To do yoga or not to do yoga? That is the question...

I can't balance and breathe at the same time. It sounds like a simple enough exercise, but it's actually harder than it seems. What makes this self-revelation even sadder is the fact that I did dancing (including ballet) for many years when I was younger; so in reality I should be a lot more coordinated than I actually am.

On my road to recovery from hamstring tendonitis I was advised to try doing yoga to help strengthen my core (I have a weak core and pelvis....or so they tell me). So I did some research and spoke with other runner friends and decided I would give it a try.

I have done yoga once (so far) and it was truly an enlightening experience. I had an amazing and patient instructor. She gave clear directions and certainly created an environment of inspiration and meditation. But even though the goal was to look like this....

at times how I really felt was like this....

I'm not deterred though. I have read so many articles that emphasize the importance of yoga for runners so I plan to attempt it again soon (hopefully my instructor will take me back). I may have to modify some of the moves because of my injury (and the fact that I still have to work on balancing and breathing simultaneously). 

Until tomorrow...Namaste.

P.S. I will be able to achieve inner peace and free my mind by the time my hair reaches that length (and I grow a cute mole).

Yes for yoga? What are your thoughts? If you had to choose Yoga or Pilates which would it be?

Running weather woes...

Mother Nature is not a runner. I'm convinced, because if she were we would have perfect running conditions ALL the time. Most of the time (thanks to living in South Florida) the weather is great for running. Minus the sometimes unpredictable torrential rainfall and occasional hurricanes, we pretty much have year-round running weather.

Sadly, that isn't true for everyone. Which brings me to my first "confession Friday" statement: I'm getting spoilt. Recently little weather issues have started to bug me... It's too hot. Too rainy. Too humid. Too (fill-in-the-blank). I can't imagine getting a single drop of rain on me but yet I don't mind being drenched in sweat after a good run (second confession). On the other hand some of my friends love running in the rain and describe it as being "refreshing". Others run at 3-5pm in the afternoon (do you know how hot it is at 3pm in July in Florida?!).

I will one day get to the point where I am be able to appreciate running in all seasons. I am already an expert summer runner

When I do the Chicago marathon next year I can check "winter runner" off my bucket list...

And eventually I will find joy in running in the rain, because...

and because...

                                                                        ...regardless of the weather conditions.

Tomorrow is my REST day (day before my long run remember?) and I am looking forward to it. I will spend it with friends (I have morning and afternoon "friend sessions" which is exciting cause I hardly get to see these particular ladies) and mentally preparing for my 10 mile training run on Sunday (pause.........say a prayer for my knees............ok thank you. You can un-pause now).

I leave you with a funny cartoon about running in the rain...

What's your favorite running weather? Feel free to share your tips about running in "less than ideal" conditions :)

Best day of training...

I love my rest days. Rest is such an important component of training. Not just because you can sleep in (I love sleep) but also because you are allowing your body to heal a little before you run again. I never run two days in a row (I know, that's crazy right?). I used to...then I got injured. My amazing orthopedic surgeon (Dr. T) gave me strict instructions to take at least one full rest day between my running days. I love Dr. T...not because he is great at his job, but because he told me that my knees can "run the Boston marathon"...so in other words he is the smartest orthopedic surgeon in the world!

It's not always easy to take a rest day. There are those moments that you are so focused on your training that you want to do more and more. Resting doesn't seem like such a great option when you could be at the gym cross-training or strength training (or packing in more miles). Even if you follow the 3-days-a-week running philosophy you don't want to "lose a day" by not doing anything.

Those are the moments when you have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Training for a marathon IS a marathon, not a sprint. So you don't get there by going all out and "leaving it all on the track (or road)" each and every day. Instead you focus on endurance, taper when you need to, listen to your body, and allow yourself to love your rest days as much as your run days, so that you will be able to love your run days even more.

If I ran everyday I don't think I would love running as much as I do. And since...

...it's important that I really do love it...for all our sakes :)

My rest days are separate from my cross-training or strength-training days. I have two mandatory rest days each week (the day before and after my long run day).

How many rest days do you have each week? What day(s) of the week do you have as your rest day(s)?

Running makes me...

Running makes me happy. I didn't realize how true that was until recently when I was finally given to "go-ahead" to start running again after my injury (there's nothing like being injured and needing physical therapy to help you appreciate the days when you can run pain free).

This morning a friend of mine at work asked "why are you all smiles today?" At first I said "Am I?" not realizing that I was demonstrating any unusual display of glee. Of note, something must be said about the fact that what people notice about you and what strikes them as unusual is the fact that you are in a GOOD mood (I'm clearly a work in progress). 

As I reflected on her question throughout the day I realized that my "unusual" amount of smiling today was directly related to my amazing run this morning! My mid-week morning run sessions are very short (thank you Jeff Galloway for your training schedule that allows for this) and so I only ran for 30 minutes. It was a beautiful 30 minutes with this as the backdrop...

Such a beautiful morning sky...who wouldn't be happy waking up to that?

I love early morning runs. It is the perfect way to start the day. Before I have to settle into the mundane routine of work and responsibilities I can run:walk:run my cares away (well at least for 30 minutes I can).

What is your favorite time to run?

My first 5K (race recap)

My very first 5K was in September 2013. I always try and find a significant connection for the events that I run, especially the first of each type of event. For my first 5K I found a significant connection for each mile that I ran...

Mile 1: This was the very first event that I ran (ran:walked:ran) in...

Mile 2: This was the first event that Kai and I ran together. Well, we were in the event together. Then Kai started running, finished, went to let her Aunty Shakeva know she was ok, went for recovery food and snacks, stopped by the vendor tents, ate some more, and then came back to the finish line to wait for me to be done...

Mile 3: The event was for Miami Children's Hospital which is where I first worked as a nurse and that hospital will always have a special place in my heart (yes...I know it's corny...I have my moments)

Mile 3.1: I got my first finisher medal!!!

I run for medals. Yes the sense of accomplishment is great and you feel proud that you set a goal and achieved it...but if you give me a medal it is a whole lot better!!!


What's the coolest finisher medal you ever got after a race?