Thursday!

4 1/2 miles on the track!!  Rain rain went away just in time.  No time for yoga, had to give hubby a ride to work. 

Moving- Please be patient for longer postings!!

Namaste.

Server down??  OH NO!!!  I'm still not sure it's all working right - but we'll see.

So last weekend... Friday - 4 miles plus yoga.

Saurday- 7 miles plus yoga...

Sunday REST.

Monday REST - I'm not cheating here I have a floating rest day in my weekday schedule, I just don't always need to use it.

Tuesday - 4 miles plus Yoga

Wednesday - 5 miles, plus meditation.... usually meditation is a given after yoga, but I did stretching and skipped the yoga this am.  Lack of sleep, I needed to restful meditation this am to rejuv and be ready for me day.  Apparently I need to pack up - we're moving this weekend, so you can imagine how quickly I need to be moving from here till Sunday and possibly afterwards, depending on how this goes.  I know it will go Beautifully, I just have no idea how long it will take, how we;'re going to move stuff from point A to point B, animal arrangements, the list goes on :)  Anyway this isn't about running - so I'll stop rambling about it. ha ha.

Looking forward to next week when I up my mileage again !!  YAY!  But everyweek I also look forward to me rest days... please don't think that this is easy, friends.  It's challenging, but it's rewarding as well.

I hope today brings you blessings and joy!  Namaste

Friday!!

Well... you wanna know how far out we are in the sticks?? SO far it is like an obstacle course driving to the track, trying to avoid the deer and fuzzy things running around. And well, sometimes you just can't miss. This am was such a time. Poor thing is in the ditch on the side of the road now. However, by divine intervention, our vehicle is only slightly dented (size of my hand), and I suffered no injury at all. So run I did.

4 miles. It was actually very very nice. I maintained a conversational pace, which I cannot stress how challenging this is for me. I mean I'm not running with anyone with whom to converse. But this morning I felt so calm and peaceful, I didn't feel like pushing myself, I just felt like running. JUST running. It was really nice.

Basic Flow Yoga, have I mentioned that other than sun salutations this is my favorite? Maybe you've guessed. Love it!

So now we have errands to run, after my shower... oh hey speaking of which - I stink. I did a little reading on the topic. From my research it turns out that the more fit you are to more you sweat when you run. Isn't that interesting?? The more detoxed you are the more you sweat when you exercise. Fascinating! So shower then running errands. It sounds like we run everywhere really. Well, I'm not going to. I'm going to take my time. I'm going to do my best to meet each moment with a sense of appreciation and peace. Each moment is new, I'm learning to value this.

I hope today brings you a new level of happiness, my friends. Namaste.

EaZay Thursday!

3 miles on the track. Nice. I was happy to run only 3 as last night was a late night. Full days with lots of kiddies, scouts, and all the other things involved with family life - well, let me just say - whew!

So 3 happy miles. Yoga - Basic Flow!! Naturally, as I mentioned before I work in some extra items to work on chakras (clearing/aligning/etc). Butterfly is terrific for Root Chakra work. Anyway- lots of fun poses. Enjoyed every one.

This week I have noticed that I've been enjoying more and more little things - appreciating so much. We truly are blessed with wonderful children and spending time with them is a blessing, even if my body would prefer a nap. I am noticing that I am allowing myself to be less cranky (lack of sleep. lol) or short tempered. Which used to be a difficult thing for me. I have been enjoying the sunshine, like never before. The sunrise I am blessed to witness as I run my laps really lift my mood and improve my day. Sounds like such a little thing, but I gain perspective watching the sun break over the horizon and slowly illuminate the sky. It's truly lovely.

Time to really begin the day with the hustle and bustle while trying to flow through the moments with a clear and calm mind remembering that I am one with nature and the universe. *sigh* what a beautiful thought. I am so glad to start the day with such a mindset. I feel so blessed.

May you day bring you bright blessings of joy and comfort as you fulfill your purpose this day. Namaste.

Tuesday and Wednesday!

Alrighty - due to scheduling I didn't post yesterday a.m. Bad me. So here is the post for yesterday ANd today!! YAY me.

Tuesday: 4 quick miles on the track. I say quick, not because I suddenly developed super speed, but because I was on lap 12 before I knew it, then lap 14... by then I was just having so much fun just from surprise that my run was going by so quickly.

Then I came home to Deni Preston's Yoga focussing on backbends. Gotta loves those!! Mmmmm yummy!

Wednesday: 5 lovely miles on the track. I've been surprised at a few things I've found on the track. 1 - very few people get on it for very long. 2 - No one stretches out for more than a minute or 5 before getting in their car. 3 - most people out here are walkers. That's all cool and everything. I was just surprised. Well, the not stretching isn't cool... I would be soooo sore if I didn't stretch! I only stretch for about 10 minutes on the track, but then I come home and do an hour of yoga, getting warmed up again and stretching... because almost all of yoga involves stretching some parts of the body. And if I didn't do that - it would hurt so much the next day. I am finding however that I haven't been sore yet. I've had a little twinge here and there in my knees, so then I'll use my cho strap the nxt day and be mindful of my fott placements on my runs and engaging those tooties muscles as I run... but overall really no soreness to complain of.

The run was lovely. Really it was. I can tell already that my body is acclimating to the longer distances really well, as they get easier and feel faster with time.

Then I came home and did Yoga Basic Flow with Deni! I love this dvd set. It is so great to have Deni in my living room every morning helping me to pull in my bandhas, keep my dristi, be mindful of my alignment, etc. I just love the wonders of technology sometimes.

I hope this day brings you all peace and contentment. Bright Blessings, you lovely people!!

Namaste.

Monday night???

Yes, I got on the track at 7:30 pm and ran my 5 miles. Did a lot of stretching and came home and ATE!!! I wasn't very hungry all day, so I drank a few green drinks, but wanted to stay light if I was running as early (possibly) as 5 pm. And I usually have a or two green drinks anyway. My hubby's schedule is somewhat shaky. Running this late was not my plan. But it's done. It felt great, once I got over the large group of people at the highschool for the basketball thing that was going on inside.

At one point I was in "The Zone", and I swear a coupla times I heard someone "whooo hooo" - ing. Dunno what it was about, but it didn't distract me, just heard it and kept my stride. Was nice to witness myself do that - not get distracted. Granted towards the end, my cool down, I may attract attention... I tend to dance around as I try to slow down and then walk a while... a little shimishimi here and little funky march there... well who on earth DOESN'T dance to Queen??? I mean REALLY? I'm happy! I dance! So I probably look a bit like an idiot or a looney, but that's okay. I'm happy. I Feel good na na na na na na na!

So here I am, chowing down on some broccoli, carrots and a little sunbutter. Nummies. And as soon as it hits my tummy, I'm gonna pass out I think. This schedule I'm keeping right now is taking some SERIOUS getting used to. Whew.

Well, nighty night, ya'll.

Monday's Weather??

Wind, rain, thunder, lightening, and what?? HAIL?? Is that HAIL??? I love the weather out here. So obviously no running this am, maybe I'll get it in this pm (let ya know if I do)... if not I'll get those 5 miles in tomorrow, provided the weather cooperates!

SO this am, Deni Preston's Yoga with a moving emphasis. YAY! Turned the heater on high so I could sweat properly. YAY!! Detoxing is good for the body. I LOVE PIGEON!! Oh and CRANE!!! I love them!!! Probably just because they feel so good!!! Like the spinal twist at the end... which is like a free visit to the chiro - YUMMY!!!

