Weekly Recap 1/11/16 - 1/17/16

Monday - (8.1) Run with Faith!  She is heart rate training which means staying below 140 which means I don't feel like I'm dying when we run together!  We jibber jabbered about happy topics for most of the run.  We were rudely interrupted by Mikey screaming through the middle of us scaring the crap out of us. Faith had a big HR spike (I need to check Strava to see if I can see her HR data).  Then we decided to plot how to get back at him as he sped off turning around to flash a mischievous smile.

BAZINGA!

Weights after work, I'm feeling more comfortable with the moves of the 13 machines I'm using.  I need to add in Dead-lifts and Single Leg and Both Leg Squats.  All in due time.  Going over into the free weight area is a little intimidating, at the moment to even add in the dead-lift and squat let alone free myself of the machines and do these moves with free weights

Order: Leg / Core / Arm 3 sets 8 - 10 reps till fail for all but core Lbs in () Machines: Leg: Leg Press (120); Leg Curl (5); Leg Extension (50); Calf Raises (100); Abductor (70); Adductor (60); Core: Ab (80); Back extension (90); Twist (35) none to fail, discomfort, not failure; Arm: Military Press (40); Chest Press (50); Row (50); Lat Pull (50) I've upped weights a bit, will be interesting to see the progress and if I'm willing to push the Core machines a bit.

Tuesday -  (5.0) Dug in to my gear bag, three different lengths of bottoms, yoga pants, two pair of socks, a couple long sleeve tech shirts, shoes, two yoga tops.  No bra.  I thought I had solved this problem, guess not.  I ran 5 anyhow, slowly, because well a yoga top isn't all that supportive, I ducked around not so populated roads so I could well eliminate some of the stress my poor girls were experiencing.  Perhaps a smart woman would have bailed.  I knew I wouldn't get in a run at all on Thursday (back to NY) and I really wanted to run.

Yoga after work was definitely needed.  I was feeling stiff.  We did a good number of planks and forward folds!

Wednesday - (7.9) Yoga was what the Dr. called for, felt so much better in the morning.  Walking down to the fitness center I said to myslef, if you see Mikey on a treadmill see if he can convince you to stay in.  He wasn't on one.  OK, hmm, did he actually go out??

Wednesdays have been a run with Ro, she texted that she was sorry but with the wind she was bailing plus had some errands to run, I'll chalk it up more to the errands than the weather.  I stayed away from the water with the 15 - 20 mph west wind, right off the water.  Made up an interesting loop and did the hills I usually do at the Thursday Night Sneekers run, which I haven't been to in a while.  Running in the dark and cold, ugh...   By mile 4 I was ready to be done and well, running was going to be the warmer way to get back to campus and get warm!!

All in all not a bad run and much faster than Tuesday properly equipped with a sports bra.

Spin class with Jennifer, good class, one of the best yet.  Lots of intervals and climbing.  My legs are tired.  Jax was the lucky recipient of a walk.  He loses interest after a mile or so, which isn't bad when it is warm and I can catch up on Words With Friends, but not in this 20 with a windchill to I don't know what, I don't want to look.

Thursday - (2.2) A NYC day.  I got out for a walk out to Bryant Park.  The Strava track was pretty funny.  Looks like I was drunk and walking into buildings!  I did go in to a shop to get some lunch but otherwise I didn't run into a person or a building!



Dave took Jax and Gus to the beach so I didn't get the stare down for a walk when I got home after 9 p.m.

Friday - (8.2) While I REALLY wanted to have a Friday afternoon nap, I didn't, I went for a run from the Y so that I would be more likely to do my weight routine.  If I ran from home, well I know the weights wouldn't happen.  And as with the theme for the week I forgot my socks.  Fortunately it isn't too cold out, mid 40's no sun though, so my feet didn't freeze, nor did I get any blisters (yeah me).

Did a similar weight routine, I need to remember my little notebook to write down the lbs.  With the run first I was more forgiving on my legs and a little ruthless on my arms.

On the train yesterday I read "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" it's all the rage and I can't believe I bought a book and didn't get an eBook, besides falling for some popular thing, ugh, I'm losing it!!  I am very happy to say, overall it made sense, and I have someone to gift the book to!

She has a bit in there about emptying out your pocketbook every day and then loading it up in the morning so you don't end up lugging around extra stuff. This is a horrifying thought, to then find a place for each item in there and there isn't much in there and I ritually empty it every morning while my computer is booting up and toss any nonsense I'd collected in the last 24 hours.  Honestly, if I need to do this with anything, I need to do this with my gym bag.  I am on a roll with forgetting things because I shove so much just in case stuff in the bag.  I'll start Tuesday with this process.  The bag is empty sans two things I have for "just in case" I will transfer to my desk.  I think the ritual of loading my bag every morning with the gear for the day  Mondays are Run and Weights, Tuesday are Run and Yoga, Wednesday are Run and Spin, Thursday REST DAY!!, Friday Run and Weights.  Versus loading it for a few days and then taking things out because it is over packed, then forgetting to put things back in.  The process of emptying in the evening will be therapeutic the bag should be empty after putting my workout gear in the laundry basket, hanging hats and gloves to dry (unless I leave them at work to gross out the guys or its not seasonally appropriate), and toiletries, all ready to be packed again in the a.m. after I check the weather!

Saturday - (5.7) Friday Nicole texted the group 7:30 a.m. from the Narragansett Beach for 5 or more?  I thought sure!  Then I looked at the forecast.  Looked like it was going to rain till 2.  As weather does in ANY part of the world it changes.  Eventually the forecast started shifting 1, then noon, then 10, then it seemed to land at about 9.  My alarm clock went off, checked my phone, texts, hey can we postpone till 9?  I texted back YES!! and went back to sleep for an hour enjoying some snuggle time with Jax.  

Jenn looked at her phone, noted there were lots of texts, went to the beach for 7:30 and when no one showed she figured that must be what all the texts were about.  She had 13 on her schedule (she is Boston bound!) so went out and figured she'd see us when she saw us.  Such an awesome gal!  Nicole saw her running and when Patti and I arrived we went out to meet Jenn for her last little bit and ran her back to her car asking how much she had left.  She was happy for the company, even though we are slower than her, miles are miles, and we did 5 with her on the hilly part of U.S. 1 in the slowly dying rain.  When we got back to the beach the sun was starting to come out!  Yippieee!!!

