2012 here we go!

Goodbye 2011, you were... Uneventful. On to 2012!
Thursday I made it to kim's power 1 & 2, which was a repeat of Tuesday's class... Arm balance awesome. The difference being, I didn't suck as much and didn't get flustered with the crazy arm balance flow. I even managed to get into stick on the left side, woohoo! Even scissored side crow is feeling more like yet another pose instead of my Everest of yoga. Given that I still rest my butt on my elbow. Lifting that will take some extra core strength which I don't yet posses. That's for 2012.

Yoga recap of 2011:
I can now do scissored side crow and hold it and if I focus I can get myself into stick and remain lifted for at least a little bit. Headstands I can now manage without a wall in sight and seems that I can stay inverted indefinitely. Improvements also came to side plank, I can't quite grab my foot but most of the time can lift the upper leg and maintain the pose.
My new favorite asana has become half moon, which at this point I feel I could do in my sleep, and almost always feel like doing. This is a change from starting yoga when tree dominated my life, and last year it was royal dancer which was my go to pose.

It was ridiculously warm for a Utah December day yesterday, 57F when I left work. There was absolutely no excuse not to go running, and run I did. Since the weather was so nice I pulled out the Vibrams instead of my Nikes. Running in the toe shoes is about 6,938 time better than running in normal running shoes. The run feels better, my legs feel better, and I can just keep on running. My feet did go a little numb from running throw snow slushy mud, but with numb feet I didn't feel the rocks I ran over as much :) The dogs and I did 5 miles at Millcreek, even they want to keep going at the 1.5 mile turnaround. When we got 2.5 miles out and I contemplated just running home with them instead of back to the car, but without leashes and with a desire to run again today, I decided to turn around and save our strength.
It's not nearly as warm today, down to 31F and there is some fresh snow dust at the house, so its back to the Nikes. Sad, but last time I tried to run in the Vibrams in the snow I lasted only a half mile before my feet started hurting and I had to turn around. Then it took another 30 minutes before they stopped throbbing, so no Vibrams when the ground is white.

2011 Running Recap:
Most importantly I discovered the Vibram Five Fingers. It's probably the best thing that has happened to my running. By discovered, I of course mean, that I got over how stupid they look and got a pair. Storey rocking them at our wedding so nonshalantly and reading Born to Run definitely helped in that decision. Hill running actually started happening for me this past year. I attribute this success again to the Vibrams. I'm not saying hills don't hurt, cause they do, like hell, but I can push through the burn and even maintain my pace for short climbs. Since previously each hill I encountered I would walk, I consider this a real running highlight for me. Of course the biggest achievement of 2011 was my birthday run. 14+ miles. Longest distance to date, and keeps me on track for my 50 @ 30 goal. Given that the last two miles were rather painful, and I was barely picking up my feet, but I finished and even went to work afterwards! 2012 will be an epic running year!

New Year's resolution

Yes, I am aware new years hasn't happened yet but I've already picked one. I never have a new years resolution, so this is rather exciting. I have decided that starting January 1, 2012 I will proceed with the transformation from heath nut to health psychopath. One day I might reveal my reasons behind it but for now all you need to know that I'm going all out. No more smoking of any kind, drinking down to twice a month, and no processed foods, no preservatives, no refined sugars, ideally nothing from a factory sealed box or bag. Yes, yes I'll be easing into it, but easing in at a rather accelerated rate. Most of my focus, however, will be devoted to the April marathon and of course yoga.
Speaking of yoga, I went to Kim's power 1 & 2 last night and I've hardly ever felt that focused, especially at first. I got myself into side crow with scissored legs, and even held stick for a while. However, when all was put into a flow changing each position with a breath I got all flustered. Down dog - side crow - down dog - stick - down dog - warriors - bound half moon - head stand, etc. Too rushed, too quick, I couldn't do any pose properly and was getting frustrated. I need to work out more. By the end of class I felt weak and slightly defeated. Savasana didn't even feel right. But it's really my own fault for slacking at this yoga business. Need to get my ass in gear!
Ass in gear. Plan for today:

Time	To Do
8:30AM - 4:30PM	Work
5:00PM - 6:00PM	Run - 3m w/dogs
6:15PM - 7:30PM	Yin Yoga
8:00PM - ???	Battle Washer

Wish me luck.

