Fitness Friday- Training Update

I'm taking a little break from recapping my vacation today so that I can write an update on marathon training.  After all, it is Health & Fitness Friday and I missed it last week, so there is a lot to catch up on!  I'm going to break it into workouts, food, and thoughts!

WORKOUTS

First of all, I did my long run right before leaving for vacation 2 weeks ago now!  I did 15 miles in the morning and it was tough!  My route is pretty hilly (which is good because the TC Marathon has plenty of hills) but hills also tend to make my hip hurt.  Hills and running fast seem to be the main triggers, so I have been walking up a lot of the hills.

While we were on vacation, I did some running, but mostly was just super active in other ways.  I think I only ran 3-4 times, and the altitude really killed me!  You never think the altitude will make such a difference, then BAM!  Oh well, it was nice to take a week "off" and instead I just thought of it as a cross-training week.

Since we've been back, I did another long run of 15 miles.  I was supposed to go 17, but it has been in the 90s with super high humidity all week and I just couldn't make it.  I got at up 5 to beat the heat, but it didn't make much of a difference.  It also didn't help that I had been up all night with a sick puppy who was throwing up everywhere- gross.  He's fine now, just a weird 1 night thing.

I don't have a long run this weekend since I have to do my next one on Wednesday next week.  I work all next weekend, so doing it on my day off, Wednesday, is my only option.  It sure gets hard trying to schedule these runs, especially when I work 2 more weekends before the race.

FOOD

Well, obviously I've been on vacation and eating has been a bit more indulgent.  I stocked up on fruits and veggies when we got home though and I've really been craving all that fresh produce.  We were going to go to the state fair this weekend, and eat ourselves silly, but other things have come up.  Our car ended up needing 2000$ in repairs yesterday, so I have declared a "fiscal freeze" for the long weekend- no spending money on anything, so no state fair.  Also, no grocery shopping, so this is going to be interesting as I try to create meals with only things we already have.  I am kind of excited about this actually, I just don't know how "healthy" they will be.

THOUGHTS

Wow, I really need to crack the 15 mile barrier.  This distance has been my most challenging in the last 2 marathons I've trained for also.  I know that you don't actually hit "the wall" until mile 19, but it sure feels like my wall is around mile 15.  Next week I really have to make it all 18 miles, I will totally psyche myself out if I don't make it.  Also, I am nervous about running so slow.  I know that my hip is way more important than getting a good time, but I just don't want to put all this work in and run a terrible (for me) time.  I know I won't PR and I am fine with that, but I'd still like a respectable time.  Is that so bad?

Health and Fitness Friday!

Excuse me for missing this last week! After posting my half marathon recap, I really had nothing fitness related to talk about!

Marathon training has still been going pretty well.  My hip has been a little bit sore for the last few days which is worrisome, but I think I have finally figured it out.  I think my hip gets aggravated every time I try to run fast.  As long as I run slow, like really slow, it seems ok though.  It's a little frustrating because I feel like I'm going to run a 6 hour marathon (ok hopefully not that slow...then again, maybe), when 2 years ago I was shooting for 4:40 or better.  I just have to keep reminding myself that I didn't even think this would be possible after having hip surgery and I should be happy just getting this far.

I ran 14 miles last Thursday which seemed fine.  I have started taking epsom salt baths which really helps get the soreness out, plus they feel amazing!  I got in a few days of running this week and today I have 16 miles to go.

I'll be on vacation all week next week, so I don't want to put a ton of pressure on myself to get in another 16 miler, but I know that I will be doing at least 10 miles while I'm there.  We also have a ton of active stuff planned, so I think its going to be a serious cross-training week for me, which is probably great for my hip. I built this week into my training plan, so I'm not too worried about fitting in a bunch of running.

I've been doing lots of yoga too, and taking time to rest my body!

Have a happy health and fitness Friday!

Half Marathon Preview

Eeeek, only one day until the Minnesota Half Marathon!  The race starts at 7:45 Saturday morning and I hope to be done right around 10!  I get so nervous before races, and I am feeling especially nervous since this is my first distance race since having hip surgery last spring.  This is also the first one I am running without Mark.  Well, he was technically in the same race as me for my 2nd one, but we didn't stay together.  Because he placed 17th...overall.  And I placed 1990th...out of 2429 people.  Right.

