My musings on running, jogging and stuff

Today I've been kind of stressed. 

I have lots of things going through my mind right now, and it's difficult for me to concentrate on one task. 

I want to put the world to rights, I want things to happen, I want things to change. I want things to be better. 

I wonder if or how I myself can make any of them happen. Probably not. I may have some influence over some things, but probably not too much. 

So basically, I just have to have patience, and see how everything unfolds. In some cases, this is the only thing I can do, but in others, well, maybe I could make a difference, but I don't know if I'm in the most appropriate position to do so. It's kind of frustrating. 

I know most of this doesn't make sense, but maybe you can kind of understand where I'm coming from.

I was wondering whether to go straight home after work and catch up on some jobs, or squeeze in a gym class. 

I chose the class -  TCX, one of my favorites! :) And of course, I was glad I did. It was a good class with a great teacher. I came out of the class feeling strong and with a lifted sense of confidence. It's probably the best I had felt all day. 

Then I came home and decided to try the 'firefly' pose in yoga. I've struggled with it for a while, and I hadn't tried for a long time. Well, I tried today, and I did it! I was able to hold firefly! It's by no means a 'perfect' firefly, but it definitely classes as one! Sometimes we forget that improvement doesn't always happen so quickly; it may take weeks or months...or even longer. But it happens. I think I needed to be reminded this today, and I was. 

Maybe I won't see the changes I want to see happen next week, or even next month. But, maybe one day. 

It's so easy to let things get you down, but then some small action can spin you around and remind you that maybe we can influence change somehow.

So people, does anyone else feel like they can't fit everything into the day?

My days consist of work all day, trying to rush out of work as soon as I can to avoid traffic, squeezing in a gym session, throwing something together for dinner, preparing things for the next day, finished with about one hour to myself. Then sleep. 

Then we start again the next day. 

Now, I don't have kiddo's, but if I did, something would have to give. I can see why people who do have children can't fit in a workout, because everything else really does take up the whole day. 

Of course, I am happy I can fit in a workout on most days, but still I don't have much other time to do any other leisure activities or pastimes, and so I'm wondering how people squeeze it all in? I can't (or won't!) give up any part of my day, but I so want to include other things into my week!

As for my weekends, they are also crammed with chores, gym and organization that I have only a few hours for leisure. Now of course gym really is leisure, but it is also 'essential' leisure; if I don't go, the day isn't right (bar my one or two rest/chore days in the week!).

I just feel like I just can't seem to free up much time, and there is always some task to be done. What am I doing wrong?

Maybe that's just life and I should stop moaning. But, I feel like so many people have free time to spend how they please, and that for me is limited. 

Phew. Now that's off my chest! 

So today I'm just going post the link to my running blog, which is all about my challenge to run 1000 miles in 2015 for a charity named Mosaic.

http://www.mosaicinfo.org/location/mosaic-dallas

Here is my blog post: 

http://stephaniesrunningblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/its-only-middle-of-january.html

I'm at a total of 45 miles, and I should be at 60, so I have some running to do! 

I'm including the same picture as it reflects where I'm at right now! Wish me luck! :)

This is a quick post, just to say that I'm happy!

...And grateful!

I'm fit and healthy (as far as I know!!!)

I have a wonderful hubby, a loving family and great friends!

I have stability, vacations, meals out, gifts and leisure time.

I have me time, hubby time, and friend time. 

I get to exercise regularly, choose veggie or vegan, and test my mind with writing and reading. I get to try new things and learn all about the world. 

And a whole lot more...!

Life is pretty good! 

(I did TCX today, which is one of my favorite classes, so yey!)

Well, yes, I missed yesterday. Both the running and the writing. Boo. But, I had two 'different' days, which is why. 

Yesterday I took the day off work to look after a special someone as well as complete my online modules for my Silversneakers courses today, as I didn't have any other time to squeeze it in. 

So yesterday I drove in the pouring rain, which turned into a mini lake at one point on the highway (which was scary!) to spend the day, help out and do my course. I made an improvised vegan dinner and came home in the evening, stretched, and got everything prepared for Friday. 

Friday, I had to drive super far away (far for me, anyway!) to my course. I don't know that part of the city, and I'm always nervous when I drive in a place I"m not familiar with. I will admit I did get beeped at once on the way there. The road split in two and my GPS didn't tell me which way to go (I don't recall, anyway). Fortunately I picked the right one and arrived safely (somehow!)

I did the Silversneakers workshop for 'Classic' 'Circuit' and 'Splash'. So now I can teach the first two! I just have some more work to do before I can teach Splash, but I'm super excited about it! (I already had my personal trainer cert. and CPR, so that fills the requirements). 

If you don't know what Silversneakers is, it is group fitness classes for older adults, for those who are eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. 

