Breaking a Sweat: Part II

I had to revisit this topic after my stint in Boot Camp this morning at the gym.  (see post from Jan. 4th)  The crowd was not quite as interesting as usual since several of the usual characters were absent.  I did take notice of a new category of exercise class participants I thought I'd share:

The Crowder:  This person comes in after you've already staked out your spot and set up your mat, weights, tubing, etc. and proceeds to set her mat right behind yours, barely leaving you enough room to move.  Meanwhile, there is an entire space behind her the size of a dance floor with no one in sight.  She has plenty of room to perform all her lunges, squats, etc. while you silently curse and have to turn sideways to do the same exercises.

Ok, I know that now you're asking "Well, why don't you just SAY something to her?"  That would make sense.  However, I am by nature a non-confrontational person, which is not always a good thing.  I know I should have said something but instead I just shifted my mat over a little and that was it.  Anyway, I got the last laugh because I was positioned under the fan, which came in very handy when the heater kicked in halfway through the class.

I've also decided what role I play in these exercise classes.  I mean, it wouldn't be fair of me to categorize all these people and not make a category for myself, right?  So I've come to the conclusion that I am . . .

Quiet Girl in Front Row Who Makes Goofy Faces Throughout the Class:  As I watched myself in the mirror, I came to this realization.  I may not say much or make loud, whooping noises during the class - but you can always count on me for some type of comical grimace when the exercises start getting too difficult.  It's usually some combination of the tongue hanging out, dramatic silent sighing, and/or my mouth making weird shapes - kind of like this:

It was a quieter group today.  Enthusiastic Guy in the Back Row was there, but he didn't have any of the Gossip Girls to keep him company so he was a bit subdued.  There was a newbie in the class - I noticed the instructor going up to her and giving her the standard "Are you new here?  Do you have any injuries?"  About halfway through the class the instructor said "Well, we lost one already."  I looked back and the new girl was gone!  She didn't even make it through the class, poor thing.

I made it through though, woohoo!!  So I've set a new goal for myself now that I'm finally on the road to exercising regularly again.  I've decided to sign up for the National Half-Marathon on March 26th!  No, I will not be running 13.1 miles - I'm not that crazy.  Instead I'm signing up as part of a relay team with my good friend Stacey and my other good friend (and sister-in-law!) Jill.  If I start now I think I should be able to run 5 miles in 2 1/2 months, right?