But anywho, here we are running the Minneapolis Half Marathon in 2010.  Mark was nice enough to stick with me through the whole race for this one, which meant a lot considering that it was my first one.  It probably had something to do with the fact that he proposed later that day too.

And here we are after the Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon in 2011.  He looks pretty awesome for running 13.1 miles in 1:24, doesn't he?  Also, it was snowing the morning of the race.  In May. Also, we got married 6 days later :)

(You can read my recap of this race from my old blog here.)

The Minnesota Half Marathon is a new race for me.  It also has a 5k event and a roller blade half marathon, which I think is actually really weird.  The course is out-and-back along the Mississippi River in St. Paul.  If you are in the around the area, come cheer me on!!

Tomorrow I'll go to the expo after work to get my packet.  Then it's eating pasta and trying to sleep for the rest of the night...EEK I am SO nervous!  For some reason, I feel really under-prepared for this.  Maybe it's because I just signed up a week ago, but I've also been so focused on the full marathon this fall, so I haven't put any speed work in to my training for a race of this distance.  I guess we'll see what happens :)

Wish me luck!

Health & Fitness Friday: Half Marathons and Bikini Problems

I can't even tell you how happy I am that today is FRIDAY!  If you read my post on Wednesday, you know that means that after today, I only have 6 more days working at this hospital!  Yaahooo!!

Also, THANK YOU to everyone for their input on my yoga business....the ovewhelming choice was for One Light Yoga, which make my decision pretty easy :)  Now I just have to get the ball rolling with making an LLC and a website...anyone know of a good web designer??

Alright, lets talk fitness. 

I did my 11 mile run last weekend which went better than expected.  I was more than ready to be done by the time it ended, but I felt pretty good that I did it.  This is how my weekly workouts have looked:

Saturday- 11 miles

Sunday- Rest

Monday- Yoga

Tuesday- 2 miles

Wednesday- 3 miles

Thursday- Rest

Friday- I plan on 3 miles tonight

Saturday- The plan 8 miles

Sunday-  The plan is to go for a walk & Yoga

I'm only doing 8 miles this weekend because I registered for the Minnesota Half Marathon, which is next Saturday. I like to have an easier week before a race, so 8 miles should be sufficient. I'm already nervous though...ugh.

Other than that, not much is new on the health and fitness front.  I finally found a bathing suit that I found acceptable a few weeks ago, but I have only worn it once, and not with any other people.  Still working on my confidence level on that one.  I know I talk a lot about body image and support other people in accepting their bodies...but it continues to be a struggle to accept my own appearance sometime.  Why does that have to be so hard? 

Anyway, I hope everyone has a happy and healthy weekend :)

Torchlight 5k recap!

Happy Friday everyone!!  It's finally the weekend again and I couldn't be happier about that!  I am leaving work a little early today, so this is going to be short and sweet so I can get everything done!

I ran the Torchlight 5k in Minneapolis on Wednesday with these lovely ladies:

Kate (in the middle) also brought her husband to run this year.  My sister and her friend were there too, so we all met up at the start and then found each other after the race for the after-party.

It has been super hot here all week.  Before the race, my car said it was 95!  I think the official temperature was 93, but whatever it was, it was HOT! And really humid too!!  This is always a fun race to run though and I am glad that we went for it!  The Torchlight 5k is part of the Minneapolis Aquatennial celebration that happens every summer,  it takes place down the same streets at the Torchlight Parade, which starts right after the race.  It is sort of a logistical nightmare, but we had a good game plan and it all work out flawlessly! 

I am proud that I actually ran the whole way in this heat!  It would have been really easy to walk, but running with my running buddies and in a crowd always makes me push myself a little harder.  We started out at a pretty normal pace and were able to maintain that throughout the first 3 miles.  Once we were on the Stone Arch Bridge, we sped it up a little bit.  This race is always deceptive because you think the finish line is at the end of the bridge, but its actually quite a bit further down and around a corner.  It gets me everytime!

