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My body type was screaming at me! Remind yourself again. Why was I doing this? It had been suggested previously that my body type doesn’t like running! So why was I here?

It was a gorgeous day! The crowds had gathered over 3000 people to be exact and we were off with the crack of the gun. The wind was impressive to say the least and created such a head wind it wasn’t funny. Standing still was a challenge. I was strapped like Tutenkamen’s mother as my knees and ankles had been giving me heaps all week. I had yogaed my way through the previous day to ensure I was stretched in all the right places.  For some reason I hadn’t slept well the night before. But I was prepared as well as four weeks preparation gives you – with injuries. The run ran on and even though my body screamed at me at the 7km to stop, I was determined I would crawl across on hands and knees, if need be to finish the 10.5ks. Who added that last 500 meters? It was only supposed to be 10.2ks…Some sneak. Anyway I did it and have the t-shirt, medal and the photos to prove it.  Was it fun…nahhh.  But was it satisfying…yep…sure was. Came in 35th (out of 56)  in my age bracket.  We won’t mention the 90 year old who passed me and came in a few minutes ahead of me.

I learned some really valuable lessons this week but particularly on the day.

1. Don’t change how you have trained. I drink only water normally – I added gaterade and paid with pain in the stomach after the race… I sip every 15 mins – there were only two drink stops (with cups) that spilled out both sides of your mouth and the stopping slowed you down. I was wrapped up more securely then  I had been before and overheated my feet. There were a couple of other little changes that were only slight but which didn’t help with getting and staying focused.

2. Stay focused. This is lesson I have to keep learning – I had the music and the coaching ringing in my ears but sight was much more powerful and I was constantly distracted and lost momentum.

3. Its your race not someone else’s race. I was constantly feeling good as I passed someone and then let down when they would go past me. I shouldn’t have been swayed either way. It was a distraction.However there was a conflict of attitude when the 90 year old (well maybe not 90 but definitely in the 80’s) passed me. There was complete admiration and despising at the same time. Beaten by an octarian! But congratulations to him and congratulations to me. I did it! He did it too!

4. Don’t give up! Oh that last 500 meters sucked. I thought the start line was the finish line until my husband cheering me on yelled, ” not far now just up to the lights around the round- about and then back down to the finish line”…Oh that hurt and I felt the pain in my knees screaming. But I was determined to finish – and did too. There was a lot of cheering from the side line for me..even the announcer commented. I don’t know who you were but thanks. Even if I didn’t smile at the time (another thing I didn’t do that I normally do in training – it actually does help the psyche) – I was smiling on the inside.

5. Savour the moments of victory! That I did do, although a Rocky lift of the arms would have been fun – if I could have lifted them at that moment!  I hugged my friends, my husband and my granddaughter and then ran for the drinks and oranges. Oranges have never tasted sweeter.  It was a fulfilling moment.

6. Get the next challenge up and going! Don’t loose the momentum. Enjoy what you have accomplished. Have a rest – but then get up and get moving again.

7. Get to a doctor and find out what is going on with the legs! I am determined to continue so will remove all obstacles.

8. Don’t ignore the advice about body type but still do things that challenge and excite you.

Have fun as you explore other great books from my site to ensure you get as much information to transform your life and get the life you really want.  I am woman and want to be the healthiest one I can be -for myself and for my family. Come on and join me! Read up and get dressed and lets go!

http://www.digitalebooksunlimited.com/diet/exercise

http://www.digitalebooksunlimited.com/diet/bodytype

http://www.digitalebooksunlimited.com/self-improvement/lifewant

http://www.digitalebooksunlimited.com/women/womens-health

Not a great lover of eastern religions I once struggled with the Om positioning etc of yoga. However, a few years ago I discovered a book of basic yoga and realized that without all the religious hooplah it is really only a lot of great stretching techniques. I started and am thankful for the years of stretching that have helped me stay relatively well and flexible.

Good training requires you exercise all areas.

TODAY YOGA AND STRENGTHENING.

Beginning week number 3 I embraced my day for strengthening by doing my yoga moves. I was amazed at how much slow movement and breathing can leave you with muscles feeling  sore. But I did it and felt great for it.

Week 3 Lessons Learned.

1. Stretch. It is not enough to just use one set of muscles and techniques. I follow a set of basic yoga moves which is great for the leg muscles and for me,  my back and neck. It is always a treat to do my work out with my grandbabies who line up bent in the dog pose or letter A position or do the cobra with me – except when the littlest one wants to crawl between my legs like going under a bridge. Most off putting. Being of a good age now I am extremely conscious of taking care of myself. So I warm up and down with each exercise regime I do each day but then I also do days of strengthening through yoga and other moves like leg lifts and push ups. Huh, what a sight that was when I first started doing pilates and push ups..the legs and arms felt like lead especially when you have to lift the butt back over your head – but it does get better and easier.  It is amazing just the difference it makes to the after-affects of exercise. Well worth the stretching.

2. Breathe Correctly. A word of advice – you know how they always tell you that it is really important to breathe with yoga and exercise? Well they are correct. The more effectively you breathe as opposed to breathing like a dog in labour the less painful your muscles seem to be. A great bonus as the oxygen pours through those blood vessels.

3. Visualize. The visualizing helps as you meditate and clear your mind of the other ’stuff” that has happened today, yesterday or might happen tomorrow. Just savour the moment and breathe….

It all is another part of preparing for wellness and life and not just the event of a 10.5 k run.

May your Yoga be stretched to its limits!

ww.digitalebooksunlimited.com/wellness/yoga

Back again after a long interlude. Today I start my diary of my “jalking experience” – running and jogging for health. Two years ago I was involved in a car accident. My injury was severe whiplash. After a lot of visits to chiro and massage and some good hits of Valium I was good to go – but found something distressing. I couldn’t walk far. A few minutes meant a day or two in bed from pain. So started my bed exercises. Some old stretches learnt from the Readers Digest many years ago called Joe’s Back started to strengthen my back, legs and tummy muscles all while lying in my bed. Pilates, yoga and stepping to music started my exercise regime. It took me quite a few months to strengthen and tone muscles that hadn’t moved that well for a long time. Well then 50 rolled on and I decided two things – I didn’t want to diet ever again and I wanted to run. Close your eyes and imagine yourself running down the beach in slow motion. That’s what I started to see. The beach beckoned and I started to walk each day at a quicker pace and for longer distances…Oh how I hated watching the back of “that” 30+ girl with legs that came up to her neck, jogging off down to the next beach some 10 kilometers away. She looked like a gazelle while I felt like an elephant. Or “Miss Pink” the 20 something who in the middle of winter had a singlet top on and tight butt encased in black shorty things, make up and smelt great. I checked my heavily ladened shadow out and wondered if I would be mistaken for the abominable snowwoman. But I persisted. My first 3 kilometer part jog was a time for celebration. Ecstatic I told my Saudi homestay student my good news. I “jalked ” 3 kilometers today I happily told him. “You Joked?” he said in his new language.  I laughed and said no but I looked like a joke…and so now I “jalk” – jog and walk. I have gained weight since the death of my mum a few months ago but I love one of my books http://www.digitalebooksunlimited.com/diet/weight-loss which has a really common sense approach to weight loss and health. Again I realized I needed to get the shoes back on regardless of excuses. So regardless of weather, pain I was off. Hear is an account over the next few weeks of how I have done it, and how I am progressing. I am passionate about staying healthy to see my grandbabies walk down the aisle and even have their own babies and explore their worlds…can’t do that from a nursing home bed. Come on follow me and lets do health and fitness together. http://www.digitalebooksunlimited.com/diet/weight-loss get the info and lets get started.