Last Thursday I joined my good friend Jen on her first 5K.
I was worried. She's been training - like actually training - for a race for MONTHS. I've been running like 3 times in the past 6 months. She goes running like three times a week. Oh, and she actually runs all three miles. In a row.
So, going into the race I treated it like I've treated all of my other races: just run the beginning, run the end and maybe run a little in the middle. Just finish in less than 60 minutes (because they will close the course on you).
I really wasn't expecting anything - especially since the last time I ran before the race I completely bonked. It was an awful run. And my other runs either got thunder-and-lightning stormed out or I just was a sleepy, whiny baby and stayed in bed.
Then something amazing happened.
I ran the full first mile - no walking. And I ran it at a 12:20 pace.
First - I'm fairly certain that's the first time I've ever run an entire mile without a walk break.
Second - I KNOW that's the first time I've ever done a mile that fast.
I honestly don't know how I did it. But it felt AMAZING. Even after the first mile I was able to run more of the race and improved my overall time by TEN MINUTES. Yes. 10 full minutes. I can't even tell you how excited I am about that. :)
This is the first 5K I've run at night. The race started at 9 p.m. Every other race I've run has been in the morning and I usually try to run before work or in the morning on the weekends. Running at night is awesome. I think I need to start doing it more. :)
While the actual running of the race went really well, there were a few drawbacks. First - I am covered in mosquito bites. Second - I had a few bugs fly into my eye and my nose. It's really hard to run when you've got a gnat in your eye.
Anyway, now I'm looking at a ton of other races. I definitely had a runner's high after the race and wish that it wasn't so hot and humid out this week - because I think I'd be totally killing my 1.5 mile route right now.
Until next time - happy dabbling! :)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Dabbling in Fitness: For the Love of Yoga
I've been doing yoga on and off for the past several years. My first yoga class was in college and I took it as a quick and easy gym credit. It easily became one of my favorite classes. Then I found a studio that offered 10 classes of hot yoga (Bikram yoga) for $10. I've never done anything that makes me feel so, incredibly relaxed and just plain good - inside and out.
So, after several years of not wanting to shell out the money for a studio membership, I'm back in the swing. As much as I enjoy my at home yoga dvds (they are quite good), being back in a hot yoga class is maybe the best thing I've done for myself in a very long time.
Now, the point of this post was to explain why I love yoga. Which is surprisingly hard to do...
I'll try, though.
You'll hear from every instructor that yoga is mind, soul, body. That's the total truth. It sounds cheesy, I know, but it is absolutely true. Especially when it comes to hot yoga. The body part is self evident. Yoga stretches and tones every muscle in your body. The mind and soul parts are a bit harder to explain... I think the mind part comes from spending an extended period of time in the quiet focusing entirely on yourself which extends into the soul. Giving yourself time to focus on you and only you is so good for the soul. It might feel selfish - but I've come to accept that sometimes taking time for myself is the best thing I can do for myself - and those rewards extend to the people around me because I feel so much better.
Now, I've had friends in the past who have been hesitant to try yoga because they don't think they are flexible enough or they don't think they'll have the time or a studio membership is too expensive. I've let myself use some of those excuses, I admit it. But - they are just excuses. Yoga is for ANYONE. I've been in class with women who look about 120 years old and people 3 or 4 times my size. Some people can hardly lift their legs off the floor when they start and some need blocks to sit on - but each person gets something out of their practice and slowly everyone gets closer to where they want to be.
I guess what I'm trying to encourages is anyone who has ever thought even a little about trying yoga to go for it. Find a studio, rent a mat and try it. I'd suggest a "regular" class for your first - but after a class or two or some time with an at home dvd giving a hot yoga class a chance. It sounds INTENSE - and it can be. But if you take your time, bring a lot of water and take breaks when you need them - you will experience something amazing. Every toxin, stress, fear, negative anything will be gone and you will feel transcendent. Yes. Transcendent.