Then meditation. I don't share much about meditation, except that it's a good thing, usually. However I will tell you that my meditation sessions are getting longer. 30 - 40 minutes is not unusual. I am working on clearing a few chakras, this week's focus is my root chakra, and I might stretch it to a two week application if my root chakra does not look as clear as I'd like by Saturday. Oh those negative emotions we store away. They are not even always ours! We're such silly mortals, you know?! Silly silly. Feeling like we're responsible for pleasing everyone, and everyone else's happiness and fulfillment... silly people. Well, I feel I'm very very close to having all of it purged. Because let's face it, if you don't make an effort to dump those toxic feelings, they collect and affect your health both emotional and physical. There is nothing on this earth that is purely physical. Everything has a spiritual.

Anyway enough of my rambling. It's a lovely rainy morning. My little garden is getting plenty of water, even though I miss the humming birds - they'll be back. Rain is wonderful to wash old gunk away within our souls as well as off and out of our bodies. Cleans the earth and nature, which in turn helps sustain, heal, and nourish all living things. I will make an effort to go through my day feeling nourished and sustained by nature, taking all situations with a calm and clear mind and an open heart.

May this day bring you what you desire in your own heart as well. Namaste.

Restorative Sunday...

need I say more ???

Namaste, everyone.

Saturday!!

6 miles on the track!!! Whew!!! By the time it was done I wanted to keep going!!! Why oh why does it take me so long to warm up??

Ah well. It was good. Did some Yoga on the track and meditation at home. Then I just jumped into my day!! WHo hoo!

Due to scheduling difficulties I was late typing this up. I try, people, I try.

Namaste!

Real Quick - Friday!

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! 4 miles. run run run. lovely!

Then hop home and jump into arm balancing with Deni!!

Still getting into that one almost scarey pose, but it's less scarey now... process. It's all a process.

Brightest Blessings to you all! I'm not to going to ramble on today - just enjoy the wonderul feeling of health and wholeness. I hope you are too.

Namaste.

Thursday!

3 miles on the track after a measely 4 hours sleep. Well, at least yesterday's extra rest counted for something... I needed it. My calves felt much better, especially the left. I also found out a few things:

1 - I need a good two miles to warm up on chilly days.

2 - My calves are adjusting to my new foot fall. I used to be a heavy heel striker... but now I land on the balls of my feet. That plus the track, I do believe, require time for my legs to fully adjust to. Note: with this understanding I can't wait to begin doing striders... a whole new thing for my legs to get used to. lol.

Abdominal Yoga today... YIKES!! I work hard on my abs because I've had so many babies... they're weak weak weak. BUt they will be strong strong strong!!! You wait and see. The ab poses KILL, breath breath breath!! Granted in Yoga you are ALWAYS improving your abs, because of the constant bandhas, but extra focus is good once in a while. I can't handle it often yet - but I'm getting there!

It's a beautiful morning!! I hope you are all enjoying it wherever you are. Namaste.

WEDESDAY!

Morning, all! Funny thing- last night I woke up at 1 am, and got this feeling that I shoould make today a rest day and just do my yoga. I'm big into following feelings I get - so I reset my alarm and slept in a teensy bit. No running today. When I woke up later, to actually wake for the day, I find that my left calf has tightened up so much that I'm limping. While I'm brushing my teeth t's starting to loosen up a little bit, but I think that perhaps this was a good reason not to run today. At least this one body part needs a little more recovery. So tomorrow, back in the saddle.

Today - Yoga!! With whom? No one other than Deni Preston, of course. Yes, eventually I'll want to break it up a little more with a few other instructors, but for now I'm happy with my set of dvds.

After the first 20 mins or so I felt my calves start to open and lengthen, and my heels began to touch the floor again as I sayed on Down Dog. Big Toe Pose... what does it do?? It says, "Good Morning!!!" to your Hamstrings!!! As it stretches out the hams it stretches it out the calves as well. Half Moon is challenging!! But it feels so good!! Especially when you come out of it, ha ha! Wag the Tail - NOT a favorite! Did a groin opening after Traingles. WOW!! and YOWZAAA! But after the first 3 breathes it began to feel better and open up. Runner have tight groins... but like I mentioned, I am DETERMINED not to have that issue. The only way to keep those muscles open and maintain that fexibility I have (and increase it) is by doing poses that open this area of the body, like Wag the Tail, the Pliet Squat thing (I dunno what it's called), etc. So even when they make me wanna cry, I gotta tolerate it and breathe through it, and as I do breath through it I feel these muscles opening, and the tension decreases as I exhale deeper into the poses.

I love Yoga. It exposes all our weaknesses at once, then challneges us to improve then, maybe even one day to make them strengths.

It looks like it might rain today. awwwwww. I was hoping to get a little sun. Maybe I'll get a little gardening in before it does. So much to do. But it looks like I may be starting to get a handle on the timing of my mornings. It's not quite 8 am. And yesterday I was in the shower before 8 am. Tomorrow I'll just have to get up a tiny bit earlier so I can keep this schedule. I like it better this way.

I hope my ramblings have been fun to read. Brightest Blessings to you all! Namaste!

Tuesday!!

Up before the sun, and one the road before he's even peaking out from under his covers!! Due to schedule I had to get outta bed BEFORE 4 am. I had to be back home at leats a 1/2 hour early. YAY! Yeah, sleep deprivation is the best, right? Ri-ight.



Aren't those lovely arms?? And just another exmple of how one should not fear sweat! It's great to sweat!

Not my best run, but not the worst. "A little tired" might be an appropriate phrase to us ein describing me this am. By the last mile I was feeling more energized. By the last 2 laps, I was feeling great! I might have gone a few more laps had I had the time to spare. But I didn't so I just did my 3 miles, plus cooldown and a quick stretch. Then home and onto YOGA!!

"It's Basic Flow, everyone! Are you ready for this?" - gotta love Deni Preston! you may eventually get sick of ready her name here... but that really can't be helped. So *smile*, she really does ROCK! Lots of poses I needed today. Big Toe is a MUST!!! I am so sore today. Youch! A good run, some yogam and EXCELLENT stretching is just what I needed.

The sun is up now, and a shower is calling my name. Bright Blessings to you all! Namaste.

Monday! Huzzah!!

Monday's are terrific days! Don't ya just love Mondays?? Okay maybe they're not the favorite day of the week, but they are my 1st run after my rest day which is N - I - C - E ! !



4 1/2 miles this am. I was late getting there, late starting, so I had some of the youth track runners (who apparently train during the summer months at the highschool) getting in the way. BUt they only did a few wamrups and left. It was a good run. The first few laps were, parhaps, not my best - but getting warmed up takes me a bit. However, I found my stride by mile 2 and then it was just grrreat. I am loving my Brooks PureFlows. This am they put the "Whoo" in my "hoo".

Since I was late and needed to stop at the local Walmart for a few things, I went ahead and did my yoga right there on the track. Many Sun Salutations, Triangle, Big Toe and Hand Under Foot, Pigeon and SCREAMING PIGEON!!!, Loads of stretching and a little meditation thrown in at the end. I'm working to clear out a few chakras, so I can't skimp on the meditation. Yeah- a few ppl stared as they walked around the track - I was the only runner there. But I was on the very outside lane, hopefully not in anyone's way. If I was in someone's way I didn't notce it. It was too wet to do yoga in the grass. Oh well. The Yoga felt AMAZING! The Stretches felt AMAZING! I love Yoga!

I was all sweaty in WalMart, but that eary in the am, no one's there who would care... and after I thought about it, I wouldn't have cared even if someone else had. Ha. I got my carrots and guacamole - mmmmmmmmmmm. I ate a banana on the way out the doors - YUMMY!!!

This week's long run goal is 5 or 6 miles, I forgethaven't decided. Last week I did the 5. I was only scheduled to run 4 this am, but it felt good so I went over. Tomorrow is an easy breezy 3. Looking forward to it.

