Last Sunday's 21K was tough, both physically and mentally. It felt like a slog right from the start and never got any better. I was tempted a few times to jump on a bus to head home, but kept trekking along in the snow. However, I decided it was time for a little break so I took the past week off.
Monday
Les Mills Pump & Shred
My husband got me a new Beach Body program for Christmas that I've been enjoying. The biggest thing I miss about being a Goodlife member was the group classes. This DVD set replicates the feel and the instructors are a lot of fun so I'm loving it.
Monday was my first time with this specific DVD - it's a bit longer than the ones I've been doing and adds in a shoulder track and a lunge track. I followed this up with 20 minutes of gentle yoga.
Tuesday
4.9K on the treadmill.
Tried to push my pace a bit and managed 7.07/km which is the fastest I've been able to do in months. Followed up with more yoga.
Wednesday
Total rest day. No yoga, nothing. Felt good.
Thursday
And it all goes downhill.
The plan was 6K on the treadmill, following this Around the Bay Treadmill Simulation. My hip flexor started acting up though a short way into the run. I considered pushing through it, but did the smart thing instead and stopped just under 4K. Followed up with some Injury Prevention yoga (maybe too late for that) and made an appointment with a new physiotherapist.
Friday
Another session of Pump & Shred. So many squats.
Yoga of the Day: 20 Minute detox yoga
Saturday
I was going to meet up with a running group but I was still concerned about my hip so I skipped my run. Ended up working out with my husband who has been following Shaun T's Focus T25 program.
Shaun T tried to kill me.
25 minute workout but extremely intense. You're just thrown right into the work out. Really liked this workout so I might look at incorporating some of the DVDs from the first stage of the program.
Yoga of the Day: Qi Balancing Flow
Sunday
Yoga for Runners. Perfect end to my recovery week. Back at it tomorrow.
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
2013 Highlights
Despite finishing the year up with an injury, 2013 has been pretty amazing. I'm going to do another post reviewing my 2013 goals, but here's this year's highlights.
Harry's Spring Run Off
My first year running this. What made it special was that I did this with a group of co-workers (10 of us in total) and for most of them, it was either their first race or their first time running in years. Didn't hurt that we had a really wonderful brunch afterwards.
Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon
Goodlife was my spring goal race and where I set my current half marathon PR of 2:33, but this was probably my favourite race of the year. Even though I don't think I ran it well and they ran out of water on the course, the positives more than made up for it. The atmosphere was so amazing and supportive. Little details like a fabulous race kit (with wine!), a boxed lunch and a cold cloth at the finish and a marching band to start the race made all the difference.
Also, it's going to take a lot to beat meeting Katherine Switzer and getting a high five from her on the course.
My husband was part of the Canadian Dodgeball Team that participated in the World Dodgeball Invitational in Queenstown, NZ. (watch this video if curious). The tournament itself was only one day, but we had 12 days to explore a bit of the country.
Waterfront Half Marathon
My hip injury at its worst - this race hurt. But I had fun (except for limping). Enjoyed finishing up with my clinic group. I missed my 2:30 goal but I finished at 2:34 - one minute off my current PR with an injury so I'm pretty happy with that. Without the injury, I know I would have broken 2:30 so it's going to happen in 2014.
Yoga
The silver lining of my injury - I rediscovered yoga. I've been practicing daily for 2 months now. My time on my mat is my favourite part of the day, even more so than running. Yoga Download has been an amazing resource, both their 20 minute free classes and their longer ones.
Looking forward to new and exciting things to come in 2014!
\
Harry's Spring Run Off
My first year running this. What made it special was that I did this with a group of co-workers (10 of us in total) and for most of them, it was either their first race or their first time running in years. Didn't hurt that we had a really wonderful brunch afterwards.
Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon
Goodlife was my spring goal race and where I set my current half marathon PR of 2:33, but this was probably my favourite race of the year. Even though I don't think I ran it well and they ran out of water on the course, the positives more than made up for it. The atmosphere was so amazing and supportive. Little details like a fabulous race kit (with wine!), a boxed lunch and a cold cloth at the finish and a marching band to start the race made all the difference.