We practised a 'master class' for all three classes, which was fun and very helpful for developing classes for seniors.

As I drove home, I put the directions into my GPS, and somehow it took me a route I didn't select. So, I didn't really know where I was going. I just had to trust the GPS!

Finished the day with a four mile run at the gym, some stairmaster, weights and stretching. Topped off with relaxing, tea and chocolate. 

I am sat here with a fleece blanket around my neck. 

I woke up this morning with a very stiff neck, unable to tilt it to the right, and only able to turn it slightly to the right. I obviously slept on it funny. I read about it, and it is apparently called 'acquired torticollis'. I actually managed to quickly speak to one of our physical therapists who works with our residents, and he advised not to stretch it too much, but just to relax and let it heal itself.

But, in my quest to relieve myself of pain and limited range of motion, I tried several methods to relieve it. Some stretching and movement, and massage. It helped only a little. It's still pretty stiff. So, I'm just hoping in the morning it has fixed itself! Haha!

Wednesdays I don't often make it to the gym, because hump day means lots of work day. But, I did manage some light stretching (not just of the neck!) and a mini blog post all about my silly neck. (This happens once every few months and it is annoying! I think I sleep weird...)

I didn't much like today, sorry. Here is why...

-My days are always crammed full, so when I have to do boring or annoying tasks, they really irritate me as I know I have so much else I could be doing. 

-My work is annoying me more and more each day! I wish I didn't feel like this, but I do... bah. 

-I had to sit in traffic (who likes this!!!)

-I became so irritated by the end of the day even the smallest of things made me worse.

-I had to clean up kitty poop and sick. (She's old, that's her excuse....)

The good parts of the day included:

-Tabata and a quick treadmill jog. 

-A quick soup for dinner followed by chocolate!

-Studying for my Silversneakers course on Friday! (I have a lot to do before then!)

I am a morning person. Even if at 5:30 I may not think it, but I am. Of course I love the weekend when I can snooze a little longer, but I don't really like to snooze too long. I feel like I'm wasting my day. 

So when I am actually up, one of the best things about the morning right now is when I squeeze in a mini stretching/yoga session. By mini I mean for about 15 minutes. That's all I can manage. Waking up my muscles really does help me wake my whole body up and makes me feel loose and relaxed before a day of fun. My muscles become tight throughout the day, so it really helps to loosen everything up in the morning (and evening!). 

You may think that the morning is the worst time to do yoga poses and stretch, as you may be more prone to pulling something or hurting yourself as you're not warmed up. And this may be the case for some people. But, I don't go crazy. I'm gentle on myself. And I would be even gentler on myself if I were new to to a morning yoga/stretching routine. Whats more, it becomes addicting. The more you stretch your muscles, the more they want to be stretched. And the more you do yoga poses, the more you want to do them. It just feels great. 

It does mean waking up just a little earlier, but it is totally worth it. If I don't manage to fit a workout into my day, at least I can squeeze in some yoga and stretching to keep things supple. I don't think people realize how quickly our bodies can become stiff and inflexible. It takes only a matter of days. And many people never stretch, so I cannot imagine how much they are tightening up and limiting their range of motion. If people only spend 10 minutes a day loosening up their muscles, I think they would see huge benefits in their bodies: less aches and pains, less strained muscles, less injuries, and a lot more strength and ease of movement. 

So we are half way! Well done to you all!

So what's harder? Writing or running? 

Well, they are both challenging in their own way. Both require consistency, effort, organization and motivation.

Running more time (for me, anyway). It requires at least a 30 minute jogging session, but probably more like an hour. But, it's in my routine, so it's easier - most of the time. 

Writing on the other hand is something I do a lot less of as a general rule. It requires imagination, creativity and a strong line of thought. But for me it takes a lot less time than a run or workout, as I am just writing a blog entry. 

Both are working our muscles: brain muscles and body muscles. You just have got to keep at it  Keep working on your technique and skill. Keep working on your speed and endurance.

Today I managed to squeeze in a 3 mile run, and a quick session on the stair stepper, finishing with some weights and stretching. Not bad for a Friday!

Hump Day. 

Once a week hump day comes along. The weekend is within sight, but there is still a few more days to go. Just like running: a few more miles to go. You just gotta keep at it for a little longer. 

Last Wednesday I didn't run because I worked late. Today I didn't run because I had lots of other things to do after work, like applying for new jobs!

So last weekend I enrolled in an instructor workshop for SilverSneakers Splash, Circuit and Classic. I am super excited about it! I got my personal trainer certificate last year, but haven't had chance to use it because work is crazy and I haven't had time. 

After completing the course, with the addition of my personal trainer cert, I'll be able to teach! Hopefully!! So I've been applying to positions. 

