108 Sun Salutations

I recently took part in a celebration of the solstice by completing 108 sun salutations.  I had never done this before and I was cautious about signing up as it was on the same day as my 4 mile race.  However, I had always wanted to do something like this.


108 sun salutations isn't easy.  Its a lot of hard work and after the first five I was terrified I wouldn't finish.  However, before I knew it the first set of 27 was over.  Then we were half way done and from there on out it just seemed easier.  


My arms were sore and I sweat a LOT!  I was stepping back into low push up and at the end of the session I had intended to jump back.  However, my mat was so gross and slimy that I almost fell over.


So, why the 108?  It has a lot of meanings.  Our yoga teacher read us some at the start of our celebration, however, I had done a little digging before that at the questioning of my friends.  
So here are a few meanings!


-There are 108 beads on the mala (prayer beads)

-There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet, each has a male and female counterpart.


-Sun and Earth: The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.

-Moon and Earth: The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon.

-Silver and the moon: In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108.

Cookin'

Inspired by my friend Danica (http://chicrunner.com/), and blessed with a whole day home alone, I decided to get my cook on.

I started with a recipe for butterscotch blondies to send to my dad for his birthday.  They were easy to make  and tasted AMAZING!  I've packaged some up to send away with love for my dad to have a birthday treat.
The butterscotch chips melted nicely during baking and the whole bar has an amazing flavor.

I then moved onto peanut butter cookies.  I made one batch using a mix from The Peanut Butter Company and a batch from scratch.  The ones from the mix were really peanut buttery and I loved them.  The others will be on their way as a birthday treat for my uncle.

Then I realized I might as well send my grandparents some love in the mail since they are out of state and can't bake at their apartment.  They are always a fan of my banana bread so I made a double batch.  It got a little crispy and the batter was very fluffy from using frozen bananas, but it still tastes good and let's face it, a little butter can solve anything.

Once I was done baking for everyone else, I started to try some things out.  Edamame is one of my favorite snacks, but I had seen a recipe about baking it.  I added a little olive oil, sprinkle cheese, salt and pepper and baked and the result was an addictive snack.  I actually had to package it up as I didn't want to eat ALL of it at once and upset my stomach.

Then I tried two new types of protein balls.  I'm a big fan of on the go protein filled snacks.  I first tried what I'm calling a protein rice crispy treat.  The recipe called for gluten free raw cereal, but I didn't have anything like that on hand so I used Snap, Crackle and Pop.  They didn't roll into balls easily.  I could have put them into the fridge to cool for a while and tried again, but instead I used a tossie pan and I love that they won't get stuck together.

The other protein ball I tried is supposed to taste like an oatmeal cookie.  This is the only protein ball mix that I make that goes in the food processor.  Its chopped nuts, oats and all sorts of other good stuff.  They also have chocolate chips and I put them in tossie pans too.  Another winner.

Then I moved onto crackers.  I love making crackers.  I have a tried and true recipe that I've used for years, but I tried a variation on it and they came out yummy and fluffy.

I had to run the dishwasher twice today and I still had a mess to clean up but having all of these treats in the fridge and in my arsenal is worth it!

St. Patty's Day Race Review

This was my second year at the Fairfield St. Patty's Day Four Miler.

The weather has been really nice out so I was really geared up for this race.  It was a cloudy morning but it was still supposed to be 65 that day.

I wore a skirt, knee socks and a tank and long sleeve top.  I had intended to take off the long sleeve top but it was REALLY breezy down by the water so I kept it on.

The race was nice and there were a lot of attendees.  However, there were not bagpipes or bands like there were last year.

I felt good during the race.  A few times I got confused about where I was in the course.  That's the issue with a course you kind of know...you can mess up your mental thinking pretty quickly I found.

I was steady throughout and felt good.  I could have gone faster and I probably should have.  However, I was always afraid of running out of steam and I knew that I was signed up for 108 sun salutations at yoga later that afternoon...so I needed to save some.