Find a yoga mat! :)
Until next time - happy dabbling.
So, after several years of not wanting to shell out the money for a studio membership, I'm back in the swing. As much as I enjoy my at home yoga dvds (they are quite good), being back in a hot yoga class is maybe the best thing I've done for myself in a very long time.
Now, the point of this post was to explain why I love yoga. Which is surprisingly hard to do...
I'll try, though.
You'll hear from every instructor that yoga is mind, soul, body. That's the total truth. It sounds cheesy, I know, but it is absolutely true. Especially when it comes to hot yoga. The body part is self evident. Yoga stretches and tones every muscle in your body. The mind and soul parts are a bit harder to explain... I think the mind part comes from spending an extended period of time in the quiet focusing entirely on yourself which extends into the soul. Giving yourself time to focus on you and only you is so good for the soul. It might feel selfish - but I've come to accept that sometimes taking time for myself is the best thing I can do for myself - and those rewards extend to the people around me because I feel so much better.
Now, I've had friends in the past who have been hesitant to try yoga because they don't think they are flexible enough or they don't think they'll have the time or a studio membership is too expensive. I've let myself use some of those excuses, I admit it. But - they are just excuses. Yoga is for ANYONE. I've been in class with women who look about 120 years old and people 3 or 4 times my size. Some people can hardly lift their legs off the floor when they start and some need blocks to sit on - but each person gets something out of their practice and slowly everyone gets closer to where they want to be.
I guess what I'm trying to encourages is anyone who has ever thought even a little about trying yoga to go for it. Find a studio, rent a mat and try it. I'd suggest a "regular" class for your first - but after a class or two or some time with an at home dvd giving a hot yoga class a chance. It sounds INTENSE - and it can be. But if you take your time, bring a lot of water and take breaks when you need them - you will experience something amazing. Every toxin, stress, fear, negative anything will be gone and you will feel transcendent. Yes. Transcendent.
Find a yoga mat! :)
Until next time - happy dabbling.
Dabbling in Fitness: Getting in a Rhythm
I blogged last time that I put together a new fitness regimen. Well, it's been a few weeks and so far, it's going pretty well.
I admit - I haven't made it to every workout, every day - but there have been some extenuating circumstances.
Last Monday I was up and ready to run at 5am - and it started storming. Not just heavy rain. There was also thunder and lightning. I'm willing to run in the rain. I don't mind thunder. Lightning? No way. I'm terrified of being struck by lightning. So, I put myself to back to bed for another hour or so.
Then on Tuesday, I couldn't bike home because it was an election night and I needed to stay at work late.
Wednesday we had a conservation hike at a city conservation park - instead of yoga. It was beautiful - I'll share some thoughts and photos a little later in another post.
Thursday was a big day! The Full Moon 5K. It was AWESOME. And I'll detail that in another post as well.
This weekend wasn't as active as I'd have liked it to be. I still didn't get to the pool on the weekend. But I DID buy a whole bunch of new clothes! Since I hit the 15 pound mark pretty much nothing fit, so I needed some new stuff and I have got to say - it feels GOOD to have clothes that fit properly again.
Monday I got in some hot yoga. I am LOVING the hot yoga. If I didn't think it would be overkill and that I'd still have a lot of quality time with Chris, I'd do it every day. LOVE it.
Yesterday I finally made it to the pool. After 35 minutes in the lap pool and 5 minutes in the current pool one thing is abundantly clear to me - I am a pretty terrible swimmer. I cannot remember how to breathe properly while swimming. I remember the crawl stroke and flutter kicks, but breathing in between is just something my body is having trouble remembering. I'm looking into options for adult swim lessons to see if I an brush up on it so that I can get more serious about my swim training.
Now, this week I'm sure you all know that it's been ridiculously hot and humid. Because of that I have wussed out on a few workouts - namely riding my bike home from work yesterday and running today. I guess I thought a little rest would be better than getting a crappy workout and making myself sick.
