Dear readers, I have a secret.
I am not a professional dancer.
In fact, because of USA Dance’s rules about amateur competitions, I am explicitly, stridently, and vocally Not A Professional Dancer. But lately I’ve been impersonating one for a couple of days each week and here’s what I’ve learned: being a professional dancer is HARD.
Today I got to the studio at 2:15 and left early, i.e., about 7:15. That’s an hour and a half of tango rehearsal with Jack, a 45-minute break, an hour of modern, and what would have been an hour and a half of ballet if I’d stayed till the end. Same thing last Tuesday. Same thing on Thursday minus the modern class. It’s awesome, but boy, I can tell I’ve been working. Real pros are my new personal heroes. I’m having tons of fun, just need to build my stamina a little more. And adjust my diet. Today I ran out of gas because I had virtually no protein. I can run for a long time on pure carbs but apparently not at this level of activity. Duly noted, metabolism. Here, have these mixed nuts and this yogurt.
It’s amazing how dance has taken over my life lately, and I don’t mind at all.