Rain didn't stop us on Saturday!

It was a fun run, I really do enjoy running with the Narragansett gals!

Next Saturday is a 5K one of the guys in my running club is organizing,  I will run that, maybe get in some miles with the gals before?  or see if I can convince any of them to venture out to Charlestown and partake in the Charlestown Chili 5K...

Sunday - (4.1) Dave was up and out for a ride by 8, so we were all up getting our day started.  This always messes me up if I don't immediately get into my running gear.  I didn't, so it was hard telling how my day was going to go.  Through the process of deciding when to (read: avoiding) run (I needed less than 5 to meet my weekly goal) I managed to get a lot of nagging chores done, quilts mended, fixing some shoes (Shoe Goo is AMAZING)  I was glad to not have to get rid of the Simple clogs I've had since before I met Dave, the Shoe Goo got the toe box all glued down to the sole.  I'd part with the big bucks to replace them but I really doubt the current version are the same as my north of 20 year old clogs.  The original company was closed and only recently reopened.  Believe me I've been searching to replace these specific clogs for quite some time.  Nothing has been the same.

Took Gus out for a nice long exploration walk in the afternoon.  We were greeted with snow flurries, he seemed to enjoy the walk, mostly.  New things to see and to smell and some of the same old same old.  A guy in a van asked "Is she a pit bull"  I said, "He's a boxer"  The guy said "She is really cute with that brown patch on her eye." Gus gave me a look, um I'm a BOY not a girl.  Sorry...

After years of not being able to find the right for me Yoga class or finding it and then the instructor not teaching anymore, I investigated the studio Michelle has been raving about,  All That Matters  studio on South Kingstown.  I hemmed and hawed, wanting to see what they had and not wanting to because the class style I want is during the day, and guess what, I work, so um it's a no go and yet again I am bummed not being able to find something as close as possible to Becky's Thursday Night classes in Ann Arbor.    They have it, Iyengar style!  And on the weekend and in the evening!  Even a Thursday 7:30 - 9 p.m. class like I used to take with Becky.  Granted it is close to a 40 minute drive.   Stay tuned, I'll get there for a class.  I'll go not expecting Becky's class because I'll only be disappointed, I go in with an open mind and heart.  So funny how even after 16 years of not practicing with her I miss her terribly.

On Foot 2016 goal - 97.7  (93.7 straight line goal), a little ahead!

In Saddle 2016 goal - 15 done, I'll measure against goal once I get into prime riding season, otherwise this is going to get depressing.

Sincerely,
Beth, another week in the books!  Cheers!

Detox Friday?

Heidi's last Yoga session was 12/28.  I was down for the count with "the crud" and missed it.  I am quite sad about this....

Tonight was the new Friday night format:    Ashtanga Vinyasa with Meditation with Prati

Being a 'Child of the Universe' as I was aptly named by a special spirit I went into this with an open mind.  I LOVE Heidi. I get attached to people and over the last how many months have gotten very attached to and used to my Friday night Detox Yoga with Heidi and the rest of the Friday Night Yoga Chickens....  What was I goigng to experience with Prati?

Prati was new and different.  A true Ashtanga Vinyasa class, very different than a Detox class.  Not sure I have the right amount of energy for an Ashtanga class on a Friday night, but will stick with it to see how it works out.  One never knows.  Prati was a hands on instructor which I like and appreciate.  Adjusting you into the position appropriately and explaining the proper form.

I'll give it a few more Fridays, for now I'm ok with the change and can adapt.  I will miss Heidi, no doubt..

Sincerely
Beth, experiencing the new with an open mind  

Music

Between work and life in general I was wiped out emotionally and physically on Friday.  Couple that with getting out of work later than planned, not being able to find my check book, realizing I hadn't let my water bottle dry and it was moldy, and just feeling rather toxic meant that it was really important I honor my commitment to myself to go to Yoga Detox on Friday nights. I really just wanted to dive into the bottle of Jameson Gold Reserve I received from an Irish colleague.  I reminded myself of my commitment to Yoga and I would feel much better and appreciate my special bottle of Irish whiskey all that much more AFTER yoga and a few errands.

The pose of the night was bhujapidasana.  This requires quite a bit of hip, core, and lower back warm up and opening.  Of course arm strength and balance once in the pose.  Heidi got us all warmed up and then demonstrated the pose, all I could think was, wow, we were really going to be pretzels tonight!

Bjujapidasana - Shoulder Pressing Balance
PhotoCredits:  http://mikon.1g.fi/kuvat/2010/jooga/

Pretty cool, eh?

After a quick trip to the grocery store and a protracted process of trying to figure out how to get AT the bottle of Jameson in its fancy schmancy box I did get to settle in and enjoy this fine whiskey.  Ahhhh...  Nice end to the work week and a welcome to the weekend.

For whatever reason, perhaps a dog's foot in my face? or another dog insisting on sharing my pillow AND snoring (I can deal with the pillow sharing, the snoring, not so much)? or the cloudy, gray, raw day?  Getting out of bed was not a priority and not pleasant.  Eventually it had to happen.

My facebook post this a.m. was "Smith woke up grouchy, now she is going for a run maybe that will help? Blargh"

I did run and I did feel better.  Maybe it was just getting up.  Maybe it was just getting out.  Maybe it was just doing something. Maybe it was the random play list.  I flipped the shuffle on shuffle and was given this play list:

Captured after the fact!  So cool!!  Yes the weirdest things make me smile.

Somehow each song helped me reflect on the last week and lightened my mood.  Starting with The Cars telling me "Let's Go" to the Paper Birds "Lost Boys" helping me up that first hill ending with Kid Rock reminding me summer will be here before I know it.  I really focused on just running and moving forward.

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent."  -- Victor Hugo

"Without music, life would be an error."  -- Friedrich Nietszche

How does, or does music influence you?  What are some of the songs that get you out of a funk? What are some of the songs on your play list?

Stats:

Spikes were where I had to wait for traffic lights.  Not to shabby for a grouch!

Sincerely,
Beth, a bit less grouchy!

Journey

"We are on a journey to become who we already are." -- Rolf Gates

Friday is yoga day, and after having run on Mon, Wed, and Thur I really need to take this resting the legs business seriously.   It rained most of the night and the day well all I could think about was the muddy fun I could have on the trail.  My inner 12 year old boy has to stay under wraps until after the Marine Corps Marathon, I can't risk injuring myself.  I did my best to contain myself and focus on yoga as my reward at the end of the day.