So - next week is supposed to be slightly cooler - so that should help me get in more of the workouts I have planned.
Now - I have a bunch more to post - so stay tuned tonight for extra reading! And, happy dabbling in your own endeavors. :)
I admit - I haven't made it to every workout, every day - but there have been some extenuating circumstances.
Last Monday I was up and ready to run at 5am - and it started storming. Not just heavy rain. There was also thunder and lightning. I'm willing to run in the rain. I don't mind thunder. Lightning? No way. I'm terrified of being struck by lightning. So, I put myself to back to bed for another hour or so.
Then on Tuesday, I couldn't bike home because it was an election night and I needed to stay at work late.
Wednesday we had a conservation hike at a city conservation park - instead of yoga. It was beautiful - I'll share some thoughts and photos a little later in another post.
Thursday was a big day! The Full Moon 5K. It was AWESOME. And I'll detail that in another post as well.
This weekend wasn't as active as I'd have liked it to be. I still didn't get to the pool on the weekend. But I DID buy a whole bunch of new clothes! Since I hit the 15 pound mark pretty much nothing fit, so I needed some new stuff and I have got to say - it feels GOOD to have clothes that fit properly again.
Monday I got in some hot yoga. I am LOVING the hot yoga. If I didn't think it would be overkill and that I'd still have a lot of quality time with Chris, I'd do it every day. LOVE it.
Yesterday I finally made it to the pool. After 35 minutes in the lap pool and 5 minutes in the current pool one thing is abundantly clear to me - I am a pretty terrible swimmer. I cannot remember how to breathe properly while swimming. I remember the crawl stroke and flutter kicks, but breathing in between is just something my body is having trouble remembering. I'm looking into options for adult swim lessons to see if I an brush up on it so that I can get more serious about my swim training.
Now, this week I'm sure you all know that it's been ridiculously hot and humid. Because of that I have wussed out on a few workouts - namely riding my bike home from work yesterday and running today. I guess I thought a little rest would be better than getting a crappy workout and making myself sick.
So - next week is supposed to be slightly cooler - so that should help me get in more of the workouts I have planned.
Now - I have a bunch more to post - so stay tuned tonight for extra reading! And, happy dabbling in your own endeavors. :)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Dabbling in Fitness: New Regimen - aaaaand GO!
First off - sorry for the lack of reading material, kids. The past few weeks have been SUPER busy. I was at a 3-day training for work (nothing exciting - I promise), then we went on 6-days of glorious time off. Which I intend to fully blog about once the "lost" SD cards get to town with my in-laws. (Brief recap: Milwaukee Zoo - AWESOME. Paddle boats - AWESOME. Fireworks for my birthday - AWESOME. Hall & Oates for my birthday - SUPER AWESOME. Two days in the Dells going on tours and doing touristy things - AWESOME. Cave of the Mounds - AWESOME. Seeing friends in Dubuque for a BBQ & Fireworks - AWESOME.)
Anyway, I promised myself that once I made it through our "6-day weekend" I'd get back on track. So far, so good. Actually, I sort of started early...
Last Sunday I went "water walking" with my mother-in-law and her friend Patty. We've done this a few times - it's just what it sounds like: walking in water. We did it for 2 hours. It was awesomely fun. Even the few times I actually swam half the length of the pool (testing myself for the tri-training) felt good. I am nervous about swim training because I've never been a great swimmer - but I think the water walking (in 9 ft of water for 1/2 the pool length) really has helped me be less nervous.
I took Monday and Tuesday off from working out (mainly because we were in Dubuque on Monday and Tuesday I couldn't bike home as planned) - but I tried to be better about what I'm eating. I think it went quite well - I'm feeling good. :)
Wednesday I jumped right in. 1.6 mile run in the morning - which felt AMAZING. I wasn't fast. I didn't run the whole distance - but I ran more of it than I thought I would and I really did feel good after I was done.
