If I woke up tomorrow and knew that I could never run again...

I'd be very very sad. But I'd be ok. Its something I've gone back and forth about. While being here in Oregon I've really wanted to run but it hasn't been a possibility since, towards the beginning of my visit, I threw my low back out.

A week or so ago, in my yoga class, my instructor said to think of something you are deeply grateful for and I had to choose my ability to move and do yoga. Yes, its incredibly discouraging and frustrating to have all these set-backs, but I'm still able to go through a super intense 60 or 75 min hot yoga class or hop on the eliptical and sweat it up. I am also able to pick up my not-so-teeny nephew and spin him around, or race him up and down the street.

So yes, running may not be something I can do again,to the extent I'd like, (or maybe I will!!!) but I'm super grateful for everything else I can do.

And...one day, maybe I'll run here ;)

Keeping on

I thought about our blog the other day and realized I didn't want it to go defunct. Hope, I like your idea so much, and I feel that we ongoing care we can continue the Sister's Log. And, hey, that's a lot like keeping up on your exercise routinue, no?

In that spirit, I was looking back in these past years and wanted to share a brag. The YMCA race results for the latest (last year) for my 5k:

 Division: Women - 30-39

       1. Brooke Roberts, Richmond, CA                32    0:22:11   O'All:     2
       2. Ann Eberhardt, Martinez, CA                 30    0:27:56   O'All:    10
       3. Fina Prak, Hercules, CA                     32    0:29:26   O'All:    14
       4. Gabriela Ruiz de Mejia, Richmond, CA        31    0:33:07   O'All:    23
       5. Heather Kulp, Richmond, CA                  37    0:33:27   O'All:    24

Yup, I got second place in my division. I had never placed before, so I was surprised when the following week my co-worker Shannon came in with a medal for me.

Also, another piece to share is my joining a yoga studio -- well a trial membership for a month. I have been to about 20 classes in the last three weeks. I have done hot yoga basics and then the full hot yoga class -- so sweaty. The pose that I find the most ridiculous is the (half) lotus. You lay on your belly on the mat while smooshing your arms under your body with your palms on the mat. If that is not awkward enough, you are then supposed to lift both legs in the air while your lips are squashed down on a soaked-with-sweat yoga mat.  You follow me?

The best part about joining the studio, other than then natural high from unnatural body contortions, is facing a fear. I had looked into joining the studio when I moved here now years (!) ago but felt too intimidated to go. I was so nervous when I made it inside the first time, that I could barely fill out the form. I managed to start the next day in a basics class and then began to eagerly explore the options, running home after class to check the schedule for the next day. It gave me a place, outside of my apartment, where I could feel a degree of safety and consistency.

Today I will probably go to a yin class -- which, for Yoga Sol, basically consists of laying on the mat with your legs drapped over the rounded cushion and sandbags for pressure on your feet. So relaxing.

Getting Back in the groove

It has been quite awhile since I have last posted. I haven't had anything overly enlightening or inspiring to share so I guess that might be why I haven't written. But, I thought it would be fun to just share my latest routines and such!

I have been doing quite a bit of yoga lately. I LOVE Yoga Glo. It has been key to my recovery with its classes specific to runners and also just low key classes to help me to SOMETHING after work. It can be hard, when I come home after work exhausted, to want to do anything. Even if I do a very low key yoga class I feel accomplished.

I have also been doing weight lifting with Eugene! He has showed me some of the lifts he does; dead lift, squat, & bench press. I have to admit that, among everything that I do, this is probably my most challenging activity. I feel like I have to walk into a man-cave in the weights area and also feel just unfamiliar with the equipment. I have done a couple solo workouts but I have decided to try and go at least once a week and to go with Eugene (its about all we can do anyhow). That way I feel much more comfortable and can be with him while I get use to being in that space. I do hope to continue doing this kind of working out while in Oregon! I feel so strong- I went up to 115lbs for a squat on Sunday! :-)

Running!! I am running about three days a week. Last week I felt like I needed a little break- I ran a total of about 6 miles (my average weekly mileage is 7-8 miles). Joy's most recent post was a good reminder to KEEP listening to my body to avoid injury. I have a new funny feeling in my body and am trying to make sure I take care of it and don't over do it (its calve-calf? related). Yesterday I ran four miles!! I am really loving developing my new relationship with movement. I feel like its an old friend that I had been distant from in awhile and am now getting to know it again with a new perspective. For instance, I use to HATE doing much speed work. It actually made me anxious. But now I find myself wanting to just GO and I do a lot of it (I think that is thanks to the strengthening)- and I don't see it as work but rather as a moment to run free, to fly.

That is the jist of my active activity (with a little Jazz and other dance every now and again).

I really appreciate this blog and also just conversations with you both about exercise. I feel so lucky to have you both and Eugene in my life that love movement. I is continually encouraging.

Keep up the good work my lovelies!!!

PS: here is a fun and goofy picture of me pretending to do yoga at the forest preserve in Oregon :-)

Bum knee

Yesterday I laced up for a run. I'd been waiting to run all day. With Luke's brother Marc visiting, my run had been delayed until after lunch. Finally, I thought as I left the house, I'm getting out. I eased into a gentle pace and a twinge hit me in my left hip. I crossed the street to remove myself from seeing eyes and stretched. I used the stretches you taught me, Hope, in Mexico. After a moment I tried again. Same twinge of pain, same place, same pause for stretching. I felt silly as a couple passed me for the second time stretching during my halted run. After walking a couple blocks, I tried one last time. The tightness didn't ease up and I quickly slowed to a gentle walk.