I don't know how many of you are runners, but when you run you kind of think about it ALL the time. When you get those new shoes in the mail it's difficult not to put them on right then and try them out. It's difficult to rest on your rest day, or on the optional rest day - even if you feel your knees or ankle or whathaveyou needs a little more rest. During the day, after your run, you're thinking about tomorrow's run and the long run coming up, and next week's schedule. You think about the race, if you do races. You think about the food you're putting into your body for the optimal performance, weight loss, strength gain, muscle tone, whatever you're going for. But your brain is always thinking about running and aspects of that part of your life. Even after the race you're thinking about the recoop plan, the next race, etc. I'm even thinking about how to get a treadmill because THIS winter I GOTTA run!!!! I got plans, dude! How am I gonna save that much $$, I have NO CLUE! But it's gotta be done!!

Happy Beginning of the week to ALL of you!! Namaste.

Sunday- Rest Day!!

Restorative... YUM!! Need I say more... really? Deni Preston and her restorative is exactly that!! Restorative. It is as rejuvinating as it is restful. Yummy!

At the end of my yoga session, I did some serious meditation. Ooommmmmmmmmmm, oh wait that wasn't the mantra today. Hee hee. Today it was (pronounced) Nannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng. Mmmmmmmmm. Also yummy. Feeling free and easy now. And Ready to start a new week.

Namaste, everyone!

Saturday!!

YES!!! I was out of bed by 4:15 am !!! GO ME!!! My body protested, but I did it. 5 miles. Was fun. 20 laps, was still fun. I think I enjoy the track. NO ONE else came that early on a Saturday... at least not today.

I think I might need another knee strap (alos known as a cho strap)... we'll see. The longer the run the longer the cooldown needs to be, or it HURTS to stop running. I don't like to stop running right off... it really does HURT. ESPECIALLY any run over 6 miles. Once I start running more than that it really does cause that much discomfort to stop. I can do a 10k and stop, then walk without much discomfort. But 8 miles... can we say "ouch"? SO jog jog jog, then walk walk walk... then walk some more. Then stretch!!

I have the lasting burn in my legs this am. I figure in the next few weeks it will develope into an olmost constant feeling. I'm okay with that. FEEL THE BURN!! WHOO HOOO!

This am I have the oil burner on to infuse the room with some vanilla - y scent while I practice my yoga!! LOVE IN' it!

Deni Preston's Yoga focussing on arm balancing! Are you stoked or what?? Well, I'll be honest... these arm balancing are NOT easy! In fact there's one I'm kind of scared of - I feel like I'm gonna do a face plant right into the wood floor when I do it... and I'm still not doing it right. Fully extending I would almost be kissing the floor. Makes me nervous. But approach approach approach. Like a toddler with new food- just keep reintroducing over and over again - eventually I'll get it. There are other balances that are difficult but I LOVE them because I can do them now. Like Crane!1 I love Crane!! Just floating up there, balancing on my hands. That's kewl, dude! It took a while, but I got it... like triangle actually. Once I let go of that selfjudgement, I find I can accomplish so much.

And I'm starving!!! Green drink being consuming as I type now. This a.m.'s Green Drink consists of 4 oz coconut milk, 8 oz of water, 4 ice cubes, a generous handfull of romaine (gift from a very nice neighbor), a tiny slice of avocado, and two little slices of cucumber, with a touch of honey. I made a lot because I am sharing with our youngest daughter. Don't ya love how kids seem to think that no matter what YOUR food is yummier than whatever they're eating - even if it's the SAME THING?? She still is convinced that the beverage in MY cup has hidden yummliness. Silly girl.

Okay, now that I've almost finished my breakfast, and I do believe a snack will shortly follow, I do believe a shower is calling my name. Tomorrow is my rest day... now that I'm in my running mode I'm gonna have a hard time NOT running. I'm gonna hafta be satisfied with restorative yoga in the a.m. Gulp gulp gulp- yummy!!

Senind you all lots of love and a beautiful day!!! Namaste.

FRIday!!!

3 miles. Not my best run. I was COLD!!! On my way OFF the track my butt was STILL freezing!!! I was also a little tired... which was exasperated by the cold! However, it was not my worst run. I still enjoyed it, I observed my fatigue, I also observed that maintaining the conversational speed was a challenge. My body wanted to go faster, I believe this is because it wanted to get warmer! My MP3 player was all charged up, which helped me get my speed back down when my breath became reactive.

I remember when I was training for this race, the first time. Every single day after the 2nd week of traing it felt like my buns and thighs were constantly on fire (even while I slept). This morning's chill actually had me looking forward to that.

An hour of yoga with Deni Preston. While I wanted to jump into RESTORATIVE, I felt that Basic Flow would benefit me more today. So I denied myself, and felt a lot better after doing so. The Yoga warmed me up while my space heater ran. If I had done restorative I would have remained chilly. So Basic Flow was a better choice.

I added my own poses into the program, as some of the instruction on how to get into poses I don't need anymore and takes up time. Why waste the time waiting, when I can use that time for another stretch or pose? That's what I mean! So extras were added.

I need to figure out what takes so long in my mornings... getting everything done, including typing the posts up, is taking me (what I consider to be) too long. I know it's a 20 min drive one way to the track... so that takes time. And when I get home I take out the dogs, care for whomever is up already, sometimes get the boys outside to their chores, etc... but I need to figure out how to get it all finished before 8 am. That would make me happy. I'm gonna give myself a little time to figure this out, and with little ones I don't expect perfection everyday. But taking until 9 to get into my morning shower is not acceptable. So I'll think on it, and get a plan of some kind and begin to apply. Because if I feel this takes too long to document, I'll stop... which will dminish my focus on training... it's adomino effect from there as you can see. That is also NOT acceptable. So I'll just make it work. *smile* it's all a process!

Thank you again for reading.

Training Program!!

Yesterday I had to organize, make copies, fill in dates and so on before I could type up my thoughts and plans. Howevere I'm failry ready now:

I got this book from www.paperbackswap.com Which means I paid about $2.50 to send one of my books to someone else and got this for free. This is what I am basing my training on. This shows you a set up for training programs for whatever distance you're going for (almost, it doesn't cover a marathon and a half or other REAL distances). The author breaks up the training into 3 stages. The first stage being Road Work. Road work is simply the accumulation of miles. SLOW accumulation!! Since I am going for a half marathon this time, that's the program I'm looking at. This books sets up 17 weeks of training for you. Because of the fasting and the recoop time I feel I need, I added three weeks to the beginning - so my training will last a total of 20 weeks. My first week is almost done.

The second stage is Strength Work, which obviously deals with strangth building during those weeks. The Strength Work includes tempo runs and inclines!! WHohooo! Don't ya just LOVE a good hill?? The third stage is Track work. Track work involves 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1600-meter, and 3200-meter repeats. This gives you speed, the "tempo" that (hopefully) you'll run your race.

Right now, of course, I am in the Road Work phase. I'm starting out small, and building up. At the end of the Road WOrk phase the long run (n a Saturday) will be 16 miles. Then I enter into the Strength Work, which cuts the long runs back down to 10 miles. Just the thought gets your blood going, doesn't it??

I will share how this all goes, falls apart, comes together for me as I get through it. At this point I'm still surprised I'm getting out of bed as early as I am to drive to a track...

It's THURSDAY!!!

Are you excited??? Weather.com said to expect rain last night and today all the way through. Well, it didn't start raining on the track till I have 6 laps left. One my last go round it increased to an ALMOST downpour. The downpour kicked up as soon as I sat down in the driver's seat and shut the door. Who said miracles don't happen everyday? I got one this morning!

3 miles. 3 chilly miles. My MP3 player died at lap 4. I'm telling you, when you're running JUST for mileage at a conversational pace it can get a bit dull... so a little music helps. But I appreciates the track this morning because counting laps helped me keep up the right pace and a little internal chatting kept up my mood.

