Sunday, February 19, 2012

I'm in an "ommm" state of mind...

I have heard for years that yoga is good for folks with MS. I have tried in the past to like yoga, but to no avail. Something about those crazy poses, balancing on blocks, twisting into a pretzel and just plain having balance issues of my own and being too self-conscious in front of all those amazing yogis...has always turned me off.

That is, until I discovered a Sunday morning class offered at my health club, called "Beginner's Yoga." I've been going faithfully for the past month and a half and I absolutely LOVE it. I pray that the time doesn't come where they kick me out and say, "Okay, you have been taking this beginner's class for 3 years now, it is time to move on to intermediate yoga!" Because I think I could take this class for the rest of my life. I am all about the basics.

The instructor starts with the very basic poses. Child's pose. Downward dog. Tree pose. She has the most soothing voice and uses words & phrases like "relax", "surrender", "breathe", "focus on the here and now"...all of which are great lessons for everyday life! At the beginning of class, she has us set an intention for our class - something we'd like to get out of it, something we'd like to let go of, something we'd like to do better. I love this idea and have begun setting a "weekly" intention for myself. She really pushes us to be our authentic selves, not comparing ourselves to anyone else in the class. She sets such a great tone for the whole class that I think everyone feels instantly at ease.

I also added yoga to my weekly workouts because I've read many times over, that it is the perfect compliment to running. It strengthens your core, stretches tired muscles and helps with balance. I now look forward to my Sunday morning ritual like I would a spa treatment. I feel like it is the one time each week that I devote to pampering my body inside and out. I savor that hour like I would savor a piece of cheesecake, a good book or a glass of wine. I love the way I feel before, during and after the class. It gives me a sense of empowerment and just leaves me with an overall sense of peace to begin my week. Not a bad Rx for anyone...MS or not!

So, don't wait to be diagnosed with a disease or get injured, to try yoga. It really is as good as people say it is. It does a body and soul good.  Just make sure you find a class that suits your needs and lifestyle.

-Namaste (which, for other fellow beginners, is pronounced Num-ah-stay and means "the divine in me honors the divine in you...")

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Running and Chocolate...What could be better?

A PR, perhaps and possibly a ribbon!! Today, I ran a 5k with my running buddy, Rachel. It was so much fun...it reminded me why I run. It was a beautiful course, located in scenic Sunriver, Oregon. It was called "Run for Chocolate"...which means after the race, they treated us to an array of delicious chocolate treats (dark of course, 'cause that's the healthy kind!!) They had a choclolate fountain with all kinds of yummies for dipping (bananas, strawberries, marshmallows, graham crackers....you name it!) and pots of gourmet coffee, hot cocoa....biscotti, protein bars, chocolate milk (my fave post-run drink!) It was pure "post-race" heaven!!

The best part, perhaps was crossing the finish line at 29:40. A personal 5k best for both Rachel and I. At the start of the race, we had decided our goal would be under 31 minutes. Afterall, the trail was icy and even the race annoucer said at the start line, "Not a day to try for a PR!" Well, take that, race announcer!!

The funniest part was afterwards, as we awaited the race results and awards ceremony...I told Rachel, "I really think I may have placed in my age category!" I was a little excited thinking about the possibility. Rachel said she might cry if I did. As they read the Top 3 winners in each category...I was getting more and more excited! They read Rachel's age group, 35-39, ... Rachel won 2nd place!!! Woohoo!! Then, they skipped ahead to the 50-over group. I quickly yelled out, "Hey, you forgot the 40's". So, the announcer graciously apologized and went back and read the 40-over category winners. Well, call it karma (for yelling out) or call it like it is (40 year old women in Bend are a COMPETITIVE bunch!!) Because I didn't even make the top 4! No ribbon for me. The first place finisher in my age category finished in 24 minutes...Wow!

The really sad part was that I was all ready to run up and accept my ribbon. I had stepped out of the buffet line. I had set my plate down. I was in starting position to run up to the podium and maybe even give a little acceptance speech. I know, nobody does that, but why not start a new trend??

