Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Stick to the plan
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Change your running frequency for better performance
I used to think that running every day was the only way to go. I'd be proud that I was running daily, especially in those warm summer months. My yoga practice used to also be an every day thing as well, especially when I was a newer student and was so excited to have found such an amazing practice.
As I got older, I got wiser. I realized that running every day ( or any athletic endeavor) can actually be damaging to your body. Certainly something that's as high impact as running can, over time, lead to joint and muscular issues. Now, I know there are those out there reading this who run every day. And I know there are yoga teachers that practice and preach to students to practice every day. I'm just saying I have found this does not work for me. Mentally or physically. I'd much rather have a more moderate schedule and really give it my all when I practice or run.
I'm more focused on running now than my yoga practice so we'll focus on that. My "every other day" running has even occasionally dropped to every two days during some weeks ( rest Sunday, Monday then run on Tuesday). I have found this to be particularly effective as I've increased my distances and have needed to give my body a rest in between long workouts.
This schedule is supported by one of my marathon resources, the book, "Four Months to a Four hour marathon." I've been following the training plan in this book for the past several months and like that it gives me license to take two days off. I've found this to be a great way to rest, fit in some cross training on my "no running" days and give my mind a mental break too.
Yesterday I ran 16 miles in about 2 1/2 hours. A little over nine minute miles. Ok, so I'm not going to make the Olympic team but I could hit my four hour mark if I can hold a nine minute per mile pace.
Be well.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Be comfortable with change
When I was growing up , I loved changing my room around. I'd spend hours organizing, rearranging furniture and then relished sitting in my new room, with a fresh perspective on how the same furniture looked and how organized everything was.
I recently did the same thing in my current living space, after having not made any changes for the six years that I've lived there. There was the fresh perspective provided by someone near and dear to my heart and while my first instinct was to try to hold on to the way I had things arranged, once I opened my mind to new possibilities, I ended up loving the way the new arrangement looks.
I now feel like I have a new living room. I love sitting in it, love watching TV and relaxing in my new space. I thought of this last night as I was on a quick 5 mile tempo run. Being open to new possibilities and ways of thinking is the only way. Life is constantly changing and when we can't learn to be comfortable with change, we only pigeon-hole ourselves into our way and cut ourselves off from other ideas.
Training can be like that as well. We all have our training routines, be it a yoga practice or a favorite run we do...a favorite sneaker we wear or even placing our yoga mat in the same spot every time we go to class. I am one of those students; I like the regularity of being in the same spot in the studio. But I really try when I go to class to move to another place. If for no other reason than to remind myself that things are not stable, that being comfortable with change is so important to living a healthy, happy life.
The next time you're in your own living space, take a look and see if there's a new way you can shift some of the furniture. You'd be surprised at the impact it has.
Peace.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Boom! 20 miles
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The elasticity of growth
Have you ever stretched a rubber band a few times and noticed that when it returned to it's resting position, it was more stretched than when you started? Anyone that has a regular yoga practice knows that over time, your body finds a new threshold, a new starting point from which you approach every pose. In the first few months, you find that postures are tough but over time, just like that rubber band, you set a new baseline for your body.
I ran 8 1/2 miles tonight. It was on a familiar path but one I had not run in a few weeks. I distinctly remember the last time I ran it and it was not all that pleasant. But tonight, I was flying. Why? I am convinced it's because I have added longer distances to my weekly schedule. My 12 and 16 mile runs over the past month have helped me set a new baseline. Because I have pushed myself to run farther than I previously thought possible ( an experience that was not all too pleasant the first time) I found that when I returned to a distance that was previously challenging, it was not so challenging anymore.
Putting ourselves in position of challenge and risk takes nothing short of courage, commitment and a lot of true grit. It doesn't mean we'll win the race every time but I'm convinced it means we set a new threshold for ourselves and what we believe we're able to do. If we never push ourselves outside our comfort zone, we'll never know what we're truly capable of.
