Thursday, December 17, 2009

Running Update and First Yoga Class

Sadly C and I have all but stopped running.  I definitely plan to continue but we are in a rut right now because of the holidays and the disgustingly cold, snowy, icy weather.

From when we completed week 9, to now, we've gone out about 2x per week, with at least one week off.  We regressed a little in our pace and then got better, our best time being slightly under 14min/mile.  I've also done my elliptical a couple times when it was raining or just generally crappy outside.  The last time I went jogging was last Tuesday - a week and a day ago.  I actually think about going a lot but jogging in the bitter cold is so very unpleasant it's all too easy to procrastinate.

I'm trying to figure out a good solution for us.  We just aren't going to be able to jog much outside in the next 2 months.  Buying a treadmill is not an option, especially because that would not allow C and I to continue jogging together.  I received a flyer in the mail recently for a fairly cheap fitness center membership that even claimed to have an indoor track (better imo than a treadmill) and I was hopeful that might be our solution.  This past weekend C and I went to check it out and we weren't impressed.  It was not a great looking place, the woman at the desk was not incredibly pleasant (though she wasn't really rude).  Besides the start-up fee, the flyer I received claimed membership was $10/month.  Well, apparently access to the indoor track area (which is suspended above the basketball court where smelly guys run around and sweat, and which only looked to be 1/4 mile or less) costs an extra $20/month.  This is just silly.  I don't think we'll be going there.  I'll be looking around for another indoor track but I suppose I would settle for just a nearby fitness place with a good amount of treadmills and a cheap membership fee.

I'm not counting myself as having fallen off the wagon just yet.  C will probably decline but I am going to try and get out there again tomorrow or this weekend.
------------------------------------------------------

I've always been intrigued by yoga.  I've tried some yoga on tv at home but it's very hard to look at the tv and try to do the poses at the same time.  Also, it's hard not to get any feedback on if you're doing things correctly or not.

For some reason I've had a hard time finding any classes that would be easy for me to get to and not require me to spend a million dollars on a gym membership (though if I found a gym with a great schedule, I might pay a good deal to be able to attend the classes)

A few weeks ago I was excited to see a sign in the elevator of my work building for a once-a-week yoga class starting up on the 11th floor.  But then I forgot about it and ended up missing the first class.  The second class was supposed to be last week but was cancelled because of the weather.

So, today I attended my very first yoga class. I loved it! I wish I could take that class multiple times a week. It was challenging and relaxing at the same time. I worked on balance, worked my muscles, and stretched.  It was right in the middle of my work day and it was so nice to be able to get up from my desk and actually move my body.

The class is postponed now until after the new year but I can't wait to go again!

12 comments:

  1. Yoga sounds great.

    The winter weather just looks gross until you actually lace up and go out for a run. There's no such thing as too bad weather, just unprepared runner :)
    A gym with treadmills or indoor track is a good option, however lots of people can't stand treadmills, and the short indoor tracks give many people knee issues...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love yoga! My yoga instructor gave me a cd that she uses for at-home practice called YogaFit on the Road or something like that. It uses the same position names and flow as she does in class, so is easy to do by myself at home and you don't have to have a tv nearby to use it. Maybe once you're more familiar with all of the poses, you can ask your instructor to recommend something to use for at-home practice?
    And, this is kinda silly, but I enjoyed the Wii Fit running evening though it's a fake "track" :). I hate running outside in the cold too - I get earaches so easily...

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're awesome. I love walking, but won't do it now because of the weather. DH and I both want a treadmill, but it won't fit in our little house. Maybe I can convince my boss to put on a yoga class here... :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Woooo hoooo kiddo! You are trying and that is important. I also want to try some yoga, but need to get my Dr. permission at this point. Keep up the healthy and it will pay off. Once you get familiar with the yoga positions, I think you will be able to do them at home on a few extra days to keep yourself limber. Good luck and have fun.

    ReplyDelete
  5. cool! I've always wanted to take a yoga class. I sometimes do the dvds too. Hope you find a gym soon... working out in the cold is no fun.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've always wanted to try Yoga...but always felt intimidated going to a class. But it's one of my 2010 goals! Good for you for keeping up the exercising!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, I hope you enjoy yoga as much as I do. Just be patient with it and with yourself, and health and balance will flow.

    The best thing a teacher told me about it is a quote from some yogi: "Nobody masters a pose until they can hold it for 3 hours."

    Meaning: nobody ever masters any pose.

    Hope you get and enjoy the Wii Fit, too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey Jill,

    Just responding to your comment. I didn't have to go to a class. I have done them before, and the first time the nurse just explaned it to me. This time they gave me a link to a video to refresh my memory. It really isn't very hard once you get over the idea that you are stabbing yourself with a needle. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. HAHA... I think that bravery grows from having to do it. Hub would pass out if I handed him the pen and said stab me. LOL... So I had to do it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You'll get back in the swing of things. Yoga is tough but it feels good. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete