Day 64 - Yoga'd, Yogad, Yogaed, or Yogaded

I'm still searching for an alternative to the verb phrase "did yoga," but for lack of a sufficient substitute, I'll just tell you that I did yoga for the first time ever today. I've been so resistant to it for so long, but I know I need to work on balance to improve my running. No, not because I fall all the time, though I did fall during the first race I ever ran back in 2006. I've read that balance, along with core strength, can really help you improve in any type of athletic performance, so I'm giving it a shot.

I plan to take a Pilates class at the gym on Fridays, but I employed a Jillian Michael's DVD for my yoga workout today. I knew I could count on Jillian (yes, we're on a first-name basis) to get right to the exercises and steer clear of the meditation/"spiritual" sides of yoga. That's just what she did. At one point, she said some silly yoga term like "melt your heart into the floor," or something, and then laughed, saying, "Or, in plain English like the rest of us speak, stretch as far as you can." I appreciate that.

I have done her workouts before and always leave feeling challenged and encouraged by her. She's fun but also no non-sense. We'd definitely be friends in real life, but first I have to get some muscle so I could feel not-so-shrimpy next to her.

A few more times of doing it and I think I'll feel a bit more comfortable with the positions and transitions. Overall, I'd say it was a success, particularly because I know I worked muscles I don't typically use while running. I like this idea of using my own body weight for resistance, too. I look forward to reporting back about my first-ever Pilates class on Friday, too.

On an unrelated note, check out this drawing my step-mom sent me:

Family portrait

This is a portrait of our family that she drew with one of her clients. Can you guess which one is me? Haha! Love it. If I had Facebook, this would definitely be my profile picture.

Day 42 - Christmas!

Today's scheduled run: cross-training

Today's completed run: 3.64 miles
Pace: 8:58 (avg.)

Merry Christmas! I love Christmas, though I confess that today doesn't really feel like Christmas. In fact, it doesn't really feel like December, or like the end of the year is right around the corner. I'm not sure if that's because it's been so warm or what, but it's odd. Regardless, I celebrated today by sleeping in, eating, getting back into bed, running, and then eating for the rest of the day while spending time with family. Really, I think I was putting food in my mouth from about 12:30 to 7:30 pm. It was great, but I'm paying for it now, because I'm totally stuffed.

Of course, this week is also the week I increase my weekday mileage. I'll be making a few changes to this week's training, because I'll be traveling to NC on Tuesday night. My normal Monday rest day will be a 4-mile run, Tuesday's scheduled 4 miles will be Wednesday's 7 miles, and Wednesday will be a rest day. I will resume a normal schedule on Thursday. I have a 14-miler to look forward to this weekend, though I'm still trying to figure out where I will run it, since I don't know the back roads of Western NC very well. Maybe I'll just run off into the forest...

I'm off to do more exciting Christmas things. (Actually, I'm doing laundry, but I wanted to make that sound exciting for my own well-being.)

Day 40 - Christmas Eve Eve

Rest day!

Greetings, friends; and a merry, merry Christmas eve eve to you. I'm currently baking (again). I've taken on dessert duty for Sunday, so I'm making red velvet cake balls. They are the greatest thing you'll ever taste, guaranteed. Have you ever tried them?

Today was an awesome rest day. My mom and I went to lunch at Alewife, a pub in Baltimore, and then went over to The Hippodrome to see The Lion King. Lest you be confused, as two of my friends were, this was the traveling Broadway show, not the 3D theater version. So, when I say I laughed and cried, please don't think I was watching the animated version that we all saw when we were in elementary school. It was an absolutely incredible show. The costumes were breathtakingly beautiful and original; the music, instrumental and voice alike, were moving. I'd definitely recommend it if it comes to a city near you.

Tonight, I will relax and bake, spending some Leslie-alone-time before joining my family for the next two days to celebrate. Tomorrow, I will run and then head over to my sister and brother-in-law's house to begin the festivities. As you know from a previous post, they are expecting. Even more exciting, now, is the news that they are expecting TWINS!

Day 13 - Christmas Cheer

Today's scheduled run: 9 miles

Today's completed run: 9 miles
Pace: 9:27

The view for all 9 miles

Nine miles through Christmas tree country and along the river -- this was nice. As far as the running was concerned, I was struggling. It was cold, and I don't like cold under any circumstance. Plus, my route was an out-and-back, which usually means boring. Still, I finished. The finish was my favorite part of today's run.


 The rest of the day consisted of a recovery lunch at Chick-Fil-A, shopping and decorating for Christmas.



Now, we're watching The Santa Clause 2, which is one of my favorite "new" Christmas movies. As far as "old" Christmas movies, the classics, I can't wait to watch White Christmas and Miracle on 34th St.