I'm also renewing my CPR AED and First Aid Cert. tomorrow so I will be all up to date. 

I'm so very excited about these new opportunities! I so hope it all works out!! 

I did manage some yoga/stretching at home though, so not too bad! 

I don't know what I will be able to squeeze in tomorrow, so let's see!

So Tuesdays and Thursdays are currently 'Tabata' days. 

What does this mean?? Well, it means a great way to get a full body workout in a short amount of time!

Basically Tabata is 20 seconds on, and a 10 second rest. In our classes, we do 2 sets of exercises, each for 20 seconds, four times each. Then we get a minute break before a different set of 2 exercises. In the minute break we generally do some 'core' exercises, or a 'recovery' exercise. It can last between 30 minutes to an hour depending on the class. 

I like this class because it uses little equipment which makes it easy to set up, the exercises are effective but are relatively simple so they are easy to learn, and it works all body parts so legs, core and torso are worked. 

Obviously the classes depend on the instructor, so there will be some variety. Also this type of exercise can be done on your own or at home or with some friends. The most important part is that you get moving, push yourself a little, and feel good about yourself for working hard. 

You will get better/stronger/faster if you practise with consistency! 

If you ever try it I hope you have fun! Just remember you can modify whenever you like!! :)

(I ran one mile and a bit today before class to get warmed up!)

Well, Mondays and Saturdays are currently 'TCX' days. 

What does this mean? Total Conditioning Extreme!

It's a group fitness class which is offered at my gym which pretty hard...and popular. 

So it's a class which uses cardio and weights to help increase your strength and endurance...and push you to your limit! 

It works all muscle groups, and uses 3 stages of exercises: an easier one (generally used for 'recovery'), a more complex one which may test your balance or get your heart rate a little higher, and the final level, which is generally a more dynamic or even explosive move which gets you breathless and pushes your limits. Ever tried using weights after doing explosive jumps which get your heart pumping? It's hard. But, it improved your muscle endurance so that your muscles can work harder for longer.

So, yes it's a high intensity class with intervals and weights. Even if you don't think you can do it, you should try it to see! You can always modify the exercise whenever you like. 

I remember my first few classes. I struggled. I thought, wow, this is too hard for me. But, I got better, slowly. It takes time and consistency, but you can get there!

The classes all follow the same format, but different instructors do things a little differently. To me they are all great and unique in their own ways. In order to teach this class you have to be in top form, and my instructors really are, which is great motivation!

Do you like push-ups? I really don't but in TCX you are going to do a lot of push-ups! (and a lot of other stuff) so even if in the first class you get through just half of them, next time try for just one more! And that's how you get better!!

If you do ever try a TCX class, I hope you enjoy it and return for more! :)

I love running.

It's so simple yet has such great benefits for your health. So many of us can participate in one way or another, and can be either solitary or social.

I love my running days, but there are also so many other activities I would love to do on a more regular basis, so I thought I would write all about them! (in no particular order...)

First up is badminton. I miss playing this. Unfortunately in the US it's pretty hard to find it played anywhere, as it's just not popular. I don't know why, because it's pretty easy, indoor or outdoor, and doesn't require too much equipment. It's easier than tennis!!

Yoga. You can find a yoga class pretty much anywhere, and my gym obviously has classes, but I'm not going at the moment. I used to go pretty much every week, but then I started to focus on other things, then my favorite instructor left, and I just haven't got around to incorporating it into my routine. I do my own mini yoga sessions at home, but it's not the same as a class. 

Swimming. I'm very lucky to have a gym just within walking distance which has so many amenities, including a swimming pool. I really like swimming, but I'm so bad at it. I don't like going when it's busy, so I choose the quietest times I can. But, it's not as appealing in the winter. Maybe as it warms up I'll add it back into my routine. 

Trail walking/jogging. I live in an urbanized location, and trails are pretty far away. Plus it's too cold right now! When the weather warms up I would love to spend half a day away from the cars and traffic and hit the trails for some nature walks. 

Cardio Kickboxing/Boxercise/Strike class! Basically a class based around cardio, punches, kicks, and jumps! I've had some awesome teachers for these classes and I would love to do them again!

PiYo class. This class is a mixture of Pilates and Yoga. I've never done it, but I'd love to try it! I've done some Pilates classes in the past, and I'd love to them again. 

Tennis. I've played tennis only a few times, and I'm pretty terrible. I'd love to learn just how to play! I found some outdoor courts (when I was out for a run!) which would be great to go to in the summer, if someone else hasn't beaten us to them! 

Insanity!! I think this has to be one of my favorite classes! It really improved my fitness level. I'm super sad it isn't offered at my gym anymore, but I'll take it when I can!

