Sunday, April 27, 2014

Running Reflection: April 21st - 27th

This week started out with missed goals and an aching back and ended with a rough (but complete!) 10 mile run in the rain. I'm glad I was able to get back into a regular running routine (a week off was miserable) AND knock out some excellent paces in the meantime!

When I was puzzling over which class to incorporate into my workout routine (my dietitian wants me to shake things up), I settled on getting back into hot yoga. When I first moved to Issaquah I'd found this new yoga studio that was just a little different from the others. While their Hatha classes incorporated all 26 Bikram postures, they played music during the class, the instructors were funky and helpful, and the atmosphere was just... chill. Relaxed. Bikram yoga can have so many rules that the class can begin to feel stifling.

What if I talk out of turn? What if I can't do a posture? What if I pass out? What if I throw up? 

PS - Totally rocked that last one a few years back in a super humid studio. Not embarrassing at all...

Suffice it to say, my studio is amazing and I'm so glad I'm back. :)

Here's how my week of training went:
  • Monday: Graduate school, rest day.
  • Tuesday: 4.06 miles / 8:38 pace.
  • Wednesday: 65 minutes of Hatha yoga. SO glad to be back in the studio!
  • Thursday: 5.16 miles / 8:32 pace. 30 minute far-infrared sauna after.
  • Friday: Went on a walk with my parents before family dinner night.
  • Saturday: 50 minutes on the elliptical.
  • Sunday: 10.01 miles / 9:18 pace. The weather on this one varied between sunshine and torrential downpour with a headwind. Snuck in a 75 minute Yin Yoga session, which was magical. I fell asleep.

Total Distance: 19.24 miles
Average Pace: 8:57 per mile (Wahoo!)


Last Week's Goals:
  1. Try out my new eating plan, a la miss new dietitian. COMMIT to it. Be okay with being a little hungry every once in a while. (Medium. Added in her suggestions, but my weight is in maintenance mode. Still a work in progress.)
  2. Take a class at the gym (yoga? non-core weights?). Does anyone have any ideas for things that won't irritate my lumbar spine? (Rocked it! Rejoined my yoga studio from two years ago, zero regrets.)
  3. Work on accepting that this week is a week of healing. (Done and done. Listened to my body, used heat and ice, took it somewhat easier than usual, feeling MUCH better.)

Goals for Upcoming Week:
  1. Run three times.
  2. YOGA YOGA YOGA.
  3. Track calories religiously this week (contrary to dietitian's suggestions). I've got to get past this gain/maintain hump and start losing, again.

6 comments:

  1. Hi Amy,

    I have nominated you for a Liebster Award. Not sure if you are familiar with it or not. It’s for bloggers to nominate other blogs they enjoy reading that have a small following. Your blog reminds me very much of myself. I love your humour.

    Anyway, for the questions I was required to ask you and the list of rules, you can see my blog post where I have nominated you here at http://darilynweiss.blogspot.ca.

    Thanks!!
    Darilyn

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    1. Thank you so much for the nomination (and compliments), Darilyn! I added your questions to the bottom of my previous Liebster post: http://runlikeabird.blogspot.com/2014/04/liebster-award-nominee.html

      It was so fun to answer them, and to read through your blog posts, too. :) I super duper love your WDW goal. I still haven't run a Disney race. Have you?

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  2. Hot Yoga and I have a love hate relationship. I really need to go soon cause I have 9 classes left on my pass and I don't want my money to go to waste but I feel where you're coming from with the rules. I always worry "what if I /have/ to leave the class cause I can't stand the heat?!" and the way they "bark" commands at you is completely different compared to a flow class where the vibe is a lot more relaxing. However, I am confused as to why your studio has carpet? I would imagine cleaning that would be a hassle after someone has sweat 5 buckets of sweat onto it! And congratulations again with your 10 miles :D props girl, props!

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    1. Hahah, the rules I linked were for a different studio. When I went back to my past studio's webpage, they had gotten rid of their super long rules page! I was bummed, but made do. :)

      I have a love/hate relationship with hot yoga, too, really. Sometimes it's really hard to convince myself to go sweat buckets in an unseasonably warm room. You really have to be conscious of how much you've hydrated and eaten, and that's rough to monitor. Once I start the trend, though, I'm back in with enthusiasm.

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  3. Sounds like an excellent week! I haven't tried Bikram Yoga yet (I don't do heat well...) but I do a 60 min yoga class weekly at our gym here. Works wonders for running. Way to go in meeting your goals and having a GREAT avg running pace. Woot! Oh, and I can not keep up with calories :-/ you go girl lol right now I'm working on my 5k time then start up 26.2 training round three!

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    1. I always forget how awesome yoga makes me feel! I had another class yesterday and something about getting into some of those poses (my faves are eagle and standing bow) just make me feel unstoppable. Thank you for the kudos, friend, and the encouragement. Good luck meeting your goals!

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