Carnival Vista Cycling Classes

Now that the honeymoon is over, I am back to reality, and finally healthy I wanted to post about my amazing experience with the cycling classes on the Carnival Vista.  I have to admit that my expectations were quite low since I had just taken a class during opening week at the brand new CycleBar studio in Chesterfield, MO the weekend prior to the wedding.  Despite the fact that Vista is Carnival's newest ship, I still expected lower-end bikes and a less-than-stellar instructor.  But what I got, ended up blowing me away!

The first cycling class of our 8-day cruise was at 8 a.m. on the first sea day, which was also the day after our wedding.  Needless to say, I missed that one.  But because I could not get my butt out of bed that early, I missed out on the best deal for cycling classes that cruise which was buy 3, get 1 free.  Oh well!

This was the class/lecture schedule for our cruise:

I didn't take advantage of the cycling classes until the day we were in Curacao, day 5.

As a result, I did not get any discounts and paid the full price of $20/class plus gratuity.  Now let me just tell you that even at full price, these classes were TOTALLY worth every penny!

Here's why:

• The bikes on Vista are the same as CycleBar, minus the tubes on the front of the CycleBar bikes that hold the weight bars

Vista's bikes

CycleBar's bikes

• Cycling shoes and towels were provided
• You get a MyZone heart rate monitor to use during class which not only tracked pulse, but also calories burned

• Have you ever ridden above a level 15 resistance in any cycling class you have ever taken?  Me either, until my first cycling class on Vista.  The instructor took us above level 20 resistance!
• The instructor didn't ride his bike much at all.  He mostly went bike-to-bike and pushed riders beyond any limit they thought they had.
• I sweated so much during class, that I convinced myself that I was sweating away all the calories from the tropical drinks and amazing, yet high-calorie foods that I was consuming.
• I am attributing my lack of weight gain to these three super-sweaty cycling classes

There were six - seven of us at each of the three classes that I went to, with half being male and half female.  The camaraderie was actually better than any other class I had taken, probably because it was boot camp style and a consistently small group. 

At the end of the last class, I asked the instructor why he thought there were only ever six or seven of us in class on a ship that holds nearly 4,000 passengers.  He said it was because Carnival is known as having the fun ships, which means plenty of food and drink....everyday.....all the time.  He previously worked for Royal Caribbean and even though their cycling classes were essentially the same, they had better turnout because their passengers tend to be more health-conscious (his words, not mine), BUT they also charged $30-$40/class.  So considering that CycleBar charges a drop-in rate of $22/class, Vista's classes (even with gratuity) were really a great deal and time WELL spent.  

Outside of paying for classes, there are also free lectures throughout the cruise and you can use the fitness center for free.  Here is what the fitness center looked like:

I especially liked the LifeFitness recumbent bikes because you could choose routes to ride, like this one in France.

We re-entered the real world on Sunday, April 2 and I ended up returning to St. Louis with a cold/ upper respiratory infection/sinus infection that took me almost two weeks to overcome.  That meant plenty of rest, several packs of Alka-Seltzer Plus liquid gels, and missing the GO! St. Louis Half Marathon.  I was completely bummed, but I also knew that I needed the time to get healthy again. 

Finally today I feel like myself again and am ready to jump back into exercise classes and running.  My new reality is actually pretty great!

If you would like to learn more about the Carnival Vista, check out these blog posts from 

I Run For Wine.  She really does a fantastic job of documenting the food experiences available on the ship:

Chopped Salads at Sea

A Review of La Casa en La Playa in Cozumel

Ramen at Sea!

Visiting Grand Cayman on Carnival Vista

Ji Ji Asian Kitchen on Carnival Vista

Carnival Vista Seafood Shack Review 

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse Review

Carnival Vista Balcony Room Walk-thru

Exploring the Carnival Vista

St. Patrick's Day Parade 5 Miler

Despite the face that I have been running fairly consistently since joining the Galloway Method Training Group in December, the St. Patrick's Day Parade 5 Miler was my first race of 2017.  The last time I "officially" finished this race was in 2011.  In 2016, I attempted the race and then had to walk from mile two - the finish due to the pain from a recent back injury.  I finished un-timed because I had ripped off the timing chip from my bib because I knew my time would be horrible.  My finish times for races weren't any better the remainder of Spring 2016 either but since then, I have slowly been working my mileage back up to where it had been and I have been incorporating more cross training and stretching into my routine.

I felt prepared for race day as it approached and I kept an eye on the weather since it has been so inconsistent this winter in St. Louis.  Snow was in the forecast for race day this year, but the race and parade that followed would be held regardless.  Packet pick-up was held the week of the race at several local running stores, so I picked mine up on Monday at Big River Running - U City. It was quick and easy!

