You Know You're Addicted When...

I'm now going through a grueling 6 day strength and endurance workshop... just because.

 I was reading a blog post titled, "You know you're a martial arts student when..." and it got me thinking. Here's mine:

 You Know You're a Workout Junkie When:

1) You own more stretchy pants than jeans.
2) You own different pairs of running shoes for LSD, race days, treadmills, lazy runs
3) You sleep in the running vests you get during registrations.
4) You have countless amount of workout bras, for different sports: longer length for cycling, more support for running, etc
4a) You have countless supplies of anything, in my case 3 yoga mats, 2 helmets, 2 gloves, 2 swimming suits, 2 goggles, etc... the list is endless. Consumer whore!
5) Your bathroom constantly have goggles, swim cap and swimming suits hanging to dry
6) Your car is a mobile sports store room with shoes, pairs of socks, bottled water, etc
7) You smell of muscle rubs most of the time.
8) You understand and can talk about V02 max, intervals, and pyramids with such excitement.
9) You mentally map out your run or cycle route whenever you're passing a pretty hilly road or beautiful landscape
10) Your vacation is a running event, or a yoga workshop
11) You don't hesitate.. EVER to plunk out more than RM200 for your beloved sports
12) Your kitchen is fully stocked with bananas and chocolate milk
13) You and your spouse go to massages, reflexology, and cupping more often than the movies.
14) You won't swim in a pool that is not 50m
15) You know what Nuu, Urdhva Dhanurasana, bento bag, pulling means
16) The word Drill gives you a Thrill
17) You actually know where your serratus anterior, rotator cuff and plantar fasciitis are. And what they mean.

I actually have a lot more but I am at work at I can't really get to excited. Of all the activities I listed, I've been missing the swim. Ever since I rented out my condo to a friend the pool benefit goes away too. That was the suckiest part for me. I love my condo's pool because it is 50m, has practically no one, and although not deep, nice enough for me to tread water and do whatever I wanted to do.

 My cycling is now only on Sundays, at the same route and area. I just like the hills. It's an easy workout, without wasting time and driving far. The last time I went, I honestly thought I would suffer, but I was actually pretty great even my riding buddy complimented on me. HE NEVER DOES THAT. Of course, it wasn't really a compliment, more like, "Well, at least you weren't huffing and puffing." hahah trust me, I take it as a compliment, because it surely means he didn't think I was a hopeless case.

I went running Saturday with a friend. We did hills (of course). Since she was just starting out and hates running I turned it inot some sort of a game: run uphill and brisk walk the rest. We had fun, especially at the top of the hills.

 My body is sooo sore! And I feel tired! I can't wait to run. What? did I just say that. Maybe I'm delusional.

Mayhem

I actually signed up for a couple of races I know I won't be around for.

 I have began my relocation to Turkmenistan. Although it is not official, but I'm often there more than here. I still workout extensively, sometimes obsessively. It's just all those extra time.

Tomorrow's schedule: running. an easy 5k, just like I always do. Either that or a very very simple spin off the neighborhood. Quite hard when you're wearing cleats.

Only 28km

The conversation we had while we were cycling sunday:

On favoritism. Especially on your children. Somehow, that's the best part of my sunday cycling - the conversations. Sometimes I had to pause - grunting up the hills and everything - and when we coasted downhill we'd be discussing again. Last sunday I asked him a question: do you have a favorite?

I find it funny that parents always get defensive when asked that question. Not defensive angry, but just, they didn't think it's a good question. Mostly because they are aware of what it could bring if they had an answer. My dad refused to answer that question because we were all different, he said. But I always somehow think that he had favorites, different kids at different times.

There's nothing wrong with liking one kid, at least that's what I think.

morning run

I have been MIA.

But I had a good morning run today that warrants a writeup. Nothing actually is special - normal 5k run, normal speed. But it was the promise of a good day, beautiful morning. I had a beautiful workout last night, and a deep sleep, and time to cuddle with my cat. I run on and off, more off. But this morning it just felt natural. My feet loved the sensation of the road, the roughness licking my soles. The air was cool, crisp - I could just imagine fall leaves flying down on me. My knees were singing. Legs strong. Core in control. My breathing was not erratic - I wasn't pushing myself.

Truly, the beauty about running is in the mind and soul. Haven't felt like this for a while, and I bet it will be ages before I feel it again.

Good Intense Stretch for Runners

Whenever I hit a situation that is mentally or physically challenging, I usually revert back to the darkest, worst moment I'd faced and survived in order to toughen up. Usually it's a tie between the toughest cliff in Nepal, or the last end of the 190km Melaka ride, or the worst hills I've rode on. But it all goes to mush when I'm asked to hold a pose for more than 5 minutes. These SS class can be mentally challenging. VERY. My legs were screaming in pain and my form was shaking and I was gritting my teeth and my teacher was like, "It's all in the mind!"

Anyway, updates: I injured myself big time getting too obsessive in SS - disc herniation in C5 and C6. In layman's terms, however incorrect: slipped disc of the cervical spine. It was mostly ego and pure foolishness, attempting to do poses my body was not strong enough. Because I thought I was good, and I thought I could handle it.