The day was beautiful. Thankfully, I remembered your advice Hope about listening to your body. I thanked myself for getting out and enjoyed the leaves murmuring in the breeze as the sun tickled my neck. I hobbled slightly walking and realized the treasure of mobility I take so often for granted. I headed home.

Popping into the living room, I started up my strength training DVD by Petra. Tian tried joining me briefly but thankfully Luke took him out front so they could watch me from the porch. Tian turned around on the bench and watched his mommy pick up 5lb weights and lunge and squat and lunge and squat. Thankfully, my hip felt fine. I'm not sure why the difference. I managed a 65 minute work up without pain. My sweaty tired body thanked me afterwards. I felt strong and content.

I feel like I've learned so much from you, Hope, listening to your struggle with your hip. I hope none of us have troubles in the future but we probably will. Hopefully we can always find ways to be active.

When you can't run, pick up weights and squat! :)

Location:Portland, OR

What a BEAUtiful day!

My friend Cassie told me about a Nike app for running last week during out skype date. She got me really excited to try it because she has also had issues with her knee. She inspired me since she said she has been feeling so much better and has been using the Nike App to help.



Today I went out for my second run with the app! After doing a short 20 min yoga glo warm up I laced up, grabbed both door and gate key, ipod and sunglasses, and headed out to Mountain.

The app does this little countdown "Start run in 3...2...1!" The morning was chilly, perfect for running because even if you warm up you wont over heat. I've been working hard on paying close attention to my stride and making sure I 'follow through' and use both legs equally.

I can tell I'm still getting back into the groove because I started out like those newbies we used to run with Ann! All fast (faster than a 10 min/mi pace) and so I made sure to slow it down.

I went a similar route that we ran on when you were here Ann! Joy- I live under a mile from this awesome river trail! So I ran up there today and crossed this bridge (I think its the bridge we used to called "The Bridge the Tarabithia") and ran down to campbell, crossed the major bridge and headed back.

This whole time I felt pretty great. I realized at one point that neither my low back nor my hip was bothering me, I only had a slight tightness in my left knee.



On the return loop I was feeling super amped and really wanted to just run fast! I have been running so much on the treadmill its just not the same to sprint on a treadmill as it is outside. So, I hit the "powersong" button on my Nike app (you can choose these songs to really get you going when you need/want it!) I was excited when "My Life Would Suck Without you" by Kelly Clarkson came up.

You know that feeling you get when you're having a good run? Your legs are bouncing and you are just moving through space smoothly? Like you're flying! It was fantastic! I ended up sprinting/running fast about four different times. My lungs definitely aren't at what they were a few years back when I was running further and faster but it felt like freedom, like flight! I finished my run 2.66 miles in 27.28 mins. not my fastest time ever and definitely not my furthest distance ever but still one of my most memorable runs. A run that make me think again "Oh! I'm a runner!"



It feels good to be back! (and I hope I stay back!)

PS: I'm not saying the Nike app is the reason I had a great run, rather it was just part of my experience!

Old Poems

So a friend of mine inspired me to try and start writing again and in the process of saving my writings I came across a file full of poems I wrote in highschool. Most of them I think eventually end up with me talking about God which is to be expected, but I just came across this one and I remember writing it even though I don't exactly remember the circumstances. The last couple lines to harken to a "Him" ie God...but I was actually quite moved by what my 17/18 year old self wrote.. I'm curious to know what you two think!

Being Blind

How do I put this?
How do I say this?
Who am I to turn to?
Where am I to go?
I’m feeling a strong restlessness in my soul
I wanna run and scream but instead I’m sitting here hiding
Where is the peace that you promised when things go wrong?
Where is the love that is supposed to abound?
It seems like I can’t see past my nose today
All I wanna do is curl up and cry
I didn’t want to see things get so complicated
But now they are out of control
So many things are twisting through me and I’m trying to get a strong grip
But how am I to know if I’m right?
Oh I know I’m right but I feel so alone
I’ve been rejected, shot down and pushed away
Only because I’m standing for the truth am I set aside
And now every other pain seems to be torn open again
And though healed it had never been
I hide my hurt and ache with a smile of excitement of a whim of anger
Oh please bring to me peace and not endless torture
Bring it together, bring it and make it all right
But not today or at least not now
Stretching my mind to things of old and my heart swells
And tears are on the verge
Please hold me for I have no strength to hold onto anything
I want so much but I need only unconditional love
So all my friends may abandon me but He’ll remain true
For even sorrow cannot separate me from His love
Which right now I see so faint
Day by day
Keep me from being blind

On the contrary

I heard talk about opposite day but I suggest we institute a contrary day. It would go something like this . . .

"On the contrary I don't feel like waking up at 5:15am and meditating. I think I will sleep in instead."
"On the contrary I don't want to do yoga; I think I will walk around barefoot instead."
"On the contrary I don't want to study all day and try to catch up on my readngs. I think I will watch an old TV show while cooking yams and squash."
"On the contrary I don't feel like being strict paleo today. I am going to my local Starbucks instead."
"On the contrary I don't want to do laundry . . . "

I think you all get the idea. Plus a contrary day is versatile. Not only can it apply to exercise but other activities as well. These days are also excellent in promoting a bumming-it lifestyle that helps avoid such irritating activities such as showering, combing hair, and listening to the news. They increase well-being by allowing for self-expression while decreasing anxiety from trying for perfection.

All around Ann recommended.

Whatcha all think?