Dear Neglected Running Blog:
I promise my love for you and for running has not diminished, just been put aside for a few months. Maybe 9 to be exact. Being pregnant has made running difficult (well, non-existent), but I cannot wait to pick you back up in the beginning of 2011, and share it with my new son.
Love,
Julia
PS: In the meantime, I will be watching the NYC Marathon with baited breath, living vicariously through them, not to mention my other rock star friends, including Miss Kaylynn, who have rocked their marathons this year.
http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Our Inner Dialogs
It's summer here in NC. Due to that nasty heat and other recent developments, running hasn't been in my exercise vocabulary as of late. Enter my yoga mat. I've spent a lot of hours on my yoga mat the last few months and I feel like I've gained so much physically and also mentally.
My yoga instructor talks a lot about our inner selves and how it relates to the world we create for ourselves. She makes me keenly aware of this inner self and inner dialog that is constantly happening within me whether I acknowledge it our not. How self critical am I during my yoga practice? During work? While I'm with friends or family? How often do I validate the good things I do? How often do I just acknowledge that the dialog is there?
I feel like my inner dialog is pretty loud while I'm on my yoga mat. I'm constantly thinking about how long my lines should be, or how strong I'd like to be or how much that certain pose hurts or is stretching a muscle I didn't even know I had. This negative inner dialog then drifts from what I could be doing better on the mat to what I think I should be doing in relation to others or during my day. It's negative and completely detrimental to success and progress. I love taking that off the mat with me and realize that every day I am subconsciously talking to myself ... constantly validating or criticizing and then I need to be more aware of how I "treat" myself. Hopefully that makes sense.
On a running note, I feel like while that inner dialog wasn't as loud for me on runs, it was definitely still there. Hearing it in on my yoga mat helps me realize that it's on the pavement too. Am I going fast enough? It's only mile 3, why does this feel so uncomfortable? It's so hot - I can't take another step. Or, wow, I feel amazing. I could go forever. Mile 5 feels great. See what I mean?
My new challenge is to recognize my inner dialog and then to let go of it ... to realize that for that moment I am there, participating to fullest capability for that day, that hour, that minute ... and that it is simply good enough. It's a challenge, but I'm ready to work harder at it and to become more whole because of it.
My yoga instructor talks a lot about our inner selves and how it relates to the world we create for ourselves. She makes me keenly aware of this inner self and inner dialog that is constantly happening within me whether I acknowledge it our not. How self critical am I during my yoga practice? During work? While I'm with friends or family? How often do I validate the good things I do? How often do I just acknowledge that the dialog is there?
I feel like my inner dialog is pretty loud while I'm on my yoga mat. I'm constantly thinking about how long my lines should be, or how strong I'd like to be or how much that certain pose hurts or is stretching a muscle I didn't even know I had. This negative inner dialog then drifts from what I could be doing better on the mat to what I think I should be doing in relation to others or during my day. It's negative and completely detrimental to success and progress. I love taking that off the mat with me and realize that every day I am subconsciously talking to myself ... constantly validating or criticizing and then I need to be more aware of how I "treat" myself. Hopefully that makes sense.
On a running note, I feel like while that inner dialog wasn't as loud for me on runs, it was definitely still there. Hearing it in on my yoga mat helps me realize that it's on the pavement too. Am I going fast enough? It's only mile 3, why does this feel so uncomfortable? It's so hot - I can't take another step. Or, wow, I feel amazing. I could go forever. Mile 5 feels great. See what I mean?
My new challenge is to recognize my inner dialog and then to let go of it ... to realize that for that moment I am there, participating to fullest capability for that day, that hour, that minute ... and that it is simply good enough. It's a challenge, but I'm ready to work harder at it and to become more whole because of it.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
running music
Look what I found! This may be old news to many of you, but this site (and I'm sure plenty of others) lists music by beats per minute! Check it out here. The ideal distance running cadence is 85-95 (correct me if I'm wrong).
Running cadence is how many times one foot (right or left) hits the ground in a minute. I guess we should all be striving for 85-95, right?
That said, if you like to run to music, getting 85-95 bpm music or 170-190 bpm music would carry you right at that cadence.
So halfway through your next run, take a minute to count your cadence. If it's too slow, try shorter, faster steps. And go find some music that can get you closer to the ideal running cadence! Sounds fun to me!
Running cadence is how many times one foot (right or left) hits the ground in a minute. I guess we should all be striving for 85-95, right?
That said, if you like to run to music, getting 85-95 bpm music or 170-190 bpm music would carry you right at that cadence.
So halfway through your next run, take a minute to count your cadence. If it's too slow, try shorter, faster steps. And go find some music that can get you closer to the ideal running cadence! Sounds fun to me!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Calories In. Calories Out.