We had a full class and one rooster, so all the hens behaved themselves.  Friday night is a detox class to get rid of the toxins from the week and start the weekend off fresh.  I felt pretty peppy and happy walking into class, as evidenced by my returned cheshire cat grin and sparkly eyes.  Practice was wonderful, the room was a bit warm, not hot, just warmer than we have been used to.  The community center must have turned on the heat!  Of course as soon as they do that the outside temp creeps up, go figure.  Nice to work up a bit of a sweat seeing as running wasn't on the agenda for today.

Heidi ended class with a poem from Danna Faulds, I think it was "No Limits".  It was about not being any limits to love.  I need to pick up some of her books.  This is the second poem of hers which really spoke to me.  I wasn't able to find it on the internet, darn.

I did find this poem from Danna Faulds, it spoke to me in a similar way.

Limitless

Sun says, "Be your own
illumination." Wren says,
"Sing your heart out,
all day long." Stream says,
"Do not stop for any 
obstacle." Oak says,
"When the wind blows,
bend easily, and trust
your roots to hold."
Stars say, "What you see
is one small slice of a
single galaxy.
Remember that vastness
cannot be grasped by mind."
Ant says, "Small does not
mean powerless." Silence
says nothing. In the quiet,
everything comes clear.
I say, "Limitless." I say,
Yes."

Yoga practice is precious to me. Being in this being for that space of time, seeing what it's limits are for that space of time, being in that moment, being me.  Running is the same for me, it is my time with this being, no one's expectations to live up to.  I go into practice or a run and I come out just a little bit closer to who I am, on this journey of life.

Sincerely,
Beth, feeling very centered and happy

Tests

Crazy morning meetings left a space at noon to go for a run! The sun is starting to set earlier and earlier which is going to make trail running challenging.  Grumble grumble grumble....

I decided to see if I could better my time from yesterday on the 5K route!  I also emptied my gym bag and try to be a little more organized with its contents!  Both were successful!

The weather was beautiful and sunny, a little chilly just in the high 50F temperatures.  I don't ever remember if there was a breeze, so there probably wasn't.  I picked a long sleeve technical T and some shorts.  Same deal as yesterday the Garmin was right on the money and I left my badge in the basket at the guard shack and ran through the smokers.  UGH...  Up the hill and around the course.  Such a beautiful day.

There were people running on the treadmill.  I don't get that.... why?  I motioned for one of the guys to join me outside, he waved me off...  ok, enjoy your dreadmill run.

As I was running, I was thinking about this business leaving my badge at the guard shack and then just walking up and grabbing it out of the basket and walking back into campus.  I wonder, as do other outside at work runners, if someone really wanted to get inside did anyone think they could run up, grab a badge and get on to campus?  I wonder.  Maybe the guards pay more attention than we think they do?  I bet they do.  They know who comes and goes through that particular gate.  But still, hmmmmm maybe this could be part of my plot for my NaNoWrMo novel for next month?  Hmmmm....  I'll have to contemplate that a bit more.

Otherwise my thoughts were on the awesome news from my mom yesterday.  She passed her CT.  Translated this means her scan results were exactly the same as last years results which were the same as previous scans all the way back to about 36 months ago.  This is really really really amazing.  15% of Lung Cancer patients make it 5 years post diagnosis.  She reached that milestone in August!  Now this was the one year milestone from the last time she had a scan.  This is even more amazing to me because my parents have had an incredibly stressful year.  On December 26th 2011 their house burned.  I'd say half of it had to be rebuilt.  One half of the upstairs and the whole roof.  They still aren't in the house due to gross mismanagement of the project.

Let us back up even a few more months.  October of 2011 she was told by her oncologist that he saw no need to continue with frequent scans.  He showed my parents the current scan and laid the one 24 months old on top of the current one, they were identical.  He said he was comfortable with waiting a year that while he couldn't state the tumor was dead without testing it, he didn't want to poke it and if it wasn't dead have it wake up.  (my interpretation)  They were ecstatic, went out and bought a huge flat screen TV, two new living room couches, and for my parents to do such a thing is a big deal.  They were tired of their ancient TV and really wanted more comfortable couches.  Good for them.  So then less than two months later their house burns!!  So yeah, can we say stress?

Combine all the stresses of a house fire.  All those memories in the attic, gone.  All the antiques in their bedroom, gone. Watching as NOTHING happened on the reconstruction for months. Witnessing the demo crew gut their house they lovingly and painstakingly restored.  I'll stop there, you get the point, a lot of stresses   SO if something was going to happen could stress cause it, sure why not?  Cancer feeds on weakness, and stress weakens the immune system.  So yeah, there was a worry, especially as we got closer and closer and they were still not in their house and lawyers started getting involved...

And I digress, this has been something weighing heavy on my mind, and now it isn't. They should be back in their home by the end of the month and I will be able to go spend a week with them in November, I miss my quarterly long weekends in my childhood home.

Back to my run.  I felt great.  A little tired, but energetic, if that makes any sense.  I know that this was probably my last run before the 1/2 marathon on Sunday so make it a good one!  I think I accomplished that!

Yesterday was 28:42 // 9:14mi  so yeah improvement!

When I got back into the gym I got distracted, yes I am going to the focus workshop on Saturday!  SO I forgot to stretch.  I was in the shower feeling antsy   I thought oh shit, I forgot to stretch.  How does someone forget to stretch?  Well I guess they just do. I stretched a bit but not enough. This did not make for a fun afternoon.  Everything, especially my lower back, tightened up.

I checked the yoga schedule, a basic class.  Oh what I need a nice gentle yoga session.  Of course I'm running late and scramble into class to find just Heidi, the instructor.  She said, "Beth, Hi!" I said "Oh wow, just me?"  She said "Beth, you know it is Thursday right?"  I said "Yeah, I wanted a nice gentle class because I managed to not stretch after I ran and my lower back is tight." She said "OK, first, your coming on Saturday right?"  I nodded, she continued "Well yes, it is just us, this will be nice."  I agreed and said our last 1:1 class was wonderful.

We had a lovely class, working on hip opening and twists, just the thing to loosen a tight back.  As I was leaving I said I may not see her on Friday night but I would see her on Saturday!  She just chuckles at me.