Today Yoga's sessions (after tunring on a space heater - wow I got chilly!) was Deni Preston's episode 106 Yoga with a balancing emphasis. Balance is really important. It is one of the first abilities we lose as we age, leave college and highschool activities like sports. Many adutls go to the gym and frequently workout, but can they stand on one leg without losing their balance? Unfortunately, many cannot.

Why is balance important? 1- It helps us prevent and avoid injury. Less falling less hurt. It helps us be careful. In the kitchen with knives or hot stoves. Balancing helps us to focus on these things and avoid what we consider silly mistakes, like a sliced finger or a burnt arm. 2- A good sense of balance helps up be balanced in other areas of life aside from our physical well being. Being balanced from our left to our right sides of our bodies feels good, but it also promote balance in mind and spirit, priorities, activties, and in making good, better, and best choices throughout our day.

The foot stretches were especially good for me, if uncomfortable. I am wearing new running shoes of a completely different style from the last ones. The Asics brand and style, I wore for several years. But I felt that my running styles had changed recently, and I needed less support and wanted less of a shoe. The shoes I wear now is very different in that there is less of it (between my foot and the graound) and there is less support. While my feet and legs are actually grateful for the change (the others were in reality causing problems with alignment and my knees) it is still taking some time for the muscles and ligaments in my feet to adjust. So the extra stretching was terrific. Standing Splits... now there is a challenging pose. Finding balance between being comfortably uncomfortable, pulling down the tail bone, getting just the right SLIGHT bend in the knee, keeping the feet flexed strongly, shoulders back, while hanging out half way in the air? Whew. Half moon is also a challenge. But I LOVE the challenging poses. I love the poses that challenge my flexibility and strength, my balance and focus.

But in the end I LOVE those spinal twists!! They're like a free trip to the chiro without the office. Snap crackle pop goes that warmed up spine and as everything goes back into proper alignment. Helps posture! I love good posture!! You can look like you lost 5 - 10 lbs with good posture!

Then Shavasana. Who doesn't just adore Shavasana? That deep relaxation after the hard hard work, sweat, and stretching to release left over tension. ooooooooh. aaaaaaahhhhhhh. mmmmmmmm. This naturally leads one into that lovely meditative state where we can clear chakras, free of minds and bodies of any leftover negetive emotions hanging out. This is where we can gain a good unbiased analysis of where we are, what we need, and so on. mmmmm. YUMMY! Slowly come out of it, reconnect with the here and now and the physical world around us. WONDERFUL way to start my day, I can tell you!

Thank you so much for reading! I plan on FINALLY sharing about the training program later on today - so stay tuned!

Namaste.

Fasting ins and Outs...

First let me say, I am by no means an expert in anything. I have no official, documented on paper education in anything on my blog. So if you find fault with any information here please say so and share how you see it, but also understand that I do not put forth these tidbits as absolute fact in your life. I share here - my truth - what I have found to be real and fact for me. This does not mean it must be fact for everyone.

There are many different kinds of fasting. You can fast from activties, foods, liquids, interactions, for various time periods from a few hours to days, months, even years. For example: sisters and brothers who devote themselves wholey to God, through whatever religion they are party to, they often seclude themselves off from the world, sometimes even family, past identity, old friends, locations, etc. Some do this for their lifetimes, some for only a little while, some for years. I feel that everyone is moved to do different things in their lifetimes based on what the Divine (whatever greater power you believe in, truly I believe thay are all have the same origin - the Divine) have to offer them and they acknowledge and accept. I believe that we are all set here upon this place and time and domension for a purpose. Some fulfill that purpose, some do not. Those that do, do so because they give it their wholehearted effort. Those that do no, either do not believe they have a purpose , or choose not to fulfill it. Fasting is one method of helping oneself to realize, accept, fulfill one's purpose here. Fasting allows us to set aside things of the flesh for a time, and focus on the more eternal perspective. Fasting helps us gain focus, vision, hope, and love. Fasting is, im my humble opinion, a glorious gift.

Many different religions have set times in their calendar to fast. However, I feel that oftentimes this becomes habit and therefore less fulfilling for the majority. We do it because it is expected, or we want to set a good example for our family/friends, to maintain a certain opinion from others, etc. I think it is more rare for members of these religions to spiritually gain through these set fasts, but I see the purpose in having the calendar. We all need a place to start.

There are loads of books on fasting. Juice fasting. Water fasting. Many go into the benefits, side effects, and so on. One that I highly reccommend is more on taking care of your body than specifically on fasting is: Own your Own Body by Dr. Malstrom. Another I suggest is The Cure by Brantley. That said I will break down a little of what I have found.

You can look up fasting on the internet and youtube, you'll find lots of info. Go with the info that resonates with you - things that "feel" right to you if you're deciding that this is right for you. There is a lot of bad info out there. But since, like I said, I am no expert I hesitate to just blab about how to fast, what it does etc. I will share about what it has done for me.

Toxins: in a nutshell these are anything in your body that your body cannot use, nor rid itself of without aid from you. Toxins are brought into the body through eating, drinking, breathing, vaccines/any shots/injections, manmade medicine, and through your skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body - everything that goes on it goes INTO it. Never underestimate your hand lotion. Muah ha ha haaa. No seriously - It's true, as much as it sounds outlandish, it's still true.

Toxins can cause just about everything from fatigue to cancer. I also feel that toxins almost always have an emotional link - a stored up emtion that holds it in your body. When one releases the emotion and then does what is necessary for releasing the toxin, both dissipate and disappear. Often times we try to release just the toxins, which inevitably return or simply refuse to leave the body. They are often stored in fat cells, and then are called cellulite. Cellulite is nothing more than toxins wrapped in water stored in your fat cells. When you release the toxins, the fat cells shrink. Makes sense, doesn't it? As we hold onto emotions, and continue to feed our bodies what does not nourish we store more and more and more toxins in our bodies. These create cellulite, as mentioned, or ailments, or both. Fatigue, skin issues, stomache problems, lung issues, heart trouble, etc etc etc. Am I saying that all physical ailments originate in emotions... no. But I'm not saying it because it is untrue. I am saying "No" because I don't know... yet. One day I hope to find that answer.

Fasting is a great way to rid the body of toxins... and old negetive emotions that no longer serve you, if indeed they ever did. Think about it. If you never flushed your toilet... ewww, right? Well, it's the same thing. If you're constantly putting in and never cleaning out you develope a cesspool - no matter how clean it started. If you NEVER wipe off the sink, even the cleanest person's sink will accumulate dust and debri.

What has fasting done for me? Over the years it has brought me closer to ... myself. I have released old baggage that weighed me down. I got tired of carrying it around and the side effects of it... fasting helped me kick it away. I didn't need it. So now it's gone. No therapy, just prayer and fasting and a touch of faith. Faith is the Divine, in myself. When ones dumps the emotional toxins one usually also dumps a bunch of physical toxins as well and this sometimes becomes what is known as a healing crisis in the fasting world. A Healing crisis is when your body gets rid of some many toxins at once into the bloodstream (1st step is ridding the body of it as one fasts), that it makes the faster ill. Hee hee, I like that term "Faster". Anyway, you can get ill while fasting, but it usually something you've already suffered from as you detox. The healing crisis usually lasts about 12-48 hours. Shortly thereafter followed by a tremendous feeling of energy and relief! - AMAZING feeling by the way. If you're juice fasting long term the faster will usually experience the first healing crisi around day 7, then again around day 14, and so on. The body decides how and what to detox of as you fast - the body is remarkable.

Did I get sick? Yupper. Several times. But like I said it resulted in almost a completely new me. A new me I LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Free of so much garbage!

