Think of a change, do it twice, feel better!

I envisioned having the energy and motivation to run at lunchtime two days ago. I did it yesterday and today and I can honestly say, I feel great! It's amazing to me how little we sometimes need to do in order to feel so much better! Just two days ago, I felt like a a bit of a sloth, not even 2 week post-marathon. The change in the weather to cold and getting darker earlier, the change in my exercise routine with the loss of my regimented running plan and maybe eating a bit differently and I was feeling very off. But only two days into running at lunchtime, with the sun out and the daylight and I feel wonderful.

Sometimes we can feel like the hills we need to climb are so high, they're more like mountains. Losing weight, finding a new job, creating a new exercise routine, saving money... these things all can seem like they're out of reach when we think of the ultimate end-goal. But when we break them into reasonable chunks and just start doing something, anything, related to our ultimate goal, we create energy and the momentum. It's this that starts to make us feel better because we finally feel like we're moving forward! Maybe it's a small step; changing what you eat for lunch if you're trying to lose weight; making a list of contacts if you're trying to find a job; finding a new yoga class and attending one class if we're trying to create a new exercise routine. But small steps lead to big change. No steps leads to: nothing! So, envision where you ultimately want to be and then identify one small way you can start to create forward moving energy and momentum. You'll be amazed at how good you start to feel: right away! And guess what? The universe very much honors positive energy. It begets more positive energy. This means the more postive energy you create, the more the universe supports you in the direction you want to go (if you don't believe this, that's ok. You don't have to.)

The other area of my life that I recently began examining is my finances. I always am watching them closely but recent events in our country caused me to take some more radical action in order to save money. I made a list of personal steps I can take to save money and made a commitment to start doing them. Things like regularly bringing my lunch to work; not buying magazines, limiting eating out; cutting back on Starbucks stops and making drinks at home; taking cash out at the beginning of the week and only using that until week's end ( no last minute runs to the ATM). Finally, I made a plan for dinners and did one grocery shopping on Sunday to last me all week. Oh, and I went outside my neighborhood to find some cheap gas stations. You'd be amazed at what you can find if you look.

With my new-found list of budget changes, I feel more in control then ever before. Now, when I turn on the news and I hear about the stock market's status, the consumer confidence level, the economy's temperature I just smile. I have created my own economic climate and for now, things are not so bad.

Get out and enjoy the sun!

Wonder where I've been?

Wonder where I've been, dear blog reader friends? Well, I haven't been running, that's for sure!

After the marathon on the 19th, I took most of that week off. As you saw, I tried a little yoga one night and felt reasonable. I then tried a five mile run on Friday night, 10/24, and to my surprise, I started getting tight calves about halfway through the run. I forged on though, desparate to get a sweat going in an all-familiar way. The next day, Saturday, I took a wonderful yoga workshop and felt great. I rested Sunday through today and tried a short 3 mile run today, which went pretty well.

So, overall, it's been a pretty slow recovery since the race. I feel like I've put on a few pounds too from just eating a bit more and not sweating as much! Needless to say, it does not feel great and I'm struggling to get into a new routine. Why the heck did I pick this picture of snow? Well, believe it or not, parts of NY and NJ got snow yesterday! Yes, my friends, it's time that we runners start to think about getting creative with running so we can keep ourselves out there even in these cold winter months. Truth be told, I do a lot more yoga in the winter than run. I like the rest it gives my body and honestly, I'm a wimp for the cold. But today I ran at lunchtime and it was great. I am truely grateful when my work schedule permits a 60 minute break that will allow me to run about 3-4 miles, shower and be back at my desk. If you can do it, I highly encourage it. You get to run with the light and some sun and then when you go home after work, you can relax and have fun.

This weekend we turn the clocks back. Although it's a sign that we're headed into the winter months ( which, here in New England seem to last forever!), let's use it as the catalyst to start a new routine. Bundle up and take your dog for regular long walks. Start a lunchtime work out routine. Pick a new yoga studio and find a night class that will get you out of the house regularly instead of on the couch under a blanket. Get a work out partner and pick some collective times to exercise together.

We all need a little inspiration. Each year, I go over to the local Life is Good store http://www.lifeisgood.com/ and I buy a few cool scarfs and hats. It's part of my "love winter" plan.

Do something that will help you ring in the new season! Be well.

I can do yoga! I can do yoga!! A post-marathon entry

I have never been more happy to practice yoga than tonight. After the Sunday marathon, I was seriously starting to wonder if I'd ever be able to move my body in any coordinated way. Ah, impatience! It's only been 48 hours and already I'm yearning to move my body in an athletic way. So be it. It's in my bones and there's nothing I can do about it. But, truth be told, I am still quite sore, especially the quads. I have heard about this kind of post-marathon soreness but never experienced it. It's not all that fun! Especially when you see people running and you wonder how you'll ever get up the strength and flexibility to run again.

