Run Forrest, Run!

I want to be more like Forrest Gump. That guy could run and run and run and run some more. Me, not so much. But I got my ass out there, which is more than most people can say. My goal was 8K or an hour, whichever came first. But then I saw my good buddy, 3 Post Hill and thought, hey, why don't I go say hi. So I did two hills that weren't part of my original route. The sun also came out in full force and I was overdressed. Again. Sheesh.

57:41
7.17km
8.03km/h
557 cal

I'm not fast and you know what? I don't care. I run because I feel good (usually not during, but sometimes. Always afterwards). I run because I can be outside in the sunshine. I run because I can. I run so that I can feel my body--my breath & my strong legs propelling me along paths and roadways that most people don't take advantage of.

It's a beautiful fall morning out there and I got to be a part of that. If I was going faster, I would have missed the lone leaf bouncing across the pathway. Or the baby that waved as I passed. Or the mallard duck that the group of birders pointed out along the river. I don't want to miss those things.

Sunday Long Run and Lots of Time to Think

That's what I love about a long run. It's just you, your breath, your footsteps and your thoughts.

2:59:38
1453 cal
8.41km/h
20.69 km

I was aiming for 21.1, but I hit the wall at 17 and decided to take the shorter way home (which is also conveniently along a bus route, should that be necessary). Now, to make friends with my good buddy the foam roller, finish this post-run chocolate moo and hit the shower. I have to be at work at 3 and miss out on another glorious fall day. Good thing I just spent 3 hours out there!

Ugh!

Today was one of those runs. You know, your legs feel like lead, every breath feels like your last and you just can't find your groove.

I eked out 4.1 km and you know what, I'm OK with that. The next one will be better.

I Love Fall Running!

It's cool and crisp, yet sunny! Who could ask for more?

7.89 km
1:02:23
7.5 km/h
531 cal

Now, must make lunch & dinner, shower my stinky, sweaty self and go for a massage before work!

Kinda Random

My weekend was amazing, but I'm still processing everything. For once, I can't think of the words. I think this may have happened once or twice before, but I can't remember when.

Friday marked the beginning of my Anusara Immersion series. Oh, well before all that, I went to my Friday morning class and almost did the splits, followed by the bird of paradise (well, my version of it--it didn't look quite like this):

Source
Coffee, Farmer's Market and Costco followed. And there may have been a stop at Superstore (for new sheets) and Urban Barn (for new duvet cover). Oh, and back up to Thursday where I had a colonoscopy (just my five year check up and all is good. The prep is worse than the actual scope.).

Back to yoga...we're a small group, all women. We clicked right away. We spent the whole weekend together learning the Tantric philosophy that Anusara is built upon. There was also anatomy. And asana practice. And laughter. And tears. More laughter. More tears. Tea. There was also tea. It was overwhelming (in a good way) and yet I can't wait to go back for more. Like Noah says, "There's always more. More harder. More dangerous. There's always more."

Oh, and there was a Don't Cry for Me, Argentina Malbec party on Saturday night. I may have been very glad that we didn't have to go upside down till very late on Sunday...

Post-script: After publishing, I realized that I was also speechless last weekend after Desiree's workshop. Apparently this has happened at least three times...

Immersed

In yoga all weekend! Last night began Immersion I (I'll be done all 3 by the first of December). So far, so good!

Speechless

Still.

I'm trying to wrap my head around the kazillion things that happened, were said and done and rocked my shakti this weekend.

My heart is full.

I am blessed to be living this life, filled with fabulous friends and chosen family. My light shines brighter tonight.

Desiree shared the new serenity prayer with us:

God grant me
The serenity to accept the people I cannot change
The courage to change the one I can
And the wisdom to know
That one is me

- Mary Ann Crossno

Drop Backs

I've been working on my back bends since forever. Earlier this summer, I dropped back from ustrasana. Today, I dropped back from standing!


What does that mean? Well, you stand, then start to bend back, back, back, back till you see the floor (there are more alignment cues than that, but that's the basic idea) then you reach your arms overhead and completely trust that the floor is there and that you'll be ok.

And you know what?

I was.

I laughed.

I cried.

And I can't wait to try it again in tomorrow's backbending class!

OM

Namah Shivaya Gurave

I offer myself to the Light, the Auspicious One,

Who is the True Teacher within and without,

Saccidananda Murtaye

Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness and Bliss,

Nisprapancaya Shantaya

Who is never absent and is full of peace,

Niralambaya Tejase

Independent in existence, the vital essence of illumination.

OM

Quickie

Must sleep soon!

Got up early this morning and did a quick 2.05 km (according to mapmyrun, my Garmin was dead). It was interesting to run sans technology...

Hopped in the car and headed north to the doc's for a check-up, picnic lakeside and then boarded the bus to head home again to go to work. I'm knackered!

Tomorrow (and the weekend) is busy:
-fasting bloodwork for a study I'm participating in @ the colon cancer screening clinic
-get my hair did (the grey is slowly taking over. Thank God for chemicals!)
-lunch with my yoga teacher @ The Coup (YUM)
-AMAZING weekend of yoga with Desiree Rumbaugh!!

Probably won't be around much since I'll be on my mat! Have a great weekend.

When will I learn?!

I am not a hot weather runner!! But I did enjoy the sleep in this morning.
I ran for an hour and a half:
10.51 km
751 cal
8:34 km/h
Not speedy, but not bad considering it's the farthest I've ran since the end of March! I walked another 1.5km at the end (I was melting) for a grand total of 12 today. I'll take it!

Now, off to a Clinique counter and then to find me some bubble tea on this gorgeous Labour Day!

Oh Friday, How I Love Thee!

I've worked some crazy overtime in the past two days. Good news is that my overtime bank is now full (for extra days off later this fall) and even though I have to get the rest paid out, it will just about pay for one of my Anusara Immersions! If the tax man doesn't take it all, that is.

I didn't get to bed till 3 last night, but I set an alarm for 7:30...can't miss my Friday yoga class (followed by coffee and chit-chat)! I woke up feeling really great at 7, so I got up and am just starting to feel the lack of sleep now.

Today's class was great--we worked on shoulder and skull loop and tried some neat things with headstand and forearm balance (ooh, my shoulders are tight!!). I'm stoked about the workshop next weekend with Desiree and am loving my practice lately. Immersing myself in yoga studies, asana practice and kula (community) has enriched my life in so many ways that I have a difficult time articulating it. All I know for sure is that the path I'm on is true and I treasure each moment along the way.

When I got home this afternoon (yes, class is from 9:30-11 but I didn't get home till 2), I made plans to hike with C. and some of her peeps tomorrow. This meant I had to plan a "summit sammie". Now, I realize that we're hiking to a lake (Rawson), not climbing a peak, but still. I hike better when I know there's good food at the end! Enter the muffaletta! It's HUGE, but is going to be oh, so good! There's the olive spread (with fresh oregano from my patio), ham and capicola (spicy!), provolone & mozza, roasted red, orange & yellow peppers, and roasted zuke & aubergine (sounds so much better than eggplant, dontchya think?). I hollowed out a loaf of sourdough (my Safeway didn't have any other crusty, round loaves) and loaded 'er up! It's now squishing (that's a technical term, by the way) in the fridge.

I had some leftover veggies and remembered the tasty salad I made for Julie's potluck in the spring. Of course, I had no green onions or cilantro, so I had to go back to Safeway. The end product was definitely worth it, though!

Black bean vinagrette + roasted veg + black beans = Deliciousness!

Now, I must finish this cup of herbal tea (cranberry apple zinger, if you're wondering) and get to bed. It's gonna be an early morning!