I finished right next to my friend Katie, and we both pretty much collapsed on the ground for a few minutes afterward.  Then we went in search of popsicles.  After the rest of our crew finished, we went in search of the good stuff...the free beer.

My time ended up being 29:05, which I thought was pretttty good for the heat!  I am actually quite inpressed that we did it in under 30 minutes!  Thanks for running with me, ladies!!

And as always, link up your weekly fitness report with Jen for Health and Fitness Friday!!

Health and Fitness Friday!

Time for the weekly fit report!  I love writing this, mostly because it means that its FRIDAY, but mostly I love the ladies in Jen's linkup.  If you need some extra motivation, head on over there and I promise you will get some!

Last weekend I had a 10 mile run, which was longer than any run I have done since the Chicago Marathon.  I got up to 9 miles last time before my hip started to give me problems, but so far so good for now!  I haven't had any hip pain in the last week at all.  

I have an 11 miler planned for tomorrow and I am already looking forward to it being over.  That might sound like I don't enjoy training, but don't get me wrong, I do love running- its just that the long run is so dang hard for me.  I always start worrying about it days in advance, and I usually do ok during the run, but I just love the feeling I get afterwards.  Minus the aching legs, sore back, and fatigue that sets in.

Other than running, I have been doing some yoga at home at at a new studio that I found.  I am trying to get myself into at least 1 class at a bunch of different studios before I beg ask them to hire me.  

In other health related news, I got my first chemical peel earlier this week.  I have been seeing the same lady for facials for about 6 months now and she is so amazing.  I have hyper-pigmentation spots on my face that have bothered me for years, and we are finally now starting to make a difference!  I wish I would have taken a "before" picture, but stay tuned for my "after" results in a few weeks- we are doing a cycle of 3 peels.

Hope everyone has a fun, safe, and healthy weekend!

Health & Fitness Friday: Yoga Graduation!

I am so excited to post today for Health & Fitness Friday because later this afternoon, I am graduating from yoga teacher training!!  It has been such a great experience and journey!  Not only have a learned so much about yoga and teaching, but I have also met some amazing friends that I know will be in my life for a long time to come!  I'm not sure exactly what our graduation will be like, so check back later to hear about it.

I am hoping to start teaching somewhere in the fall.  I will start looking for and visiting different studios around town this summer as I send out applications :)

This has been a wonderful but huge commitment for me for the past 9 months.  After spending each Friday in weekly yoga study meetings, 34 tech sessions, a 4-week intensive series, 5 workshops, one visiting instructor weekend, 1 karma yoga community project, and a 15 hr personal mentorship, I am finally earning my title as RYT or registered yoga teacher!

I am so excited to see my yoga friends today for our class and then head out for a happy hour in celebration of our graduation!

Namaste!

Health and Fitness Friday: PT update & weekday workouts

I had my first PT session last Friday afternoon at Tria, where I had my surgery & PT last year.  My PT did a bunch of tests to evaluate my muscle strength, range of motion, and source of the pain.  She was unable to determine if it was coming from inside the hip joint (which would probably mean that the labral tear wasn't completely repaired) or if it is from outside the joint (meaning tendonitis or bursitis.) I really hope its tendonitis! 

She gave me several exercises and stretches to work on for the next month, when she will evaluate again and make some recommendations.  She told me to keep running low mileage weeks while I do my PT, otherwise we wouldn't know if the pain was getting better from the PT or from rest.  Neither of us see rest as a long term solution since I rested my hip for almost a year and the pain came right back, plus I don't plan on changing my active lifestyle anytime soon.   I see her again today and am anxious to see if I've improved at all or if she gives me any more recommendations.  Last week though, she did tell me that she thought I might be a good candidate for cortisone injections, which I've always wanted to avoid, but now I'm warming to the idea. 