Also, it's going to take a lot to beat meeting Katherine Switzer and getting a high five from her on the course.
Joined a Running Clinic
I'd been considering a running room clinic for a while but always hesitated because I ran 5/1's and I thought I was too slow to keep up with the group. I made an effort in the spring to start running 10/1's and after missing my 2:30 half marathon goal in the spring, decided to join the clinic. A week before it started, I was ready to back out but I'm happy now that I didn't. I met a lot of great people, ran through different areas of the city and really progressed as a runner.
I absolutely loved my instructor. I admit to Sport Stats stalker her before the clinic started and was encouraged to see that we're similarly paced. I think if I had seen BQ times for a first marathon, I might have quit than and there.
While I kind of think that my clinic played a part in my hip injury and its not the route I want to go for my spring races, I'll probably be back to it for a fall half.
New Zealand
Completely not running related, but this was easily my highlight of the year.
 |
| Rainbow at the end of the one run I did there. |
I told my husband in 2012 that we need to take opportunities as they come up cause they might never be there again and that's completely what this trip was.
My husband was part of the Canadian Dodgeball Team that participated in the World Dodgeball Invitational in Queenstown, NZ. (watch this video if curious). The tournament itself was only one day, but we had 12 days to explore a bit of the country.
We kayaked, hiked, sat on beaches. Everyday was amazing and I would easily go back.
Waterfront Half Marathon
My hip injury at its worst - this race hurt. But I had fun (except for limping). Enjoyed finishing up with my clinic group. I missed my 2:30 goal but I finished at 2:34 - one minute off my current PR with an injury so I'm pretty happy with that. Without the injury, I know I would have broken 2:30 so it's going to happen in 2014.
Yoga
The silver lining of my injury - I rediscovered yoga. I've been practicing daily for 2 months now. My time on my mat is my favourite part of the day, even more so than running. Yoga Download has been an amazing resource, both their 20 minute free classes and their longer ones.
Looking forward to new and exciting things to come in 2014!
\
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Returning to the Yoga Studio
It's been a few months since I've ventured out to a yoga studio. Today though, I packed up my mat and headed out into the snow.
I've really been loving my home practice. A combination of a few online videos and websites have allowed me to fit yoga in pretty much every day for about two months now. It is nice though to switch things up and join a class.
Some thoughts on Home Practice & Going to a Yoga Studio
I've really been loving my home practice. A combination of a few online videos and websites have allowed me to fit yoga in pretty much every day for about two months now. It is nice though to switch things up and join a class.
Some thoughts on Home Practice & Going to a Yoga Studio
- I'm much more flexible than I was two months ago.
- I really enjoy a hot studio, especially on a cold winter day. I positioned myself by a window so I could watch the snow fall.
- Most of the classes I go at home are audio classes, so I was able to follow the instructor quite well just by listening to them.
- Maybe this was because of the small class size today, but I was able to just focus on my own practice rather than what everyone else was doing. That's not been the case for me in the past.
- Having an instructor give pointers and adjustments makes going out into the snow worthwhile.
- Yoga is much easier without two cats trying to nap on your yoga mat.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Spring Half Training 2013 Week 15
Last real week of training!
This week I got back into my yoga, did some extra strength training and tried something new with my running.
Monday
P90X Back & Biceps, Bob Harper Totally Ripped Core (10 minute workout), Rodney Yee Ultimate Power Yoga - Power Foundation.
Tuesday
4km run, continuous. Decided to skip the usual walk breaks and just run at a comfortable pace - which turned out to be my goal half pace (adding the walk breaks back would bring it up to 7:07). I'm going to do at least one continuous run a week with a goal to be able to run 8K continuous by the end of the year. Followed by Ultimate Power Yoga - Sun Salutations
Wednesday
P90X Chest, Shoulders & Triceps - making some good progress on push ups. Followed up with some core work on a ball and a bit of yoga.
Thursday
6K run. Beautiful morning out. Saw a couple of rabbits.
Friday
Three quarters of Bob Harper Pure Burn, Super Strength. This video is over an hour long so I didn't have time before work for the whole thing. This might have been a mistake as my legs were sore for the next two days.
