Training logs: November

Since I’m not in training for anything exciting, I haven’t been putting a whole lot of thought into my workouts. If I’m being honest, I’ve skipped a whole bunch because I a) didn’t feel like it, b) am still trying to figure out this whole dark-after-work thing, c) want more sleep, and d) am lazy.

Fear not, though! I’m not totally comatose and just sitting on the couch picking my nose. There’s a visual for ya.

At any rate, I’ve been running from time to time for 3 miles or so, and I just picked up a sweet screaming-pink (ok, Target calls it “Rosa Coral”) long-sleeve top to help motivate me for nighttime runs. Consider this a friendly reminder for you to wear bright colors and reflective gear and to run opposite traffic if you’re venturing out at night.

I’ve also been heading to the gym to focus on strength training, generally testing out workouts I’ve found on Pinterest. I’ve hit Zumba class and BodyPump, and I’m hoping to try out some more in the coming months.

Lastly, my town has a new yoga studio! I went to a class last week and was the only one there, so I got a private class with the instructor. They put out a Groupon last week (edit: available until 11/14), so I picked up a 10-class card for only $44! The biggest issue with me practicing yoga more regularly at a studio was not wanting to pay for a gym membership AND a yoga class card. For such a steep discount, I figured it was totally worth it. They’re not running teacher trainings at this studio, so that’s still something I’m researching for next year.

What’s next: the great debate

And I don’t mean the presidential ones. Here all week, folks!

I mean now that I’ve run my half marathon and completed a triathlon, what’s next on the horizon as far as fun and fitness are concerned? It’s simple and it’s not all at once.

Marathon

The next distance in line for tackling, right? Of course. At this stage of the game, I’m researching late spring marathons to determine which one will be my first. Considering we have 7 weddings to go to next year, the budget just isn’t there for a fun destination like Disney or anywhere really south of DC or west of New York.

Also important to consider is how hilly the course is. After running a VERY hilly first half, I didn’t think it would be possible to run another mile, never mind another 13.1. Plus, we don’t have a ton of long meandering hills where we are, so training for that scenario would be a big challenge and probably require lots of time on the treadmill (ugh).

I know I’m awful at following training schedules, but I’m going to really try this time around so I don’t run into injury. Injury prevention and cross-training sort of leads into my next thought…

Yoga teacher training

This is something I’ve toyed around with for a while in real life, but haven’t really addressed here. I’ve been practicing yoga on and off for about four years, and I’ve always felt something was missing when I haven’t had a regular practice. Unfortunately, my gym only offers one session (maybe two) I can make it to on a semi-regular basis, and my budget is a little tight for a gym membership and a yoga studio membership.

Still, I love it, and I love the effect yoga’s had on my mind-body connection and general sense of calm I’ve been able to attain through my practice. I had a phenomenal instructor when I first started out and she showed me how to make my practice my own and feel the connections and what a great instructor can do for a practice. She inspired me to be a better yogini, for sure! I’d love to be half as great a teacher she is.

There’s also the plus side that a more pronounced yoga influence can have:

• Further deepening my sense of calm
• Deepening my mind-body connection and relating it to other forms of exercise (anyone else practice yoga breathing while running?)
• Side income if I’m able to teach a few classes or substitute when my schedule allows
• Easier pregnancy and labor? Maybe just wishful thinking…

The other thing to consider is the cost. In my research into programs in our area, the going rate seems to be $2,000-3,000. As we’re saving for a down payment on our house and trying to keep a lean budget, this is no small amount. I do think I’ve found a program that allows a pay-as-you-go option for the different modules, so that may be my best option. I have to check out a few classes there before I make a decision, though.