I think that's about it. Nothing too crazy on that list, but it's often difficult to find the time or find the class/place to do them! That's probably why running is so popular - you can often just step outside of your door and do it!

I'm happy to squeeze whatever I can whenever I can into my day, but variety is also great too!

What would you like to do???

Yes they are.  The first steps really are the hardest.

It just takes a little bit of motivation, organization, planning, determination and commitment! 

I remember when I ran my first half marathon. The scariest part was pressing 'enter' on the computer and signing myself up. Then I knew I had to commit. I had something to work towards, something which required me to step it up a notch. Nobody wants to be a failure, so you do all you can to make it happen. And when you achieve, it's the best feeling ever! All that time and effort really was worth something.  And it went exactly the same way for my marathon. 

And it will be exactly the same for my 1000 miles in a year goal! That's a considerable amount of motivation, organization, planning, determination and commitment! Whats more, I really hope to raise $1000 in the process!! For this wonderful charity: 

http://www.mosaicinfo.org/location/mosaic-dallas

Here is my new blog post on my running:

http://stephaniesrunningblog.blogspot.com/

I've realized how important it is for us to have goals. They challenge us. They get us going on a cold morning. They keep us going when we don't think we can go much more. They keep us accountable. 

Even the smallest of goals is 100% better than no goals. Start small and build up. The feeling of achievement is such a wonderful feeling and within everyone's grasp. Just know that whatever your goal, you are awesome for even trying!! 

Good luck reaching those goals!

Happy Friday!

So here are some reasons I love my Friday workout! (In no particular order)

-The gym is half empty! Only the die hard are there on a Friday night..

-It's a great way to finish the week, especially when you know you a few too many treats.

-It's also a great way to start the weekend! Health habits to be continued throughout the weekend....

-If I run (which I mostly do on a Friday gym session), it's a great chance to reflect on the week and think about what I want to do on the weekend.

-I feel a little less guilty about my Friday evening wine or chocolates.

-It keeps me good and healthy for a few more hours as if I were to go straight home I would hit the sofa and also the wine a little earlier....

So there you go. Six reasons to hit the gym on a Friday evening. Today was a four mile run and some weights and stretching. Nothing too crazy as the weekend will hopefully bring more fun and games!

Some days go by just as you expected, with nothing new to report and others are filled with surprises and curve-balls. And although just as you expected days are nice and easy and allow you to breathe a little, it's the ones filled with surprises and curve-balls that really shake you, make you reflect, and make you grow.

Today I would say was more of a surprises and curve-balls kind of day. I work in an assisted living, which means we all have to be ready to respond to a call for assistance at any time. Today was one of those days. We responded to that call, and I was the one who called 911 - which is always nerve-racking. I have only had to call them a few times but it hasn't gotten any easier. Whats more I had problems with two phones in the process. Technology is advancing faster than I even know, but it's always when you need it most it decides to break down. There flies by another curve-ball. Finally, I had to call the family with an update, which can also be a stressful phone call to make. Fortunately (as far as I know), the situation was handled well and hopefully our resident will make a speedy recovery. 

It is events like these that make you realize how well you handle different situations. And I know from previous experience I'm probably going to be the one that panics and doesn't think clearly. I think it comes with practise, which I lack. Not that I would like to experience more of these situations in order to grow, but I would like to maybe have more of a plan in pace for myself which I can mentally follow in order to maintain calm under stressful events such the one experienced today. 

Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite. 

Failure at only day 4! 

I didn't make it to the gym today. My legs are all stiff and I'm a little deflated. I looked forward to shaking out all the day's icky bits ready to relax in the evening. Well, not all days go as planned and this was one of them. The work day ran over and my hopes of a run disappeared. 

What made it worse is something we all encounter on a regular basis: temptation. The day wore on and I was feeling myself waver. Then at my moment of weakness the lemon yummy yet so very evil cake like things made its appearance. And I gave in to the dreaded temptation at my moment of weakness.... but with good intentions - I thought I would have enough time for a good gym session.  But to my dismay it got lost in the dark night. 

We all start the day with good intentions. So, what do we do when things don't go as planned? Here's my advice. 

Be thankful. Thankful for the yoga stretching which I did manage to squeeze in at the end of the day. Thankful for a job which keeps me busy. Thankful for the hot shower to wake me up and relax me at the end of the day. Thankful for all the other days I make it to the gym. Thankful for the ability to run (when I can!). Thankful for my daily meals. Thankful for a husband who listens (or pretends to listen!) to me moan at then end of the day. Thankful that I at least have the option to devour the sweet yet evil lemon thing. Thankful that tomorrow I will have another chance to pursue my goals and spread my wings at the gym. And so much more. 

Tomorrow is another day, so say good riddance to all the lousy parts of the day and get ready to welcome a brand new day filled with opportunity and new beginnings! :)