Pre-race communication was timely and detailed.  It included information about parking, road closures for the race and the parade, and information about packet pick-up.  I could have paid for premium parking at Ballpark Village, but I wanted to get in and out of downtown easily, so I just parked at Union Station on race day.  Union Station is by no means the closest parking lot, so my walk to the start line served as my warm up.

There were plenty of porta-potties at the start/finish line area and lots of excitement and music.  Not long after I arrived at the start line, the race started.  That was probably the closest I have ever cut it!  I ran the first mile before the mob of runners thinned out enough for me to run intervals without tripping anyone.  The remaining four miles were run using 30:30 intervals which seemed to work well for me.  My finish time this year was exactly one minute slower/mile than 2011, but I was still happy because I finished WITHOUT pain and WITHOUT feeling exhausted!  After the race, I quickly grabbed water and headed back to Union Station so that I could meet my parents for lunch.

What makes this race worthwhile:

• Plenty of porta-potties at the start/finish and on the course
• Well-placed water stops
• Great course through downtown St. Louis
• The parade starts at Noon and there are plenty of food vendors along the parade route
• Easy packet pick-up options throughout the metro area
• Ample parking on race day
• Great pre-race communication
• Nice t-shirts

I also ordered Race Dots a week or so before the race, and they arrived just in time for race day.  I have been coveting these for probably a year now, but I finally decided that I didn't want to mess with safety pins and the holes they leave behind any more!  Race Dots offers many different designs and colors, so be sure to check out their website for more information.  

Due to my upcoming wedding and honeymoon, I will be taking a few weeks off from blogging.  

See you again in April!

#WellnessWednesday - RunPhilosophy App

I installed a different kind of running app before the end of 2016, and I finally wanted to share information about it with you.

Of all the fitness apps I use, this one is the most inspirational.  I may not check it everyday but when I do, I always get a little mood boost and motivation.  The app is called RunPhilosophy and you can click here to learn more about it from the Google App Store.  Each day you will get three new running-related quotes and so far, I have not noticed any quotes being repeated.  Since December, I have been saving screen shots of some of my favorites and I have included them below.  I hope that you will give this FREE app a try if you are like me and sometimes need a little motivation before, during, or after your run.  

Enjoy!

#WellnessWednesday - Volunteer with Race 13.1 to run for FREE

Races keep getting more and more expensive, especially if you wait until the last minute to register and miss all the early bird discounts.  Anytime that I come across an opportunity to run at a discounted rate or for FREE, I will send the information your way. 

The opportunity I want to tell you about today is through Race 13.1.  As of February 22^nd, Race 13.1 has one race in West Virginia, five races in North Carolina, two races in Tennessee,  one in Ohio, one in Virginia, three races in Michigan, one in Arkansas, one in South Carolina, and one here in Missouri.  Each race offers unique swag, scenery, and medals to runners but none of those races could safely take place without the help of volunteers. 

Pasted below is more information about Race 13.1’s volunteer program.  They make it VERY easy to earn a free race by just volunteering a few hours one day or combining a Packet Pick-Up shift with a race day shift. 

In 2016, I volunteered as a Course Monitor for four hours and earned $80 in Race Bucks.  That would more than cover a 5k or a 10k at any of their locations and it would also cover a half marathon if I registered early enough.  All I did was cheer on the runners by both yelling for them and shaking a cowbell as they passed, kept cars away from the runners, and directed runners and their families towards the finish line.  Super easy!!!

To find the Race 13.1 location closest to you, click here.  When volunteer registration is available, you will see a Volunteer tab towards the top of the page near the registration tab.  A week or so after your volunteer shift, you will receive your Race Bucks which you can use at any Race 13.1 location (except the Greenbrier 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon, since that is considered a "Destination Race").  Race locations are not always repeated year to year, so be sure to watch the Races & Registration page to help you decide where you want to cash in your Race Bucks.

#WellnessWednesday - A Much Needed Facelift

If you visited my blog to view the February 8^th post, you will have noticed that willrunforamedal.com got a facelift!  

The blog went from crude to AMAZING in a few hours thanks to lovely Erin.  I first met Erin virtually, through one of my favorite running blogs, Road RunnerGirl.  If you scroll to the bottom of her blog, you will see this image:

Naturally, I clicked on the image to find out who Erin was.  The link takes you to Erin’s Blog: Love, Fun and Football.  I clicked around her blog and eventually came across her Design Services link for blogs.  The price seemed amazingly affordable, especially when you click on her Portfolio to see the work she has done.  Suddenly my blog seemed so crude and boring compared to the blogs that Erin had redesigned, so I decided to send her an email.  I picked out bits and pieces that I liked from the blogs shown in her portfolio and then included a few ideas of my own. 