Stats:

Sincerely
Beth, thrilled her mom passed her test!

Magic 8 Ball Says "Signs Point to Yes"

The Friday night Yoga class is advertised as detox yoga.  I desperately needed to detox this week.  The combination of blowing off some steam by acting like an irresponsible 20 something at a bar and yoga, may have brought me to homeostasis.  Good grief, between work craziness and training for my first marathon it is no wonder I haven't been sleeping. I haven't had a full nights sleep in I can't remember how many weeks. It can't possibly be normal to not sleep like a rock after a 20 mile run, I didn't.  2 a.m. is wicked mistress, she is desperate to get between me and my pillow and seems to be succeeding in her quest.

So I ask myself, "Self what is going on?"  Of course, when presented with any serious questions in life who or what does one consult?  Why, the Magic 8 Ball, of course!

I shake the ball and ask:  Could it be over training? "Don't count on it".
I shake the ball and try:  Could it be caffeine"? "Reply hazy, try again".
I shake the ball and plead: Could it be stress?, "Better not tell you now".
I shake the ball thinking I may be on to something: Could it be I be in a rut? "Signs point to yes".

So yeah, a rut.  Same thing week in and week out.  While the OCD in me LOVES being on a schedule, loves the predictability of knowing what is going to happen next, the, other, would it be ADD me or just plain wahooo lets open door #3 and see what happens side gets bored.  Bored bored bored and wants a surprise, a new adventure, something unexpected every now again.  The par for the course getting shaken up is wicked fun!  Desire for both stability and surprises don't have to be mutually exclusive, do they?   I crave a bit of both. 

In Yoga tonight Heidi started differently. Hmmm...  I thought, has she had a 3rd cup of cappuccino, if so we could be in for a wild ride, giddy up!  Usually we do three OMs in a seated position and start our practice in Chakravakasana (Cat - Cow stretches).  This time we started practice in Balasana (Child's Pose), then to Chakravakasana and finally up on our feet in Tadasana.  This is where we, with hands in Yoga Mudra over Hearts Center, did three OMs.  Exactly the surprise I needed. So different, the sound of the OMs.  Peaceful yet invigorating.  

Practice was not easy, we did a lot of Phalankasana (high plank) and Chaturanga Dandasana (low plank) in our asanas. Twists to get the toxins out.  Virabhadrasana I and Virabhadrasana 2 (Warrior) for strength against the universal warrior (ignorance).  All that made Adho Mukha Savasana (Downward Facing Dog) and Balasana (Child's Pose) both resting poses, so much more rewarding and restful.  Heidi encourages us to verbalize during class.  Well, the ahhing and groaning from four middle aged women in a Yoga studio on a Friday night, resulted in snickers.  When Heidi said "screaming is ok too" snicker giggle snicker giggle and then  "Oh, I wasn't going THERE" was said.  We all lost it.   Oh good grief, what are we going to do if men show up in the class?  Guess we, the Friday Night Yoga Chickens, have been so used to being the Friday Night Yoga Chickens will have to cross that road when we come to it?  Maybe answering the age old question of "Why did the chicken cross the road?".

Weather on tap for the weekend is fairly rainy.  Long run for tomorrow is 13 miles.  It will be a wet 13 miles, it will be 13 miles. Maybe more?

Sincerely,

Beth, the middle aged teenager

Peace

Today is International Day of Peace and National Run at Work Day AND National Run at Work Day

National Run at Work Day: Started in 2006 by the Road Runners Club of America to promote physical fitness.

While I didn't run at work, I did leave early to run my favorite trail, Bluff Point.

Bluff Point (Sept 2011)

It was a nice run, felt like being back in a lover's arms after a long absence.  I felt the love of the trail and the love for the trail.  It went well with the whole International Day of Peace theme and meditation the balance of my day experienced.  Running itself is meditative and peaceful for me, it takes me out of my own head and into my own head all at the same time.  My pacing was even especially on the hilly part and the last 1/2 mile was down hill and smooth and I felt like I could have kept running to the car.

My initial thoughts running down the trail were about a friend who told me today she spent last Friday with a Lung Specialist, and this week getting all sorts of tests.  They don't know what is wrong yet.  She has pain in her back, low and only on one side, probably pleurisy, swollen lymph nodes  probably pneumonia, nodules in her lower lungs, undetermined, biopsy pending.  All I could say was "This is going to sound alarmist, however you know where it is coming from, a place of caring and love. Please tell me they did not rule out Lung Cancer out of hand." She said "The doc did not."  The doc did ask about her smoking history AND her exposure to cigarette smoke.  Oh how this makes me happy.  Her exposure to cigarette smoke was through her childhood, and she never smoked.  She also has Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis so there is a whole autoimmune thing going on there too.  Doubtful it is Lung Cancer, however to have the doc not dismiss it as a possibility really gave me hope.  So many women with no smoking history get diagnosed with Lung Cancer because they didn't smoke, Lung Cancer is dismissed, well you only have to have lungs to get Lung Cancer, right?

A lot of my run was thinking about my friend, and her family and hoping, praying, meditating this was just pneumonia she picked up on a business trip.  She was also a focus of my meditation tonight.

Towards the end of my run I was recalling when I couldn't even run the full 3.6 miles of that trail.  Feeling like I could run more when I finished was such a wonderful feeling!!  Driving home I felt very proud and at peace and excited for my next two adventures Yoga and Mediation.

International Day of Peace:  In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly stated September 21st the International Day of Peace, the first day was celebrated a year later in 1982.

Peace starts from within.  If you are peaceful and interact peacefully with others, chances are pretty high they will interact peacefully with you.  Several times a week we have an announcement "This is a bird free day".  Ever heard of the game Angry Birds?  This is where the statement was coined, because when specific people are in the office they are, Angry Birds, and generally bring a wholly unpleasant atmosphere to the office.  I do believe this has been discussed with them, and they see no issues with their behavior.  To each his own.  When the birds arrive the ear buds are firmly implanted in our ears and we try our best not to be subjected to the toxic conversations.

Angry Birds (from Angry Birds website)

Someone noted yesterday the vibe changes to the work space.  One of the birds was in for a half day.  It was noted, the ear buds went in and heads down elbows up was the stance assumed by nearly everyone in the work-space. When the bird left, it was like everyone's neck grew 3 inches and their smiles returned, the vibe was happy, and the air seemed cleaner.