Did I lose weight? Sure but ayone will when you empty your bowels. A lot of people lose up to a pound a day once they get started. But once you start eating again you gain about 5 lbs back as your system turns back on. It's understood that I began detoxing 6 months postpartum. I do not have the body type that automaticaly slims down once the baby is delivered. It used to take me 2 yrs to get back to prepreg weight. I was 155lbs give or take when I began the detoxing this time. I am now 125lbs, one major cleanse, and a few fasts later. I do want to make clear that while fasting I did lose a pound or two the most weight was dropped, for me, in between fasting. The first fast resulted in the loss of more lbs than the second. I was 125 before I got preg with the last baby, and usually am in between babies. I need to also point out that while yes, I am currently at prepreg weight I would have achieved this without fasting. I would also like to point out that I am actually SMALLER than I was before this baby. Lastly I would like to make clear that I am STRONGER as well. Fasting did not decrease my muscle, or strength. But it did decrease the cellulite. I am firmer have more endurance and stamina. And after each fast as I began to eat solids again I did regain 5 lbs, as is typical. But I have not and will not regain the rest of the weight because I have changed my eating habits. Before our 3rd child I weighed 135lbs. I was very physically active, and not what I would have considered unfit. I was happy with that weight (size 8), as I was able to carry to fullterm, having lost a baby when I weighed less. My theory is that I had too many toxins to safely carry to term. However, as I continued to have babies, I put on the odd 4-5 lbs each time that didn't want to leave without a LOT of effort on my part. The point is, the weight has been more easily lost since I started fasting occassionally a few years ago. I have also been healthier and given birth to healthier babies along with recooperating from birthing each time.

I also got rid of some old negative emotions that were hindering my developement. My relationships with my parents and siblings suffered a great deal because of the baggage I carried around. And now I have a great relationship with my folks and sibs. YAY! My relationships with my own family have improved as well due to my personal improvements and garbage dumps. Again- YAY me! No expensive therapist - if anything I saved money from going without solid food and enjoy benefits similar to seeing a therapist. I'm NOT saying that if you see a shrink you should stop and fast instead!!! NO NO NO!! I am only saying that this worked for ME!!

Anyway the point is I continue to enoy lots of physical manifestations of the emotional and spiritual beneifts of these last few fasts. Will I fast again? You betcha!! I feel I have a 10 day water fast coming in the near future. Not too near - I'm recooping from the last one first. Let's not get carried away, friends!

Well, that's pretty much all I planned on sharing on this... I'm done now. Thanks if you actually made it to the end of this post it IS LONG!!!! So congrats if you made it to the end. I only hoped you gleaned some important to YOU information is the reading.

Cheers!!

Trying out posting a pic again - hope you don't mind. Anyway this is the watch I'm saving up for . I tried timing my laps this am with my cell phone - FAIL. What a joke. So I REALLY see the need now. This is the watch because it's not TOO pricey, it's sensible and practical, and has all the functions I'll need as I train.

Cheers!

Wednesday!

YES! I drug my lazy bum outta bed at 4:20 am. Made it to the track, and ran a lovely 4 miles plus cooldown. It really was a nice run. I got into that sacred zone during a few laps. That Is what I strive fro everytime - that ultimate free feeling, the tunnel vision/almost meditative state while joyfully running. During these laps I did not mind at all the constant track before me, the never changing scene. It brough additional peace. It truly was lovely. My new shoes came last evening, so I got to run in those- I was soooo excited. I put on those puppies and ooooh they felt so good I wanted to dash out onto the pavement, but hubby had a meeting last night so I had to take them back off and put them back in the box and wait till morning. Dragging myself out of bed before the sun even peaks over the horizon is a challenge. But I am determined. Tomorrow I get up earlie. My alarm goes off at 4 am, that's when I intend to get up. I feel that I need to take the this week plus the following two to build myself up to the major milage I will be putting in after the 18th of June. Stretched, drove home. Brief chittychatty with handsome hubby, then dove into yoga!!

Deni Preston!! How I love you!! Let me count the ways!! Today I did Basic Flow episode 108. I LOVE basic flow!! Reverse Triangle continues to be a challenge both to the body and mind, but I did it anyway, with full intent and relaxation into the pose.

I have had a small, almost complaint from a reader. Thank you, dear reader for pointing out that my spelling and grammar are lacking. If anyone knows where the spellchek icon is on blogger, please let me know!!! It's bothered me since I put up my first post. I do not take the time (don't really have it) to do the proper editing. I'm not a horrible speller, but I'm not the best! My grammar is (when speaking) very good, however when typing... well, let's just say I understand the complaint. Bad grammar annoys me as well. I shal strive to improve in that area, but the spelling? I REALLY need spell check... to be honest I have a little dyslexia. I read really well, but I think that's because my brain sees past what it THINKS is there to what SHOULD Be there. I haven't trained my fingers to type what they SHOULD versus what they thing they aught. Oh beloved spellcheck, WHERE ARE YOU???

Back to the main topic. I ran, I completed yoga. Yoga after running is GRAND, let me just tell you. I'm already warmed up, mostly, I'm limber. It feels GRRREAT! Then the stretch afterwards is doubly earned and let me point out here that stretching when you haven't earned it through hard work does NOT feel half as good as it does when you've put sweat into the effort. So the stretch afterward was amazing. I still need to see the chiro, but the extreme stretching helps a lot in that area. Hoping to vo in this Friday.

After yoga- MEDITATION! ooooh - how I LOVE meditation. Lovely, lovely relaxation pose. For a fewmoment I continue to bring myself up out of my meditative state while in a crosslegged seat, but I do most of my meditation laying down in deadman's pose. That's where/when I clear and align my chakras, check out my aura... you know, general start up the day kind of cleaning. It's like straightening your bed when you wake up in the morning, or brushing your teeth. It just doesn't feel right till you've done it. Meditating is a wonderful thing. If you don't meditate... I seriously suggest you consider trying it at some point. It heps bring that inner peace that helps to ground one and center one and - "put your head on right".

Wll, that's it. I've got a shower calling as well as a toddler. Thank you all for reading! I know I gotta post up the training program... I PROMISE very soon! Stay tuned. Same time tomorrow. See you then!

Namaste.

Reason for Recoop...

Alritey then here we go...

I have been doing detoxifying fasts off and on for a few years now. I can't remember exactly when, but it began with a 3 days fast. Why? In a nutshell, without getting into too many spiritual things, let's just say I was "moved" to it. It was wonderful, that I remember. It was my first juice fast. I had just stopped nursing one of the babies. After a few weeks, or a month, I'm not sure which...

I did a 7 day fast. It was even better. took a break, as I felt "moved" to. Then I did a fourteen day fast. Then... I had another or two (I honestly can't remember how far back I started)after the typical nine month gestation period, which is actually ten if you want to get technical about it... but I digress.

During this time period my diet also changed, it was, I think, over the course of 3-4 years. We purchased less, if any, meat from the market. I ate less or no meats in the warm months. Though during pregnancy I did eat red meats sparadically. Lots of eggs, from our own or friends' free range chickens. Homemade breads only, though I ate less and less of this. I'll admit during the pregnancy I had less control over what I put into my mouth. Lack of willpower, to be honest.

After I stopped nursing this latest baby,(anywhere from 6-8 months give or take) I was running regularly and did a cleanse - with the herbal pills/supplements/ the whole nine yards. Why? Felt "pushed" to. WOW!! Was it intense. The sandy gritty stuff I drank wasn't too difficult to get accustomed to, nor was the "clean" diet. During the 10 day cleanse and the week that followed it was the emotional roller coaster that was the challenge to deal with. I unloaded so much negativity it was scarey. I also ran my 1/2 marathon. I do not suggest following a cleanse so closely with a race.

A few months after the race, I did my first BIG fast. Let me say that I KNEW that this would revolutionize my eating habits, my ideas of food, my thoughts of healthy eating, my emotional ties to food would end, as would any and all addictions I might have with food. I knew I HAD to do this. For my own sanity, for my health, and many many many other reasons I won't mention here. I also knew it would not be the only big fast, I knew I would need to have a few goes before I learned how to eat properly.

