All Om-ed Out

Week 2: March 9-15

Sun salutations: 50 (although it felt more like 2938478329)
Bike: 42 km (on a trainer...so technically 0) and 28 km on the trails
Run: 13 km
Swim: 3250 m

Last September I did Sabu's intensive yoga class for a month at Shanti Yoga. Yoga is not the kind of activity that I would naturally pursue. But, after last year's knee injury, the physiotherapists suggested that I start a daily stretching routine to help ease my stiff joints. At first, yoga was not an activity that I particularly enjoyed; even the small stretches were uncomfortable and there is nothing more painful than trying to relax. But, after almost a year, I can touch my toes and bend my back and contort myself into odd positions - unfortunately, I still can't relax.

Sabu's yoga class means waking up at 6:00 am every morning to bike to the 7:00 am class. Most days, I can't even touch my toes on the first sun salutation on account of being so stiff in the morning. But, by the second or third round, my muscles are awake and I can actually get my hands around my feet. This is much better than last September when it took me 2 or 3 weeks before I could even touch the ground.

My big yoga accomplishment to date is my ability to do a headstand. I'm not sure how this is going to help me in life, but I secretly giggle to myself every time I manage to get upside down.

Aside for morning yoga classes and evening swims, I'm running on the packed snow trails of Whitehorse. It's the perfect time of year for winter running. The trails are packed hard, but not too slippery and it hasn't gotten warm enough to reduce the tracks to slush and mud. Besides my faithful running partner Starbuck, I've been actively pursuing Mingus and Jennifer as training partners. On Saturday, Juneau joined our pack of bikers, runners and canines on a tour of Hillcrest. I couldn't ask for better training companions. Although, I do have to wonder if Mingus' poop-sicle eating is the best nutritional strategy.

Sierra posted this on Mar 16, 2008 from the gym | | permanent link