Setting Intentions

First off, today is International Yoga Day and I managed to complete my first yoga class yesterday after work.

It's been a long time since I've unrolled a mat at a studio. This was also my first time at this particular studio and I loved it! In all honesty it was the best yoga class I've attended and it was exactly what I needed to help me to let go and set my intentions for myself. The teacher, Kara, was subbing in for someone else and she was absolutely fantastic. She teaches other classes at the studio so I hope to run into her again.

I felt immediately welcomed when I arrived. The studio is small and quaint with no real office area, so I nearly walked into the class that was ahead of me. I decided to wait on the bench outside when Kara approached me and we struck up a conversation right away. She was friendly and made me feel more than welcomed. I borrowed a mat (I need to invest in my own) and stationed myself right in front so I could follow along. It was calming and challenging at the same time. I truly feel this is going to be a great balance for my half marathon training.

Tonight was a little difficult to get motivated to run, but I got it done nonetheless.

Distance Ran: 1.00 miles
Duration of Run: 12:57 minutes
Pace of Run: 12:57 minutes/mile
Goals Crushed: Distance for July 2017

Full List of Monthly Goals

I've been off all day and I wanted nothing more than to just veg on the couch and relax. I did most of the day, but I managed to get going after dinner. The challenge is always getting to the gym, once I'm there I can always get moving.

I hit the treadmill and started up my Pandora. Of course one of my favorite, Lindsey Stirling songs came on and I decided to walk sans music in order to save it for the beginning of my run.

Once I began felt okay for the most part until around 0.30 miles. I tend to get clammy and feel like my skin is suffocating from being to hot. It usually subsides once I catch a breeze or break a sweat, but that feeling is the worst and always makes me want to stop.

I visualized finishing at 1.0 miles and blowing past the 0.75 I completed on Monday, but it wasn't easy and I had to push myself. I was more aware of my breathing, trying to match my inhale and exhale from my yoga class on Tuesday. It seemed to help.

I can now say that I've completed my goals for July already (0.94 mile distance and 10 minute duration). I feel like I can now work on getting my pace down between now and August and hopefully crush those goals as well. My pace is already down from Monday, so I'm confident it'll come down over the next month too.

I'll either be taking Slow Flow Yoga again tomorrow or Hot Vinyasa Yoga depending on what time I leave work

Pandora Playlist that got me through today:

"Crystallize" - Lindsey Stirling
"Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" - Skrillex
"Moar Ghosts 'n' Stuff" - Deadmau5
"Cinema (Feat. Gary Go) (Radio Edit)" - Benny Benassi

Heels up, Bottoms up..
*Ida Jade

Making Changes

1st Run:

Distance Ran: 0.75 miles
Duration of Run: 10:01 minutes
Pace of Run: 13:21 minutes/mile
Goals Crushed: Duration for July 2017

2nd Run:

Distance Ran: 0.25 miles
Duration of Run: 3:15 minutes
Pace of Run: 13:00 minutes/mile

Full List of Monthly Goals

It's been 205 days since my last run and that's not okay, but I made a positive change today apologizing to myself and it sucked.

No really, it was rough.

I walked for 5 minutes to warm up and cued up my Pandora. The first few minutes weren't terrible, but as I approached minutes 7 and 8 I felt like I was going to collapse. I was slow, but I got it done. I had it in my head that I wanted to do a mile and I eventually did with a little help from my playlist.

Once I hit 0.75 miles and 10 minutes I decided to slow down to a walk and then the music changed. Lindsey Sterling's incredible talent motivated me to start back up and after 0.1 miles and I manged to squeak out another 0.25 miles and 3:15 minutes. It was rough and sloppy, but worth it..so worth it.

Now to stick to it.

Looking forward to yoga tomorrow. :)

Pandora Playlist that got me through today:

"Human" - Christina Perri
"Fight Song" - Rachel Platten
"Crystallize Mashup (Remix by Wild Children)" - Lindsey Stirling
"Right In" - Skrillex
"Cinema (Maurizio Gubellini Remix)"- Benny Benassi

Heels up, Bottoms up..
*Ida Jade

A Birthday Present to Myself

I let myself, my health, and my body down in the past half year. I was on such a roll and let myself fall off track because of holidays, being sick, a new role at work, and school and I despise myself for it.

My long term goal is still the same - I'm going to run the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon in November 2018.

I now have a lot less time and I did this to myself. There is no one else to blame, but I do believe I can get myself back on track.

My gift to myself for my 28th birthday this coming Monday:

1. Run a minimum of 12x per month starting in July
I started to run again today.
2. Yoga class 2x a week
I'm planning on going to a yoga place tomorrow near work to check it out. 
3. Drink less
While it's hard to not drink since I help to run Adroit and part of my job is to write up our tasting notes..I'm going to limit myself and only drink when I've already worked out that day.
4. Eat better

Josh is always helpful with this, but I need to stop eating out just because it's convenient.

Heels up, Bottoms up..
*Ida Jade