I Crave Grounding

Got a new mouse. Thankfully.
Still. The eyes get drained.

Daily. Glaring at a computer screen. Sitting in a chair. At a desk.

Using the mouse is better then the touch.

Weeks have passed since I snuck into the hot room.

For my weekly tune-up. 
I'd go more if I could.
Can't seem to carve out the time.

My body tells me. It needs it.

There’s been lots of yoga in my life.

But it's Bikram Yoga that gives me more then I’ve ever asked for.

I workout and I stretch. I sweat. But most importantly.

I balance.

Thought I’d suffer last night. It has been a while. 
A severe shin injury complete with infection had me staying clear till all had healed up.

The class went fast. Each stretch resonated in my soul.
I left all my stress behind.
I was present.

When I got to Camel, I went deep. My flexibility surprised me.
My body remembered.

The infamous Camel Pose. I LOVE it!
"Camel Pose creates maximum compression of the spine,
which stimulates the nervous system."

The space between each vertebrae cleared. Like a cleansing. Each bone structure and joint in my body engaged.

That’s what I love about Bikram.

You work everything right.

Our Life of Abundance

Devise an answer to this question.

What was the best part of your day?

Pickle out the funk. Any frustrations.

Where did you get that ah ha moment?

Was it in the song of a bird? The sight of the sunset? The laughter in your friend’s face? A smile from a stranger?
As I sit here I’m reminded of last night’s Bikram Yoga class.

The teacher spoke of our life of abundance. The topic of food. Do we take too much? Or do we take what we need?

That made me think of the choices we have. All around. Any kind of food. Plentiful monuments of fruits and vegetables that line counter tops and grocery isles. Reams of meat and seafood stocked on shelves.

Does food make us happy? Do you ever have an ah ha moment with food?

In my answer to today’s question, I express gratitude for the exercise I was able to do.

My ah ha was in the huffing and puffing I did to ride up that UBC hill trying super hard to catch the rabbit (another cyclist) in front of me.

Upon reaching the top being able to glide on with the power in my legs all the while drinking up huge gulps of fresh clean air. The air sang spring!

I was fueled by food. I ate what I needed to get me there.

Afterwards I did the same.

But if I didn’t, I’d be zapped by zero.

Zero fuel. Zero energy.

Again I mull what we have and what so many in the world don’t have.

A life of abundance.

Carving Time

Getting up at 5am is hard.

For me.

By 3pm I’m dizzy. By 5pm I’m awash.

There’s always more work to do.

But it seems as the weeks flow by, like the river running downstream. There’s no stopping time.

Training and working out time takes time.

I can’t stop thinking about June. Will I be ready? I want to enjoy the ride.
Today I heard from one of the organizers of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer that there’s 2,500 feet of elevation gain on both days.

To which I replied (in my nervous voice), “What goes up must come down!”

Somewhere I read about the idea of developing a habit of doing side planks before every meal.
This got me thinking.

Workout goals for this week now include:

• Morning workouts (no matter what).
• Extra core at lunch – to include planks (during school).
• Push-ups on breaks.
• Gym (strength training) and a run Tuesday and Thursday.
• Hill ride sufferfest Wednesday.
• Bikram Yoga Monday and Friday (6am).
• Long rides Saturday and Sunday.
• Let’s see if I can fit it all in during the early mornings.

That way school and my part-time job during the week will also get 100%.

There’s also a few birthday parties to attend to on Saturday and Sunday.

Ah, carving out time...

Work Out Time

Missed my Monday morning Bikram Yoga class this week. 

Which was bad.

I’d booked five hours in the saddle over the past weekend.
My plan is to practice Monday's and Friday's. Monday's to free up the tightness, Friday's to prepare for the rides.
I’m currently training for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer (cycling 160km a day times two).

Sometimes time can be our enemy.

Same with sleep. We need it. But getting it, is another matter.
Today I got a long run in. First time in a while. 

It was pouring rain. I could of chosen not to go, but instead I geared up and headed out.

Not thinking of anything other then, “At least I’m doing it!” I struggled on.

Running has always been in my life. I love it.
But past injuries like a nagging Achilles injury and snapped Soleus slowed me down.

My goal some day is to run a half marathon. 

I’m at my mum’s this weekend (hence no riding) so my route is one I did when I was twenty pounds lighter (sad, but true - really).

Festering in the wind and the rain, I carefully chose my steps in the grass along the waterfront. All the while saying to myself, “I’m so grateful I can run.”
There comes a point when you haven’t been doing something for a while when your body quickly reminds you of your age.

I felt it.

Then I chuckled to myself. Consistency with running hasn’t been key as of late.

Once the week before. This would be my second time this week.

In the damp I kept telling myself. “I am getting there.”

Then I started to see Robins in the trees. Five of them in one. Spring soon. 
A healthy distraction.

The first hill came. I shortened my stride and stepped in as best I could. Slow.

Get home injury free - the goal.

Then came the time when it felt like I was getting past my comfort zone. To my delight the sky opened up. Not for more rain. For the endorphin rush.

That’s what it’s all about!

Why we get addicted to running, or any other sport for that matter.