Well, my bubble burst just a little bit when I didn't hear my name called. But, Rachel and I got a good laugh out of it. We headed to the lounge and ordered a celebratory bloody mary and recounted the highlights of the run as we looked out at the snow capped mountains! I mean, we had achieved a Personal Best...so, that was worth celebrating!! Yay Us!!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

There are a million reasons why I am a mess...but, menopause is NOT one of them!

I went to the doctor last week. I've been feeling, lately, like I'm starting to enter the "M-phase" of my life! Night sweats, mood swings, sudden flare-ups in my acne (it's got me wondering, "when in the world will I be able to stop stealing my 17 year old son's zit medicine?") Urgh.

So, I asked my doctor if he could order a hormone test...I guess it's called the FSH Test (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). High levels indicate that you are entering menopause. Well, I took the blood test and the results came back stating that I am not in menopause. Yet.

So, now what? I was hoping he'd give me some magic pill, hormone replacement or secret cream to make it all go away...and now, I'm left to deal with all of this on my own.

It's frustrating to say the least. Atleast when you know who the predator is, you are more able to plan your attack. You know what you're up against. Now, I'm just left to figure out what the hell all this means and how best to deal with it on my own...without drugs.

Wish me luck!!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Things I never did or said until I started running...

Read an issue of Runner's World cover to cover? Oh my gosh, if I were sitting in a doctor's office waiting room, I would have reached for a leaflet entitled "Questions to ask your Urologist" or "10 telltale signs of skin cancer" before I would have opened a running magazine. Before running, I had never picked up a running magazine. I never had the desire or need to. Since taking up running a year and a half ago, I have checked out every single issue of the magazine at our library and just recently SUBSCRIBED to the magazine for the year. What a running nerd I have become!! I look so forward to the day that the magazine arrives in the mail, I read it cover to cover...there are so many great tips, articles and regular monthly columns that I just can't wait to get my hands on it. I even bought my running buddy her own subscription...and recently, she told me she received the March issue in the mail. I was so excited...I ran to my mailbox hoping to see my own copy awaiting me...only to be sadly disappointed to see an empty box. 2 weeks later, I still have not received mine and I am not too proud to admit that I'm a little sad and very jealous of my friend. She is such a good friend, though and I think she has noticed my mild depression everytime the subject comes up, that she offered to bring me her copy Monday morning when we run. Oh, bless you, Rach...you are a good friend. Always knowing exactly what I need!

Here are some other things that just would have seemed downright crazy to me, before the running bug bit me...

  • Buying 4 pair of running shoes within a 16 month period.
  • Spending a large amount of my discretionary income on running gear and race entries (afterall, a girl cannot have too many cute pairs of running socks or BicBand headbands, right?!)
  • Owning or ever even contemplating using a pair of "yak traks" for running in the snow and ice...I mean, who in the hell does that???
  • Taking not one, not two, but THREE Learn to Run classes at the local running store...Okay, so I'm a slow learner!!
  • Rushing to read the Sports Section of the Sunday paper to see results of the previous day's 5k. I mean, it's way more fun when your own name is in the paper, right?!!
  • Using "I ran" and "a half marathon" in the same sentence...More importantly, using "I can't wait to run another" and "half marathon" in the same sentence. That would have been complete crazy talk to the "old me".
  • Looking for a run to do when I go on vacation (or at the very least packing my running shoes) or God forbid, planning a vacation around a race. Again, the "old me" would have said..."Isn't the whole point of a vacation to just lie around and forgo your excercise regimen?" Or "Isn't running to the fridge for another beer, exercise enough?" Oh no, the new runner in me, is always LOOKING for a way to stay motivated and in shape - even on vacay.
Okay, okay, I think you get the idea. I went from someone who never ran, never wanted to run and just didn't see the point....to someone who is a complete running freak, geek and certified nut about running and hopefully someone who has inspired a few other people along the way!!



Get out there!!!