I loved this article from Runner's World today. It was so simple. In order to lose weight, look great and stay trim you need to burn more calories than you intake. Done. No gimmicky pills, no funky diets, no quick answers. It's called hard work and eating right. I love it.
I'm going for a run.
I'm going for a run.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tobacco Road Half Marathon
.jpg)
Highly recommend the Tobacco Road Half Marathon. Jonathan and I had a great time on this flat, fast course in gorgeous west Cary, North Carolina. If you would like to join us next year, we'll definitely be there.
Love,
Julia
Friday, March 19, 2010
Need To & Want To
I was at yoga last week and our instructor said something (as I'm in the middle of a great sun salute a) that really hit me.
"Pay attention to when you want to stop," she said, "and when you need to stop."
While running, I find that 98% of the time when I'm feeling it, I want to stop. Does anyone else feel that way? I'm not talking about that nagging injury or a pulled muscle or serious injury... it's so important to listen to you body and know when you need to stop, at the risk of injuring yourself. I'm talking about when you're so tired, or having a rough day, or just plain don't want to, and you want to stop.
For me this little snippet has been seriously empowering. A new mantra perhaps. I've got a half marathon on Sunday and that is what I'll be asking myself when those miles get hard (and believe me, they will get hard). Julia, do you need to stop? Or do you just want to? Mind or matter. That's all there is to it.
"Pay attention to when you want to stop," she said, "and when you need to stop."
While running, I find that 98% of the time when I'm feeling it, I want to stop. Does anyone else feel that way? I'm not talking about that nagging injury or a pulled muscle or serious injury... it's so important to listen to you body and know when you need to stop, at the risk of injuring yourself. I'm talking about when you're so tired, or having a rough day, or just plain don't want to, and you want to stop.
For me this little snippet has been seriously empowering. A new mantra perhaps. I've got a half marathon on Sunday and that is what I'll be asking myself when those miles get hard (and believe me, they will get hard). Julia, do you need to stop? Or do you just want to? Mind or matter. That's all there is to it.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Happy Birthday ... and a shameless plug.
Today I turn 28. 28 years old. I feel like I have a lot of amazing running years left in me, right? I hear 30s are the best. So there you go. Happy Birthday, Julia.
And for my shameless plug, head over to my brand new photography website and blog, where I'm giving away a free session to anyone who lives in the lower 48. :)
Thanks for all the love and support on this blog. I am so glad I have a space here where I can vent frustrations, share victories (CONGRATS KAYLYNN) and Love to Run.
XOXO,
J
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A Special Request
Please click on http://www.msnbc.com/ who has generously donated two premium advertising spots on their homepage. Every click counts.
Also if you can, please donate here.
Also if you can, please donate here.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Here's the Deal
And here's what I've found: I am a grumpy little grumpster when I don't exercise. I'm tired, I don't want to eat healthy foods, I don't have any energy during the day, and all I want to do is NOT EXERCISE when I don't exercise. I hate that place. I hate, hate, hate being in that place.
So last week, I had a few really good workouts. A run or two with Maggie and an Xtend class that I was sore from for days. I felt amazing, happy, accomplished. Skinnier even, though I am sure I wasn't, but my body image changed - just like that.
Today, a long walk with Erin and a 75 minute yoga class. The moment I stepped out of the class, I felt refreshed, stronger, happier and more fulfilled. Ready to take on more.
So case and point: Exercise makes me happy. Thank you endorphins. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will not neglect you any longer.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
An Interesting Idea ...
What if you ran every distance this year? Started from the bottom and moved to the top.
5K
8K
10K
Half Marathon
Full Marathon
North Carolina's might look like this:
5K - Run for the Roses 2/7/10
8K - HardCore Serious Trail Runner 2/20/10
10K - Oak Island Lighthouse Run 4/17/2010
Half Marathon - San Francisco Half Marathon 7/25/2010 (totally cheating here, but I like to travel)
Half Marathon - Nike Women's Half Marathon 10/17/2010 (because I do every year)
Full Marathon - OBX Marathon 11/14/2010
Seems like it would be a good gear up for the big one - and keep you on track for the year - and keep your legs fresh.
I'm still trying to pick my races for the year - we'll see if we could squeeze a few in here!
5K
8K
10K
Half Marathon
Full Marathon
North Carolina's might look like this:
5K - Run for the Roses 2/7/10
8K - HardCore Serious Trail Runner 2/20/10
10K - Oak Island Lighthouse Run 4/17/2010
Half Marathon - San Francisco Half Marathon 7/25/2010 (totally cheating here, but I like to travel)
Half Marathon - Nike Women's Half Marathon 10/17/2010 (because I do every year)
Full Marathon - OBX Marathon 11/14/2010
Seems like it would be a good gear up for the big one - and keep you on track for the year - and keep your legs fresh.
I'm still trying to pick my races for the year - we'll see if we could squeeze a few in here!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)