Where I've Been Running
Whew, time flies with all this studying!
The last two weeks we were studying the respiratory system and understanding all the functioning, pressures in all the various areas (pulmonary, pleural, veins, arteries, etc), and things like "what happens to the bronchioles if you introduce epinephrine, histamine, edema?" It's a lot. And now we're moving on to digestion!
Monday, I did 2.5 flat miles on my lunch break, where I saw the sun and just tried to soak in the rays. With all this fog lately, it's a treat to see some sun.
Thursday, I bundled up for our weekly track workout and met an unlit, foggy track full of lots of other crazy runners. After we all told coach Ian we were still up for the challenge {the city forgot to turn on the lights}, we set out for 3 x 1 mile repeats. My body was cold and not really having the whole speed thing, but surprisingly, 6.5 miles later, I felt pretty dang good other than some mid workout hyperventilation.
Yesterday before yoga class, I pounded out four foggy miles in honor of Meg Menzies who was killed by a drunk driver on her morning run in Virginia earlier this week. I think she would have been honored that we were all thinking of her and getting in some miles.
And finally today, after Lindsey's yoga class {she's getting certified to teach}, I headed back out to the Ridgeline Trail for more hills. Honestly, it's been nice to meet these hills weekly, as I often will go weeks between running the Ridgeline and end up feeling so out of shape every time I do.
But now it's becoming routine. This morning I promised myself I wouldn't run to the top of Spencer's Butte (about an 8 mile out and back run from where I park). But somehow, the sun just lured me up to the top.
And once I was up there, I stripped off my layers and sat in the sunshine in a tank top for 10 minutes. It was glorious. I never regret making that hike, even if my hammies hate me later.
Bodywise
I'm pretty much back on track after all of the holiday indulging, but I'll admit that there is a little extra love hanging around my hips. It's probably only visible to me, but I am working on being a little easier on myself and being okay with not having a perfectly flat and tight core like I do when I'm marathon training.
Sure, I'd like it to stick around all the time, but it's not realistic and frankly, I'm not sure women's bodies were really meant to be that way. One thing I've realized about my thirties so far, is that there is beauty in imperfection and I'm learning to embrace things as they are.
What We've Been Watching
Last weekend we sat down to find something on Netflix to watch and came across Alaska: The Last Frontier, a reality show about the Kilcher family who has lived in a very rural part of Alaska and subsisted off the land for several generations.
The family raises their own cattle, fishes, has chickens for eggs, builds everything from what they have around them, doesn't have plumbing, and uses wood as their heat source. Oh, and all of their "work" more or less has to happen during the three months of summer when there isn't snow on the ground. The rest of the year, there are about 3+ feet of snow everywhere. It's been pretty fun to watch, but it definitely makes me appreciate modern conveniences.
Finally, I'll leave you with a little tea wisdom. Thank you for the inspiration, Yogi Teas.
The last two weeks we were studying the respiratory system and understanding all the functioning, pressures in all the various areas (pulmonary, pleural, veins, arteries, etc), and things like "what happens to the bronchioles if you introduce epinephrine, histamine, edema?" It's a lot. And now we're moving on to digestion!
Thankfully, I've been able to stay on top of my homework and studying a bit more so far. I am still fitting in runs, yoga and strength work where I can, but they are fewer and shorter the first part of the week and then get a bit longer and more exciting around the end of the week. When I haven't had time to do a run and shower before work, I've fit in little 20 min yoga flows just to get my body moving.
Where and What I've Been Running
Last weekend, I made my way up to the top of Spencer's Butte again thanks to a runner friend who was having a birthday run. Only crazy runners celebrate by running hilly trail on their birthday. I'm okay with it.
Kinda stormy up top, but exhilarating at the same time
We even found a rainbow...
Thursday, I bundled up for our weekly track workout and met an unlit, foggy track full of lots of other crazy runners. After we all told coach Ian we were still up for the challenge {the city forgot to turn on the lights}, we set out for 3 x 1 mile repeats. My body was cold and not really having the whole speed thing, but surprisingly, 6.5 miles later, I felt pretty dang good other than some mid workout hyperventilation.
Yesterday before yoga class, I pounded out four foggy miles in honor of Meg Menzies who was killed by a drunk driver on her morning run in Virginia earlier this week. I think she would have been honored that we were all thinking of her and getting in some miles.
This running community is strong. I don't know Meg, but I shed a few tears
on this run thinking of what her family has lost.
on this run thinking of what her family has lost.
And finally today, after Lindsey's yoga class {she's getting certified to teach}, I headed back out to the Ridgeline Trail for more hills. Honestly, it's been nice to meet these hills weekly, as I often will go weeks between running the Ridgeline and end up feeling so out of shape every time I do.
But now it's becoming routine. This morning I promised myself I wouldn't run to the top of Spencer's Butte (about an 8 mile out and back run from where I park). But somehow, the sun just lured me up to the top.
And once I was up there, I stripped off my layers and sat in the sunshine in a tank top for 10 minutes. It was glorious. I never regret making that hike, even if my hammies hate me later.
Bodywise
I'm pretty much back on track after all of the holiday indulging, but I'll admit that there is a little extra love hanging around my hips. It's probably only visible to me, but I am working on being a little easier on myself and being okay with not having a perfectly flat and tight core like I do when I'm marathon training.
Sure, I'd like it to stick around all the time, but it's not realistic and frankly, I'm not sure women's bodies were really meant to be that way. One thing I've realized about my thirties so far, is that there is beauty in imperfection and I'm learning to embrace things as they are.
What We've Been Watching
Last weekend we sat down to find something on Netflix to watch and came across Alaska: The Last Frontier, a reality show about the Kilcher family who has lived in a very rural part of Alaska and subsisted off the land for several generations.
The family raises their own cattle, fishes, has chickens for eggs, builds everything from what they have around them, doesn't have plumbing, and uses wood as their heat source. Oh, and all of their "work" more or less has to happen during the three months of summer when there isn't snow on the ground. The rest of the year, there are about 3+ feet of snow everywhere. It's been pretty fun to watch, but it definitely makes me appreciate modern conveniences.
Finally, I'll leave you with a little tea wisdom. Thank you for the inspiration, Yogi Teas.
Greatness is measured by your gifts, not your possessions.
Easier said than done when companies like Oiselle keep coming up with such cute and comfy running clothes I want to get my paws on! ;)
Have you watched any good movies or shows lately? Is there an area of your life where you're being easier on yourself lately?
Comments
I love that yogi tea wisdom. I'm working on that sort of thing as well, but it is really hard!
We are watching Breaking Bad. It's addicting.
I can't think of a specific area of my life that I'm being easier on myself, but just in general I'm trying to go with the flow a bit more.
I am glad you've fit some great runs in, though. I always love seeing pictures of where you run as it's so beautiful!
I haven't seen any movies lately, but my favorite show is Top Chef. It's one of the few that i record and make time to watch on the weekends. An area of my life that I am trying to be more kind to myself about is my fitness level. I have been getting pretty frustrated lately by the things I am not able to do and it really has brought me down, so I am trying to remember that I can do more now than I could 6 months ago - and hopefully I can say the same 6 months from now.
Great job getting in your workouts and miles despite being so busy! I have been working out almost every morning for the last two weeks and it has really made a difference in my days. I'm also noticing a huge difference in my body since doing regular strength training for the last 8 weeks now. The scale isn't moving that much but I'm feeling fitter and more confident.