Day 18 - Run and Yin!

Today was extremely hot again.  I had a lie-in (thought I deserved one :)) and watched the Moto GP.  Those guys are amazing - such great sportsmanship.

Went for a short run - maybe 25 minutes - then had a cold bath to help me cool down before doing 'Yin'.  It's so hot today!  But I love it - so nice to see the sun and be warm after having such a cold, dark, looonng winter.

By the way, I don't have any idea of how long or how far I run.  I used to watch the clock and measure out the mileage like someone possessed, but since running barefoot, I've tried to just enjoy running for running's sake.  I have a general idea of time, but nothing more, and it's nice. 

I still haven't quite figured out how to enjoy 'Yin', but I'm modifying the poses so that they work as well as possible for me.  I wonder how long it'll be before I'm able to even think about getting my nose even close to my knees in seated forward bend, or chest on the floor in wide angle pose.  I can't believe I used to be able to do the box splits when I was younger!  It felt good to do the DVD post run when I was still warm though.  And the calf niggle I had at the end of the run had disappeared by the end of the DVD.

I'm not doing brilliantly with the nutrition side of things yet.  To be fair, there wasn't a great deal of improvement to make as I eat a lot of fruit and veg anyway and very little meat.  Like a lot of runners I know, I like my beer and although I've cut down, I've yet to cut it out and I'm not sure I want to.  Or, at least, I don't want to feel I have to and then feel overwhelmed with guilt if I succumb.  That's not what this journey is about for me.  I've always been quite an 'all or nothing' person - it's in my genes.  I know this because my mum has told me that when I was just a baby, I would feed constantly for 24 hours straight (and then, more often than not, throw up) and then sleep for 24 hours and not feed at all.  So, this journey is effectively about me changing the habit of a lifetime AND my DNA!  No easy task.  So, I'm gradually cutting down on the naughty foods and increasing the good stuff, bit by bit.  That way, I think I'll be able (eventually) to maintain some kind of moderation.

'Detox' is on the cards tomorrow.  My morning client has switched to later in the day, so I'll do it first thing when David's out with his first client.  Better get a good night's sleep!

Day 17 - A tough one

I had two back to back clients this morning with some traveling involved, so I didn't get home until about 12.30pm.  It was so hot, though, that I wasn't hungry so I thought I may as well go straight into my 'Strength' session.

I must admit, this was the hardest workout I've had yet.  A combination of being tired, hot and hungry made it a real challenge.  Plus, 'Strength' is one of the hardest ones anyway. 

I had a little doze afterwards but not for long because I wanted to shower and get going to meet my friend at the park.  David came too.  We walked to the park, picking up some drinks on the way, so it was probably around a two miler, in the heat.  We met with my friend and chatted for ages - it was good to catch up.  She was interested in my yoga and also wanted to make sure I wasn't turning into a purist, "my body is a temple" kind of person.  Nah - but, I did enjoy explaining what this 108 journey has done for me already and pleased that she commented on my "toned arms"!

I was supposed to do 'hardCORE' as well today but my core is always exhausted by the time I've done 'Strength' and I only did the core workout last night.  No point trying to do it today - it would do more harm than good.  In fact, my core only just about held up for the walk home!

Relaxed 'Yin' tomorrow, so thinking of doing a run as well...

Day 16 - Short post, very tired!

I'm exhausted!  I did 'Cardio' this morning and then this evening decided to do a weights DVD for an hour, as well as the hardCORE I missed yesterday.  It's not really the physical exercise that's the issue though - I've been in front of the pc most of the day and that makes me feel so tired. 

Cardio went pretty well, although my hayfever means that my nose is a bit blocked sometimes so the breath flow could have been better.  I managed the series of ten though - woo hoo! 

I have clients in the morning so will probably do 'Strength' when I get back.  Need to make the most of the sunshine too - it's apparently going to be really hot tomorrow so looks like I'll be meeting a friend in the local park to catch up on some gossip and catch some rays too!  Need to dig out some sunscreen - haven't had to use any for about three years...

Shower, meditate, bed.  Looking forward to a lie-in on Sunday...

Day 15 - In my head, I'm graceful and serene!

Ah, Cross Train!  I love Cross Train!  It's like Travis says, it has a little bit of everything.  What's more, on this round, my third one of this DVD, it's as though I can feel the little niggles and idiosyncrasies beginning to iron themselves out.  There are points in each movement and sequence of movements where I'm expecting my body to respond in a particular way.  I'll be going into a forward bend and be expecting a pull in my hamstrings, stopping me from straightening my legs.  But now there's more length, so the familiar pull either happens later or not at all.  Or, with my dodgy shoulders, I'll be anticipating having to adjust a few times before I can take my arm over my head in side angle pose or triangle pose, but again, I find my arm will circle smoothly over without my shoulder popping out of joint!

To feel these things happening is so rewarding.  I've had to adopt certain ways of moving for so long so my shoulders remain in their sockets, that the resulting tension has affected my entire body.  My goal is to be able to move my arms without a second thought for the safety of my shoulder joints.  But any improvement is hugely gratifying.

I had half planned to get up before 5am to do the DVD before my first client, but I have a confession to make:  I had not one, but TWO beers last night.  Late in the evening as well because I didn't get back from seeing my last client until 10.30pm (Wednesdays are loooong days).  As a result, I felt tired this morning (although getting up at 6am instead of 5am felt like a lie-in - never thought I'd be saying that!) and it meant doing my DVD when I got home.  This also meant that soon after I'd started, David arrived home after his first client and was in the lounge working on the pc while I exercised.  I find that I can't quite get into the zone knowing that he's watching and listening.  Most of the time, I know he's ignoring what I'm doing (I've always done exercise videos/DVDs so he's used to it and tunes me out!) but I also know he's interested in these DVDs and my progress.