I went to Yoga tonight, and then to a meditation specifically honoring International Day of Peace, afterwards.  One of the regulars brought two friends.  Sister desperately in need of some peace.  Their brother committed suicide earlier in the week. Yoga is good for finding peace and getting into out our of your own head.  What a wonderful friend to bring them to yoga.  They also went to the meditation afterwards.  Ultimately, seeing them during and after the meditation, it looked like they found some peace.

When Heidi talked about peace, and the four stages of inner peace, all I could think about was the general calm and jovial vibe in the office. And how, that negativity by one, two, or three people just makes the office unpleasant, poisonous, or toxic.  I do my level best to maintain a good and positive mood and vibe.  There are days when I am off my game and the guys (and my Hubb) call me out on it.  I love them for that.  They just say it like it is "Beth, what crawled up your ass?"  "Beth, who pissed on your grapes?" or my Hubb's favorite "What IS your malfunction?"  Generally I will announce that I am "In a mood, give me some time, I'll get back to normal."  for the times I don't I do appreciate being 'called out'.  Part of peace is being true to yourself and those around you.  This honesty at home and at work, is a blessing.

The meditation was interesting.  For starters it was in an old bank building I've always wanted to see the inside of, so there was also that motivation. My insatiable curiosity does serve me well!  There was a spiral laid out in the center of the room with a candelabra in the middle and small candles around the outside of the spiral.  Kinda reminded me of the Godsmack video Voodoo, yeah, I am weird like that.  We meditated for 30 minutes with bowls, gongs, bells, being played softly in the background, very cool.  We ended the meditation standing in a circle around the spiral holding hands and singing "Om Shanti Om".  Very cool.

I felt very centered and at peace.  There were a few tears shed during yoga and during meditation.  Emotional cleansing.

Stats:

Summary

Route, looks like Italy in the mirror, eh?

Splits, that last 0.5 is down hill and I love it!

Decent pacing with the hills!  Happy Happy!

Sincerely,
Beth, who is feeling peaceful and hopes to radiate peace to others

Yoga Detox

As I was leaving work Work Hubb and the boyz were gathered around the computer and the last thing I heard was "What it this the Who's Who of the Dork Squad?" and peals of laughter.  Yeah, it was time to go.  I headed out with my workout bag and my computer to "Hey aren't you running tonight?"  "Did ya know Number One Smart Guy is getting his Birthday Candle Blown Out."  All I could do was groan at their antics and ponder how wonderful it would be to lay down (or is it lie down) for 30 minutes and then contemplate my next steps in the day.  

Half way through the 20 minute drive home I decided to get a pedicure and went off to the nail place.  After a bit of a toing and froing about my second toe on my left foot, the one that is nailess and that he should just leave it alone please, let the nail grow back in peace.  The second toe on my right foot will lose it's nail at some point, but not quite yet so he was welcome to treat that like the rest.  We got on to business with the pedicure and the real reason I go, for the calf and foot massage.

Run and risk messing up the polish or Yoga?  Yoga it is.  Friday night is a Detox class, so not as intense, perfect.  Heidi did different asanas to detox for each of the days.  Friday's detox was a twist then shavasana.  Lovely class, as it usually is.  I'm feeling far more centered than when I went in and I was on the verge of a hot mess based on a text I had sent pre-class.  Wowza, way to show your ass Beth...

Tomorrow will be a short run, 5 miles just to loosen myself up and burn off some of the extra calories I have consumed.  I have a 1/2 marathon on Sunday 7:30 a.m. start.  The Surftown Half from Misquamicut to Weekapaug to Misquamacut to Watch Hill and back to Misquamicut.  I ran this course a few weeks ago.  Remember the breast cancer survivor Deb?  Wonder if I will see her.  

Sincerely, 

Beth, centered and calm

Monday, no Wednesday, Argh?

Back to work for me today.  Wow.  I really tuned out while I was gone.  Good thing because it was crazy when I got in.  I did sneak a peek at the Blackberry last night to see if I had any early meetings or things had gotten jumbled around.  The same 8 a.m. meeting was on my schedule and the rest of the meetings were jumbled around.  I packed my running gear with the thought of running Bluff Point after work.  5:00 rolled around and my new shoes were killing my feet and I wanted to do something outside with less impact.  I'll take the Old Fogies to the park and stroll.  Arrived home to find Hubb had taken the Old Fogies and left the Idiots.  Well that isn't going to work.  Jax is going to take off like a bat out of hell when I let him out of the car, so shit.  Checked to be sure there was a Yoga class.  Yep. Mike, never had a class with him so lets give it a shot.

Hubb got home with the Old Fogies they had a wonderful time getting out.  I skittered off to Yoga, which was a Monday activity once up on a time, and has turned into a Friday activity due to TRX on Mondays.  Confusion abounds, is today my Monday or Wednesday or Friday, see confusing based on the activities. Tomorrow is Thursday, when I usually run hills, but will be in NY.  I'll run the hilly trail on Friday.  Surftown Half Marathon on Sunday so my long run is partially taken care of.  I'll have to sneak in an additional 7 or 10 miles, we shall see what the old legs feel like attempting post race.

Yoga was all about opening up and peace.  Lots of shoulder opening and hip opening.  I needed that.  How is it things conspire to give me what I need when I need it?  Am I truly that lucky? or blessed?  Who knows. I was more prepared for a Heidi class, Mike is more pose oriented than vinyasa oriented.  Nice change of pace.

My legs feel great after yesterday's run. The PF isn't bothering me so much.  The boot I wear at night and the strap seem to be working.  I wonder if these will be forever things or if I will be able to strengthen enough to not use the props.  For now I just want to get through Marine Corps Marathon, I want to start and I want to finish. After that I'll experiment with what I can and cannot do.  We are 6 weeks away so now is not the time for anything new!

I am truly amazed at how quickly I recover from my long runs.  Once upon a time 8 miles would take me out for two days (the day of the run and the next day I would still hobble a bit).  Now I'm up and at 'em the next day with no residual pain.  Very cool this human body and how it strengthen and adapts.

Sincerely,
Beth who is lacking pictures today but is full of hope and promise for the future.

Yoga on Monday? What is Going On?

Labor Day - A day to recognize the American worker who has done so much to move this country forward also known as 'the end of summer'.