There are three more long runs left for me over the next four weeks. Who knows the outcome of the actual race on marathon Sunday? Not me. But honestly, I don't care what the clock says. I know that if I keep the faith and the commitment, that I will be more elastic at the finish than I was when I started. And that's why I'm running this race.
Peace.
Show your true colors
I can remember when I was a newer yoga teacher, I was always very aware of what I said, ate, drank and how I acted in front of my students. Coming in and out of the studio, before and after class, running into them on the street, I'd see them and instantly switch into "teacher mode." To them, it might not have been apparent but to me it was. If I had a Starbucks cup, I wanted to be sure they knew it was tea that I was drinking ( who cares if a yoga teacher drinks coffee?) If I saw them out at a local restaurant or bar, I was aware of how I was acting with my friends. If I saw them before class, I was very conscious of my word choice and topics of discussion.
It was exhausting! Eventually, as I got more comfortable and experienced as a teacher, I cared less and less about creating a line of demarcation between "me" and the teacher part of me. I realized that they were one in the same and to be anything less was a disservice to my students as well as myself. How refreshing it was to not feel like I had to flip from one way of being to another whenever I walked into the studio.
Relationships can be like this as well. Do you have a way you are with certain people you are close to, but underneath, you're not really being true to yourself? Do you realize how harmful that can be, especially over time, to not only your relationship with this person but with yourself? A real, honest, true relationship expects that both people will show up and be true and honest. And that means revealing all that there is about themselves.. the good, the bad and the ugly. Marianne Williamson writes about this in her wonderful book called, "Return to Love" and the essence of what she says is that when one person shows up fully for a relationship, they only encourage the other person to do the same. Keep in mind, you may be thinking about this in the context of a romantic relationship but it works for all things: your relationship with your family, your friends, your office mates, your job.
So what does any of this have to do with yoga or running? Being true to yourself and having the strength to show your true colors is the foundation of self-esteem and a positive self-image. When you have those two things, you have personal power. And when you have that, you have the strength to do anything: run a marathon, tackle a tough pose, have that difficult conversation, be yourself without any apologies, share your deepest thoughts and fears with someone you love without fear of rejection. These things all make us stronger and that strength carries us through the challenges in our lives.
Monday night was a fast tempo 5 miler. Last night, rest night. Tonight, 7 miles. This weekend, 20 miles. We are right on track for October 19th, my friends!
Love and peace.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
"Do your best and let your best be good enough"
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Do you believe in miracles?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Never underestimate the power of ice
Ran hard last night. Love those Newton running shoes. Decided my running gear worn last night will be worn at the marathon and made an executive decision that I'll wear the Newtons.
Came home and iced the leg. It feels good today. Just goes to show you: never underestimate the power of icing a sore body part. It's basic but it works.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Is IT in you?
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Get inspired by something new
I had the opportunity recently to listen to some country music. It was so inspiring that I found myself getting a bit choked up. The messages were basic and clear but profound at the same time. Songs about going for it all, living your dreams, living as if it was your last day on earth. Loving like there's no tomorrow, putting in a hard day's work, appreciating your roots no matter what fame and fortune finds its way to you. After listening to a few of these songs, I found myself wanting to sing, but unfamiliar with the words, I could only listen and tap my feet. I will though, as I'll be doing some downloading onto the ipod and you can bet in a few days, I'll be belting these out with the best of 'em.
Inspiration is always all around us. You just have to open your eyes and heart and let it in.
Running this week has been slow. I'm nursing my right shin so my runs have only been Monday and Wednesday. I will try for a long run today or tomorrow.
Peace.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Back to school days
Well, it's September 1. Even though it signals the end of the summer, I have very fond memories of returning to school when I was younger. My grandmother used to take me to the store every August to buy me a new lunchbox and it was always great fun to pick it out. I'd get my lunchbox, new clothes and pens, pencils and notebooks and I'd be all set. I was a very organized kid and I've never outgrown that. I recall my teachers marveling, even when I was in college, at how neat my notes were. It didn't always mean I understood everything but I always had very detailed, organized notes.
Enjoy this, the last official day of the summer and write down some goals for the weeks ahead. It's never too late to start a plan.