAY for this with all sorts of aches and pains!"

Me: "PAY?!? If what I'm doing is COSTING me I'll gladly hand over my wallet! There isn't any pill, potion or magic that can do any more for me than what I am doing right now!"

The shuffle on my mp3 player was in rare form, first serving up a couple of Sergio Mendes tunes, the first from my very favorite album of his:

Brasileiro - Magalenha
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
stYJkLlNmsY

Sergio Mendes, Encanto - Odo-Ya (be forewarned...these two albums of Sergio's will get you up and MOVIN' to the GROOVIN'!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
FnTyikc7aqk

Marcus Roberts - Cherokee: Virtuosic boogie woogie! You've never heard two hands have more fun than this!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
U7Yp32vmMfw

The Who Live At Leeds Shakin All Over (and later Baba O'Riley!) Love the bombast and drive of The Who!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Nhl83IAxpYs

Basia - Someone For Everyone (nice jazzy piece from an under-appreciated Polish singer)...couldn't find the studio version, but this live one is fun!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
HAAJ70TheRI

Had a nice teaser blast from the past: Sly Stone's Hot Fun in the (ahem) WINTERTIME! :-)

And I was delighted to get this recommended tune courtesy of RECREATING_ME! Pharrell Williams - Happy! Such a fun video with this one!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
y6Sxv-sUYtM

When I use the Nordic poles I try to really get *into* the stride and to remember to swivel my hips with my walk. With all the great music being served up it felt more like Nordic Swing Dance than Nordic Walking...lol! I tossed some jogging in now & then when it got a little sloppy for the poles and fjorded a few parts of the trail which were flooded over.

And yes, when it was all said & done and I finished the 5.25 mile loop I was one whupped and hurting pile of joy! Totally put thoughts of my heart on the way back burner!

Before signing off I just had to share such an inspiring talk I heard on TED TV, courtesy of our local public radio station:

Less Stuff, More Happiness:
"Writer and designer Graham Hill asks: Can having less stuff, in less room, lead to more happiness? He makes the case for taking up less space, and lays out three rules for editing your life."

This is really great wisdom, HUGELY resonated with me, and is WELL worth checking out!

new.ted.com/talks/graham
_hill_less_stuff_more_happ
iness

Find and celebrate your SPARK everyone!

Don