Saturday
Vinyasa yoga class at The Yoga Sanctuary. Really good class - challenging yet doable. This is the first time I've ever had Wheel Pose explained in such a way that I could do it.
Sunday
This was supposed to be 10K, but my legs were still sore from Friday's workout and my hip was bothering me so I cut my run short and ended up doing 7.5 instead. Followed up with some yoga.
This week, I'm focusing on giving my body a rest before Sunday's race. I have two pre-race runs planned (8km and 5km), some yoga, maybe some Core Synergistics. Staying away from Bob Harper dvd's.
This week I got back into my yoga, did some extra strength training and tried something new with my running.
Monday
P90X Back & Biceps, Bob Harper Totally Ripped Core (10 minute workout), Rodney Yee Ultimate Power Yoga - Power Foundation.
Tuesday
4km run, continuous. Decided to skip the usual walk breaks and just run at a comfortable pace - which turned out to be my goal half pace (adding the walk breaks back would bring it up to 7:07). I'm going to do at least one continuous run a week with a goal to be able to run 8K continuous by the end of the year. Followed by Ultimate Power Yoga - Sun Salutations
Wednesday
P90X Chest, Shoulders & Triceps - making some good progress on push ups. Followed up with some core work on a ball and a bit of yoga.
Thursday
6K run. Beautiful morning out. Saw a couple of rabbits.
Friday
Three quarters of Bob Harper Pure Burn, Super Strength. This video is over an hour long so I didn't have time before work for the whole thing. This might have been a mistake as my legs were sore for the next two days.
Saturday
Vinyasa yoga class at The Yoga Sanctuary. Really good class - challenging yet doable. This is the first time I've ever had Wheel Pose explained in such a way that I could do it.
Sunday
This was supposed to be 10K, but my legs were still sore from Friday's workout and my hip was bothering me so I cut my run short and ended up doing 7.5 instead. Followed up with some yoga.
This week, I'm focusing on giving my body a rest before Sunday's race. I have two pre-race runs planned (8km and 5km), some yoga, maybe some Core Synergistics. Staying away from Bob Harper dvd's.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Passport to Prana: Yoga Sanctuary Danforth
A few months back, I picked up a Passport to Prana
Passport to Prana gives you access to one class at a bunch of different yoga studios. It’s available in a bunch of different cities in both Canada and the U.S. Basically the cost ($35 for Toronto) works out to be about 2 classes. It expires one year after activation.
Yesterday, I took my passport to The Yoga Sanctuary – Danforth.
I used to live up the street from this studio and it’s where I first discovered yoga.
I went to a 90 minute Hatha level 1 class on Sunday afternoon.
The studio itself is beautiful. Very large with wood floors and brick walls. I always liked to position myself by the windows to get the occasional view of the busy street. Being right at a busy intersection, you do hear the streetcars and traffic below, but that doesn’t bother me.
The class itself was very relaxing. The last yoga class I attended was a bikram class so this was the complete opposite. The instructor kept telling us to do what feels the most comfortable and offered a lot of options for poses.
I would come back to the yoga sanctuary however I think that a different class would work better for me. Something with a bit more of quicker pace that’s a bit challenging.
My plan for September is to either attend one yoga class a week or do a yoga DVD. My muscles have been very tight after my runs lately so I think this should help.
Passport to Prana gives you access to one class at a bunch of different yoga studios. It’s available in a bunch of different cities in both Canada and the U.S. Basically the cost ($35 for Toronto) works out to be about 2 classes. It expires one year after activation.
Yesterday, I took my passport to The Yoga Sanctuary – Danforth.
I used to live up the street from this studio and it’s where I first discovered yoga.
I went to a 90 minute Hatha level 1 class on Sunday afternoon.
The studio itself is beautiful. Very large with wood floors and brick walls. I always liked to position myself by the windows to get the occasional view of the busy street. Being right at a busy intersection, you do hear the streetcars and traffic below, but that doesn’t bother me.