I asked him what I looked like.  He said, "What do you mean?"  I said, "Well, do I look strong, weak, flexible, inflexible...?"  He hesitated (never a good sign) and said, "Well, a mixture really.  Sometimes you moved smoothly into the poses and other times you kind of fell into them".  Hmm, I'll take that.  Could be worse!  It's only Day 15 after all!

I keep saying that I'd like him to take some photos of me so that I can monitor my progress.  No photos as yet, mainly because I don't think I want to know what I look like.  At least I can imagine that I'm strong and graceful without having photographic evidence to the contrary!

Day 14 - More tears (in a good way!)

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Mountain Pose.  I think there are a couple of reasons for this: 1) It falls on a Wednesday, which is when I have to be up at 5am and do a lot of walking to get to one of my clients.  Mountain Pose is all done virtually standing still, so my feet are quite sore by the end of it!

The other problem I have is that I've had problems with my shoulders in the past (my right shoulder has dislocated several times).  Apparently, I have "poor tissue quality"!  Anyway, there's lots of reaching above the head in this one and my shoulders do feel a bit vulnerable. 

So, I think I like the idea of it and it's very meditative, but my sore feet and troublesome shoulders detract from my enjoyment.  Oh, and I can't squat all the way down yet, but neither can a lot of the group on the DVD so I don't feel too inadequate!

I confess I didn't have time to do all of the Pranayama Meditation, so only did the first cycle of breathing, followed by the full meditation.  The first time I did this, it made me cry.  Same again second time around!  When Travis says something along the lines of, "I just don't know how I got so far away from myself", I'm like a gibbering wreck.  But in a good way!  I feel so calm at the end of the session, it's well worth the time to get focused.

I also went for a run with David in the afternoon.  Not sure how long it was - maybe 25 minutes - it felt good!

Later on, I had a discussion about stress with one of my clients.  The sources of our stress have a lot to do with the choices we make.  How we deal with the stress is also a choice.  I've always been committed to exercise but didn't stick to a routine with it.  I actually didn't want to have to do something on a particular day.  However, with this yoga programme, I find it very reassuring that, whatever the day brings, I know that I'll have an hour or so, just me and my mat, to re-balance and this gives me a deep sense of well-being.  This calm is slowly spreading into my life; I keep track of it when I drive.  Driving is one of the least enjoyable activities I do - anyone who lives in a busy, overcrowded city will empathize.  I'm slowly learning to breathe and relax and be unperturbed by other road users.  Some days are better than others, I'll admit, and there is the occasional rant happening inside my little cockpit along with a bit of 'blue' language, but on the whole there's an improvement!

Looking forward to tomorrow's 'Cross Train' - one of my favourites :). 

Day 13 - There's room on my mat for blocks :)

I was up at 5am to get to my client in the centre of London, so did the Vitality DVD when I got home.  I think this is one of my favourites, along with maybe ‘Cross Train’.  I find that my back really needs it, although some of the poses are pretty tough so breath focus is extremely important so I don’t push it too far.  I used the blocks again today for a couple of poses – they are great tools that I have been reluctant to use because I like the thought of it being just me and my mat.  I realize, though, that during the process, the blocks can help to get the most out of the poses and at some stage, I won’t need them anymore.

My knees had been feeling a bit tight and clicky for a couple of days.  This DVD seemed to sort it out.  There are a few little gems in this workout that really target what I need.  It's not so strength focued either so I find that my breathing is easier to control.  There's a pose towards the end that involves sitting up with one leg out straight and the other crossed over your thigh, as high as you can get it.  Up to now, my knees have felt a bit vulnerable in this pose but today I could do it.  Quite pleased about that!

One of the many things I'm interested in finding out as this programme unfolds, is how it will help (or hinder) my running.  I've greatly reduced my running mileage and frequency and my body obviously needed that - my runs lately have felt more comfortable.  I'm wondering how the increased flexibility will take effect; I think I'll do another little run tomorrow if I have time and see what's currently happening :).

I almost fell asleep at the end of the DVD.  Today and tomorrow are long days so I think a little nap later on may be in order!

Day 12 - Bendy I am not (yet!)

This is one of the DVDs that seems to highlight my lack of flexibility the most!  I feel quite awkward in some of the poses, especially the reverse triangle pose and balance.  Today I used the blocks as an aid though and was able to achieve a better position, so I’ll continue to do that.  I’ll certainly feel a massive sense of achievement when I can do this DVD and feel comfortable and graceful.  Glad I’ve still got a while to work on it!

I did hardCORE  in the evening.  I quite enjoy this.  I managed to hold the plank sequence as long as Travis which I was chuffed about.  I also swam 70 lengths this afternoon so I should sleep well tonight!

I have been researching online about mala beads and have ordered a custom bracelet.  I found out what all the different stones/crystals signify and chose what meant the most to me.  I’m the type of person that likes to have a symbol that represents something; I can wear this bracelet all the time and it will provide a constant reminder and reassurance of my goals and journey.

I can’t remember much of the ‘Vitality’ DVD apart from the emphasis being on backbends, so let’s see what tomorrow brings!