hmmmmn....Yoga...

Why is it that something that has the ability to do such good for the body and the mind is one of the first things to be cast aside as things get hectic/stressful? I have been doing yoga since 2002, when my sister introduced me to the beauty of it. In the years since I have kept up with a healthy yoga practice, at times only doing yoga and no swim, bike or run. However, in the last several months yoga completely fell off my radar. I did none with my Ultraman training and through all the stress of the months that are now behind me, I couldn't bring myself to be alone with my yoga mat.... maybe it was the knowledge that my mind wasn't ready to focus on the stillness or maybe it was because the situation was just to volatile to let myself try to find some peace.

The interesting thing about the human body is that it will allow you to ignore it for only so long. It will allow you to pile up physical and mental stress to it's breaking point, protesting politely and when you still don't give it what it needs it makes you pay attention. Luckily, I am getting better at listening to my body and while I did ignore the hamstring/butt pain for awhile I am giving my body what it was wanting. The treatments from Dr. Peggy are working (see her website Shin Splints Solutions, link in my favourite things, for more info) slowly getting back into running and most importantly I got back on the yoga mat.

I can't say that it has been the most pleasant experience getting back to the mat, the body is tight and has forgotten the sweetness that can come from certain poses, but I know I will get back to the point that I can relax and breathe deeply in any pose. I am noticing an improvement in the injured area and that is motivating me to keep my body relaxed and has me coming back to the mat.

I am also feeling a little less blah as I was in my last post. It is amazing how breathing deeply can help you put the past truly behind you and help you focus on the future. My brain is feeling a little less cluttered and unfocused. I have been able to slow down and realize that the past year of my life was a very stressful one but I have survived it and I am happy, I feel like me. I am closer to my family than I have been in years and I have the best parents and sister anyone could ever hope for, my girls are healthy and happy and I do my very best for them and they love me "around the world and back again". I am in a healthy and respectful relationship with a fabulous man, he makes me very happy and I know who my true friends are and love them all dearly for their friendship. When I am on the yoga mat I focus on all these good thoughts and no longer worry that the stress and drama will overwhelm me because I have found my way back to the sweetness and stillness of yoga (and I won't let it be cast aside again)!

Holiday Blahs

So I am feeling the holiday blahs lately, maybe it's the weather, maybe it is the nagging hamstring/butt discomfort but I am struggling with my motivation level this week. Weird how one day I can rock out a solid 2 hour trainer ride and then the next day an hour just about drives me insane.
I think the biggest thing I am struggling with right now is what is next. I have been getting the question lately of what my plans are for 2010...what's my next race? The new ultra athletes that I have become friends with are planning epic 2010 and sending me links and race info and trying to get me to commit to something and as tempting as some of the races sound, nothing is making the butterflies start swimming.
I have a desire to try some new things and SV has planted the bug in my brain for some shorter races and to be honest that kind of excites me because it is something I have never done before and I can't wait to see how I can do(I have done some shorter races in preparation for Ironman training, but the last non-Ironman or longer race I did was in 2005). Short fast stuff will be hard and I will need to learn how to pace myself, how to do a transition and how to suffer for 1-5 hours. I like the challenges and the uncertainty of having to go fast from the start and a little nervous because I know there will be suffering, but at least it will be over quicker. We have talked about a few races and my plan is to commit to one or two of these races before the end of the month, which I know will help with my motivation level.
However, I think what it is that has me a little restless is that along with some of my ultra friends, I too am trying to find that next race. The one that makes the butterflies swarm, the palms start to sweat and the heart to beat a little bit faster. You know that feeling...the one that makes you go "wow this is crazy but I really want to see if I can do it".