No work for me today, yeah!  No TRX either, boo!

I started out my day with an 11 mile run.  It was awesome, I mean really awesome.  I just ran and enjoyed every step. The flags are out in our little down town and it looks sweet.

Downtown Westerly
Oh yeah and the intersection of chaos.
I'll have to get a better picture, later.

When I crossed the bridge into CT I noticed an area marked off with some yellow cones and some writing in chalk on the sidewalk.  The area was marked where one of the bikers that once hung out on the bridge used to park.  He is gone now.  This was a very nice memorial for him.  May he rest in peace.  

Parking Spot!

Memorial

After cleaning up, stretching, icing my knee and foot, catching up on FB, and sending my mom a knitting pattern,  it was time to tackle the lawn.  I haven't edged in years, I felt the need to edge.  It was another well spent two hours of my life.  It looks fantastic.  Hubb said, "Holy cow, that is amazing"

Before

After

I think it is a fitting way to honor the house.  Today, 13 years ago, is when we closed on this house.  It is also when Hubb asked me to marry him. *swoon*

The Westerly Community Yoga center had classes today, WOOT!  So I got my yoga on.  Hand stands were the pose we were building up for.  Heidi builds the class like my graduate school program was build, you take classes (do poses) in a particular order and the capstone course (pose) uses each of the elements you learned.   I can get my hips up over my shoulders over my hands, so I'm on my way to a full handstand, when the time is right.

The head should be hanging between the front paws, but you get the jist!

My run was great, the weather was great, I felt great, it was just great.  I was so loving it and the whole experience reminded me of why I love to run.  I was running, I was lost in my thoughts, I was enjoying the scenery.  Edging was great, I mean really look at the results, I love it when I can see the results.  Yoga never disappoints.

My stats:

Not too bad.  Getting a little more consistent in pacing.

Same old same old!

 

My pace is starting to even out!!!  Mile 4.25 is where the little spur is off to the Greenhaven Marina facilities!

Sincerely,
Beth, who is totally feeling the running vibe, hell the whole being ALIVE and loving it vibe!

Giggling During Shavasana?

Friday is usually a short work day, take the Old Fogies to the park, and Yoga!

I left by 3, I'll call that a short work day.  Used my time wisely!  I stopped by the Library to pick up two of the Audio books I reserved.  The 39 Clues Book #10 and Dearly Devoted Dexter.  YA Mystery and an adult mystery, no one said adults can't listen to or read YA, right?  And Dexter, he is just, well, funny, despite being a serial killer.  He is not a REAL serial killer so it is ok because it is fiction.  I don't find serial killers funny in real life, just to be clear!

Took the Old Fogies to the park.  The Rhythm and Roots festival started today, in the park I take the dogs to.  So, yeah, that didn't go all that well.  They got to go for a ride, run around a bit, and take a nearly decent walk!

Then it was off to Yoga.  Or as hubb calls it "Yogurt".  He is a funny one, isn't he?

It was the usual suspects, Heidi, Debbie, Jeanie, and me!  After a series of vinyasas with lots of plank and downward facing dog (heels are getting closer to the floor!) we did sideways crow.  I got up on my left side easier than my right.  Couple more tries and I may have this!  I know, I know yoga isn't competitive, I'm dealing with this by seeing how far I can take my body and what it does as a result.  Shavasana was welcome.  I was out like a light, total blackness hardly had to erase my mind until all of a sudden this picture of Sage popped into my head.  In the full picture there are people in the picture but I didn't believe it was OK to post them in my blog.  In any event, Sage is sitting on the couch, another person is sitting to her left and a person to the right in a chair.  I captioned the photo "Sage was thrilled to try out her new cocktail conversation topics."  I nearly busted out laughing in Shavasana... I tempered it with a big grin.  I laughed out loud after I got to my car.  Love my girl!!

This is a three day weekend!  Woot!  Hubb has a friend visiting, so they will be off doing their boy stuff.  I have long runs planned for Saturday and Monday morning.  Brunch with the girls on Sunday!! Think I will run the Surftown 1/2 course tomorrow morning.  It is too early to plan for Monday's run, I do plan on going to yoga as TRX is on vacation until the 17th....

Surftown Half Course

Surftown Half Elevation

Sincerely,
Beth, who did NOT giggle in Shavasana, even though she REALLY wanted to

Baby Shower

My week is all bass-ackwards.  Tuesday I was in CT.  Thursday in NY.  Today I thought it was Wednesday when I got up. Then realized it was Friday and mammogram day.  Yeah.  Oh yeah and a baby shower, that is a real Yeah!

I've been getting mammograms since I was 35, as my grandmother had breast cancer young and I frankly am of the school it isn't "if" it is "where".  What ever testing and screening I can get I get.    Mammography has changed a lot in the last 10 years.  From the film machines to these digital machines and now they are asking a few questions beforehand.  I am not sure if they are to collect statistics or why.  I should have asked.  They were when did you start menstruation, how many pregnancies, how many live births.  I thought that was all very interesting as there are statistics on breast cancer cases and those three questions.  I'll watch this space. The process is the process, our radiologists are wonderful and I have never had a bad experience with any of the radiology services.  I like the digital because the radiologist can review the images and determine immediately if something needs to be re-shot.  As usual I have a couple that need to be retaken.  I am happy to have it done then rather than getting that phone call "We need you to come back in." No matter WHAT they say, it sets off alarm bells.

The baby shower was wonderful.  My diaper cake was a big hit.  I had thought I was the only person to not know what one was I was surprised to learn that the women at the shower had never heard of one either. Didn't I feel special?

The hostess put on a lovely party and several of us stayed until the early hours of the evening.  Her youngest son came home and we chatted with him a bit before he went off to spend the evening with his girlfriend/fiancee and we got all the dish on that.  Seriously we need to find him a suitable girl, he is a sweet stand up guy who deserves better.  Her husband came home an hour or so later, he had a few beers with us and we had a good time talking about the difference in people from New England and not from New England.

I missed yoga, which sucks.  And it is my own fault for not paying close enough attention to the time.  I was having a good time and it was nice to hang out with the women.  I didn't really care for the discussions on child birth and wasn't at all interested in feeling the baby move.  *shudder*

Tomorrow is a rest day and Sunday will be the 15 - 17 mile run take II.  I am psyched for it!!