I practiced for about an hour. It was slow going but honestly, it was 100 times better than I expected. I modified a bit, but all in all, I had a regular practice albeit a bit slow. I think I'll continue with this until Saturday with a few brisk walks in between. I am excited to be attending a benefit yoga class on Saturday (see www. omgal.com for details). It will be my first group yoga class in months and one taught by a very good friend and teacher colleague of mine. I figure by Saturday I'll be even more healed and ready for more strenuous movement.

I want to take some time to acknowledge all the well-wishes sent by family and friends both before and after the race. I was really supported by so many of you and you all have commented to me on how you're enjoying the blog. I've had some questions from people inquiring about the fate of said blog: if it's intention was to be a training tool for my marathon training, what will become of it now that the race is over? Well, fear not my reader friends. I have been working behind the scenes at one URL that will provide you with my website and blog in one space, condensed into an easy-to-read format and full of interesting resource information about yoga and running. I haven't had the time to devote to setting it up but now that I'm not training, it should be a piece of cake!

I look forward to continuing to share with all of you and thank you for all your support.

More details will follow soon!

I got soul but I'm not a soldier

Remember that great song that was the backdrop for the Olympic Nike commercial? I watched it this morning and chanted it more than a few times today on the run.

All done! 4:14:40. Feel tired but good. All in all, it wasn't so bad! It was fun in a very weird way.

I am happy and at peace.

Sleep well. I know I will!

Just do it

Just do it.

Talk to you post-marathon!

Love and peace.

Get Inspired!

( Soldier one) "The Almighty says this MUST be a fashionable fight. It's drawn the finest people!"

( Soldier two) " Where is thy salute??"

(Gibson) " For presenting yourselves on this battlefield, I give you thanks."

(Soldier two) " This is OUR army. To join it you give homage!"

(Gibson) " I give homage to Scotland. And if this is your army, why does it go??"

(Soldier three) " We didn't come here to fight for them! The english are too many!"

"Sons of Scotland. I am William Wallace."

(Soldier three) "William Wallace is seven feet tall!"

(Gibson) "Yes, I've heard. Kills men by the hundreds and if he were here, he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his arse. I AM William Wallace. And I see, a whole army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny. You have come to fight as free men. And free men you are. What will you do with that freedom?? Will you fight?"

(Soldier three) " Against that? No! We will run. And we will live!"

(Gibson) "Aye. Fight and you may die. Run and you may live. At least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade ALL the days from this day to that for one chance, just ONE chance, to come back here and tell our enemies, that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our FREEDOM!

Can nervous energy work in your favor?

I woke up today with a lot of nervous energy. Now that we're heading into the final 72 hours before the big race, I am finding that I'm really nervous. Not scared, really, but more just excited and filled with anticipation. I feel this way before every road race but it usually doesn't start until the morning of the race. It's odd to have it start so soon! I guess it starts earlier depending on the length of the race and given this is the longest one I've run, it's starting a few days before!

My past experience with nerves is that they keep me on my toes. They keep me awake and alert and actually help my performance. I remember when I was young and in plays and concerts; recall many years of cheerleading and performing in athletic events. Big meetings at work and public speaking both as part of my professional corporate career and as a yoga teacher. Geez, the first yoga class I taught in a big studio was certainly something that I was really nervous about.. but all those things went well and in retrospect I was prepared and the nerves kept me on my toes and present and aware...all which only helped my performance.

I picked the picture I did today because I recently bought a placemat that I am trying out as a floor tile. It sounds crazy but it's so nice to stand on rocks when you are in bare feet. I might buy a few more and just have an area of the house where you can stand on rocks. It's like a little bit of nature inside and it feels wonderful.

I ran my last run last night before the race. I took a familiar 5 mile route around the Charles. I ran a bit faster than race day pace but it felt natural and healthy. I felt a bit nostalgic as I ran thinking that it was the last time I'd run around the river before the race. Months of preparation and years of running around the river have prepared me for this day. I am so happy that I decided to do this and so happy that I've stuck to the plan and now the day is here.

The next two days is for yoga, hydration and to see the race course tomorrow.

Be well.

Got the number!

Got my race number today. 631. Sounds good, huh? I think that's a good number. My lucky number is 21, so it's too bad that's not in there, but it'll do. Getting the number is one big thing off my 'to-do' list, especially since it involved driving out to the western suburbs.