Over all I took over three minutes off my time from last year, felt pretty good and it gave me a confidence boost for the 10k I'm racing in a few weeks.

I do know I need to work on going faster and even more importantly, feeling confident in my running abilities.   I'm looking forward to lots more challenges this year!

Spring Cleaning

Some days I can't seem to keep everything I have going on straight.  Some days, I can't focus.  I'm sure this happens to everyone, but I often feel that a good cleaning can help you regain your center.  I feel like sometimes like becomes cluttered and you just need to Etch A Sketch it and shake it all clear.

Today I went to a yoga class and the teacher said at the end of class to set an intention for the rest of the day to do what makes you happy and to change your routine.  So while cleaning doesn't necessarily thrill me, it was a day different from working at my computer all day...

And so I started small and vacuumed, washed the floor, cleaned up the kitchen and then I was on a roll.  i cleaned the bathrooms, the office, did eight loads of laundry, cleaned the car, aired out rugs, and got generally carried away.  However, at the end of the day the physical labor refreshed my mind and tomorrow I will be ready to work at the computer again all day.  Sometimes you just have to clear out the cobwebs.

Training Runs

I have taken advantage of some great weather we've been having in the NorthEast and getting out for some fabulous trail runs.

I have been piecing together a few of my favorite trails and making one I love.  Its made up of "single rider" trails.  In the trail world that means that they are small enough that only one person at a time can go down the trail and cars can't fit on them.  Traditionally they have more rocks, roots and mud than other, wider trails.  Mountain bikers love them.  As a matter of fact I saw about a dozen bikers this morning.

I always fear that I am going to space out and get into my music and not hear bikers come up one me.  But they are always very nice and let me go ahead of them.  (I would gratefully "pull over" for a break though!)

I find that the more challenging trails are actually easier for me.  Instead of focusing on the run as a whole and what's coming up, I'm focusing on not tripping over the next rock, not falling down, etc.

I will say that this morning I had a lot to go over in my mind.  I was thinking about everything that needed to be done, everything I had coming up this week and I tripped over a rock that moved under my foot.  I fell.  I'm okay but I will say I was scared for a moment.   I got up and finished my next three miles. I didn't have much of a choice, I was in the woods!  And I'm sure during my "mud race" in April, I'm going to take a tumble so I need to learn now.

Today was my last "long" run before next weekend's race.  I have a tempo run only left and a few yoga classes....I'm excited for the start of spring racing season!  So excited that I'm pretty sure I over did it during my first week of spring training!

Running Away

Lately I've been working some crazy hours and my schedule has been hectic, at best.  I am working on the launch of our third company, Social Ocean.  Its been a success right out of the gate, which is amazing and I'm blessed for that.  However, I have had a lot of sleepless nights and rushed workouts.

I realized just today that my St. Patrick's Day race is NEXT week!  Its a four miler, on a flat course and it was a lot of fun last year.  I wore green pigtail holders and green knee socks.  I thought I was going to be the only one decked out.  I was WRONG!  I was one of the least decorated.
So this year I have a green top, shamrock headband and other assorted greenery.

I am anxious about the race, but I keep telling myself its only four miles, flat and who cares if I run walk it?

So this weekend is my last few training runs.  I got out today for a good four miles in the woods and I'm amazed at how much easier trail running is than running on the road.  I always feel like the trail runs go too fast and its sad to go home.

We've been having some unseasonable weather here in Connecticut.  It was almost 70 yesterday. That's shorts weather!  I've packed away my thermal tights already too.

So the spring running season is upon us.  Despite having run all winter I feel as if there is a change in mindset with the spring and summer, its back to training time!

Try, try again

I'm happy to report that this week between yoga class and at home practice, I was able to at least some what "get" a bird of paradise, crow pose, side crow, tripod headstand, and another one I can't pronounce.

My yoga studio owner always says that "we have the rest of our lives to practice" and while that is true and I'm working on understanding and learning patience, it does feel amazing to attempt something I once thought impossible and actually be successful.  Its a great lesson for life, you don't know until you try!

Love Some Dr. Seuss