There Can Be MIRACLES, When You Believe....

I got this sms from fellow gym member yesterday:

"Dunno whether its just me bt one of the main reasons I njoyed ystrday was the FF Community Spirit which is lacking in othr gyms...."

I have to say, whilst I have no experience with the other gyms, I have a fair idea of what she means. Yesterday (Saturday) referred to that huge MIRACLE 2006 event, organised by Fitness First, at the Curve, a charity event meant to raise funds for MAKNA. (not MAKAN). And I did feel a certain camaraderie with the Fitness First Crowd, and actually felt quite proud to be a member of the gym that bothers to organised such mega events with such noble causes. (and I am not being sarcastic)

Anyway, you needed to purchase coupon booklets of RM50, and pay RM30 for the outdoor classes, or RM40 for the extended outdoor classes, or RM20 for the indoor classes. Now, charity aside, RM30 is a steep price to pay for a class that is otherwise free, but heck, it IS charity. I ruled out going for Body Step, coz it was at 9am on a Saturday morning.... much as I would have LOVED to have gone. Had taken cough meds of the drowsy kind, and was feeling drugged. Targetted to go for Body Combat, at 4.30, which starred FCI, FPI, and No 1 in Tianjin, so obviously it was the natural choice. Foolishly, I underestimated the traffic on a public holiday, and was VERY VERY stressed by 4.10, when I was stuck in the basement of Ikano looking for a carpark in a very very crowded and jammed environment. FCI's gf very kindly registered for me... managed to jettison the car in some illegal spot, but only after getting clearance from the security guard. Dashed through Ikano like a madman, barging through the escalators, knocking everyone unconscious with my gym bag, did a change parade* (change parade - an army punishment whereby you are given a short amount of time to change from one uniform to another), and managed to get into the combat class which had already started.

Jakarta Jan was teaching the first few tracks. Still flustered from the stress of parking and rampaging through Ikano, I couldn't really concentrate, and boy, as it was outdoors, it was HOT HOT HOT. The heat from the concrete ground wafted up like a barbeque. I dont know HOW yhsmom could manage so many classes. Not to mention the "survivors" who had signed up for the entire 16 hour course. Combat was fun enough, I liked the muay thai track, and it was quite fun when for the group track, all of us circled around the fountain. The Thai superstar instructor, Don, was also full of enery, as was No 1 in Tianjin. FCI and FPI were shadows. No 1 in Tianjin appeared to have injured himself by the time it was conditioning track.

The event is like the Oscars of Fitness First. The who's who of the FF world is there, both instructors and members alike. Hitherto anonymous faces on the Fever forum become real persons. Finally met No 1 in tianjin, aka Dr Combat (Terence), ...or rather, finally introduced myself to him. I've been in his classes before. Also intro-d myself to EFil, who gave me a blank look..... gee!!! I'd have thought he'd recognise me immediately. It was nice to see old familiar faces, such as Longest Instructor, (as in I've been attending his class for the longest time), Kelvin Tan, Kim, my first step instructress, Eugene, (who told me about the existence of my "twin" in Leisure Mall), Nick, (FGXC, who didnt see me waving to him), and of course, Gorgeous Woman, all the way from Hong Kong, who had incidentally injured herself doing splits, and was unable to teach.

Fellow Member with her No 1 In Tianjin

Me with FPI aka Lex Luthor

Body Balance Instructor, Balancing

Wonder Woman, aka Gorgeous Woman, spotted shopping.

Crazy People Who Pay To Exercise In the Heat

I really wanted to come back for the charity auction, and watch a bit of UNLEASHED, ( a combo of body attack, combat, jam and balance), but was pooped by the end of the day, and as the cough meds kicked in, I saw myself passing out, but NOT BEFORE getting THIS SMS. I'm so proud of my FCI, that he managed to get the highest bids in the auction. Now, surely RM500 is a good price to pay for THIS FELLOW:



PS- I wonder if there is a "curse" in the latest release. So many injuries, from Wonder Woman, to Dr Combat, and yesterday, a fellow body stepper fell off her board and was literally floored, and had to hobble out of class during body step.