Slowly Failing... already

I ideally would like to blame this early failure on my work. I am busy as hell, even slightly overwhelmed and I can't sleep at night. I didn't do anything on Monday, my excuse being the Christmas picture. Its a good excuse. Yoga was at 7:30, and we were trying to get the perfect shot until about 6:30, then printing, and framing and food, and I suck so I didn't go. Yesterday was another failure to attend yoga. I was actually on my way to yoga, and realized I didn't bring any pants, there were two choices at that point 1) go to yoga and buy $50 PrAna pants (which would have been awesome, yet financially irresponsible) or 2) go home, skip yoga, and watch Bones all evening. Guess which option won? Yes, the lazy option. But I am going tonight. 5:40, D'ana's Core class. I am going. I am going. I am going. Period.
In regards to my inability to sleep and rest, and the fact that I still had over $500 left on my cafeteria plan, I went to acupuncture. I went to the clinic on 39th, Dr. Zuo. Heavy Chinese accent, very friendly and funny. I like the place. He stuck some needless in my feet, legs, wrist and the crown of my head (first for me and it didn't feel good at all). Then he proceeded to hook up an electric current to my feet, my first reaction was panic, but I didn't let it show, I figured he's not out to kill me. I sucked it up, and started to feel a tapping and clicking in the bottom of my left foot. What a strange sensation. The other moment of panic came over me when Dr. Zuo then said "Okay. 20 minutes." and left closing the door and turning of the light. "Relax". I'm not a big fan of electricity, needles, blood, gore, fire, spiders and snakes bring it on... electricity is a little bit scary.

I'm just tired

That's it. I'm exhausted. I blame work. And Christmas. I skipped on running on Thursday. I got home and felt more like taking a nap than running. I did neither the nap or run. I did make it to yoga that evening, which made me feel less guilty about the run. Thursday seems to long ago, I can't even remember what I did in yoga. I'm going to assume there was some A and B series sun salutations... Oh yes, there was a sub, Kimmy subbed for Kim and we did some side crow-twig-stick flow. I am proud to say that at one point I got myself into side crow with legs extended, and for a split second I managed stick. It was a brief moment, but made me excited nonetheless. I mean stick (Eka Pada Koundiyanasana II)! It didn't look nearly as pretty as the picture, but the fact that everything except of two palms was off the ground is reason enough to celebrate. So I'm celebrating.

Unfortunately, that was my last serious activity for the week. I sicked everything on Friday, but I feel there was a good reason for it. I, of course, cannot recall right now, what that reason was, but I am most certain it was a good reason for not going to yoga. I have no real or imaginary excuse for Saturday. I just felt too lazy to go running, and the air looked gross too. So I didn't go. The only time I left the house, was to pick up fruits and veggies from the co-op. The dogs weren't to happy about it, but my energy levels were low, and mostly I just didn't care. Sunday I finally dragged myself out of the house and went for a run. It was a little late in the afternoon so the winter cold started to set in, but that's not what cut my run short. I intended to run 5 miles, figuring Pipeline was above the inversion layer. Boy was I wrong. The inversion layer has migrated deep into the canyon. I cut the run from 5 to a little less than 4 miles, and still felt like a chain smoked a pack of cigarettes when I got back. My lungs felt on fire. When are we going to finally get some precipitation to wash away that crap that's been hanging in the air for weeks now. I am ready. Ready for snow. Ready for cleaner air.
I already cancelled running plans for today, between the inversion layer and the threat of snow I'll be staying indoors. Yoga this evening is my only goal.

Model day

29F in the fog, over fresh fallen snow is definitely colder than 26F in the sun. I didn't warm up till past mile one. Regardless the lunch run was good. A little over 4 miles in a little over 40 minutes. The slightly slower pace I can attribute to the slippery path, icy patches covered with snow dust. I was, however, strong on my feet, even when Hijack barreled down the hill into my legs I managed to jump and keep running. I might've sent a few curses his way.
The trail was eerily beautiful. I wish I had a camera. The path was white from the snow and the trees looked frosty. The valley beneath my trail was filled with milky clouds so thick I couldn't see the southern wall of the canyon (pipeline, the running trail, runs approximately 700ft above the canyon road, parallel to the north face). I couldn't see the salt lake valley either, but my trail was crisp. Like I said, eerily beautiful and so quiet.

After round two at work, I barely made it to core yoga with D'ana. The class already started when I got there and I mustered the courage to walk into a packed class. Nobody flinched, they just slid their mats over to give me some room so I also could participate in the core torture. Maybe because I was late and mentally not fully in class, yet already out of work, thus in some sort of mental limbo, but the normally core kicking class seemed bearable. No, it didn't seem bearable, it just didn't seem. I was there, present, breathing, moving, but in most poses the body felt rather foreign. It was a rather strange state of being; I felt my muscles contracting, I felt breath filling my body but the pain was muffled, like hearing people talk while under water. The only pain I can't shake seems to be in my shoulders. They're so tight, that my normally favorite dolphin pose is uncomfortable. They even complained in plank, and in table I was pretty sure they would detach. Fortunately, I have many much $$ left on my medical cafeteria plan, so I'll be going to acupuncture this month till I use up the money. I have two things they can work on insomnia and shoulders, I might throw in hamstrings just for good measure.

