Yoga Class

Jason and I went to a yoga class on Monday.  I secretly loved it.
The latter half of the class consisted of nothing but breathing and meditation.  I found it challenging to block out the thoughts going through my head like, what are we eating for dinner?  did I hang the laundry?  but I did eventually reach a place where I was in complete relaxation.
That night I slept like a champion. As a matter of fact, I think it may have been the single best night's sleep of my life.  Even better, I woke up sore!  My hamstrings were sore which means I pushed myself and got a great workout even if I am a novice.
It was very fun to attend with Jason. I felt very lucky that Jason had enough interest to go with me and we both enjoyed it. Sounds like we've got ourselves a FHE activity for the next Mondays in the future.
I'm not turning into a  yoga freak or anything but I am convinced that it is a very wonderful part of a well-rounded workout regime.  See here for evidence.

60.2kg

I weighed myself this morning and the scale said 60.2kg, in American terms-132 lbs.  I have not weighed this amount since I was 16.  The older I got the more I lifted weights and emphasized building big leg and butt muscles so that I could be a sprinter.  Even in college, during track season, I was constantly bulking up. 

My butt, jeans size, and weight are all attributes of that sprinting endeavor.  

After 4 years of slowly learning how to not train like a sprinter wanting powerhouse muscles, I think I finally figured it out. 


 I relish in the long run of the week and I am always wearing my running stop watch.  Isn't that what nerdy runners do?  My jeans also fit differently these days.  There's a huge sag around the butt area-it is probably time to reassess the type and size of jeans I buy. I look the look and talk the talk of a distance runner.

I also attribute my lighter and less bodacious body to all things healthy and nutritious in New Zealand.  I find it much more accessible, cost-effective, and tastier to eat fruits and vegetables here.  Fruit and veggie shops make life easy.  I enjoy eating foods that don't contain MSG's, trans-fats, and preservatives. 


 Don't get me wrong, I eat enough New Zealand chocolate for a family of 6 and enjoy hot chocolate far too often.  Overall though, I find it much easier to be healthy conscious in a healthy,clean, and green place like New Zealand. 

My main objective is to make this New Zealand way of life a constant for me and my family-no matter what country we are in!

results

Reaping results from running and lifting is part of the motivation for doing it in the first place. I know it hasn't even been a month since I ran a 1/2 marathon but I'm feeling stuck in a rut. These things happen.  Usually when this happens to me I know it's time to do 1 of 2 things.  1:  stop working out so much. rest.  2:  change the workout. incorporate a new element.  This time I have already rested so I guess it's time to change my focus.  
Next Tuesday will be my first 5K beach race since last year.  This will be a big change from the very long races and endurance training I've been doing for well over 6 months.  It's time for a change.
Can I admit something?  Though I don't workout to lose weight, I still am prone to being self conscious.  I like to think of myself as healthy though I do have many flaws and weaknesses.  
Some of my strengths in staying healthy include:
-consistency.  I rarely miss a workout. No matter how bad I feel I can drag myself to the gym to complete the workout.  I do this knowing that however I was feeling before will be more positive after a workout.
-competitive.  Yes. I admit. I am competitive. When I see someone in front of me that shouldn't be, I pass them immediately.  I would rather be dying, out of breath, and burnt out then staying behind a competitor that, in my opinion, has no business being in front of me.  The same concept can be applied to the gym.
-injury free.  I say this with hesitancy, only because I don't want to jinx myself. With the exception of  an ankle fracture in volleyball, I can say that I have never had a nagging or persisting injury.  I would like to think that is because I do take care of my body.  I hope it stays that way.
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Some of my weaknesses include:
-chocolate.  It is a sell-out answer but it is true, only in New Zealand.  Chocolate wasn't an issue for me before New Zealand.  Now I know what real chocolate tastes like.  One piece is never enough and I end up feeling guilty all the time when I eat chocolate.
-mundane.  I fall victim to doing the same routine for weeks, even months.  When this happens, the quality of my workout decreases and I stop seeing results like I expect.  
-PM workouts.  I have a hard time working out after work.  I wake up at 5 am-no problem. Run hard for 1 hour between 5:30-6:30 no problem.  I then lift at lunch no problem.  But to switch to an afternoon if for some reason I needed to-it would be tough for me to complete.  Weird.

2 different hemispheres

I have two favourite runs in the world.  My Northern Hemisphere favourite run is running along I-40 just outside of Winslow for miles and miles.  Nothing but red dirt, tumbleweeds, and a hot sun beating down.  

My Southern Hemisphere favourite run is running the coast of the North Shore. Some parts are rocky and slippery and other parts are flat beach sand made just for runners.  When I get hot I run right in the water.  

I did the latter run today on my lunch break while listening to Christmas carols. Yes, my life rocks.

Rest

I have not taken a week off from working out in over 6 months.  After doing a 1/2 Marathon and 10K on back to back weekends my body is feeling fatigued. Before I do damage or injure myself, I'm forcing myself to take a week off. It feels weird to go this long without running or lifting but I know that resting is an integral part of any workout regime. 
Looking ahead in this fine warm summer, I have many races planned.  This little rest will help me not get burnt out or injured as I up my racing antics for these summer months.
Upcoming Races:
-5K Beach Series every Tuesday night
-16K Coastal Challenge
-Xterra 1/2 Marathon (maybe only the 11K??)
-Lake Taupo Race Relay 250Km
-Round the Bays 8K
-and of course....The Rotorua Marathon one last time while in New Zealand