Spin Me Right Round

I've been spinning for over seven years now. It's the only "sport" I've loved since gymnastics. I never dread it even on days when it's hard to make myself get out of bed and go to a class that's earlier than convenient. I think it harbors back to my childhood. I learned to ride a two-wheeler late in kid years. I was seven, nearly eight years old when most kids learn about age four or five. I have no memory of my parents helping me. Those were the days when my father was still building his career and working very long hours or travelling. Mom was trying to hold down the house in his absence and wasn't exactly the athletic type. Eventually, my friend Susie and I made a trade. She taught me to ride my bike and I taught her how to rollerskate. I'd say I got the better end of the deal. Getting on that bike was a freedom I hadn't known since I was maybe three years old.

When I was very small, I had a tiny tricycle. At least it's tiny in my memory. It was small enough to be very comfortable for a three year old anyway. We lived in an apartment complex in Hayward, California that was U-shaped with a pool and the rental office in the middle. We lived at one end of the U and my best friend lived at the bottom. It was a long walk for my short legs. I remember being a speed demon on that trike. I had tiny legs and it had tiny wheels so I can't imagine it went that fast, but it felt fast when the wind was on my tiny face. Learning to ride a two-wheeler brought back that sense of speed.

Back in September I got certified by Mad Dag (the original Schwinn creator of spinning as a group exercise). I was so proud of myself that I bragged about it to a few people. The same question always followed however, where I was going to teach? Who gets a certificiation and doesn't use it? I truthfully had no desire to teach. I liked knowing I could, that I had some authority over or experise above the average class member.

One day the teacher for the class I regularly attend didn't show. The class of hardcore mommies was not going to go without their sweat session so they turned to me and asked me if I would lead the class. I was terrified, but it was exhiliarating. Some weeks later it happened a second time. Following that class, all red in the face, I approached the hiring staff at my health club and asked if I could teach for experience rather than cash. I didn't need money, I needed confidence. I needed to not feel like throwing up everytime I walked to the front of the class and they looked up at me ready to be led. The club needed subs, badly apparently. Rapidly and uncerimonially they had me fill out paperwork and put me on staff. Today I taught my first official class and got paid for it. What a high. I forgot what those endorphins felt like. I could feel them most of the day and was even aware of when they started to ebb. I think when I was a teenager, I felt like that most days. I miss that level of energy and happy perspective. In recent years when I've exercised reguarly, that energy is tempered by the fatigue and cracks of "old age." The balance is easy to throw off. A warm bed, a busy day...too many reasons not to fight off the down and go searching for the up.