Until I was at work and needed 2 cups of coffee to prevent zombification right at my desk. 5:15 is freaking early.
After work, we hurriedly got some dinner, took the dog out and hit Target so I could get a fancy "yoga towel" (it's extra absorbent and helps you not slip around on your mat - worth the $$) before I hit my first hot yoga class in YEARS. Let me tell you - it was TOUGH. Every pore was gushing out sweat by the end of the 90 minute class. My toes and foot arches were cramping something fierce and at one point I sincerely thought I was going to cry/pass out. But, it was so worth it. So. Very. Worth it. After 90 minutes of static poses in a mega hot (105 degrees) room I was so incredibly relaxed I could hardly walk. I probably looked drunk coming out of the studio. I remember loving the bikram classes I took in Iowa City - and this was no different. Loved. It. Can't wait to go back on Monday.
Thursday I rode my bike home from work. (2.6 miles - I thought it was 3. Oh well.) It was okay. I haven't been on my bike since last fall when I was biking home on a semi-regular basis. Actually getting on the bike and getting going was no problem. What was a problem were the hip cramps I started getting about halfway home! I thought I was going to have to call Chris for a ride home! Apparently, my body's not quite up for run, yoga, bike ride on back-to-back days. I'll get there - I'm just not there yet.
Friday I *planned* to run in the morning - but stayed up super late Thursday night watching Friday Night Lights and only got like 4 hours of sleep. Hello "snooze" button! (Actually, I just turned the first alarm off and stayed in bed until 6:45 - then hit snooze continually until like 7:30. Oops.)
After having much the same reaction to my alarm this morning (internally going "UGH. It cannot possibly be time to get out of bed yet") I lounged for a bit - and then finally got off of my butt and went for a run.
Today's run SUCKED. It was more humid than I thought it would be (but, honestly not bad). My iPod froze about halfway in. I was sweating like a beast. I was going sooooo slow. I just felt blah. BUT - that just means I have Monday's run to get back to my "AAAAHHHHH" running feeling from Wednesday, right? Plus - doing so will allow me to really get to the gym on Saturday to swim.
I do have to be up front about next week - it will be a big challenge and a true test to my dedication. I am mega-busy next week with something planned every night except Monday. Which means a total rearrangement of some of my workout plans.
Monday should be "normal" - early run, pm hot yoga
Tuesday will feature early morning (6a) yoga and likely staying late at work for the primary/election.
Wednesday I *plan* to get up and run in the morning and then we're planning to attend a conservation walk at a local park.
Thursday I am running a night-time 5K (YIKES - totally not ready)
Friday I *plan* to get up and run in the morning since we have an engagement party to attend (YAY!)
Saturday I *plan* to hit to pool.
Sunday I *plan* for a "rest day" that includes a trip to Rockford for some Drum Corps. Here's hoping I won't be too stiff and sore to get out of the car!
That's it. If anyone's got any suggestions for keeping the muscle aches away - please share. I'm still a little achey from hot yoga on Wednesday. (Yup, still feeling it 3 days later. Awesome!)
I've got some non-exercise, non-diet related blogs planned in my head - but I'll have to find a little time to get them posted... If you want me to test something out (diet, recipe, craft, exercise, adventure, etc.) - just let me know and I'll oblige! :) I'm all about trying stuff out!
Until I find the time to hit the blog again - happy dabbling!
Anyway, I promised myself that once I made it through our "6-day weekend" I'd get back on track. So far, so good. Actually, I sort of started early...
Last Sunday I went "water walking" with my mother-in-law and her friend Patty. We've done this a few times - it's just what it sounds like: walking in water. We did it for 2 hours. It was awesomely fun. Even the few times I actually swam half the length of the pool (testing myself for the tri-training) felt good. I am nervous about swim training because I've never been a great swimmer - but I think the water walking (in 9 ft of water for 1/2 the pool length) really has helped me be less nervous.