In light of my hip pain, I am pretty proud that I have still had a fairly active week, especially given that I am working 9 days straight!  Here is the rundown since last week in addition to PT exercises each day:

Friday: 6 miles

Saturday: Walked my dog 2 miles

Sunday: Pure Barre, ran 2 miles

Monday: 75 min yoga class, Walked my dog 2 miles

Tuesday: Pure Barre

Wednesday:  Ran 3.5 miles

Thursday: Rest

Not too shabby.  I've been doing fairly well with eating this week too- lots of fresh fruit and good salads.  We grilled some kabobs on Wednesday that were delicious!  I brought gazpacho for lunch today and I am already looking forward to it!  Mark and I are grilling with some friends tonight and I made a rhubarb crisp for dessert- it has fruit in it, so it's healthy, right!!? Nevermind the ice cream we're having on the side!  You gotta enjoy summer while you can around here :)

Health and Fitness Friday

I have to just start by saying that I love participating in this weekly linkup with all of the ladies that Jen has got posting about their health and fitness each Friday.  I find myself thinking about you ladies and this post whenever I feel like I'm losing motivation- I want to have positive stuff to report about my week to you all and the accountability is awesome! 

I have my first PT session this afternoon and I am sort of nervous.  Being that I am an OT, and have spent a fair share of time in PT myself, I am not nervous about the exercises themselves or anything, but I am nervous that the therapist will tell me to stop running.  I feel like I have FINALLY found the motivation again to start training for the TC Marathon, and I don't want to get those hopes squashed.  The good news is that I ran 5 miles last weekend with no pain.  I continued to run 2 miles before work this week, and now that I have a day off, I am planning on 6 miles this morning.  I guess that it won't make much of a difference though if the PT tells me to rest, because starting tomorrow (Saturday) I work 9 days in a row and will probably not have a lot of time or energy for running.  I also went to Pure Barre on Monday, and I might make it today.  I am going to try to squeeze it on Sunday too if I can sneak away from work for an hour.

As far as healthy eating goes, this week was sort of meh.  I've probably been eating too much ice cream, but it is finally summer here and I don't know how else to express my happiness about that!  I refuse to apologize for it!  I know it will be difficult next week to find time to cook healthy meals too, I have so many meals that I want to cook so I just need to make a game plan and schedule some time I guess!  Feel free to share any of your favorite summer recipes with me- I am always up for new ideas!  Happy Friday!!

Fitness Friday!

It's that time again, Health and Fitness Friday! I wasn't able to get in for PT until next week, so I am just sort of buying my time until then.  I have been able to run a couple times, walk the dog, and go to 2 yoga classes this week.  I also did a ton of gardening, which is a workout in itself!

I'm going to a barre class next week with a friend, but I decided that I had to check it out first to make sure I didn't make a total idiot of myself.  My legs are definitely sore, wow!  I will write up a full review of the class later, but I will say that I am intrigued.  I'm committing to going for at least the next month to see what happens, after that, we'll see...

The real reason for this Fitness Friday post is to share this article with you.  It's sort of tongue-in-cheek, but its a good reminder that this whole "perfect bikini body" thing is a load of crap.  There is no such thing as perfection, thank God!

I've been bummed out lately because several of the patients I work with are really struggling with their eating disorders.  I've had quite a few re-admitted over the last few weeks and it is pretty hard to watch sometimes.  Sometimes though, I think I need these reminders just as much as they do so I will share a few words of wisdom today...

Happy Friday everyone!

Health & Fitness Friday!

Again, I haven't been able to do too much on the fitness front.  I was able to see my hip surgeon on Tuesday, where I got some good and bad news.  After a few x-rays and a movement analysis, he believes that I have iliopsoas tendinitis.  The 2 most common causes of this are acute injury and overuse, and I probably have both of those.  It's hard to imagine that I've been overusing my hip because I feel like I have barely run at all lately and I never returned to running the way I did before the initial surgery.  The acute injury however, could have been the surgery itself.  The surgeon did have to cut into my joint capsule and do some work inside the actual hip joint, so it makes sense that scar tissue/lingering weakness/and inflammation could be the cause.  I know it doesn't sound like good news, but it is good that the pain isn't still coming from inside the hip joint, which would indicate either another tear or that the repair failed.

The bad news is that I have to go to physical therapy for a month and possibly receive steroid injections to resolve this.  I am really frustrated because I was supposed to start marathon training this month, but obviously I won't be doing that.  My doctor said I could still run until I see the PT (I couldn't get in until week after next) but that I would have to decrease my mileage, avoid hills, and forget about trying to run faster.  After I see my PT, he will make more recommendations for me.

