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Finding Balance: How a Runner Fell in Love with barre3
A few months back I had dinner with Lead Instructor Kait Hurley, and clients Jeff and Jen Matson after filming the barre3 Runners Workout. Kait shared with us her personal story about the psychology of being an athlete and how barre3 has helped shape her body and mind. I found it so inspiring I convinced her to share it with you too!
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Anyone heard of the saying “Work smarter, not harder?” Back in August 2009, Sadie blogged about embracing this mantra, letting go of her inner cardio queen, and shedding pounds. Well, this post was a game changer for me. When I read it, I was a brand new client AND a recovering competitive runner. Even though I had graduated college and was no longer competing for a Division 1 program, I was still running 60 to 70 miles per week just to feel normal. I was lost, disenchanted with running, and super exhausted.
Thanks to a friend at lululemon athletica, I found my way to barre3. Very slowly, I started cutting my mileage to take classes instead. At first I was concerned that barre3 wasn’t enough. Then it happened. I was taking Sadie’s class doing a zillion reps of Sumo Squats, and I started to fantasize about stopping. Would Sadie think I was wimpy if I just sat down on the floor right now? I began wondering if it was possible to take a break without looking like I was really taking a break. I hadn’t had these visions of stopping mid-workout since my most brutal interval workouts in college! Suddenly, I realized that I don’t have to kill myself running to challenge myself and stay in great shape.
After 3 years, barre3 still kicks my butt. It connects me to my past life as a competitive athlete, yet it doesn’t deplete me. Instead, I’m energized and replenished. Plus, I can do barre3 with my mom and sister. It’s become a cherished social time with some of my favorite women on the planet.
I still love running—I just do way less of it. And when I do run, I’m not exhausted. I feel strong. I no longer associate pain with progress. I listen to my body instead of ignoring it. I eat healthier because I’m inspired to put great food in my body. I’m more focused on how I feel than what I look like. I drive less, walk more. I sleep better. The list goes on. The workout and the women behind it have inspired me to live better. And for that, I am so very grateful.
– Kait
A few months back I had dinner with Lead Instructor Kait Hurley, and clients Jeff and Jen Matson after filming the barre3 Runners Workout. Kait shared with us her personal story about the psychology of being an athlete and how barre3 has helped shape her body and mind. I found it so inspiring I convinced her to share it with you too!
* * * * *
Anyone heard of the saying “Work smarter, not harder?” Back in August 2009, Sadie blogged about embracing this mantra, letting go of her inner cardio queen, and shedding pounds. Well, this post was a game changer for me. When I read it, I was a brand new client AND a recovering competitive runner. Even though I had graduated college and was no longer competing for a Division 1 program, I was still running 60 to 70 miles per week just to feel normal. I was lost, disenchanted with running, and super exhausted.
Thanks to a friend at lululemon athletica, I found my way to barre3. Very slowly, I started cutting my mileage to take classes instead. At first I was concerned that barre3 wasn’t enough. Then it happened. I was taking Sadie’s class doing a zillion reps of Sumo Squats, and I started to fantasize about stopping. Would Sadie think I was wimpy if I just sat down on the floor right now? I began wondering if it was possible to take a break without looking like I was really taking a break. I hadn’t had these visions of stopping mid-workout since my most brutal interval workouts in college! Suddenly, I realized that I don’t have to kill myself running to challenge myself and stay in great shape.
After 3 years, barre3 still kicks my butt. It connects me to my past life as a competitive athlete, yet it doesn’t deplete me. Instead, I’m energized and replenished. Plus, I can do barre3 with my mom and sister. It’s become a cherished social time with some of my favorite women on the planet.
I still love running—I just do way less of it. And when I do run, I’m not exhausted. I feel strong. I no longer associate pain with progress. I listen to my body instead of ignoring it. I eat healthier because I’m inspired to put great food in my body. I’m more focused on how I feel than what I look like. I drive less, walk more. I sleep better. The list goes on. The workout and the women behind it have inspired me to live better. And for that, I am so very grateful.
– Kait