Other things

I’ve toyed with the idea of a family triathlon relay next year, maybe early summer. Since I’ve been able to prove my prowess in the field, I may be traveling more for work. We still have our responsibilities at Our Historic House (Christmas Tea fast approaching!). Like I said, we have 7 weddings next year that are confirmed and on the books… and might have another 3! As our savings grow, we’re looking at houses more seriously. Once the house domino falls, the dog and family-starting dominoes fall very shortly thereafter. We’ve discussed our timeline (generally, these things never seem to go as planned and we know that) for these three biggies (house, dog, baby), and I want to make sure I’m not adding a ton of extra stress to our life for those major milestones by training for a marathon or learning how to teach yoga, not to mention the financial burden. I want to be present and enjoy the process! Of everything!

What do you think?

Is it crazy to train for a marathon and complete a yoga teacher training program at the same time? Could one benefit the other? Will they both take over my life? Do I already have too much going on? No, don’t answer the last one– the answer is “yes.”

What are your next grand plans! I wanna hear ‘em!

I swam!

Proof I did, in fact, swim before my triathlon. Or at least posed next to the pool.

It stings the nostrils!

I came home from babysitting and food shopping tonight and smelled something foul. We’ve had animals die in the walls of Our Old House, so this isn’t the first time, but it smelled different. More like a locker room.

This was the reason:

My friends, though it looks innocent enough, don’t be fooled: that shirt on the right smells enough to make your eyes water. And it’s in my bedroom.

This is the unglamorous side to running and fitness in general: stench management. Work out hard enough for enough times in the same clothes, especially the good sweat-wicking stuff (like the white shirt and the white sports bra you see above) and you get perma-stink.

The good news is that it’s hanging up so it’s not moldering away in a pile and stinking up the rest of the laundry waiting to go. More good news: it’s not in my kitchen. Bad news: it’s definitely in my bedroom and it definitely stinks.

Anyone have any tips for dealing with perma-stink or managing sweaty workout gear waiting to be washed? PLEASE SHARE! You may be able to smell this from there.

Resolutions

‘Tis that time of year again, when we look back on the past 12 months to see if we’ve accomplished our resolutions.

I didn’t. My one resolution was to take a cooking class of some sort, and I just never got around to it. I accomplished one of my goals, though! I wanted to meet with a financial planner to discuss our finances and debt reduction, and we did.

I did do a lot more cooking, though, and trying out recipes and techniques that I’d never encountered before. Maybe I can count my self-education (with cookbooks and the Food Network, naturally) toward my resolution. Anyone?

This year, I have to step it up. There’s a lot going on, what with us getting married and at least 3 other weddings we’ve been invited to, keeping our finances straight, and the general craziness of everyday life. Here’s what I’d like to resolve:

• Be active (gym, running, Wii Fit, really intense cleaning session, whatever) for 30 minutes twice a week. Minimum. More is better, but at least twice. This will probably get easier when there’s more sunlight and nice weather, but I am definitely counting days of skiing.
• Organize myself. I have a tendency to drop my stuff on the kitchen table when I get home from work, and I thrive in piles. To the observer, they look like a mess, but I know exactly where everything is. But I need to file bills away and put folded laundry away on a more regular basis.
• Write letters. No one gets nice letters anymore, and that’s no fun. All the mail we get is junk or bills. I want to write at least one letter a month to send to a friend. We have a friend stationed in Iraq and a friend stationed in Afghanistan, so they’ll definitely be prime candidates for letter-writing.
• Pay off a damn credit card. I’ve wanted to do this the past few years, but this year, I’m really going to do it. I was thrown off last year by my layoff, and wound up having to use my credit card, to my chagrin. Not this year. It might not be frozen in a block of ice, but I’m not using it anymore.  Finito. I’d love to have one paid off by June and the other by December, so let’s see how it goes.
• Be nice. People have noticed I have a generally angry personality (especially at work… oops) but I want to change that. I’m going to try to be nicer on the train in particular. This might be more of an exercise in zen emotion control, but I’m going to try. And maybe I’ll swear less. But only maybe, since most of it’s in my internal monologue anyway (I think). Optimism will be key here.

What are your resolutions?