Running With Perseverance

This week I finally tried Splash Cycle–the latest fitness craze to hit a swimming pool near you. Have you heard of it? It’s like indoor cycling, but it’s outdoors, under water!

My Splash Cycle adventure started as all great fitness adventures do–with a friend and a Groupon. We started making plans while chatting after a ride at CycleBar, and miraculously it only took 12 text messages to figure out a class that worked for both of us.

Making A Splash At Splash Cycle

Splash Cycle is offered at two locations near me–a hotel in D.C. with a rooftop pool and an apartment building in Crystal City (Arlington, Virginia) with a ground-level pool. We agreed on a 7 pm class at the Crystal City location.

After stalking the website for information, I decided to wear a bathing suit top and spandex shorts. (If I go again, I’d just wear a bathing suit.) Swimming shoes are required, but they provide them for no charge if you don’t have any. I brought a towel and a change of clothes for afterwards, and a water bottle I didn’t end up using.

“Come on in, the water’s nice!”

It was a warm evening, but the humidity wasn’t too oppressive. Of course, it’s always nicer by the pool. 🙂

Our instructor gave us an overview of the bikes and explained the three basic positions we would be using–seated, standing up straight, and standing leaning forward. She also explained that we would do arm exercises under the water, and that we could create more or less resistance by making our hands into fins or fists or spreading our fingers wide.

There were about 12 people in my class–all women, but of varying ages and fitness levels. We had a good time as we pedaled and splashed through a 45 minute workout. I found it harder than I expected to pedal–water resistance is no joke–and between that and the buoyancy provided by the water my heart rate stayed in Zone 1 on my Garmin. I think if I had better technique I could have gotten a “better” workout, but I enjoyed being active after work, outside in a pool, at my first Splash Cycle class.

Weekly Wrap

I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap, so here’s a run down of the rest of my week.

Monday: Orange Theory Fitness
I hadn’t been to OTF in a month, and wasn’t sure about buying another pack of classes. I certainly hadn’t missed that 4:15 am alarm! But, the class was awesome and reminded me why I love it so much, so I went all-in and bought a 30-pack. It’s odd to think that if I go once a week it will last me into March.

Tuesday: CycleBar

Wednseday: 3.5 Scooby Miles + Splash Cycle
I was feeling sore and stiff Wednesday morning, so I opted for a shorter run so I would have time to stretch and foam roll afterwards–and I even did it!

It’s totally dark before 6 am now.

Thursday:  Strength Workout

Friday: CPY2 at Core Power Yoga

Saturday: Conte’s Hill Ride (22 miles)
I wanted to get in one more hill ride before the Reston Metric Century next weekend. There’s a new course this year, but I’m pretty sure it still includes the biggest hills. This time my bike didn’t make an annoying noise (yay!), but the lowest gears felt “off” so I asked the Contes mechanic to check it out. He found a few adjustments to make, so I hope it’s all set now!

We had a big group, but my friend got this solo shot of me
during the 30 seconds I was in the lead. 😉

Sunday: 4.6 Scooby Miles
I didn’t have a lot of time for a run before church, but since Scooby got me up at 5:15 we did have time for our usual loop.

Only one death-defying squirrel sprint!

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Have you heard of Splash Cycle?

What’s the craziest fitness activity you’ve tried?