The class itself was very relaxing. The last yoga class I attended was a bikram class so this was the complete opposite. The instructor kept telling us to do what feels the most comfortable and offered a lot of options for poses.
I would come back to the yoga sanctuary however I think that a different class would work better for me. Something with a bit more of quicker pace that’s a bit challenging.
My plan for September is to either attend one yoga class a week or do a yoga DVD. My muscles have been very tight after my runs lately so I think this should help.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Bikram Yoga
I bought a 25 class pass to a Bikram Yoga studio a couple of months ago from a groupon-like website. I’ve always avoided hot yoga, didn’t seem very pleasant. I don’t want to drown in my own sweat. It was kind of a whim that I bought the pass.
Than I put off using it for 6 months because I was convinced that I was going to hate Bikram yoga. Or pass out. Or vomit. Or both.
So what is Bikram yoga?
From Wikipedia:
Bikram Yoga is a system of yoga that Bikram Choudhury synthesized from traditional yoga techniques and popularized beginning in the early 1970s.[1][2] Bikram's classes run exactly 90 minutes and consist of a set series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (≈ 40.6°C) with a humidity of 40%, and is the most popular form of hot yoga.
So it’s hot, extremely structured yoga for an hour and a half.
I took my first class today. Brought my yoga mat, my towel to place over the mat (to catch the sweat), bottle of water. Wore as little clothes as possible. Stepped into the room and immediately rerated this decision.
But I stuck it out and I liked it.
[source]
Pros:
Than I put off using it for 6 months because I was convinced that I was going to hate Bikram yoga. Or pass out. Or vomit. Or both.
So what is Bikram yoga?
From Wikipedia:
Bikram Yoga is a system of yoga that Bikram Choudhury synthesized from traditional yoga techniques and popularized beginning in the early 1970s.[1][2] Bikram's classes run exactly 90 minutes and consist of a set series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (≈ 40.6°C) with a humidity of 40%, and is the most popular form of hot yoga.
So it’s hot, extremely structured yoga for an hour and a half.
I took my first class today. Brought my yoga mat, my towel to place over the mat (to catch the sweat), bottle of water. Wore as little clothes as possible. Stepped into the room and immediately rerated this decision.
But I stuck it out and I liked it.
[source]
Pros:
- The heat made me super bendy.
- Most of the poses aren’t very difficult and because you’re holding the pose for quite some time, it’s easy to follow.
- Wasn’t the most relaxing yoga class I’ve been to. The instructor talks throughout the class the entire time and at a rapid pace. It was like being at an auction.
- There’s no variation so I can see getting bored of Bikram quickly.
- I like sun salutations and vinyasas. Felt odd to do a yoga class without downward facing dog.
- I was drenched in sweat.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
May
I completely dropped off the radar. So what have I been up to?
Had my 31st birthday!
My parents gave me a fabulous Garmin 405 for my birthday! I love it.
The husband took me on a post-birthday trip to Niagara Falls. We did touristy things, some outlet shopping, lost some money at the casino.
I registered for my first half marathon! Happening October 16th.
I'm starting my training next week.
I went to a fabulous Astanga Yoga class last Monday. Since moving to my condo, I haven’t done much in the way of group classes – I either work out in the condo gym, run or do videos. It was great to be with a group of people and I loved the class! Challenging, but not too much so.
In terms of my running, I decided to go back to basics - Couch to 5K. When I first started running last year, this is what I started with. I got to week 5, gave up after not being able to run 5 minutes straight and started doing my own thing. I did complete three 5K’s just kind of winging it, but between my first 5K last August and my last 5K of the year in October, I didn’t improve at all.
So I started at week 5 (run 5, walk 3) the other week. I just finished week 6 (run 25 minutes with no walking) the other day. This is definitely making a difference – when I go back to run/walk intervals, I don’t loose steam. I’m able to watch my heart rate on my Garmin and slow down when it starts getting too high.
Proof of the training working – ran my 2nd race, first 5K of the year.
I’ll write a longer 5K recap later.
Had my 31st birthday!
My parents gave me a fabulous Garmin 405 for my birthday! I love it.