Dolphin

Finally back to yoga class!

I know it's been less than a week since I've been to yoga, but it certainly felt like eternity. Not to mention the butt kicking I got from missing so many classes. Firefly? Crazy 8? Ouch. Well I was actually pretty proud of myself for how far I got in each pose. I couldn't get my legs all the way straight behind my head and shoulders in firefly, but I did get them lifted pretty high, and was looking up.
This being firefly...

Crazy 8, well it's crazy. I got my legs off the floor and crossed in front of my where I remained barely hovering. My butt is too heavy for my abs to lift, at least at this point. However, I'm pretty sure there is hope for me, and I will conquer said crazy 8 and y'all think I'm crazy!
Crazy 8:

The other pose that always gives me trouble, is Bird of Paradise. I just can't seem to straighten one or the other, back or leg. If I straighten my back, my leg bends; if I straighten my leg my back bends. Any suggestions? Other than of course practice practice practice... I got that ;)
Bird of Paradise:

Monday - Lame day

We had a site visit by a potential customer, so I couldn't get away during the day for a run, and now I am, yet again skipping yoga as I was bribed with free food at Market Street Grill. Apparently we're taking them out for dinner and I am invited, and who could say no to free fish!

Weekend Activities.

Today is my day off, as Sundays should be. Yesterday I left for my run later in the afternoon, so unfortunately some of the trail was in the shade already when I got there, and even more of it on my way back. Shade is not usually a bad thing, except when the temperature outside is approximately 25F, then shade is seriously cold. On the other hand it only makes you run faster. We did 6 miles, which was Hijack's first six miles running ever, and he did fantastic keeping up most of the time. Running in cold weather seems to be much more suiting to the Hijack. Murphy of course could care less what the weather is outside, as long as we're running. I really do hope one day that puppy can run a half marathon with me :) That would make momma proud.

So we ran 6 miles on the Pipeline trail in Millcreek, our usual stomping grounds. The iPod tells me my average pace for the whole run was ~10, which included a couple of stops to wait for Hijack to keep up and a water break at the creek for the dogs. So the actual running pace had to be faster. Which is good, cause I really don't want to run any slower than a 10. I am also no longer running in the Vibrams, because its almost winter and I run on ice, snow and slush and my toes would get just too cold and numb to run. Can't wait to get them back on in the spring though :)

I've been recently slacking at yoga, mostly because I've been working so late, that by the time I get out, its either after the classes have started or I am so hungry and exhausted yoga is the last thing on my mind. However, I am paying for it so I gots to get back to it. Tonight I am either going to go to a slow power class or yin yoga, haven't decided yet which, but they're not till the evening so I have some time to make up my mind.

Here's the plan for the upcoming week:

Day	Run	Yoga
Monday	Lunch w/Client	7:30PM - Power, Unplugged w/ Kate
Tuesday	OFF	6:00PM - Power 1& 2 w/Kim
Wednesday	12PM - 4miles @Millcreek Canyon	5:40PM - Core w/D'ana
Thursday	12PM - 5miles @Millcreek Canyon	6:00PM - Power 1 & 2 w/Kim
Friday	OFF	4:15PM - Core w/Kate
Saturday	noon-ish: 6miles @Millcreek Canyon	OFF
Sunday	OFF	8:30AM Core w/D'ana 10:00AM Power 1 & 2 w/D'ana

Run 1

I was able to break away from work today for two hours to run! The weather was most excellent, even though at the trail head my car said it was 26F. The sun was out but I had so few layers on, I though I would freeze. I did not, it was perfect, as were the dogs. Hijack even ran most of the way, and when he lagged behind, he caught up sprinting mad down the trail. 4 miles felt good, I could've kept going, but had to go back to work, and I am running again tomorrow.
The training for the marathon officially begins in January, so this is just a warm up, mostly to figure out my work-run-work-yoga schedule. The plan is to run Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during the work day, around noonish, when there is most sun and warmth and then do the long distance running on Saturday. Intertwine that with yoga for cross-training purposes and hopefully I can get into marathon shape by the time the marathon rolls around.

Changing gears.

So, I am totally over the bible. Its boring, irrelevant, boring, and honestly I can hardly muster an opinion about it, other than I just don't get it, I don't see the point. I'll keep reading it, when insomnia hits, but I will no longer comment on it. Its hard enough to read it, even harder to formulate a coherent opinion. Selah.

On a happier, more interesting and current note I have signed up for my first marathon today. The run is on April 21st, which is perfect timing for a half way point until my goal of 50 at 30, that would be the 50 miles I plan to run on my 30th birthday in October. No, I am not 30 yet and you're jealous :-P

So from here on out, until I get bored and/or distracted with something more shiny, this will become my training blog. Why you ask? Cause I like to copy my little sister since she's wicked cool.