Sincerely,
Beth who socialized with actual people today.

Friday? Must be a Yoga Night!

I look forward to Friday, not because it is the end of the week, because it is Yoga night.  I look forward to each day because they all hold some special activity and the opportunity to spend time with my Hubb, the dogs, read an eMail from my mom, basically breathing.  I've never quite gotten the whole 'count down' mentality.  It seems like some people are wishing time away waiting for an event; birthday, graduation, wedding day, the weekend, or who knows.  Maybe they aren't.  I am in count down to Marine Corps Marathon, I'm using the time to prepare for the event and marking how much longer I have to prepare versus what I need to do to prepare and making a plan to use the time wisely.

Perhaps I need to change MY attitude towards count downs?  Perhaps they aren't all about wishing time away. Perhaps they are about being fully prepared for what ever is being anticipated?  Anticipation being the key word, not waiting for.  Hmmm....  thank you for giving me the time to noodle through that concept.

So Yoga, I love it.  My very first Yoga instructor was Betsy.  She was part of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Yoga program, I think.  I did a quick google search and that didn't help me place what organization she was associated with. She and her husband are/were, however, the owners of the drive through liquor store on Williams Street.  (Of course she'd remember THAT I can hear some of you saying) My mom participated in this program and that is how I got involved with this particular organization.  Betsy taught Iyengar yoga, 90 minute class on Thursday nights. I practiced under her for 5 years or so.  It was wonderful.  When we moved out East I spent a long time trying Yoga classes and just never finding the right fit.  They say that you can never replace your first Yoga teacher, true, Betsy is irreplaceable.  I have found a new Betsy in Heidi at the Westerly Community Yoga Center.  Heidi has the same qualities, she is a happy, generous soul who understands and has over come challenges in life.  This comes through in her teaching and her meditations and her being her.  After an extended break from a consistent Yoga practice I am happy and centered having once again found a Yoga instructor I click with.

Heidi started class asking us what we were looking for.  I volunteered "A medium practice", yeah sometimes it is nice to sit on the fence, right?  Debbie volunteered "Hip work".  We all agreed Medium Hip work.  Heidi was a bit bouncy at the beginning of class and we asked if perhaps she had been sipping cappuccino again?  Well, no she hadn't but she certainly felt like she had been.  After 30 minutes she said, "I think we are at a little more than medium, what do you guys think?"  We agreed and said it actually seemed like the exact right pace.  So medium had turned in to medium high and we were satisfied.

During Downward Facing Dog (I'm going to use the common terms, I am hopeless when it comes to the Sanskrit) a rest pose, I remember back 20 years ago thinking "Are you kidding me?  This isn't restful at all.  Will it ever be restful?" Now, I am happy to say it is a rest pose.

Yeah I know, hard to believe right, THAT is restful.  It is, I am totally serious!  My goal is to one day get my heels on the mat. I have wicked tight hamstrings, they are getting looser and looser.  As they get looser I am noticing other changes, my knees hurt less, my feet hurt less.  Isn't the human body just an amazing machine?

Tonight I once again got up in Crow Pose (arms straight would be Crane, the NEXT step).  This has been a tough one for me.  I am not sure why.  Well, yes I am sure why, it is mental.  Amazing how the mind has such control and you just have to well 'free your mind and the rest will follow' as the song lyrics go.

And yes we did get our Hip Opening work in!  I'm feeling mighty flexible!! 

Whilst this is not the Friday nights of my misspent youth, I am quite happy in my advancing age to have Yoga be the highlight of a Friday night.  OOOOOooooooommmmmmmmmmm

Namaste

Beth the soon to be Jack swillin' Yogi.

Broccoli Worms and Inner Peace

Feeling like a champ after Yoga tonight!  Heidi ended class reminding us that not only are we doing a good thing for ourselves we are doing a good thing for others.  Our yoga light also positively impacts those we come in contact with.  I really like this sentiment.  Sometimes I do feel if I am more centered and aware of myself it does improve my interactions with others and hopefully that positive interaction results in them having a positive interaction with the next person they come in contact with.

Class was lovely and we took a walk through the community garden behind the yoga center.  One of the ladies wondered if they were growing any dill but wasn't sure what it looked like.  Well I know about dill, my mother and father grew that in their garden and we always had a crock of pickles going.  I could smell the dill before I saw it and it was lovely.  Brought back childhood memories of the garden in the back yard.  The smell of the broccoli, the cauliflower, the general plant and dirt smell plus the dill.  It was so wonderful.  Something I didn't even think I really had any memories of the garden other than broccoli worms.

Oh you want to know about broccoli worms?  Well there was one in a stalk of broccoli and I freaked out.  My father simply, directly, and plainly said "Beth, eat it.  The only thing the broccoli worm has been eating has been broccoli, so it tastes just like broccoli."    I can't tell you how many times I've thought of that in one situation or another.  I doubt I ate the broccoli and had to sit at the dinner table until  both of my parents could stand it any longer, but then there were always consequences so I may have finished it.  Much like when they tried to get me to eat mashed potatoes; no matter how thinly I smeared them on my plate they could always tell I hadn't eaten any of them...  now?  I love both broccoli and mashed potatoes and I don't investigate the broccoli to much, if there is a broccoli worm, I won't even notice, as it will taste just like broccoli.

Sincerely,

Beth who eats broccoli worms or may not, she doesn't dissect her broccoli anymore in an attempt to not eat any of it and make it look like it has been eaten.

Personal Yoga Session

Thursday is a running day, not a yoga day, yep.  I have a race tomorrow, Friday, and that is my yoga day so Friday and Thursday were swapped.  See, it all works out.  

There was a 4:30 yoga class and a 6:00 yoga class.  My 3:00 - 4:00 was moved to 4:30 - 5:30 and that ran until 5:50, fortunately the Westerly Community Yoga Center is just a few blocks from my house!  I made it just as the clock struck 6 to find only Heidi in the room.  I asked "Do you have class if you only have one student?" she said "Of course. What do you want to work on."  I told her I had a race tomorrow and as usual I was very tight in my hamstrings and calves and generally needed to get my zen on.  She asked if I'd like to have some vinyasas or just poses.  I like the flow of a vinyasa so that is what she did.  It was an amazing class!  And again, before I knew it it was time for inversions (leg up the wall, yeah!!!), twists, and shavasana.   We did a lot of hamstring and hip opening work as well as twisting and a few back bends for good measure.  All in all a lovely class.  At the end Heidi said "This was wonderful." I agreed it was wonderful.  My first one on one yoga class.