SO anyway, this week I have gone out for short little jogs and walks with the dog.  I started a new core workout at home and after doing it twice, my abs are killing me!! That is a good hurt though, right??

Healthy eating has been so-so.  I've been eating a 1/2 avocado for lunch with EVOO and salt/pepper and ohhh my word it is SO good!!  Plus I feel good about it because its full of healthy things!!  Of course, I don't eat just that- usually I have string cheese and crackers/or toast with it too.  I've been enjoying tons of fruit smoothies in the morning too, my favorite this week is banana, strawberries, blueberries, and OJ- soooo good! I love that eating healthy is so easy in the summertime, all I ever seen to crave is fresh fruit and veggies.  Ok, and Ice cream.  And Froyo- speaking of which, I had a lovely little Froyo date with Kelly this week.  It was SO much fun chatting and enjoying our delicious treats.  I did put fruit on mine, so that means it's good for you, obviously.  And summer shandy...those things are good for mental health though, right?!

How cute is this picture of us at Cherry Berry??

10 Non-Running Goals

If you read my post from last week, you know that I haven't been doing too much running.  I couldn't get in to see my hip surgeon until next Tuesday, so I am trying to take it a little easier until then.  I am still going out for a few miles here and there, but taking a lot more rest days in between.  Instead of focusing on the last week and my almost non-existent workouts, I am going to share with you some health and fitness goals I have for myself this summer.  Obviously, I have running goals.  Since I won't really know if these are possible until I have my hip checked out, I am just writing my non-running goals.

1. Go for more walks.  Each weekend I have in town, I'd like to take my dog for a walk around one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota.  Walking is a great way to get in some exercise without putting a lot of stress on your joints.  Plus, it is a good way to remind yourself that sometimes exercise doesn't have to be about sweating and burning calories, it can just be for some fresh air and stress relief!

2. Play 6+ rounds of golf.  This number will definitely go up if I am not running.  I love golf, but since it is SO time consuming, I think 2x per month is realistic.  I'm getting one of those in tonight!

3. Plan at least 1 long bike trip.  I have been so bad about using my road bike the last couple of summers, so this year we NEED to get out for a trip.  I am thinking maybe a ride on the Cannon Valley Trail.

4. Stick with a resistance training program. This is going to be hard without a gym membership, but I am determined!

5. Go to at least 1 outdoor yoga class per month.  There are several of these offered around the Twin Cities, but a lot of them are SUPER early in the morning.  Again though, it's something that will increase if I am not running.

6.  Grow something edible in my garden.  The only edible things we have right now are chives and mint, but I would really like it if I could grow at least one vegetable in the backyard!

7. Wear my bikini at least one time in public.  This seems like a strange goal, but I haven't felt confident enough about my body to wear a bikini in public since our honeymoon.  I avoid bikini-wearing-events like the plague, but this summer I'd really like to get over that.

8.  Perfect my gazpacho recipe.  I LOVE gazpacho in the summer time, it is SO refreshing and healthy!  Mark doesn't really like it though, so this summer I am determined to come up with a recipe that he can enjoy too!

9. Wear more sunscreen.  I really don't tan well, but I burn extremely well! I always wear sunscreen if I am laying out in the backyard, but I am terrible about putting on sunscreen when I am just out and about.  This summer, that has to change!

10.  Stay positive and injury free.  The most important thing really is protecting your body so that you can continue to be active throughout your life.  I know my hip might be putting a damper on things, but I would much rather be able to enjoy a range of activities later on than focus solely on running in my 20s.

Wow, that seems like a lot of goals for not even including running!  I hope I can follow through with these!  As always, linking up with Jen for Health and Fitness Friday!

Fitness Friday & Bon Voyage!

