12/8/13-1/16/14: Days 162-201

So I survived the 31 days of “running” in December! OK, I missed one day (because I was sick and had a fever). I still almost ran that day.  But I didn’t-I’m getting smarter J I did make up for it by doubling up on another day. Yes, I’m a bit obsessive. And there was a week in there where I wasn’t feeling well, so a couple of days I simply went out and walked a couple of miles. So “running” included walking, walk/running, running, and elliptical. But I did it everyday! And I ended up logging just over a hundred miles for the month, which for me is fantastic! Very happy with that result. I haven’t run as much in January, but I’m still trying to run at least 2-3 times/week. But I’m also increasing my other training. I’m trying to do everything a minimum of 2-3 times/week: running, swimming, biking, and strength/yoga.

So I’m increasing my training and trying to ease myself into following an official plan.  Sometimes I think this blog should really be called, “From zero to ironman in 365 days.” With some handstands thrown in for fun, of course! (http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11284/5-reasons-you-should-do-handstands-every-day.html) I have made the decision to create my own training plan this year. While I loved working with a coach last year and I would love to do so again, it’s simply not in the budget right now. Also, given my health, I feel that I would need to work with a coach on a more intensive level so that the plan could be catered to me very specifically (this of course costs more). So I’m going to have a plan to follow, but the main goal is going to be to listen to my body. I feel that’s definitely one of my lessons with this whole thing and certainly easier said than done. But my hope is to use the plan as a guideline, do what’s best for me, and to stay healthy.

Wait, stay healthy? Not, get healthy? While I would not say that I’m “cured” or that I’m 100%, I am having more and more good days. More and more days where I feel like myself again. More days where I can push harder and recover quicker. More days where I feel happier. Turns out I’m happier when I have energy and I can do things that I enjoy J Who knew!? I am feeling incredibly grateful for those good days.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that I almost always feel better after doing yoga. It’s almost as if I feel like I’m getting my gymnastics body back. Now I’m nowhere near as strong or as flexible as I used to be, but it’s like my body remembers. I don’t know if that’s actually possible of not, but that’s what it feels like. I’m feeling stronger. I’m feeling more flexible. I’m feeling more like me. And I feel like that’s something that I’ve been missing for a long time.

I’m also loving the mental aspect of yoga. One of my favorite teachers has a mantra, “Yes you can.” It’s simple but powerful. So often, especially when we’re facing a challenge or struggling, it is so easy to think or say, “I can’t do that.” The words, “I can’t” are uttered all too often and effortlessly. So change that pattern, change that mantra. “Yes you can.” So next time you catch yourself feeling defeated or uttering, “I can’t do that,” change it. State the opposite, try it, and see what happens.