The husband took me on a post-birthday trip to Niagara Falls. We did touristy things, some outlet shopping, lost some money at the casino.
I registered for my first half marathon! Happening October 16th.
I'm starting my training next week.
I went to a fabulous Astanga Yoga class last Monday. Since moving to my condo, I haven’t done much in the way of group classes – I either work out in the condo gym, run or do videos. It was great to be with a group of people and I loved the class! Challenging, but not too much so.
In terms of my running, I decided to go back to basics - Couch to 5K. When I first started running last year, this is what I started with. I got to week 5, gave up after not being able to run 5 minutes straight and started doing my own thing. I did complete three 5K’s just kind of winging it, but between my first 5K last August and my last 5K of the year in October, I didn’t improve at all.
So I started at week 5 (run 5, walk 3) the other week. I just finished week 6 (run 25 minutes with no walking) the other day. This is definitely making a difference – when I go back to run/walk intervals, I don’t loose steam. I’m able to watch my heart rate on my Garmin and slow down when it starts getting too high.
Proof of the training working – ran my 2nd race, first 5K of the year.
- Previous 5K PR – 40:17
- New 5K PR – 39:36
I’ll write a longer 5K recap later.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Week-End
- Had a non-tracking food day yesterday. I ate whatever I wanted all day and didn't track anything. Surprisingly, I didn't eat anything horrible other than 4 butter tarts (so good) and more cheese than I would normally eat.
- Attended a yoga show that's happening here. Nothing too exciting - if I go next year, I'd bring my yoga mat and do some of the included classes. I did pick up a Passport to Prana card which gives me access to a lot of yoga studios for a year. I need more yoga in my life.
- Did Fire 55 EZ today which was such a nice break from long runs.
Last week's Plan:
Sunday: Fire 30 EZ and Stretch 30
check
Monday: Burn Circuit 1 & Ab Burner
check
Tuesday: Rest?
Actual: 43 minutes of running.
Wednesday: Burn Circuit 2 & Ab Burner
Actual: did Burn Circuit 2 but didn't have time for Ab Burner. Ran for 43ish minutes after work (calibrating my nike+)
Thursday: Fire 55 EZ
Actual: Rest Day
Friday: Run 10K
Actual: Ran 8K
Saturday: Burn Circuit 3 & Ab Burner
Actual: Burn Circuit 3 & Core 20 to mix things up a bit.
This week's plan:
Sunday - just finished Fire 55 EZ and a bit of yoga
Monday: Burn Circuit 1 & Ab Burner
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Run 10K (dependent on weather - it snowed again today so who knows what'll happen later in the week)
Thursday: Burn Circuit 2 & Ab Burner
Friday: Run 6K
Saturday: Burn Circuit 3 & Ab Burner
Sunday: Run 5K
- Attended a yoga show that's happening here. Nothing too exciting - if I go next year, I'd bring my yoga mat and do some of the included classes. I did pick up a Passport to Prana card which gives me access to a lot of yoga studios for a year. I need more yoga in my life.
- Did Fire 55 EZ today which was such a nice break from long runs.
Last week's Plan:
Sunday: Fire 30 EZ and Stretch 30
check
Monday: Burn Circuit 1 & Ab Burner
check
Tuesday: Rest?
Actual: 43 minutes of running.
Wednesday: Burn Circuit 2 & Ab Burner
Actual: did Burn Circuit 2 but didn't have time for Ab Burner. Ran for 43ish minutes after work (calibrating my nike+)
Thursday: Fire 55 EZ
Actual: Rest Day
Friday: Run 10K
Actual: Ran 8K
Saturday: Burn Circuit 3 & Ab Burner
Actual: Burn Circuit 3 & Core 20 to mix things up a bit.
This week's plan:
Sunday - just finished Fire 55 EZ and a bit of yoga
Monday: Burn Circuit 1 & Ab Burner
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Run 10K (dependent on weather - it snowed again today so who knows what'll happen later in the week)
Thursday: Burn Circuit 2 & Ab Burner
Friday: Run 6K
Saturday: Burn Circuit 3 & Ab Burner
Sunday: Run 5K
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)