If you've been reading my health & fitness friday posts, you know I've been training for a half marathon and possibly a full marathon.  I haven't signed up for a half yet.  I know, I know.  I am having a hard time choosing one.  There is a half going on near Minneapolis every weekend in June, but I have weddings the first 2 weekends, and I work the the other 2 weekends.  One of the weddings is in town though, so I might still sign up for the race that day.  It really depends on how I feel when I get home from Europe.  I'm sure our trip won't completely undo my training- but I know I won't have time for any real training while we are gone.  If I don't feel ready in June, I will probably sign up for the Red, White, and Boom on July 4th.  However, in light of the Boston Marathon tragedy and the amazing runners who were there, as well as the running community that has pulled together this week, I was inspired to do something crazy this week:

Yep, I am officially registered for the Twin Cities Marathon! I love love love this race!  It was my first marathon, and that day was truly the best day of my life other than my wedding day.  Nothing can beat the energy of the crowd, the scenic route, and the amazing finish line at the state capitol.  As soon as I finished this race in 2010, I knew I wanted to run it again someday.  I can't say I am feeling 100% confident.  I have had major doubts if I would be able to ever do it again after my hip surgery, I am going to try though!  

Well, I will be heading to Europe tomorrow morning!  I have packed some running gear- but I am really not going to stress too much about training, it is a vacation after all.  Happy trails, everyone!

Yin Yoga Teacher Training

Today for Health & Fitness Friday, I want to talk about the training I was at last weekend to become certified as a Yin yoga teacher.  I spent 15 hours last weekend with 40 yoga teachers in the Twin Cities learning all about this therapeutic style of yoga.  Yin yoga is different from other types of yoga because it shuts down your muscles and removes them from the equation.  Yin focuses on stressing your joints and making space within them.  The purpose of this is to alleviate unwanted tension in the fascia, connective tissues, ligaments, and even bones.  Yin yoga is done on the floor and uses multiple props like bolsters, blocks, blankets, and the wall.  To learn more about Yin Yoga, visit YinYoga.com which was created by Bernie Clark, expert Yin teacher who wrote one of our books for the weekend.

The teacher who put on this training is really amazing.  She is one of my favorite teachers at Yoga Center of Minneapolis and has extensive training in Yin Yoga and yoga therapy.  Visit her website, Om with Michelle, to learn more about her and check out her class schedule if you are in the area.

We started our weekend on Friday evening with a little introduction and a nice long Yin practice.  Saturday morning we discussed Taoist philosophy, which is essential to understanding the meaning of yin and how it exists with yang.  We also talked about the fascial lines and meridians in the body that Yin asanas target.  After that, we spent all Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday learning about the Yin poses.  We broke each of them down and practiced teaching them to each other.  We ended our weekend with another class led by our fabulous instructor.

At the end of the weekend, I was awarded with my certificate!  I am getting so close to finishing my 230 hr teacher training, which will allow me to register with Yoga Alliance.  Once I have that in place, I will be looking for a studio to teach at and I am hoping to be able to teach some Yin classes, as well as  the faster-paced Vinyasa that I like.

Email me if you have any questions about Yin Yoga or if you want to learn some of the poses to do on your own!

Suja Juice Cleanse Review + Health and Fitness Friday!

I made it through the juice cleanse!  I really loved it and am sort of eating my words (or drinking them?)  because I was totally skeptical of it!  I supplemented my Suja juice with a couple from Blue Print Cleanse yesterday because Whole Foods didn't have enough Suja for me.

I really did not care for the red juice.  That is the one of the Suja that I didn't like much either, I guess red juice just isn't my thing.  The Lime ginger lemon agave was super tasty though!

This one was really really fabulously delicious!  I could drink this all summer long!

Ok, so I know you are all dying to know how I felt doing this and what changes I've noticed!  Here you go:

PROS:

- I felt great, nota HUGE burst of energy or anything, but I felt like me energy was coming from a natural source, not at all like a caffeine high.

- I actually think my skin looks better, more glory.

- I don't think my stomach has ever been to un-bloated.  Due to my GI stuff, I'm pretty much bloated 24/7.  

- This did seem to help my digestion too, probably because it was all liquid, but I think it gave my body a much needed break from the amount of work it usually has to do to digest stuff (which is a big problem for me/people with my diagnosis.)

- I lost 4 pounds.  Again, I didn't do this for weight loss.  I don't think it was 4 real pounds of fat, probably mostly water weight and getting rid of excess waste/toxins in my body.

- Mostly I was just surprised that I really didn't crave anything, I never once thought about that box of wheat thins and bag of jellybeans in the pantry.  That is totally uncharacteristic of me and definitely a reason to do this again!