Within a few days of my inquiry, Erin sent me an amazing draft.  I had a picture in my mind of what the blog could look like, but her drafts exceeded all of my expectations.  The colors were bolder than I had pictured, the graphics were better, and we added a little sparkle here and there.  With just a few tweaks, we were ready for the facelift to go live.  I was so excited to see the changes implemented, that I completely forgot to take a picture of the old template.  In any case, I am very happy with Erin’s work.  She was so easy to work with and looking back, the entire process was completed in just over three weeks.  

If you are looking to overhaul your blog, I recommend looking at other blogs for ideas first and then getting in touch with Erin.  I think you will be very pleased with her work.

Thanks again Erin!

#WellnessWednesday - How YOU can earn a FREE race in St. Louis

I am spending my first Sunday back in St. Louis as a married woman running the GO! half marathon for FREE in April!!! I am finally able to run a GO! half marathon for FREE because I have volunteered at GO! races for over 20 hours total.  It has taken me a couple years, but this year I was finally able to cash in my time for a FREE entry.

Here's how it currently works:

12 volunteer hours = a free 5k

15 volunteer hours = a free 10k

20 volunteer hours = a free half marathon

30 volunteer hours = a free marathon

Click here for more details about the program and to check your current balance.

Click here to sign up to volunteer at the 2017 GO! St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend.  In addition to volunteer hours that never expire and can accumulate to a free race, you also get a free volunteer shirt!

#WellnessWednesday - Deep Stretch classes at Yoga Six

Last week I took the Deep Stretch class at Yoga Six - Des Peres on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and this week I took it again on Monday at 11 a.m.  The one word I would use to describe this class is ahhhhhhhmazing!

When I injured my back last April, I started practicing yoga at home to help ease the pain.  A month or two ago I mentioned that I wanted to incorporate yoga into my weekly workouts again, so I tried a class at my gym and ended up hating it because the noise in the next room was too distracting and it wasn't a beginner's yoga class as I had hoped.  Since then, I have struggled to find a studio in St. Louis that offers a truly beginner's yoga until I came across the Deep Stretch class at Yoga Six.  Here is the class description:

The description intrigued me and I haven't ever been to an actual yoga studio, so I signed up!  Yoga Six - Des Peres is in a strip mall in front of a Schnucks grocery store and adjacent to the West County Mall complex.  Despite being located at a busy intersection, parking spaces were plentiful.  As soon as you open the door to Yoga Six, you just feel more relaxed.  I picked up the scent of eucalyptus but they also sell various sprays and lotions from their lobby, so it could have been a unique mixture of those scents too.  Check in was easy and welcoming.

There is a sign near the locker rooms asking you to remove your shoes and leave them in the lobby before proceeding to the locker rooms and studios.  I brought my own towel, mat, and water but you can also rent towels and mats and purchase water in the lobby if you don't have your own.

The locker rooms were among the nicest and cleanest I have ever seen.  The lockers all have usb ports in them, there are showers available, and plenty of toiletries at the sink.

usb ports in lockers

The two Deep Stretch classes I took had different instructors, but we used the same props for both (blocks, straps, and bolsters).  Before each class started, the instructors went around to introduce themselves and ask about any limitations or injuries we may have.  Some of the stretches/positions were the same, but each instructor had a different flow and used different music.  In both classes, we stretched all areas of the body, especially the legs.  There were all levels of flexibility, so I felt comfortable and welcome.  Either white noise or the HVAC system was on during the entire class, so I could barely hear the participants on either side of me.  It was truly a sanctuary for relaxation!

After each class, I just felt relaxed and amazing and was so glad that I came in.  Going forward, I am going to try to incorporate many of these stretches into my week since I have a strap and one block at home, especially when I can't make it to the Deep Stretch classes.

Yoga Six has two locations in St. Louis as well as many other studios throughout the country.  Here is a list of their other locations.  Click here for pricing information BUT new students can get one free week of classes by clicking here.

I accessed classes at Yoga Six via the Class Pass app (more on that another time), which is still offering the first month for $19.  Click here to learn more.

Weekly Goals:

1. Plan meals for the week days - 75% Met - Still room for improvement.
2. Practice Yoga at least once per week - GOAL Met - Deep Stretch classes
3. Run at least twice per week - GOAL MET - Via boot camps and group long run
4. Foam roll at least once per week - Not met - 0% - I may need to roll this into Goal 2 and aim to stretch and/or foam roll more throughout the week but either would really suffice.   
5. Attend a boot camp at least once per week - GOAL MET - I need to consider re-wording this goal because right now my boot camps include the running mentioned in Goal 3.  Something to consider for next week.....