“Mental will is

a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body.” -Lynn Jennings

4.8K @ 7'36
http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/activity/running/detail/2113090614?external_share_id=b6ed1e4f-d802-4fe3-95f7-a5fc7633c1a8&fb_action_ids=10100477670527457&fb_action_types=nikeapp%3Arun&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map=%7B%2210100477670527457%22%3A623474887678093%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210100477670527457%22%3A%22nikeapp%3Arun%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

This particular quote is oh, so appropriate for today. The weather conditions tonight were less than ideal for me after not having run for the better part of 3 months (with the exception of my resolution run).

So,  I am supposed to be running another 10K race in a couple months. I have not, as of yet, registered for the race. I will get around to it. I have planned to train according to that date. It's a pretty intense schedule of running 6 days a week. Some things have changed since I last wrote. I am currently 'between jobs'. I got sick of being underemployed as a cleaner and picked up a contract job working on a research project. I could have kept the cleaning as a security measure knowing the contract was ending at the end of February but decided it was time to cut the safety net and start my career. So if anyone knows of anyone looking for a stellar social worker direct them my way. With this new found free time I hope to log more training time.

I also met with a specialist last week who is an internist regarding my pancreas and all the stuff going on inside me, which is a lot... Not much to report on that front I have been referred for a CT to take a look at the little fella and see if he's shrivelled up, falling apart, and so forth. I was referred from my nurse at the diabetes clinic (who I incidentally bumped into tonight at the gym...more on that...). I check in there on a monthly basis pretty much. Last week I met with the dietitian who asked how much activity I do and I told her yoga 3 times a week, she said, "wow". I didn't think it was that impressive but I appreciated the awe, regardless. Two days later I'm with the specialist. He asks me the same thing and he says, "no, I mean real exercise" I was quite indignant and told him that an hour of yoga burns 247 calories. (I have to concede, spinning burns 7-800 but that wasn't the point!) I also asked him if he'd done yoga, when he said no I said "well, there you go" when really I wanted to tell him to shut his trap. I'd already called another doctor stupid (which I'm not sure he appreciated) at that point so figured I would take it easy on the guy.

He also told me that once you start exercising you don't want to stop. I was also tempted to tell him that I had trained for 10K and stopped running immediately after race day and trained for the tri in the summer and still didn't feel compelled to continue exercising beyond the minimal yoga that I'd kept up. I dont' have anything against the guy but, don't lie to me about how "addicting" exercise is. Yes, I enjoy it. But I would still rather not go for a 40 minute run in the rain regardless of how many times I've done it.

So tonight, I went to a yoga class with a couple of my friends and I happened to bump into my nurse who referred me (see, I told you I'd get back to it) and I told her about the appt and that he said yoga wasn't real exercise. As I bid her adieu I told her I was going to "exercise" and she told me she would tell  him that she saw me "exercising". I appreciated it. I hope she does. I'm also going to print off articles about the health benefits of yoga for him for my next appt. I strongly believe that yoga is for everyone and a great way to ease into exercise for the inactive. Frick.

Back to the run for the day. I had been waiting for it to stop raining before I went for a run. It rained all day. After yoga I had to suck it up and head out. Full disclosure- it was laundry day- Thus, I had to run in a damp sports bra. It made me want to run even less. I hate rain, I hate March, uncomfortable bra, first run back. The odds were against me enjoying the event.

I rain in the rain with my new contacts, I liked the fact that I didn't have drops impeding my view, there's nothing I could do about the fact that it was march but the 6 degrees made for the perfect running temperature. I didn't even notice the bra. I figure that since I swam in it for the tri and didn't notice it that I would actually be ok after all, it was just an excuse.

First run back- I am not sure about others but I always find them difficult. It's always most difficult to just get out there. I did run the first 2km with a stitch, I chose music that would really distract me and I chose well tonight. Even though I haven't been out I have learned a lot about my body and how I feel running. I knew at kilometre 3 that that's where I was just because I felt good and finally in a groove at that point. The last 2 were really good, actually. I was REALLY tired by the end and it was definitely a struggle picking up the pace in the last 400 but I felt good knowing that I had worked hard.

I was exhausted when I heard that my pace was 7'36. It really made it worth the effort for me. I am always happy with anything sub 7'45 so that pace time was fantastic! I'd made a point of not checking it through the run knowing I just wanted to finish as I didn't expect too much from myself.

Just an update on my last post. I did get my coat from the race and it looks great and fits me. I had forgotten that I had it and should have given it a go tonight.

Here's a link to some fantastic sports GIFs
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/the-funniest-sports-gifs-of-2012

I super enjoy Usain Bolt, the coach who can't make a heart and the worst pitch of all time.

Namaste.

New Schedule

34 minutes at 8'08 = 4.21k

Hiya, I know this one's posted a day late for all my avid readers (haha). Today's runs was one of those that I just did for the sake of doing, I didn't exactly enjoy it.

I started a job this week and am training for it from 4pm to midnight. I am not a morning person and often used to run at night. Clearly, this was no longer an option. I wondered if I would still be able to stick to a schedule with my new hours of operation. I successfully did it. Even making it to the gym one day for a cycling workout. I even did my sun salutations in public while there. I also tried aqua zumba today. So fun. I wouldn't really consider it a huge cardio workout but really really fun!

Back to running though, I really try to do it Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays because you should get 30 minutes of cardio a day. I used to run 3 days on one off then another 3. I've started to incorporate other forms or cardio exercise into my routine because I also would like to do that try-a-tri. I've noticed that I'm not progressing as quickly with my running in speed than I was when I was running more frequently. I do however, find that I am exercising with more frequency and regularity.

Last week I'd gotten into a discussion with my brother about fitting exercise into your day. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada to stay fit you should:

Be active at least 2.5 hours a week to achieve health benefits.

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Focus on moderate to vigorous aerobic activity throughout each week, broken into sessions of 10 minutes or more.

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Get stronger by adding activities that target your muscles and bones at least two days per week.

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/hl-mvs/pa-ap/07paap-eng.php

It's REALLY not that much. If I could go from 0 minutes of activity to about 3.5 a week, in two months, take it from me it's not bad and easy to do. I like writing this blog because I literally did NOTHING for a long time exercise wise and now I feel like I am moderately active. Back to the discussion with my bro (who I love dearly). He's a chef and works long hours and spends a lot of time on his feet. He was saying how tired he was and doesn't feel like working out after those long difficult days. I don't blame him at all. I did point out that it can be broken up into 10 minute segments, so his walk to the gym could be considered his warm up, do some weight training and then walk home as a cool down to save time. Or do something at home. I find that that is often something I have to do and I refer to various youtube videos or dvds from the library to do so.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's really easy to fit into any schedule as long as you find something that you enjoy doing. I know I say that again and again but it's true that everyone has their "thing" they just need to figure out what it is.

One last item, I've now gotten hits from Russia and have 6 readers there. Interesting.

Happy (long, for some) weekend!