A 10 Mile Kinda Day




 







Crazy running fools? You got that right! Despite the frigid temperatures this morning (-20C/-5F with the wind) Cynthia and I headed out for our long run. Cynthia is running Around the Bay, a 30k race in March, so her training schedule had her running 16k today. Now I haven't covered that distance since my last 1/2 marathon in October and I knew it was probably a little crazy to jump back into it on one of the coldest days of the winter so far, but I also wanted to get out and run this weekend and meeting with a friend is a huge motivation.

So off we went, along the Lakeshore, which borders Lake Ontario and as you can imagine, makes for some nasty gusts off the water. The wind was so fierce it practically took my breath away!



Yes it looks beautiful, but you're also reading this in your warm cozy house/office! :)























It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the run but thankfully I warmed up pretty quickly despite the cold, cold air. My lungs work overtime in the cold so I kept the pace as comfortable as I could, which also meant trailing behind Cynthia most of the way. You go girl!

Surprisingly we reached the 8km turn-around a lot more quickly then I expected. Out and back runs are great in this weather because you know you'll run back no matter what because its just too cold to walk!

My mantras on the run today flipped between the tried and true "Running is just like walking only faster" and a Jillian Michaels' favorite "You gotta get comfortable with being uncomfortable". I also zoned out a little by thinking of my best friend who is spending the week in sunny Mexico. It made me feel a little better knowing at least one of us was warm and enjoying a tasty margarita by the pool.

All in all we covered 10miles/16k in about 1:55 which included a few walking breaks and at least three attempts to un-thaw my much coveted Gatorade. You know its cold out there when your sports drink freezes on you!!

We did it!!


So tell me, do you enjoy outdoor activity in the winter? Do you have a mantra that gets you through your tougher runs?

Yoga Meltdown

I should start by saying I am no yogini. Don't get me wrong, I totally respect all things yoga (mind, body, soul) I just haven't incorporated into my routine. Until today.

I decided to dip my toe into the yoga pond with an at-home DVD. I wanted an inexpensive way to try total body conditioning and stretching. Enter Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown, a 30 minute power yoga routine that is meant to challenge your physical fitness and sculpt your entire body. Oh boy!

Yoga DVD? Check!

Yoga mat? Check!

Yoga cat? Check?

The DVD was pretty tough (it is Jillian Michaels after all) and not what I expected from yoga at all. Yes we did downward dog and sun salutations but it was really fast paced and I broke an obvious sweat.

I'll definitely do it again and work up to level 2 but if I am looking for a meditation I'm going to have to keep looking.

Overall, today's rest day was really low-key and great; yoga, reading The Happiness Project and a mid afternoon nap. I'm gearing up for a 10 mile run with Cynthia tomorrow so I have another relaxing night on deck.

I love rest days. So does the cat.

Namaste.

So tell me, do you practice yoga? Have you ever tried a yoga DVD?


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