For the first time, I had to sit out a couple of postures (well, actually a posture and a half) in yoga class the other day. I don't know what was different; maybe I didn't drink enough water. It could also have been the bath I took the night before that had epsom salts and baking soda in it. After a bath like that, it's important to drink a lot of water, so I am back to the not enough hydration theory. Either way, the experience was something that I don't care to repeat.
It's terrible to feel as though you are going to pass out in a room that is 104 degrees with 40% humidity. It was more than feeling as though I would pass out; I just felt plain sick. In fact, I could barely sit down, let alone stand. I really just wanted to ball myself up on my mat. I didn't even know how I was going to drive home or would be able to stand to take a shower. Luckily, the second half of the class is the "floor series", which means that the class is doing a lot of lying on the floor. The floor series is still pretty tough, but easier to fake it a bit in the postures, if you know what I mean. In any case, I was feeling considerably better by the end of class, if a little nervous that it would happen again. Luckily, I have taken the class two times since then and have been perfectly fine. In fact, in the last class I felt a bit less sweaty than usual, and I didn't feel as tired afterwards. However, I made sure to drink lots of water during the day prior to the class. It seems to be a good system.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
It's Getting Cooler
I am glad that I ran this morning, when it was still a bit warmer. After a 90 degree day yesterday, we are now down in the low 60s, with rain and clouds making it feel colder (at least to me). This morning the temperature was still in the low 70s, and felt warmer with the sun. In fact, I wore shorts with a long sleeved shirt and kind of regretted it as I was sweating more than I really wanted to. In a way, though, I like to sweat because it feels cleansing to me, and it makes me feel that I am working hard.
Ever since I got my new Garmin earlier this summer, I've obviously been more aware of my running times. This is a good thing, but I can feel that I am putting pressure on myself to increase my times. It's also been making me feel as if I am not 'developing' as a runner. Now, I don't know if it's really all that important that I develop myself as a runner, or if it's enough just to be running regularly. In fact, I have been running longer distances during the last year, 7, 8, and 10 miles, instead of just running the 5 miles that I have been running for the last 16 years. That in itself could be considered 'development'. To be honest, feeling this pressure has resulted in me feeling less joy about running. I will have to decide whether I want to continue to put pressure on myself to improve, or just enjoy the run.
Ever since I got my new Garmin earlier this summer, I've obviously been more aware of my running times. This is a good thing, but I can feel that I am putting pressure on myself to increase my times. It's also been making me feel as if I am not 'developing' as a runner. Now, I don't know if it's really all that important that I develop myself as a runner, or if it's enough just to be running regularly. In fact, I have been running longer distances during the last year, 7, 8, and 10 miles, instead of just running the 5 miles that I have been running for the last 16 years. That in itself could be considered 'development'. To be honest, feeling this pressure has resulted in me feeling less joy about running. I will have to decide whether I want to continue to put pressure on myself to improve, or just enjoy the run.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Raining
It's raining. I haven't run today, or in almost a week, which is upsetting to me. I curse myself that I didn't get a run in this morning, since I knew that it might rain. Hopefully I will be able to run tomorrow.
Rainy days always feel like I am trapped under a lily pad. I feel clammy; my skin feels extra oily and my hair falls flat. There is always something about rainy weather that makes me feel lethargic. I don't really like rainy days. I think about my ancestral homeland, Ireland, where it rains a lot. I know that in another circumstance I might have grown up there and wonder if I would feel differently about rainy days if I did. I suppose that I would run in the rain because I would have to and would be used to it. I might even love it. Alas, Texas is warm and sunny most of the time, and that is the weather I like the best. Some people don't like that weather. My grandmother, who grew up in Ireland and lived in Texas much later in life, seemed to like the hot, sunny Texas weather. I bet it's easier to get used to the hot sunny weather than a damp climate, but I don't know for sure.
I will lift weights today, and will hopefully do an ab workout in a little while. I hope that I can run tomorrow.
Rainy days always feel like I am trapped under a lily pad. I feel clammy; my skin feels extra oily and my hair falls flat. There is always something about rainy weather that makes me feel lethargic. I don't really like rainy days. I think about my ancestral homeland, Ireland, where it rains a lot. I know that in another circumstance I might have grown up there and wonder if I would feel differently about rainy days if I did. I suppose that I would run in the rain because I would have to and would be used to it. I might even love it. Alas, Texas is warm and sunny most of the time, and that is the weather I like the best. Some people don't like that weather. My grandmother, who grew up in Ireland and lived in Texas much later in life, seemed to like the hot, sunny Texas weather. I bet it's easier to get used to the hot sunny weather than a damp climate, but I don't know for sure.
