On the road again…

No not a trip. Just running.

After a long moratorium and then a few short runs I am finally back into my groove. Last week I ran 3 miles twice, this week I ran 3, 3 and 4 miles! By the second run this week, I had finally pulled out the walking intervals and was back to all running. That always feels like such an accomplishment to me.

It is weird, when I don’t run in the winter, I often look back at running with a bit of disdain, and enjoy not having to do it and not having to be a slave to the weather and just…start to think “Maybe I am done with running? If I enjoy this break from it so much, maybe I’ll just never get back into it?”.

But once again I have discovered running is like sex. The less you do it, the less you feel you need it…and the more you do it, the more you want it! I am again starting to love the feeling of my pounding feet!

It is taking a toll on my yoga though…my hips and hams are a bit tighter than they have been, and take more time to warm up. That’s okay though…and I have, surprisingly, almost gotten back my ability to do a full split (even lowering my head to my knee).

my arm balances are also coming along nicely:

Of course, with a new running season, comes some new music. My favorite running songs these days:

Tongue Tied by Grouplove

Fix You by Vita Chambers

Cmon Let Me Ride by Skyklar Grey

Red Hands by Walk off the Earth

This is What it Feels Like by Armin Van Buuren

Restoring?

This morning Charlotte was playing with Adam, and Zoe was at a friends. I had time to myself and 3 yoga classes I could attend. But I didn’t. I just wasn’t feeling it so instead I stayed home, read a book, and drank coffee. I felt a bit guilty for not going to yoga (or for a run in the rain, or a spin) when I could. Normally I always use such terms to practice or exercise, but I just didn’t feel like it. Between my own work, and Adam working late and Saturdays for tax season, and fitting in yoga and cardio, I’ve had very little time to just chill and do nothing recently. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed all the time since February. Also, I pay for an unlimited yoga membership…so I like to go to a lot of classes! Whatever though, sometimes I just need to do this. I go to yoga for me and it is my me time… But it still also feels like something that takes away from me time (of which I have so little right now), if that makes sense?

I decided to go to a restorative class in the afternoon instead of something more active in the morning. I’ve been checking out YogaSpace Thornhill lately as they have had some great grand opening specials (free classes in March, 30 days for 30$ in April), and I’ve heard they do great restorative yoga classes. I’ve never done restorative before, but I figured I’d give it a try. I definitely needed to relax more than work out today…I was very busy, stressed and sick last week.

The class, which was packed, was not really my thing. It was about 10 very supported poses, with loads of props, and each pose (including 2 schevasanas) was held 6-8 minutes. It took me a few poses to be able to slow my mind and chill, and I never fully relaxed (and I was tired and achy. I suspect it would be harder when I’m actually feeling well and energetic). Also being on my back so much irritated my heartburn.

That said, for people that like restorative yoga (and loads of people do), I would definitely recommend the restorative team class at YogaSpace. I think it was a very good practice, even though it was not my thing. What was great, besides the poses and props which I assume are pretty typical, was that it was led by a team of five instructors that walk around adjusting people and props as required, which was very nice and meant everybody got a lot of attention and some nice shoulder massages. I think I was adjusted about 20 times. A few times I had to sit up because of heartburn, and someone was right by my side to help me and get me into a better position.

I should add I really like YogaSpace. I’ve done a few vinyasa classes there and thoroughly enjoyed them, and the space is very nice and friendly. I don’t plan to leave Moksha, mostly because my awesome Ashtanga teacher is there and also because the weekday schedule (which may change) is not great for me…but I do plan to grab classes at YogaSpace whenever there is a good promotion. I definitely recommend anybody local check it out!

On my iPhone this weekend:

From the 4Cats open house^^^

Yup my hair still looks decent^^^

A video of my work on forearm stand, close to doing it without a wall!

It’s Saturday morning

I am taking a few minutes, since I’ve gone a long time without posting (except a few recent pictures) and wanted to update.

Things are better. I’ve pushed the car repairs aside (in my head) and decided to go on the yoga retreat anyways.

The job issue (one if the kids I work with has cancer) is settling. Certainly it is still a long, sad and hard thing…but she (and by extension me) is through all the initial craziness of testing for spread (nope!!) and treatment planning, and treatment has started. The prognosis is much better than we first thought, and time makes it easier to accept and deal with this cruel blow.

I have had daily headaches for the last couple weeks, I am sure it is weather related…but they are receding a bit now.

I still love my new spin bike and am hopping on plenty. I’m registered for a 10k in May, so I’d better get running soon. Once the sidewalks are clear and dry and the weather is a tad warmer, I’ll get to it. I’m not that worried though. I’ve been running a few years now, it is no longer what it was to me and if I cannot run the entire thing or get the time I’d like (60 minutes) I can live with that.

I have started watching Downton Abbey online and love it! I wish Adam was interested. We watched 2 series together recently (Breakout Kings and House of Cards–which was so so so good) and I miss watching a show with him. Oh well, next one. I watch late…starting at 10-11pm. Ugh.

In spite of some good stuff, I am feeling very overwhelmed by life. The dishes and laundry cat little and workdays and cooking and needs of my kids never end. I do a not great job at keeping on top of these things and my home is a constant state of disaster. I repeatedly forget little things like school forms and printing things when I’m at the office and sending receipts to the insurance company and bringing my wallet with me to the supermarket and making sure we have milk. I am always on overdrive and my head feels like it cannot carry it all. Then I am trying to fit yoga and cardio into the mix. Sometimes I just stop and think to myself “what am I doing? I cannot do it all?”. But what choice do I have? I cannot give up work (and work is always very very busy these days) or home (already barely done) or parenting duties…and if I gave up yoga and fitness I might have more time, but my life (and health) would not be better!

Blah

Because I try to avoid pathologizing and making a big deal about a touch if illness, and don’t like to be sick…so I have simply ignored the fact that I have felt like ass since Monday. Achy and exhaust is the best way to described it…no fever, slightly stuffy nose, slightly sore throat, and ALWAYS TIRED.

Today I have to accept it, and skip both work and Yoga. Ugh…I hate skipping Yoga…but what’s a girl to do? I can practice at home (and probably will, gently) but I do not want to spread my germs at the studio.

I know, skipping Yoga seems like not a big deal…but it is to me…especially when it is Ashtanga. It really is. The only Ashtanga I can go to (reasonably close to home) is Mysore from 4-7pm twice a week. I work full time 9-5, and have 2 kids that need to be picked up by 6. So, that means I leave work early, taking no lunch break or using vacay time so I can attend. Due to the nature of my work, I cannot do this for every class. The last week of the month, he does led classes instead…they are 5:30-7…so I can NEVER go to those due to daycare pick-up. So when I can go to every two classes a week (and usually I cannot)…it is only 6-8 classes a month. Those that practice Ashtanga know this is nowhere near ideal..but it is the best I can do given my work and parenting commitments. Practicing at home is very difficult with my kids, plus I need assists! Again, I am not saying I should go if I shouldn’t…just explaining why  missing class is a big deal to me (yes, I will schedule social events around Ashtanga). I am very committed to my practice and jump through hoops to make it happen…so missing a class really upsets me.