I fasted for 32 days. I started beforehand with a week of fruits and veggies only. Then I did a few days of juice, then a few days of just water, and continued to alternate that for the rest of the fast. When I ended the fast, I tried eating similarly to the way I had before the fast... a little if the grains/breads/etc plus a little meats/fish/etc. I got sick! I don't think I came off the fast too quickly, I did the juice for a while before solid fruit, then solid veggies, and so on. I believe I was learning that meat (I had fish ONE TIME and it made me ill), for me, was a bad thing. I was eating for a few weeks (say 3), when I felt I should fast again because obviously I hadn't learned how to eat yet. I began thinking that I just needed to cut out meats and become a veggies eater.

I did the slow start again - veggies and fruits beforehand, then juice for a few days. Then I did 2 days water, one day juice, 3 days water, 2 days juice, and alternating a bit like this - I never follow a set pattern unless it comes in written form. I got as far as to do 4 days water. I made it to 17 days, then felt I should end it. It was a difficult fast for me. Some have been lovely, some more challenging - I'll go into that more later in another post - but that has to do with the nature of fasting.

I shed many many many negative emotions that had been stored up from various periods in my life over these fasts. I made dozens of personal discoveries and experienced (it felt like) epiphany after epiphany as I fasted and even during the nonfasting periods in between. I came out the end of this almost a completely new person. I have found my own sense of inner peace. I reconciled myself to so much, and have enjoyed immence joy afterwards and continue to enjoy this joy! - pardon the pun.

I am now a vegan, obviously my initial thoughts of just needing to forgo meats was incorrect. I need to skip on all animal products - though to be completely honest honey continues to linger in my diet. I am unsure as to how long this will last... but I am using more and more agave and other alternatives. Back to the point - I consume no (not counting the honey) animal products. As a side note: I am gluten intolerant - so eating wheat was not an issue to cut out of the diet. I also do not consume beans, soybeans included, or any grains. I had a tiny bit of quinoa the other day, experienced no negetive side effects, but I feel this is to be very occassional and not to be overdone. I did parttake of some popcorn Saturday night, but I stay away from popcorn usually as well, as it being another item I should not overdue. And to be truthful I think I overdid it Saturday night with the 2 cups I had. Obviously this is still a learning experience, but I feel less lost now and I am no longer making myself ill - YAY!

I would like to share a bit about the side effects of shedding so much emotional baggage through these fasting experiences, but not here. THis post is getting too long as it is. I'll go itto that later in a seperate post.

However, 3 months (all together) of fasting is a bit much for the body to handle. They say when you end a fast you should do liquids for one day for every week you fasted. Just juices though- no milks of anykind etc. So I did that. Then I had a piece of fruit one day, then a whole fruit the next and so on till I was eating more than I was drinking my nutrition. Let me also state here that I NEVER skimped on the purified water intake. I drank a gallon or more a day as well as herbal teas etc throughout the fasts. I am now two weeks since ending my fast, and my body is still adjusting. When you fast that long (off and on) your body goes into use it or lose it mode. You use what you got, or your body decided - Hey I can't use THAT! and it Dumps it- usually through your bowels. Yeah, I know - fun huh? And when it does this you have less energy to burn, no extras. Bare minimum only.

Side note: I'll go into exercising during fasts in another post with the how to fast and side effects thereof.

And now my body is still recovering. I can run - but not as far as I had been. I gotta build up again. I also have to listen to my body much more and honor it's needs. But I eat VERY VERY carefully now. And while some may think it's not worth the effort - I feel GRRRREAT!- physiaclly, emotionally, spiritually... And that, for me, makes it worth it.

Tuesday!

Alritey, lovelies! Yoga all done - lots of cleansing sweat and negative emotions released! Ahhhh!

This am I did Deni Preston's Basic Flow episode number 123. It is one of my favs. Big Toe Pose, Hand under Foot pose, Triangle, all forms of Warrior almost, all that good stuff. Of courase I could do without the Wag The Tail pose - Ugh. And I am convincing myself that I LOVE Standing Splits and all other groin openers. They say runners are naturally tight in the groin... well, I intend to remedy this situation in my groin (doesn't that sounds almost lude? ha ha). I WILL be a runner with flexible groin muscles!!

I've read a few running books (understatement), and most if not all state that yoga practicioners do not make the best runners, because they are too loose. They say that tight muscles, or semi-tight muscles are an element of good running. Sounds darn uncomfy to me, so I'll be a little less goos at running with my loose and flexile muscles and joints. They also say that when you have loose muscles and flexinble joints, while you may run a little slower, you avoid more injuries simply by being flexible. So I'm going for flexible more than for speed.

I also happen to know that at almost 62 inches tall, and short legs, I'm not going for speed records at this point in my running career. I want to gradually improve speed, but not sacrifice my flexibility (which isn't stellar to begin with). Let's just say I want it all. I want to do splits AND I want to run as fast as I can for EVER!

So I dislike Wag the Tail, and that pliet standing pose which makes one feel like a tall frog... it opens the groin muscles... so I LOVE IT, right? Yup - I LOVE IT!!! It's hard! I LOVE It.... yeah this make take some convincing. My body is not cooperating with this particular idea.

Gotta run shower and get dressed - but the plan is to post a little more about what's going on - first I need to cover the recoop my body was/is doing before major running takes place, which means fasting of various kinds and cleasnes. Then I'll let you all in on the Training Program, that may kill me. *smile* it's a BEAUtiful day!!

Real Quick...

So I found the watch I want. WOW, I never new running watches were so pricey. ANd maybe if I didn't want to record my times, goals, etc I could get by with a cheaper watch. Anyway this is the one... if it came in a sleeker color that'd be cool, but I'm a pretty practical gal so I can accept and happily use a black watch. Gotta save in a hurry too, cuz I gotta start using the darn thing in a bout a week, max two weeks. Im hoping to practice with it first for a week before I have to have reliable times to record. Oh and I PROMISE to post about the training program very very soon, for those of you who might be interested.



I would post a pic, but thusfar my attepts at putting pics on my blog have met with failure. I'm not giving up just - No time to play at it right now - I got yoga to do. Yeah, yeah, usually I do it a lot earlier however, hubby took a vaca day, AND the baby kept me up half the night!!! Can we say "teething"? The night before my doggy went missing - I am VERY attached to my Pele, and I couldn't sleep and searched for her, then ran, then searched some more. Then I passed out after a shower, man I was sweat-TAY and stiky! Then she popped back up in the yard. Prayers are indeed answered. However, tomorrow, as hubby returns to work, I have no excuses and MUST rise EARLY - we're talking the backside of the sun early!

Anyway- yoga calls - I'll post how it went in a bit. Cheers.

Monday-

Happy Heroes day!! Thank you to all of you who have served our country!!

3 miles on a track, my very first time. Yes I was a track virgin. And my first time was not so bad. Slow, steady, then cool off and LOTS of stretching. I pulled something in my calf during the weekend. So stretching is ultra important... especially if I'm running everyday.

Not sure if I like the counting of circles, or the monotonous scenery. But this is about running now not about scenery. So I'll learn to adapt.

There were people there. Didn't like that. Tried to be cool about it. But my heart raced a bit before I stepped on the track, so I did some stratching to try and calm down and be like Joe Cool. After the 1st two laps I think I found my stride and kept to it. I didn't like the fact that the people were distracting, there weren't many but they were still distracting. I'll just have to adapt and get better.

I did a little yoga on the track, or rather in it on the soft grass. NICE. Beautiful sunshine.

Happy Heroes Day- enjoy your long weekend!!!