Practising SS has made me aware of my body like never before. When I run, I am very very aware of my feet landings, how my knees feel, the sides of my upper body, and especially my breathing. It's all about how the body works. I am careful not to extend sitting at my desk for too long - taking water breaks, talking on the telephone while standing up, etc. Every little bit counts.

I want to to share with you one good pose that really benefit runners:

Well, this is the best I could find that clearly shows the foot placement, also, I figure if I put a female stretching in her skimpy clothes it wouldn't benefit anyone heheh. Well, then again...

This is the last - and possibly to many - the hardest variation of the knee to head pose. And this is a very good stretch for us runners or cyclists, as this stretches the hamstrings and opens the hip joints simultaneously. Also, the foot placement externally rotates the knee (caution: do this VERY CAREFULLY and if pain appears, move out of the pose) and works the ankle as well. You would feel it at the ankle, and it should feel good, not painful. This is not the final pose. You should be folding forward from your waist (not upper back) and holding to your extended foot. If you are really flexible, you should be clasping your left wrist (if left leg extended) with your right hand. The point is to get your stomach kissing your upper thigh.

There you go. This is my favorite stretch to do after a run, because your legs are already warmed up and open, and when you bend forward, you reallly really feel this stretch.

January-February

Aside from the one week off from workout due to neck/shoulder pulls, here's the menu:

Monday: 5.5k

Tuesday: SS

Thursday: 5.5k, SS

Friday: SS

Saturday: Swim 1.5k

Sunday: Bike, SS

Things have been great. That one week off really put me in a blue mood. But I guess I needed the time off to reflect and rest. I was showing off - too much - in fact in my SS class.

This morning went for a super slow 5.5k run. Time taken: 42 minutes. Actually it is not slow at all in my book. But my definition of super slow comes from the perceived effort. I wasn't struggling, my breath was not labored at all. My legs were ok, I was enjoying the pavements and saying hi to the dogs and their owners. I wish I could take one of the dogs out for a run.

I wish my cats could run with me.

My upper body felt sore from the heavy and challenging workout yesterday. 90 minutes of body weight conditioning. SS, how much do I love thee? So my legs get the workout today.

Last week visited a Chinese Tit Tar. Never heard of it? Neither had I, until last week. Tit Tar apparently means Bone Setters. That guy, Erik did really cool stuff on my neck and shoulder, basically, he put on some 'exorcist' moves on me. I've never heard my bones crack so much, or in another way, how out of position my spine is. It was cool. And I felt so much better.

2012 Goals

My fitness goals for 2012 are simple:

1) Run continuously, or on and off, or sparingly - it doesn't matter. As long as you still run. 5k per run is enough to lube your joints.

2) Cycle. Because you can and because the hills are alive... with the sound of music.

3) Swim because no matter how slow you are, you can always outlast the speediest swimmer.

I will always do my swim, bike, run. Just not competitively, just not socially. I run on my own these days, at a park 100m from the house in USJ 2. I run 5.5km once a week, twice or thrice on a good week. I still cycle, only on weekdays, with only one person who has sort of became my coach. Sometimes I hate him; he pushes me when I don't feel like being pushed, but after it ends I feel buzzed. We mostly enjoy the conversations about nutrition, sports, workouts, and sometimes personal life. I hardly swim, but when I do it's like I never stopped. My pace is steady and slow, and I usually daydream and daydream until I have done a 2k.

I have been obsessive about a new kind of workout these days - my SS routine. I think I love it because it's so ACCESSIBLE. Running used to be the most accessible sport I knew - you can do it anywhere with minimal stuff - but now SS trumps running. It is essentially the EASIEST, most accessible workout you can ever do - you only need 2 hours max. You don't need the outdoors, you don't even need clothes on.. well, my point is you can do it in the buff and no one knows and you'd still get a fucking good workout.

And I mean it. I'm no stranger to endurance sports. I love a sweat session as much as the next runner. I love the lactic acid burn and the heat in your lungs. I've felt them all too. That's what I meant - you still get it, from the comfort of your home.

I sound like a bad marketing spiel. Or a cult member.

Lately, I have been focusing waaay too much on SS (stretching and strengthening). It's so easy to skip my running or anything outdoors in favor of SS because I sweat the same, feel exhausted the same and don't have to worry about doing the laundry or leaving the house. Also, the workout is really good for Type-A, competitive person like me. It's challenging. It has you using your body weight and twisting and lifting them back and forth. You can't skip a pose and you cannot proceed if you don't nail this one. And have I mentioned that most of the times all I had on was my underwear? Too much info I know! Well, nobody reads this anyway heheh

But the point of having a healthy lifestyle is balance, and balance is what I seek. I still enjoy running, especially after the run. I still love tackling hills on my wheels. I love swimming, or doing karate and rollerblading. I still want to do all that in 2012, probably for the next few years. Harris is also on a sports mode, taking up muay thai and getting obsessed with that too. Between our workouts and work, we hardly have time for each other. So we proceed to be home for dinner, and stay in for a movie night. Sometimes we camp in the living room, making pillow forts (what can I say... we're still in our 2o's, childless). I have started sewing again, making bags, pillowcases, hopefully working on making my own clothes again. I took a creative writing course, just finished it, which was fun and enlightening. So balance is good.

So there you have it, my goal for this year. Oh, aside from mastering the 5 minutes Headstand (without the wall support and with pelvis aligned, of course) I also want to run a couple of races.