Once you’re edging past your comfort zone a whole new set of emotions floods in. And as long as the body is following the mind. You’re OK.

Work out time.

The best.

Training Love

Can hardly wait for the weekends. Not just because it’s the weekend.

Because I know I can get in a long ride and not feel rushed.

This morning I booted out the door at 5:30am for a Bikram Yoga class. The plan is to set myself up for the pedal to the metal by aligning and strengthening my flexibility.

Balance and core are also key to the build up of mileage. 

It was magic this morning. I become more tuned into my body each class. I don’t have time for everyday. When I go, it counts.

Since sourcing training programs and speaking with pals, those in the know I’ve come up with a regime that time permitting I plan to stick with.

Doesn’t matter the weather. The weekend rides, back to back slow go, build the base are the light in the sky.

This morning as I bent over eyes to my thighs, sweat rolling down between my legs, head to my knees, I asked my temple to take me there.

I also asked for forgiveness for any bad I’ve done in the past.

There’s only good from now on.

Training love.

Spin Spun Fun

Facebook has it’s advantages. Like planting seeds.

In your head that is.

Somehow I got a LIKE on the new Cadence Spin Studio in Vancouver.

Not sure which “Friend” led me there.

Seems the rage these days. They’re popping up everywhere.

Which is great.

More folks are cycling. Gearing up for the RBC GranFondo Whistler or Kelowna.

Or like me, the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Cripey, I started spin classes at the YMCA in Victoria a few years ago now. Remember my son’s father saying, “You’d love them.”
Sure enough, rather then intervals on some side street in the rain - spinning inside is the next best thing.

Pumping tunes. Pedaling energy all around. You’re amongst like-minded passionate cyclists.

They’ve got to be.

Only thing is - the cost.

First class was free for me today. To give the studio a try. I got a wicked Wednesday wake-up with Becky.

Sure I sweat buckets. Loved the new bikes. Music was great. I got a banana afterwards.

But $22 for a drop-in? For 45 minutes.

Yikes.

No question, the rush you feel afterwards is addictive.

As a student, I’ll have to weigh in on my weekly allotment of exercise expenditures.

Minus one Bikram Yoga 90 minute class for one 45 minute spin?

On the positive side, at least you can do drop-ins on either. 

Lower LOVE

Spent two hours in the gym today.

It was miserable outside.

Started off with a spin on a stationary. Got to the fat burn heart rate, which for my age I guestimated to be 114.

Hung out for half an hour. Then hit the mat for some stretching, core, back and the dreaded push-ups.

Pretty pleased I had the time.

Got to the planks and concentrated solely and the flab in the mirror. Not the clock.

Going to get there. I am, I am.

Not like “Sam, I am.” Like I have a goal and I’m going to get there.

Weight Watchers On-Line to peel the bouncy stuff. Constant consultations with pals and those in the know for a training program.

Consistency. Consistency. Consistency.

Most importantly, making the time.

Went to the lower leg weight routine. I spun off some squats, lunges, presses, curls, calves and left the hip abductors to last.

I LOVE the hip abductor machine.

My hips scream at me after a long ride. I do Bikram Yoga to balance everything back out. Seems to work the best for me.

But this hip abductor machine.

We are going to be hanging out a lot.

LOVE working the lowers.

With weights that is.

N.B. Since searching more information on the hip abductor machine on-line, I've since learned the hip abductor exercises are better done standing up with rubber bands. Less strain to the spine.

Facing the Challenge

Doesn’t take long to go back from where you came from. When it comes to loosing weight and being fit.

I claim an excuse.

Six months ago I fell off my road bike and fractured my pelvis in two places, along with my clavicle.

Now I wasn’t at prime but I was heading to being in the best shape of my life.

These things happen for a reason.

So now I’m healed up and geared up to go.

Except for the goal.

Cycling is like having a lover on two wheels. The bike takes you places. You constantly experience a wonder lust of endorphin rushes and feelings of gratitude. Especially after any long ride.

Recently I attended some talks on the epic endurance athletic lifestyle. I shook my head in disbelief with the one comments that seems to have stuck.

The body will follow the mind.

Like no amount of suffering can change that?
Last night I dial in on the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer orientation. I decided after the recent passing of a friend that I would ride in his honour.

The goal is set.

Coincidentally the same day I hear of an elderly family member with a confirmed diagnosis.

So I’m in. But on the Conference Call it’s revealed that the Challenge Course for which I signed up for is 160km a day, times two.

Start training now. Oh yeah!

Super scared. YES!

Know I’ll have to get a new bike. What if I hold everyone up? Are the dudes that are super fast going to be the ones that ride it? Will I be the only woman?

Can I do this?
Today I decide. Yes. My mind has said yes.

So to start things off I walk into a Bikram Yoga class today to asses the muscles and the mass (body fat).

Mirrors don’t lie. No question the body fat index needs to point down, down, like wayyyyy down…..

The class, well it was a sufferfest. The teacher favoured the icon of symbolism for me today.

“Let your mind believe you’re doing the right thing for your body…”

And yes, everything else will follow.

Well here goes nothing!