Busy Busy Saturday

So Yoga with Deni!!! Moving Emphasis1 Whooo hooo - great one. A favorite pose in that on, CRANE!! Took a long time, but I LOVE that pose! Meditation - A hummingbird came to visit briefly afterwards. NICE.

Then around noon I took a little jaunt. I'd love to tell you how far I went, but I was going down the road when I saw that a neigh had recently carved a path through his field with a tractor. It was too tempting, I went for it. Ticks, tall grass scratching my legs, mole hills galore - I did it anyway... I have no idea how far it was only that it wasn't very far. It got very very hot on my way back, so I packed up and headed for the homestead.

Lovely warm day, I got my sunshine and my yoga. I'm a happy camper. Got a really crammed day full of stuff - so... Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Today is Friday!

Today is Friday, everyone!! Doesn't it make you want to sing? We had a lovely evening rain and now the sun is shining on our little garden, humming birds have already visited once today, the clouds have parted, the fields are green with life and song! Doesn't it make you want to join the choir of nature??!!

This a.m. I did Basic Flow Yoga with Deni Preston. Episode 108, I believe. I NEVER do the same show two days in a row. When I woke I felt a bit groggy, yesterday was a long day and today will also be long a full... I did not feel like I should run. I still feel like I should continue to rest a bit from running. Perhaps part of this is because I am slightly out of alignment. I plan on making an appt with my chiropractor today. I can feel this minor misalignment especially during yoga, but it would be more noticeable if I were running and I dare say uncormfortable.

I did a LOT of walking yesterday, some in the rain, it was all wonderful. Some of the children were with me while others were busy with dance rehearsals and volunteering... so the littlier ones and I walked and walked, played in the sunshine, the 3 yr old has some sunsplashes on her cheeks now.

Basic Flow this a.m. included some of my favorite poses! Side Plank, Triangle, Big Toe Pose to name a few. There are lots of great things about yoga. One of those great things is that you can see your own progress. Triangle used to be my LEAST favorite pose. Now? I OWN Triangle!! I am ALL over that badboy. I've opened up and am able to go deeper and deeper into the pose as I exhale. It's lovely. Granted I need to open more on reverse triangle and reverese is NOT a favorite pose. But it's all a journey. Another great thing about yoga is that, if you keep at it, you learn to let go of self judgement. I'm no longer worried or negetive about my being tight in reverse triangle or any other pose. I simple have joy when I find - "OOh, I've opened up there!". And I feel "hmmmm" when I find I'm not as open in another pose. When I feel stiff or tight first I walk through my bandhas, do I have them all pulled in? Are my muscles hugging against my bones? Am I lifting my ribs to elongate my spine? Did I approach the pose properly? Are my feet and hands positioned properly? - Sometimes I'll go out of the pose and apprroach it again. And if I find I'm still tight and stiff, then I accept it and relax MORE! I love the peace that comes with letting go of self judgement! Then, naturally it GRADUALLY becomes something I can apply across the board to everyone! That, I believe, is key having more inner peace - letting go of any kind of judgement. Accepting things as they are and letting go of the desire to alter it. That is part of the yoga journey.

I find this also in running. It is senseless and counter productive to berate yourself for a bad run. It is much better to simply accept it and let go of it. The moment is passed - it cannot be changed. Moving forward is the only sane option. Beating yourself up for it will only cause more tension and a possibility of a worse run next time. The lesson applies in relationships as well. If someone does something that hurts you - it does not improve the relationship situation to go yell at them. But if after you let go of the hurt you talk to them about what you felt and why you may both move your relationship to something more trusting and understanding when neither is concerned about the judging or the pride of being right, etc. It's beautiful. It doesn't always work out, but I try. Sometimes I'm the prideful one, sometimes I'm the one who hurt the other. But I try. It's a journey and I LOVE IT!!

I believe the same lessons are found in any discipline. Singing, acting, any sport (especially team sports), andy activity you find joy in and have passion to perfect can teach you these lessons. I believe that the powers that be (Universe, God, whatever powers you believe in) are constantly trying to teach us these lessons about love and inner peace and tranquility.

I learn soooo much! I am FAR from perfect in any lesson that I am learning from these joys in my life, but I am learning! And I love it!

After yoga- naturally meditation!! LOVE LOVE LOVE meditation! The 3 yr old sat in my lap towards then end, which used to irritate me - and I try to overcome, but today it brought additional peace.

So, shower, and onto the rest of my day! I hope you'll join me next week when I begin my training. I'll devulge more about the program soon, so stay tuned! Bright blessings to you all!!

Day 1...

No I haven't begun training yet. That's Monday - But I figured I would go ahead and write about my morning activties to get into the habit.

I'm a yoga almost every day girl. The only day I sometimes don't do yoga is Sunday. Sometimes I switch it up with some aerobics, kickboxing, etc. BUt usually yoga. I LOVE Deni Preston. I have her set of dvds! Love her! Although sometimes I will through in a little of another instructor or even go it alone to some excellent pandora.com music in the background.

This am I did Deni Preston's Basic Flow. I LOVE Basic flow. Why? Becuase I LOVE Sun Salutations. Get's me hot, warms me up for other things, and gets the sweat started. Sweat is so important for detoxing! And I'm the kind of person who turn red instead of sweating sometimes. So I have to work hard to get sweat to poor. One of the reasons I love running, actually. I jusr run to sweat. Run run run. Sweat sweat sweat. Sweet.

Sometimes, the childre wake up during my yoga time and I end up holding poses with a toddler or preschooler, or both leaning on me, or laying on me, of crawling into my crosslegged seat. May balance has very much improved because of this, I think. So thanks, girls! This morning was such a practice. Which also means that my meditation, which follows my yoga, was done with the youngest laying on my belly and sitting in my lap. It's all good though, Im used to it.

Meditation is a lovely thing!

I did not go for a morning run this am, becuase I'm recovering. Recovering from what you ask? 3 months of fasting and heavy detoxing. I fasted for 30 days, off and on juice and water fasting. THen took a break and stayed true to a cleansing diet. Then did a mostly water fast for 17 days. The healing crisis periods were MURDER! But I got through, healthier and happier than ever. I'll do a post just on detoxification and the importance of another day. But today I'm still recooping I believe. One does not always need recoop time from a fast, it really depends on the level of toxins released during the fast and how your body handled it, how long the fast way, etc. This time was heavy for me, and my body needs some recoop time. I am also relearning how to eat... I was a vegan, including things like tofu and beans. But I really feel I need to cut those out of my diet. The tofu dishes I adored a few months ago, I now cannot stand as well. My tastes have changed for some reason. And I'm also going more and more raw all the time. So re-learning how to eat is important, I need to have a pretty set idea of what I like, what I can eat, and have it in the house before I get into the middle of my training when it is a bad idea to changes one's diet in a big wy, unless you're having health issues with your diet.

I did run earlier in the week, my dog, Pele, came with me. She's awesome. 3 miles this 7 month puppy went with me. Shows off how much more fit she is and encourages me to keep going.

So maybe tomorrow a run. Maybe this evening. Who knows, I go by feel mostly. So we'll see. And if you keeping reading you'll see too!!

I keep thinking about my new shoes and how great they'll feel as I hoof it! WHOOOO HOOO ! Can't wait! I dunno if I'll be able to keep myself FROM running when they arrive!

Little More info to start with...

Good Morning!!! I watched the sunrice from our back porch this am! Took some pics too- GLORIOUS! I LOVE the morning.

Everyone has different goals when it comes to running, or any athletic activity. Some want to lose weight, some get faster, some run farther, some relieve stress and tension, the list will go and on and on. Everyone is different.

