Tough Tuesday

5:30 pm 3.03 miles 37:26 12:26 pace 94 degrees

(Yesterday was cross-training. I worked abs with a yoga DVD here at home. No where near as much fun as taking a class but I'm feeling sore - in all the right places - today. It felt like a good workout and having taken so many yoga classes, I was able to follow the cues.)

Today's run was a bit of a letdown after the lovely weather this weekend. I felt like I was plodding along and had to fight myself to finish that 3rd mile and not call it quits after 2.

I've said it so many times. Anyone can do this. It's not physical. It's mental.

No day felt more so than today. And it was only 3 miles.

But I'm done and I'm sipping my gatorade.

Here's to you, my supporters. I appreciate your comments (and your private emails and texts). You're a big part of what keeps me going. Cheers!




©Michelle Scofield, September 24, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Hips Don't Lie

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 12, Day 7

Planned: Cross training
Hatha yoga class
Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 41

Pigeon pose.  For those who take/teach yoga, you know what I mean.  Every mile I put in last week - out there, on the mat. 

Gratitude?  Something like that.


©Michelle Scofield, Dec. 2, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Out of the Darkness, A Child's Voice

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 9, Day 7
Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 63
Planned activity: Cross Train
9:45 am  Hatha Yoga Class


I had to admit it.  I had very little to wear.  My one pair of dress pants looked more like jodhpurs - ridiculous.  After I wore them to work Wednesday, I washed them and put them in the donate section of my closet.  I had to go shopping. 

I read a lot of fashion magazines.  I watch fashion shows on the net.  I read fashion blogs.  I go to live fashion shows when I get an invite and I've been known to crash an opening or two.  I love fashion.  I've been thinking a lot about how to replace my wardrobe and I came up with one word. 

Black.

I walked toward Nordstrom's with resolve. I scolded myself.  I'm too easily drawn to the red dress, the green skirt, the gold blouse.  Good God, I just described myself as a Christmas tree.  I cajoled myself.  Black is slimming.  I've come so far in my fight to regain my former body.  Wearing black will only make me look better.  I coached myself.  I can do it!  I talked to my rational (read: frugal) self.  If I'm going to spend money now, I'm going to purchase a few quality pieces and they're going to be black. I have black boots (too many to count), black leather jackets (yes - that's plural), and black coats.


However.  But.  On the other hand...

I was also feeling mellow and gooshy on the inside from my yoga class.  I'd blissed out during the Savasana and was finding myself receptive to everyone I came across this afternoon.  I'd chatted with sales people and fellow shoppers as if we were old friends.  I was walking out of the department store with a bag full of black t-shirts, black sweaters, black tights, and black pants when a little girl shrieked in delight and shouted to me, "Elmo!" 

Maybe a little color in my life isn't such a bad thing. 

I'd worn my Sesame Street t-shirt on my shopping trip.  Hey, at least I'm not the only one who likes it.  




©Michelle Scofield, Nov 11, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Spice of Life

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 6, Day 7

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 83
Planned activity: Cross Train
Hatha Yoga Class

Variety. 

Anyone who knows me (really knows me) knows that I get bored easily.  I change jobs, I move.  I paint a room.  I move my furniture.  I always have 4 books going at the same time - reading and sometimes writing.

This running thing is messing with my head.  I'm trying to switch up my routes.  I'm listening to podcasts because music seems to disappear into the background of my brain and my thoughts take over.  Music doesn't keep me busy enough to fight boredom on a long run.  Listening to the conversation - the back and forth - of a radio program works better. 

I'm trying to fit yoga into my fitness routine because it helps me turn off and tune out.  I was a little surprised to see a couple of young girls in today's class.  I mean really young girls (somewhere between 9 and 11 years old?).   It was cool.  They took the class seriously, did their own thing, and hopefully they're not going to be nearly as uptight as some adults (ME!) when they grow up.  It's great to see kids involved in healthy pursuits so early.

A girlfriend and I went to an art event last night.  We put on cocktail dresses, high heels, and sparkly jewelry and drove into Houston.  It was a nice event but within an hour we knew we were all dressed up and wanted to have a little more, um, fun.

We retrieved my car from the valet and made our way to a place with expensive drinks and live music.  We didn't make it home until early this morning.  Once we started dancing, we didn't sit much.  The place is known for an overabundance of older men who love to dance.  And dance we did.  We twisted and we cha cha'd.  It was an evening full of east coast swing and rumba and laughs...so many laughs.

We paid for our own drinks, all of them.  Our drinks numbered a whopping 1 each.  At one point she looked at her watch and said, "Wow!  It's almost 1am!"  It was time for us to go home.

I think I'll spend a quiet day at home the rest of this Sunday.  I've had a pretty full weekend.  Unless I get bored.  Then all bets are off.







©Michelle Scofield, October 21, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Open

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 3, Day 7


Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 105
Planned activity: Cross Training
Hatha Yoga Class



It was like walking into that bar in Boston, "Cheers", minus the alcohol or the sarcasm.  I checked in for my yoga class and the owner looked up and recognized me.  "Michelle!"

I'd been absent for a very long time.

I immediately felt welcomed, appreciated, and comfortable.

The class was excellent.  I was expertly guided through the hour and I left feeling energized and relaxed at the same time. 

My back, my hips, my shoulders feel so much more open.  As does my heart.  I have 9 more classes - paid for and ready to be used.  Looking forward to them.












©Michelle Scofield, September 30, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Connection

Today was for stretching. I woke up and went through 20 minutes of Sun Salutation, Warrior, and Triangle with the Nintendo Wii. I've taken formal yoga classes and done yoga on my own. I like the Wii for a few things, but mostly for making me be accountable to myself. I'm so OCD. The poses felt good this morning, I was able to push gently, easing into my stretch yet not straining.

I had a massage at 10:00 at Massage Envy. It's a company that offers a monthly membership at a pretty good rate. I've had a membership for several years and I pay $49/month and receive 1 massage, then each additional is only $39. It's a good deal for me. I asked Samantha to concentrate on my back and shoulders. A long surgery Monday left me pretty sore from holding retraction. She worked out a few knots. I noticed, as she moved from one side of my body to the other, that she left her hand on me and trailed it across - never taking it from the surface of my back. I asked her to explain that to me. I thought I knew why.

"It's so we don't lose our connection, right?"

"Well, it's more than that. I don't want you to get stressed." She adjusted the bolster under my knees. "Right now this room is dark. You're face down. You don't know where I am. This way you always know my location. This is important when I'm trying to help you to feel better. It's really about your vulnerability. I know you're very vulnerable right now. You shouldn't need to worry. You might not even know you're worried, but your body does. I'm here to take care of you."

All I could do was thank her for her explanation. It wasn't time for more words. I couldn't have produced them anyway.

Losing touch is not the issue, keeping touch is. I don't know what to do with this today, other than write it. I need to write it. It feels like it needs to be examined, perhaps there is more yoga to be done (without Wii) tonight, or a session of meditation/prayer. I am in need of connection.