Good work. Week is going well so far! Tonight: yoga!

Six days left!

Went out for a five miler tonight. It was one of those nights when you run around the Charles River in Boston and you look at the sky and there's a full moon.. and the sky is a beautiful shade of blue..and the lights of the buildings make things look all the more bright.. and in that moment, your heart just fills with so much love and gratitude and joy that you're simply alive that you think you might burst out into tears right there on the pavement.

Well, that's how I felt tonight. And if you've never tapped into that depth of feeling, well, I can only hope that you open yourself enough to start to..because it really puts things into perspective.

The legs felt great tonight. For some reason, almost back to normal. Strange because nothing significant has really changed. I did ice yesterday and have been pretty regularly. I'm hoping if I keep up this week with icing I will be in good shape for Sunday.

The plan is posted on the flip chart wall; I've thought of a few more things to add. Tomorrow, I'm getting my race number. It's early but always better to get that out of the way as soon as you can. I'm keeping to the plan for the next week and so far, so good.

Love life.

Write it down.. make it happen!

I bought a flipchart the other day. Sometimes, when you need to stay focused, you have to go "old school." No computers, spreadsheets or electronic reminders. Just good old-fashioned paper and markers. I made a list. A list of the activities for me for the next seven days and a final "to-do" list of things for the marathon. Things like picking up my race number, seeing the course, sleeping more than usual. Figuring out the schedule for the day of the race, determining what I'm going to wear. Then, I hung it on the bathroom door. That way, I can see it all the time and stay on track.

Do you have a goal you're working towards? Looking for a job, changing careers, losing weight, changing some negative behaviors? Go to Staples. Buy a flipchart and some fun Sharpie markers. Make a list. Hang it up. Then, make it happen.

I ran five yesterday. Legs feel good. Then, I played golf for three hours. A lesson and two hours of the driving range. Needless to say, I'm a bit sore today. Today, rest and a light running week.
Heading for Sunday!

Be well.

Do what matters

If you read the papers or check the internet during the day, it's most likely you're aware of the current crumbling of our country's financial infrastructure. I read a statement the other day that said the collective losses for people's retirement accounts topped 2 trillon. That's when I decided enough is enough.

I am running a marathon in two weeks (less than, actually). My goal for the next 10 days is to eat well, sleep well, keep stress levels down, be with positive people, smile alot, run and treat my body as best I can, from the inside and out. What that means to me is this: Do what matters. In other words, make critical choices about what you're doing. Say no if you have to. Conserve your energy. Cultivate positive energy. Shun negative energy and people. Avoid reading, doing, anything that is negative. I woke up today with a stiff neck after a very negative experience with someone yesterday. Is that a coincidence? I think not. So guess what? NO MORE.

You don't have to be running a marathon to protect yourself like this. Remember, if you don't watch out for yourself, no one will.

Yesterday's run was short- 3 miles- and it was not super- stellar to say the least. Physical therapy today was aggressive but necessary. I made an appointment for a massage for the day after the marathon. Thinking ahead.

Be well.

You are unique

I went to a wedding yesterday. The bride and groom really made it their own. The setting, the vows, the officiant, the music, the table names all gave you a sense of who they are as individuals and together. It got me thinking about how unique everyone is while we live in a world that is full of trends and many of us flocking to the same things: Starbucks, the Apple store, Whole Foods. Did you ever stand in line at Starbucks, knowing you'd be late for work but you stay anyway? Maybe it's just me, but from the looks of the lines I've been in, I think not.

So what does this have to do with marathon training? As I completed my last long run today (18 miles) I realized that ultimately, I have to make this race my own. Despite the hundreds of other runners I'll be with on October 19, I have to wear what I want, eat what I want, use my i pod if I want and most of all, run my own race.

I am in the last two weeks of training. This week, along with running, I'll make a playlist for the i pod, confirm the clothes I'll wear, eat well and try to get more rest than is usual.

Sleep well!

Heading for the finish

I went for a run this morning at my old familiar morning running time. I felt like crap. Matter of fact, the past three runs have not felt so hot. Food choices the night before haven't been so good, aches and pains have sprung up in new places and now, guess what??? It's freaking cold in the morning and dark. And at night after work, it's the same way. I honestly think it's just a combination of the change in climate, combined with what has been really rainy weather here in Boston and just the fact that I'm tired from training. I've read a few articles about what happens to runners when they are in the last few weeks of marathon training and what I'm experiencing is not new. So, that's something.

I have my last long run tomorrow. Then, the rest of the schedule is quite moderate.

By the way, if I can run the time above in the picture, I will be thrilled!

Namaste.