Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Misconceptions

So, my cycling class on Saturday went well. I only had two students, one of whom was a friend of mine I'd invited to try to ensure someone was there. The girl I didn't know arrived first. I introduced myself and we started chatting a bit. I asked her if she normally attended classes to which she told me she did. I confessed that it was my first class and told her what I had planned for the hour. She nodded politely.

This next paragraph is going to sound either insane or conceited but bear with me. I am a perceptive person. I notice things that a lot of other people tend not to notice. I sometimes question whether I really have the right idea about someone or something but then I've often found out I was correct after all. So when I say that I could almost hear this girls thoughts, you need to try and give me the benefit of the doubt instead of assuming that I was just being paranoid.

She was thinking "This girl seems nice but she doesn't look like she's as fit as I am. This is going to be a weak class. Oh well."

This made me a tad nervous but I had practiced my class twice during the week to make sure that it would go smoothly and also to be sure it was adequately difficult. I was also a bit nervous (although very happy) that my friend was able to make it because she's been training really hard and ran a couple of half marathons this summer. She was excited to come to the class but I was hoping she wouldn't find it too easy and boring. And I had no idea what the fitness level of any other participants would be. I took a few deep breaths and started the class.

About 20 minutes into the class I wasn't worrying anymore. We were all sweating and working hard. It wasn't easy for anyone. But it was fun. (At least I thought so.) The girl I didn't know kept checking me out periodically during the entire class and I could almost see the surprise on her face. She couldn't believe that I was not only keeping up with her but that I was actually going a bit harder. At the end of the class she said in a round about way that it had been the most difficult class she'd been to (score!) and my friend said she'd had to take it easy a few times because she knew if she didn't she might barf. (sorry)

Now, I am a competitive person but I wasn't trying to be competitive that morning. I was just trying to lead a workout which would be challenging for my participants. I was glad to have achieved my goal. I knew that no one was pushing themselves beyond their limits and that everyone was safe. I will save my competitive nature for when I am the student, not the teacher. It was rewarding though, to know that I'd planned a difficult and enjoyable class and also to know that I'd surprised someone with my fitness level.

I am cool with being that instructor who isn't a stick but damn, can she give you a good workout!

5 comments:

bon said...

Chicky... y'all are cool. THE END.

Seriously, I know what you are talking about, getting dismissed for you size and then making the dismisser reevaluate. Is mucho good-o feeling.

JD said...

OH wait a minute! didn't you just have a baby!! Wow that just stunned me into silence.

YOU RULE!

Anonymous said...

Making someone who dismissed or underestimated you sit up and take notice is the greatest feeling! Congratulations, I'm impressed, particularly because I have done spin class before and I SUUUUUUUUCK at it. My hat is off to you, and I'm so glad it went well. Hey, and I started with 2 in Sept. and now I have 7 regulars in my class, so I bet word of mouth will get you a nice big class in no time.

Anonymous said...

Awesome. Good on ya.

And, OMG - you have a Twilight countdown button:)

Anonymous said...

That's awesome. I know how you feel. I remember running a Saturday TKD class once and someone commenting to MR Gross afterwards that I had given them a really hard workout. I remember people whining that day when I made them run gut laps. Like they totally thought I was going to lead a wimpy workout.