I will lift weights today, and will hopefully do an ab workout in a little while. I hope that I can run tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Sick
I had a bad and, for me luckily, a rare experience. I went to my Bikram yoga class after work the other day, and I actually had to sit out a couple of postures because I didn't feel well. I felt dizzy, like I might pass out. I was able to do most of the postures, but still didn't feel my best. It's strange because this never happens to me. The not-great feeling continued for the remainder of the evening, and even into the next couple of days. I feel okay now, but I was feeling a bit weak yesterday and this morning. I don't really know why, although I speculate that I may have been a bit dehydrated.
I have to smile a little at the thought. "Dehydration" is something that celebrities say that they have when they want people to think they are in the hospital when they are actually in rehab. Of course, I wasn't hospitalized or anything like that. I just didn't feel that great and don't really know why this happened when it did. Dehydration makes sense; after all, I routinely run as well as do yoga in 100+ degree conditions. Although I do try to drink as much water as possible and use electrolyte replacements after strenuous exercise, it probably isn't enough. Added to the mix is the fact that I drink coffee and coca-cola, which are both dehydrating due to the caffeine. I am basically a ticking time bomb for dehydration.
What is the answer? More water, of course. I think that I also have not been eating enough. I have lost a couple of pounds. I definitely know that I don't want to feel like that again! What is not the answer? I won't be giving up caffeine any time soon...
I have to smile a little at the thought. "Dehydration" is something that celebrities say that they have when they want people to think they are in the hospital when they are actually in rehab. Of course, I wasn't hospitalized or anything like that. I just didn't feel that great and don't really know why this happened when it did. Dehydration makes sense; after all, I routinely run as well as do yoga in 100+ degree conditions. Although I do try to drink as much water as possible and use electrolyte replacements after strenuous exercise, it probably isn't enough. Added to the mix is the fact that I drink coffee and coca-cola, which are both dehydrating due to the caffeine. I am basically a ticking time bomb for dehydration.
What is the answer? More water, of course. I think that I also have not been eating enough. I have lost a couple of pounds. I definitely know that I don't want to feel like that again! What is not the answer? I won't be giving up caffeine any time soon...
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Quotes-September 2013
"You have to be true to yourself. You have to be enough in touch with who you are and what you want, how you want to live, and what's important to you, to make your decisions based on that. Sometimes that's very difficult. Sometimes it's hard to have your own internal voice be heard. You have just one life to live. It is yours. Own it, claim it, live it, do the best you can with it."
-Hillary Rodham Clinton
"Are you smart?"
"Obviously."
"Then don't be scared."
-From Jack Reacher
"Don't be afraid to be confused. Try to remain permanently confused. Anything is possible. Stay open, forever, so open that it hurts, and then open up some more, until the day you die, world without end, amen."
-George Saunders
"Being realistic is the fastest track to mediocrity."
-Will Smith
"Study your strengths, then decide how hard you want to work."
-Martha Stewart
"One (quality for success) is heavy-duty resilience, a requirement because anyone who is really in the game messes up at some point. You're not playing hard enough if you don't."
-Jack Welch
"Strengthen self ceaselessly and cultivate virtue to nurture the world."
-Binghua Vaiv
"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists...it is real...it is possible...it's yours."
-Ayn Rand
-Hillary Rodham Clinton
"Are you smart?"
"Obviously."
"Then don't be scared."
-From Jack Reacher
"Don't be afraid to be confused. Try to remain permanently confused. Anything is possible. Stay open, forever, so open that it hurts, and then open up some more, until the day you die, world without end, amen."
-George Saunders
"Being realistic is the fastest track to mediocrity."
-Will Smith
"Study your strengths, then decide how hard you want to work."
-Martha Stewart
"One (quality for success) is heavy-duty resilience, a requirement because anyone who is really in the game messes up at some point. You're not playing hard enough if you don't."
-Jack Welch
"Strengthen self ceaselessly and cultivate virtue to nurture the world."
-Binghua Vaiv
"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists...it is real...it is possible...it's yours."
-Ayn Rand
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Running is Boring
Of course, I don't think that running is boring. However, boredom is one of the main reasons people give me for why they don't run. Typically, such people are in good shape and pursue other types of exercise, but running is not their cuppa.
I was talking with a couple of colleagues at work today, one a runner and one not. They both are committed to fitness in different ways. One likes to run and skateboard, and one likes weight lifting and ju-jit-su (I definitely spelled that wrong, but I don't feel like looking it up right now). The guy who does "jitz", as he calls it, is very fit and obviously dedicates a lot of time to fitness. However, he thinks running is boring. Even he admits that he runs a couple of hundred miles a year, mostly doing fun runs with a friend who is a running enthusiast.