I thought I'd let you in on a few of my goals ans where I stand on this starting line. I am 35 yrs old. I am 5 foot 3/4 inches tall at weigh 125 lbs. I can run 4 miles comfortably, on my hills as I have yet to be on a track EVER. I've been married for 10 years and for giggles I tried on my wedding dress last week and found it baggy, even though I weighed 125 at my marriage. Was a fun discovery for me. I've been learning, through my own body which brings the point home really, that muscle really makes a difference. I am a lot stronger than I was 10 years ago, and a lot more fit.

That said I'm not NEARLY as fit as I would like to be. Nor do I weigh what I would be comfortable with. Like I stated in my first post - I want to run forEVER, that's how fit I want to be. But weight? Well, in between babies I used to be happy at 125 lbs. I am not sure why, but I'm not anymore. I had carried around 10 extra lbs in between a few of them so I had them so closely together and I didn't recover as quickly as I do now. So these last 10 lbs have been nice to lose.

My goal is 110 lbs. Why? Some may think this is unhealthy, too thin, etc. These well meaning friends do not understand the level of fitness I want for myself, or what I am willing to do to attain it... yet. They will eventually. I do not wish to be a stick - with my serious curves, I don't think it possible. I will never look like those lovely boy-like figures you see on the runway. They are lovely, but not me. And let's face it a very tiny percentage of the earth's population have that frame and build... and you need to add into the account that many are indeed quite unhealthy, it's sad to say. Anyway- the point is UNhealthy is NOT my goal. MAD FIT is my goal. And I believe I will be comfortable at 110 lbs. However, I am a woman, my mind may change on occassion.

My goal for this run is not clear yet. I'm looking for a time goal. I came in at 3 hours last time. SOOO unhappy withthat. I ran so much faster at home on mega hills than I did that gentle course. I'm gonna run with a watch and see what I come up with over the next few weeks and set a goal. I usually not a goal person, as a matter of fact I dislike the word goal. It sounds so much like one is trying to be better than someone else. I really just want my own Personal Record, personal best, set. I want to see where I really am. Then I want to take that and see if I can maintain that amid MAJOR distraction of a public run on a course I don't run everyday. Last time I had no real set time, as I have never used a watch. But I'm a little more serious about my running these days- so I'm scoping out watches online now.

Like I said I don't do crowds well.... well, I'm gonna change that! I'm running more races. I gonna run every one I can afford (scrimping and saving pennies) and fit into my training. I don't care what kind of race so long as the distance fit in my schedule and I can pay the registration, I'm there! With the specific purpose of getting used to big crowds while staying focused on a run! One question: Why is it I have read many many many running blogs and articles and NO ONE has mentioned this particular challenge?

I also found lately that my shoes are not up to snuff, partly because I've lost a LOT of weight, and as the wedding dress shows I'm not exactly the smae build anymore. For some reason this is effecting my run, in these shoes. I have been wearing Asics Nimbus Gels. I have LOVED them. I had some kness issues last year, due to weight I believe, and now they are slowly coming back, but now I think it's due to the fact that I am wearing the wrong shoes.

There is some contraversy about shoes lately. Just because I haven't competed in a while doesn't mean I dwelt in an antirunning cave - I keep informed. Many people are now into the barefoot running gig. It is growing in popularity. I'm not a bandwagon person for the sake of being on a wagon with others, so I am keeping my opinions to myself on this one for now. However after some research, I do believe that my Asics have WAY too much support for my feet now. 40 lbs make a difference as does taking a break from baby-making. I have also found that running shoes generally last about 300 miles. So for a couple of reasons I need new shoes. And I am waiting for them to come in the mail now!! In a few days my new Brooks PureFlows will arrive. I'm excited. VERY excited!!

So I'm waiting for shoes, picking out a watch, then using it to figure out my goal PR. Oh and finding more races to work into my schedule. YAY! Are you cheering yet? That's ok. You will! Keep reading!

1st Post

Howdy, ya'll! This blog is called Run Like a Mutha! Yup! I'm a mutha... of 7. YES SEVEN. Ages ranging from 14 yrs down to almost 18 months. For the record I get asked this alot - at the grocery, in the park, on the street, it get annoying really. So yes - we have 7. I think it's silly since I have friends who have more children than we do.



Pause for a little background info: Our first baby, we lost, still birth. Then after we had our third live birth we adopted a little boy... so the number of living children is 7. Not too confusing is it?

I've given birth 7 times. Yes, I have. Last 3 were homebirths, unassisted. LOVED THEM! Last but not least- yes, we plan on having more.


Now back to your regular programming:

The purpose of Run Like a Mutha is to document, for my friends and family, my running adventures. I've been mostly
a closet runner. In between babies I've run the hills of Missouri, and two little races with no real goal in mind just running for fun, for fitness, for sanity... list goes on. With having babies so often, my weight and fitness levels yo-yo like MAD. However our youngest is not yet 15 months old and we are taking a break from having babies, and I am using this time to get FIT!! Not just to get "fit" but to get FIT! Like MAD FIT!

I have this dream... to be able to run forEVER! So I'm gonna start. I'm starting with this 1/2 marathon in Kansas City this October!!! YEAH!! you stoked yet? I AM!!! So I got this book, and I'm planning my training program, I am busting out and finding myself a track to use! I've got to get a stop watch, one with BIG buttons that push easily, so I don't trip over myself trying to use it - which would so be like me. And I need new shoes, I've just about worn my old ones to death again. They are such an investment, and yet sooo worth every penny. And I have to admit running is just about the cheapest sport you can participate in. But I digress.

Back to the dream - First step is this half marathon. I've got this 20 week training schedule, that sounds like it will kill me... so I must be committed to this if I'm going forward with it. This will be my second time running this race, I ran in when our youngest was about 6 mths old- man that was tough! I still had a lot of baby weight, my hormones were all wacky, in that I still had a lot of that stretchy hormone flowing through my joints - lots of chiropractor visits. And the weight was NOT good for my knee (I was 155bs give or take a few or more, I lost some as I trained, I'm a teeny bit over 5 feet tall). I was also distracted by EVERYthing! I have a little bit of ADHD... although during the race it was more like AD-DOYOUSEETHAT?!!!?!?!!?? And crowds kind of wig me out. But I did it. It took 3 hours all told. I was not happy with the time - I've run much better out on my hills... It was a bit hellish, to be honest. THe scenery was great, don't get me wrong - it was the fact that I could NOT focus!!! Gave me a good idea of what our Aperger's son goes through when he goes somewhere new. But I got it done. So now... I'm gonna do it again... yeah that's right. Why? I'm not really all that sure, other than I've got this HUGE drive to do it, along with lots of other races.

I'm a bit quirky, left of center kind of gal. So maybe it's normal for me not to know exactly why I'm "torturing" my body (that's what hubby calles it). But I'm doing it either way. WHOOO HOOOOO!

Ok, we covered the dream thing - next topic: I'm also into Yoga in a BIG way! And I'm a vegan, borderline raw vegan. It follows that these topics are going to pop up a lot on this blog because running and nutrition go hand in hand in hand. These subjects in addition to the running (it is a RUNning blog) and the parenting 7 lovely munchkins the occassional spiritual idea may crop up... aw, heck it's gonna be littered everywhere all over this blog. So - if any of these catagories turn you off, you're better of not reading my blog.

However, if you might be interested in any or all of these topics PLEASE start following! Share on FB, go crazy with it, if you think someone else might benefit or gleen the rare gem of tidbits from it. I do not delude myself into thinking that I know everything, or even that I am remotely interesting (except to my family and close friends), but sometimes we learn something iportant from strange places, yes?

Alright so- this is the first entry. I look forward to shring the ins and outs of full on training and a fulltime stay at home homeschooling mama. The falls and the flying. The times, the skids, the rocks in my shoes. Hope I haven't done too poorly. Hope I haven't bored you to death. I may get better at this, though to be fair I may get worse. Let me know how it goes as we get to know each other better, would ya? I want your opinions!

PLEASE SHARE!!!