Riot and Frolic

On Running

I run three days a week.  I have done this off and on for four kids (it's easier to say that than keep track of the years).  Each morning, as I hit the sidewalk, I groan.  Not merely an under-my-breath, mostly inaudible sort of groan, but a loud, full body, complete with eye roll GROAN. 

I don’t want to go for a run.  No mom of a newborn who’s had a few random hours of sleep wants to chuck herself out the door for some cardio.  No Minnesotan wants to leave the house when it’s chilly out and they have to put on too many layers of clothing. Lord, no sleeping person even wants to get out of bed because it's comfortable and warm in there and the running is cold and high impact and UGH.

Scratch that.

Nobody wants to go running.

Don't get me wrong, people like running.  But they like the effects of running.  The middle parts (the wind in your hair! the hypnotic rhythm of your feet! the quiet! the nature! the time alone!) are fun. The end parts (a new PR! a good workout! a clear head!) are delightful.  The health benefits (high metabolism! strong legs! increased endurance!) are fantastic.  

But inertia is a bitch.

The effort to get out the door is immense and often feels insurmountable.  Especially when there's a warm cup of coffee in your hand and blankets on the couch.  

When I was running longer distances, I’d tell myself “the first mile is the hardest”.   Which means, right now, basically the whole run is the hardest.

But if I don’t run that awful first mile right now, I’ll never get to that third or fourth mile. I'll never enjoy those middle parts, which are especially excellent in the springtime, blissfully quiet and relatively effortless and pretty and empowering.

So I’ll head out the door again tomorrow, and to start my awful mile and shake off the irritating nature of starting something hard, I'll let The Groan out, to which my neighbors have become accustomed.

Unfortunately, strangers passing by, have not.

Top 5 Tips For Beginners

I wrote this with ballroom dancing in mind, but apply it to whatever you want.

#1 Start

While it might go without saying, to start doing something, you must actually TAKE THE FIRST STEP. HAHAHAHAHA.  #dancejoke

Ironically, the first step to dancing is NOT dancing.  So switch apps on your phone and find a nearby studio or class.  Make sure it’s for ballroom dancing and not little kids’ tap/jazz/ballet.  Maybe check the Google reviews.  GOLD STAR if you know a ballroomer and they give you a recommendation of a place. 

Call them.  They’ll love it.

If you have something in particular in mind, like a wedding that you’re attending, or you saw "Dancing With The Stars" and love it, or you really dig Salsa music, make sure you tell the person you’re talking to about that.  They’ll love knowing a little more about why you’re beginning and they'll be able to steer you in the right direction quicker. 

 #2 Attend a class

Whether it’s a group shindig through community education or a private lesson through that local studio, DO IT.  It’ll be a little embarrassing and a little fun and you’ll probably blush four times and giggle more than you think is proper for someone your age, but don’t worry.  We’ve all been there.  Was it enjoyable?  Do you want to do it again?  Well…

 #3 Practice

Even if you have no idea what you’re doing.  Put on some music (maybe you remember a song that was played during that blur of a first class or GOLD STAR #2, maybe you asked your teach for some music suggestions), but try to recall those two moves you learned by moving your personhood around the room.  Mime your partner’s existence if you don’t have a real one handy.  Screw up terribly and feel silly.  But move.  It’ll make the next lesson so much easier.

But FOR GOD’S SAKE, DON’T CHECK YOUTUBE.  [You will go down a rabbit hole of not-practicing and probably stumble upon a horrible and very wrong tutorial. Just use your brain and memory.  It’s good exercise for those neurons AND your body.]

 #4 Listen

Go to another lesson and listen to all those directions that the teacher is saying and apply them as much as you can. 

NOTICE I DIDN’T SAY “TALK”.  Especially if you’re going to lessons with a partner, it’s so very easy to tell them what they are doing wrong and not focusing on what you are learning.  It’s not a competition to see who “gets it” faster, because ballroom dancing is the ultimate teamwork exercise.  It is also called “partner dancing” and YOU must learn how to dance with a partner by doing YOUR part correctly.  And THAT is the best way to support your partner, not by pointing out their mistakes.  Until you have your part down, rest content that your partner is listening as well and is attempting to master their own part.

BUT STILL ASK QUESTIONS.  You’ll definitely be learning a new set of vocabulary words, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Like our teachers have always told us, if you have a question, other people have that same question.  To note, my favorite question of all time was, “Where are my hips and how do I move them?”  I answered it seriously, even though I think it was in jest.  Maybe.

 #5 Have fun.

We were all beginners once and connecting with a partner (of any level) is a joyful event.  If you come across some bummer on the dance floor who is cramping your style by being judgemental/condescending/overly physical/etc., that person is lame and you do not need to dance with that person.  Dance with whoever makes you feel happy!*

Go out dancing.  At a bar.  Or a club.  Go to as many group classes as you can.  Dance in your kitchen while you’re making dinner.  Listen to music you never would have unless you had stumbled in [and danced out] of a studio.  Make new friends.  Watch movies with a greater appreciation of the dance scenes.  Make security guards happy by dancing to music when you’re alone in the elevator (but still on a camera).  Try a new dance.  Take the floor at that wedding.  ENJOY YOURSELF.

* There's a shirt AND a discount code for 10% off your order [use: riotandfrolic!] for that.