Cross-training

Cross-training is an important part of running.  Constant pounding on the legs day after day is not good for your joints and muscles, so cross-training (ie doing different forms of exercise) helps keep you in shape while giving your legs a break.

I have never been very good at cross-training.  A lot of runners use biking or swimming to help them stay in shape.  I, on the other hand, thought for a fleeting minute about training for a triathlon...then I remembered that I don't like to swim OR bike!  Some runners use an elliptical or stair stepper to cross-train.  I have access to neither of these pieces of equipment and I am too cheap to buy a gym membership.

So what is my preferred method of cross-training?  Dancing!  My parents put me in dance classes when I was about four or five years old.  I took ballet, tap, and jazz classes until 6th grade, when I quit to pursue other activities.  A couple years ago, I missed dancing so much that I started taking a tap dance class for adults!  When I was in high school, my senior Spanish class even learned the Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance and performed it at Prom.  I am no longer taking organized dance classes but that doesn't stop me from dancing around my house while doing chores or from playing the "Just Dance" game for Xbox!

Ballet

Pebbles Flinstone surrounded by...bunnies?

It may not be the most conventional way to get exercise when I am not running, but it is fun and so good for the body!  Some days, it is hard to work up the motivation to run and changing my workout routine helps keep things from becoming too stale.

I'm the one on the far left of the photo, in the green dress!

Me and Matt dancing at our wedding

I'm working on a special blog post featuring a special dance to be posted in a few weeks, so stay tuned for that!  In the mean time, check out this video made by children undergoing treatment at a children's hospital!



Remember, I am raising money for Riley Hospital for Children as I train for the 500 Festival Mini Marathon.  Thank you to everyone who has generously donated so far, and if you have not donated, please look at my personal fundraising page and consider donating.  No matter how small the dollar amount, every little bit helps to make sure that these amazing kids can continue dancing for years to come!
http://donate.rileykids.org/goto/staceydraper