CONS:

- I had a bad headache on day 2.

- I was freezing the whole time....but then again I'm in Minnesota and theres still ice/snow on the ground.

- Working out was pretty tough.  I ran once, used the elliptical once, and walked my dog twice.  I had energy for the day, but maybe not enough for a good workout too.

I really hope to do this a few times per year.  Does anyone out there have thoughts about buying a juicer?  Or about the cost of a juicer + produce vs. bottled juices?  Is it realistic to find the time to make your own juice for a 3 day cleanse?  I am a newbie to this, so any advice is very appreciated!

Now, lets talk about fitness.  As I just mentioned, my workouts haven't been great.  I usually do my long run on Friday morning, since I don't work Fridays right now.  I doubt I have enough energy in me for my scheduled 9 milers this morning, so I am shooting for 5.  Hopefully I'll get the 9 miles in on Sunday.

This weekend is going to be PACKED full of yoga.  Seriously, I have 17 hours of scheduled yoga between now and Sunday night.  The reason is because I am getting certified as a Yin Yoga instructor this weekend, so we have an intensive 3 day course.  This is on top of my normal teacher training this afternoon and a 3.5 hour mentorship tomorrow morning.  I don't have to be there until 1 on Sunday though, so I am hoping to get my long run in then- but I am not going to beat myself up about it if I don't make it...I might just need to rest.  

As always, linking up with Jen for Health and Fitness Friday!

Fitness Friday!

Here we go, my 2nd week of Fitness Friday! I am still trying to decide if I am going to run a half marathon this spring, but either way I am going to start training for one.  I am on week 2 of my training program, which looks like this:

Monday- 3 miles
Tuesday- Rest
Wednesday- 1 hour cross
Thursday- 3 miles
Friday- 5 miles
Saturday- Rest
Sunday- 3 miles

I've always used a Hal Higdon training schedule, but I have to change around some of the days depending on my work schedule.  So far, I've stuck to everything.  I am hoping the 5 miler goes ok today!

In addition to that, I've been lifting weights and doing some core work at the gym, but I admit that I am never good at sticking to a good lifting plan!

I plan on doing a lot of yoga this weekend because I have a workshop and a yoga study tech session.  I will probably drop into at least one other class this weekend before or after my yoga study!

Stop over at Jen's adorable blog and enter your own Fitness Friday update!

Fitness Friday- My YOGA Story

These days I am living and breathing yoga.  I've been enrolled in a yoga teacher training through Yoga Center of Minneapolis (YCM) since September, and I am set to graduate in June.  I am absolutely *LOVING* it!  In addition to meeting about 20 amazing yogi friends in my class, I am learning more and more about why I fell in love with yoga in the first place and how I want to use it in the future. 

My first introduction to yoga was actually as a child when my dad was really into power yoga.  He had a teacher from our athletic club who also taught out of her home, and took me to a class in her basement one evening.  I could not stand on my head (like many students in the class, including my dad) but nevertheless, I felt an overwhelming desire to incorporate this practice into my life.  I didn't do much yoga in my teen years, but started to dabble some in college when I found a yoga class offered through the fitness center on campus.  When I was in graduate school, I started to have some really intense back pain- mostly related to stress.  At the suggestion of an accupuncturist I was seeing, I tried out a hot yoga class at a studio close to my apartment.  I. WAS. HOOKED.  I attended hot yoga 3-4 times per week throughout grad school, and it was during this time that I started becoming interested in teaching yoga. 

Fast forward a few years and here I am in the midst of it.  I researched a lot of teacher training programs offered in my area, and decided that YCM had the most comprehensive program and would best fit into my schedule.  I almost enrolled in the program last spring, but ended up having hip surgery (trust me, I am 27- not 77) and had to put it on hold. I am so glad that I waited until September to start because I have met some amazing people in my class who I know will be lifelong friends.  I am thankful each day that I get to step onto my mat, and I hope to share even more of this journey as I go!

Favorite poses:
Natarajasana- Dancer's Pose
Vrksasana- Tree Pose
Salamba Sirsasana- Supported Headstand

Linking up with Jen!