I took Monday and Tuesday off from working out (mainly because we were in Dubuque on Monday and Tuesday I couldn't bike home as planned) - but I tried to be better about what I'm eating. I think it went quite well - I'm feeling good. :)
Wednesday I jumped right in. 1.6 mile run in the morning - which felt AMAZING. I wasn't fast. I didn't run the whole distance - but I ran more of it than I thought I would and I really did feel good after I was done.
Until I was at work and needed 2 cups of coffee to prevent zombification right at my desk. 5:15 is freaking early.
After work, we hurriedly got some dinner, took the dog out and hit Target so I could get a fancy "yoga towel" (it's extra absorbent and helps you not slip around on your mat - worth the $$) before I hit my first hot yoga class in YEARS. Let me tell you - it was TOUGH. Every pore was gushing out sweat by the end of the 90 minute class. My toes and foot arches were cramping something fierce and at one point I sincerely thought I was going to cry/pass out. But, it was so worth it. So. Very. Worth it. After 90 minutes of static poses in a mega hot (105 degrees) room I was so incredibly relaxed I could hardly walk. I probably looked drunk coming out of the studio. I remember loving the bikram classes I took in Iowa City - and this was no different. Loved. It. Can't wait to go back on Monday.
Thursday I rode my bike home from work. (2.6 miles - I thought it was 3. Oh well.) It was okay. I haven't been on my bike since last fall when I was biking home on a semi-regular basis. Actually getting on the bike and getting going was no problem. What was a problem were the hip cramps I started getting about halfway home! I thought I was going to have to call Chris for a ride home! Apparently, my body's not quite up for run, yoga, bike ride on back-to-back days. I'll get there - I'm just not there yet.
Friday I *planned* to run in the morning - but stayed up super late Thursday night watching Friday Night Lights and only got like 4 hours of sleep. Hello "snooze" button! (Actually, I just turned the first alarm off and stayed in bed until 6:45 - then hit snooze continually until like 7:30. Oops.)
After having much the same reaction to my alarm this morning (internally going "UGH. It cannot possibly be time to get out of bed yet") I lounged for a bit - and then finally got off of my butt and went for a run.
Today's run SUCKED. It was more humid than I thought it would be (but, honestly not bad). My iPod froze about halfway in. I was sweating like a beast. I was going sooooo slow. I just felt blah. BUT - that just means I have Monday's run to get back to my "AAAAHHHHH" running feeling from Wednesday, right? Plus - doing so will allow me to really get to the gym on Saturday to swim.
I do have to be up front about next week - it will be a big challenge and a true test to my dedication. I am mega-busy next week with something planned every night except Monday. Which means a total rearrangement of some of my workout plans.
Monday should be "normal" - early run, pm hot yoga
Tuesday will feature early morning (6a) yoga and likely staying late at work for the primary/election.
Wednesday I *plan* to get up and run in the morning and then we're planning to attend a conservation walk at a local park.
Thursday I am running a night-time 5K (YIKES - totally not ready)
Friday I *plan* to get up and run in the morning since we have an engagement party to attend (YAY!)
Saturday I *plan* to hit to pool.
Sunday I *plan* for a "rest day" that includes a trip to Rockford for some Drum Corps. Here's hoping I won't be too stiff and sore to get out of the car!
That's it. If anyone's got any suggestions for keeping the muscle aches away - please share. I'm still a little achey from hot yoga on Wednesday. (Yup, still feeling it 3 days later. Awesome!)
I've got some non-exercise, non-diet related blogs planned in my head - but I'll have to find a little time to get them posted... If you want me to test something out (diet, recipe, craft, exercise, adventure, etc.) - just let me know and I'll oblige! :) I'm all about trying stuff out!
Until I find the time to hit the blog again - happy dabbling!
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