I totally get why people think that running is boring. I even get bored every once in awhile when I run. People are just wired differently. I like to listen to music when I run, and I find that I can often think better and come up with ideas that might otherwise have eluded me. Sometimes I just let my mind wander, allowing it to go to places where it needs to go. Other people might find that excruciating, much as I would if I had to hit a baseball or something. One of my eyes is higher than the other, making it difficult to see small balls hurtling at me, but that is another story.
I have to admit that I feel sorry for people who don't like to run because they don't experience what I do, which I suppose is part of the famous "runner's high". They probably feel sorry for me when they see me running or even think of me running. To each his own, I guess.
I was talking with a couple of colleagues at work today, one a runner and one not. They both are committed to fitness in different ways. One likes to run and skateboard, and one likes weight lifting and ju-jit-su (I definitely spelled that wrong, but I don't feel like looking it up right now). The guy who does "jitz", as he calls it, is very fit and obviously dedicates a lot of time to fitness. However, he thinks running is boring. Even he admits that he runs a couple of hundred miles a year, mostly doing fun runs with a friend who is a running enthusiast.
I totally get why people think that running is boring. I even get bored every once in awhile when I run. People are just wired differently. I like to listen to music when I run, and I find that I can often think better and come up with ideas that might otherwise have eluded me. Sometimes I just let my mind wander, allowing it to go to places where it needs to go. Other people might find that excruciating, much as I would if I had to hit a baseball or something. One of my eyes is higher than the other, making it difficult to see small balls hurtling at me, but that is another story.
I have to admit that I feel sorry for people who don't like to run because they don't experience what I do, which I suppose is part of the famous "runner's high". They probably feel sorry for me when they see me running or even think of me running. To each his own, I guess.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Thoughts of Marathons
Even though I have a running blog and consider myself an avid runner, I don't necessarily consider myself a runner with a capital R. I mean, I don't run dozens of races every year. I don't make my living as a runner. I don't run 50 miles per week (right now). However, in my circles I guess that I am considered to be a Runner inasmuch as I probably run more than anyone else that most of the people I know know personally (got that?). What I am trying to say is that I get a lot of comments about running. For example, a vendor I work with told me about her son who is training to run a half-marathon, and asked me if I was training for anything right now. My brother-in-law made a comment (jokingly, but not entirely so) that I run ten miles a day. My mother-in-law is incredulous (jokingly, but not entirely so) that I am not in the I.C.U. due to all of the running I do. I've been admonished by a work colleague (not jokingly at all) not to ask him to run any more races because he has gotten too injured from previous ones. In short, when a lot of people think of me, running is what comes to mind.
I wonder if I exaggerate my running, causing others to do so as well. I don't think so. I'm truthful about every mile I run. However, all of the comments make me want to step up my game, and live up to the expectations that I feel as a result of hearing them.
Since December I have trained for four half-marathons, and have run three (I bailed on one at the last minute due to a business trip and really cold and windy weather). The summer was hot, as I may have mentioned. I was trained out. However, at my last half-marathon, the San Diego Rock and Roll, I signed up for next year's marathon. It was a decision made in the excitement of the moment. Anyone who has been at an expo the day before a race can probably relate. I regretted it afterwards, but reasoned that I paid a relatively small price and still had a while to think about it.
I am also about to have a birthday. It's not one of the major milestone birthdays, but I have decided to divide my life in half at it. If I am somewhat lucky this will be the second half of my life. Most of my relatives did not live as long as I hope to live, but I take pretty good care of myself (I run, after all) so I think I have a shot. Accordingly, I should make some plans for the second half. I've already made a start.
The 2014 San Diego Marathon will be my next full marathon.
I wonder if I exaggerate my running, causing others to do so as well. I don't think so. I'm truthful about every mile I run. However, all of the comments make me want to step up my game, and live up to the expectations that I feel as a result of hearing them.
Since December I have trained for four half-marathons, and have run three (I bailed on one at the last minute due to a business trip and really cold and windy weather). The summer was hot, as I may have mentioned. I was trained out. However, at my last half-marathon, the San Diego Rock and Roll, I signed up for next year's marathon. It was a decision made in the excitement of the moment. Anyone who has been at an expo the day before a race can probably relate. I regretted it afterwards, but reasoned that I paid a relatively small price and still had a while to think about it.
I am also about to have a birthday. It's not one of the major milestone birthdays, but I have decided to divide my life in half at it. If I am somewhat lucky this will be the second half of my life. Most of my relatives did not live as long as I hope to live, but I take pretty good care of myself (I run, after all) so I think I have a shot. Accordingly, I should make some plans for the second half. I've already made a start.
The 2014 San Diego Marathon will be my next full marathon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)