Today was a work at home day.  The dogs were a bit miffed that I was home and not doing something for them.  

Do something for me, I don't know what, just something!

Well since they were up half the night because hubb wasn't home they were extra tired the young ones slept pretty hard during the day.

Bookends (and the white one, Gus, isn't pooping his tail is brown)

After 4 tries I finally got my bib pinned on my shirt for tomorrow evenings race.  How hard can it be to pin on a freaking bib Beth?  Apparently this one was massively difficult!  I am looking forward to the race.  Bummed I won't be running with my brother-in-law, sometimes somethings just don't work out.  Although I am holding out hope for Sir-GIS-A-Lot and his Syracuse Orange socks to make an appearance!

ooooooooommmmmmmmmm

Yoga day today!    I needed it.

What walked into yoga class tonight was a hot mess, oh read on, please.

After my very unseemly display of aggression, yesterday, with a driver who tried not once to plow me over in a cross walk but twice at the next cross walk.  I stood in the walk and I may have dared him.  The memory is a skitch fuzzy at the moment.  Then he pulled over and started yelling foul things at me. I may have yelled back and kept on running.  Smart? Probably not.  Refreshing, well yeah sort of.  Besides the bikers that hang out on the bridge witnessed this, and I'm sure they would have protected their own and gone after Mr. New York plates on a White Lexus, right?

What is so difficult to understand about this sign??

For a bit of background:  I live in a beach community, summer means tourists.  I may have yelled something about f-ing tourists PEOPLE actually LIVE here show some damed respect.  I do appreciate the tourists for the money they bring and then leave in our wonderful town (just not at the Wal-Mart, please, frequent some LOCAL businesses);  I don't appreciate them not paying attention to driving and trying to plow down me or any of our other residents two and four footed alike, or stopping me WHILE running UPHILL to ask for directions.  Really?  Even better are the ones that want to disagree with the directions I give.  You stop a woman and ask for directions chances are you are going to get directed by landmarks, deal with it.

We do have beautiful beaches!!!

Today was a work at home day, which is nice.  Hubb was off fishing with a buddy, it was just me and the four footteds, laundry to do, a pile of documents to read and edit *cue red pen* and a spreadsheet to review from a consultant.   Around noon I contacted the consultant looking for his work product.  Well he was getting to it later.  Well OK, so I need a nap and have a few errands to run so I did that.  Around 3 I checked back for said work product.  Well he forgot the file, could I send it to him. Done! I am not a fan of consultants, so I was a teensy bit frustrated.  He did send me said work product at 5:09 stating he couldn't complete it because he didn't have the file. Grrrrr....

And that was the frustrated hot mess that walked into Yoga class tonight.

Yoga was packed, seriously packed.  12 people packed.  Usually on Friday night it is 2 or 3 of us chickens, we even had 2 roosters too!

The class went so quickly too.  I was ready for more and the instructor said, "Ok well, your choice, what does your body need to do before Shavasana"  Wait? What? I'm not ready for Shavasana, believe me usually I am ready for Shavasana to be the WHOLE class.  Must have been that power nap this afternoon?  I did a shoulder stand and went in to plow and then untangled myself and settled into Shavasana.  The instructor chanted during the final minute, that was so freakin' cool!!  I just love her.

At the beginning of class the instructor asks us to dedicate our practice to someone.  The first person that popped into my head was my Father.  He had done something very sweet for me to let me know he and my mother support me in anything and everything I do. I do know that, it was a nice reminder, he is a sweet guy. So my practice was for my father.  I've often wondered if the people I think about in my practice get any sort of positive energy or anything.  Or maybe it is just me who feels positive?

oooommmmmmm

Namaste

Running and Yoga on the Beach

So, yes, this is about yesterday's activities.  The day got away from me visiting with friends...

My day started blissfully with a 2.5 mile run on the beach.  I am now caught up from skipping July 4th!  Yeah...  I am also making Saturday's run optional depending on what I have on tap for Sunday.  I do need to get out and move today, I did have a busy day yesterday, yes, yes, I am getting there.

Knowing I had afternoon plans with family and friends I was in a bit of a quandary about what to do about Yoga.  Then I remembered the Westerly Community Yoga Center moved their Friday a.m. practice to the beach.  Oh cool!  I could catch up on my lagging miles by running the beach and also get in a yoga practice, all before 8:30 a.m.  what could be better?

The run was on the lovely Misquamacut Beach.  Which I was surprised to find was a much harder surface than the softer sands of East Beach in Charlestown or Quonnie in Weekapaug.  This required me to run more up on the balls of my feet.  So 2.5 miles was perfect amount of miles and time.  My calves are feeling it today, from that and my afternoon of walking around doing touristy stuff with visiting friends.

Yoga on the beach is fun, the tide was coming in and while we all wanted to be on the nice firmer sand we would have been practicing in the water by the end of the class.  Although those next to the sinky girl (me) may have been OK with that.  No, no one called me 'stinky girl' but me.  We did end class in a circle, in the water with a nice Ohmmmmm  really beautiful combine with the sound of the waves.  Namaste.

Today is a rest day.  Boy did I need it!!!  Between starting a TRX class and over doing it a bit and then upping my weekly mileage, yep, no running was a good idea.

On the schedule was Yoga, so maybe not a total rest day, more an easy day?  How is a rest day defined?  In any event, Yoga.  We celebrated our legs and feet tonight.  I owe mine a great deal.  They get me from place to place quite nicely.  They put up with being stuffed in shoes, with being stuffed in 4.5" pumps from time to time.  They enjoy being left free to roam the beach with just toenail polish to adorn them.  They also garner me compliments from passing strangers.  Who doesn't appreciate a "Nice gams honey" or "Nice thighs" or "Killer calves" from time to time?

I took my lovely and wonderful legs and feet for a walk on the beach with my elder dogs to celebrate the end of the week and my legs and feet.  Dorky?  Perhaps.  But all in all my other choice was to go see "Magic Mike"  which I will take myself to see at some point.  My dogs, my tootsies, and my gams however, are far more important and deserving of my attention.

And my girl certainly took the opportunity to scrub off a little bit of energy.  Love her!