Jade Yoga Mat Review

Now that I've been doing more yoga and we've had some guests on our radio show related to yoga, I've been getting a lot of questions about the gear, etc that I use.

I was recently sent a Jade Yoga Professional Mat to try out.  I took it to a hot yoga class to give it a whirl.  It rolled out easily and once I had it in place, it really stuck to the floor.  I was using a towel over it so I didn't sweat directly on the mat.  However, I did pour water on my towel to increase my grip and the mat really gripped.

I have a sharp tail bone.  I can't do sit ups without a blanket underneath me without doing harm to myself.  So my usual yoga mat (a Target special) sometimes hurts in times like boat pose.  This mat provided me with plenty of cushioning.  But again, no movement on the floor, which I liked.

Jade mats are made of natural rubber, a renewable resource.  How cool is that?  They also won't release any of those nasty chemicals that are found in other mats.

The mat is hefty, about five pounds.  However, it rolled up easily and fit into the mat bag I have been using all along.

This particular mat is available in two lengths, 68" and 74".  Of course, it comes in various colors too. Even if this mat isn't for you, Jade Yoga has lots of other mats.  Check them all out here:
http://www.jadeyoga.com/store/yoga-mats-execise-mats-pilates-mats/

These mats make the perfect gift for the yogi or budding fitness enthusiast in your life.

Hot Yoga

Well I finally tried hot yoga.  I bought a Living Social deal what seems like forever ago, but with the move, etc I finally got around to using it.

I love it and I have a new addiction.

The teacher asked me at the start of class if I had ever done yoga before and I told her that while I had taken some classes a while ago, I had never tried hot yoga.

She told me that when I get woozy or light headed, go ahead and get into child's pose.  I thought this was ominous.

I also knew that there was a very good chance I might not make it through class.

Everyone else was dressed in long leggings and tanks.  I had on some hot yoga shorts and a tank.  I'm glad I did as I needed to be able to adjust to the 105 degree temperature.

I actually made it through the whole class and from the classes I've taken in the past, I knew all of the poses.  I am very glad that it wasn't my first yoga class overall.

At the start of class, the room feels hot. As class goes on, it feels warm and nice.  You stop noticing the sweat dripping off of you and start to really focus.

Its hard work.  I won't deny that.  However, at the same time, its very relaxing.  Its kind of like going for a hard run while drinking a glass of wine.

I only have 30 days on my membership so I'm going to try to get as many classes in as possible.  And after that, we will see.  However, I'd love to add it to part of my workout routine this winter.

Go Sport ID Review

I was recently sent a Go Sport ID Inspire bracelet to try out and review.  I have used other ID types in the past and been happy with them, but because I trail run a  lot I'd managed to ruin a few of the other ones.

I received the bracelet and I immediately slipped it on.  It was comfortable right out of the package.  I am always concerned about having to put on bracelets as I don't always get ready for a run with someone around.  I didn't need any assistance with this one.

Since it was colder out, I was wearing the bracelet underneath my long sleeve top.  I even used the thumbholes for part of the run.

I was concerned that I was going to feel the bracelet and have to fidget with it.  I never even gave it another thought.  It stayed flat against my skin and hardly noticeable.

I also thought the bracelet might get sticky or yucky after running with me for a while.  It has not.  The silicone band is easy to clean and doesn't get sticky after wear.

The stainless steel plate is clearly engraved and not only holds all of your personal information, it holds motivational saying of your choice.  I also like the fact that your personal information is on the under side of the bracelet's plate.  If I stop for coffee I'm not worried that someone might get ahold of personal information with just a glance.

I feel safer wearing the bracelet and I know my husband feels better that I go out with it on my wrist.  Its a small investment to make in my safety and well being of being a runner, especially one who runs in the woods.  This is a great gift for someone who runs, bikes, or even a child who plays a sport.

The bracelets come in various colors and wrist sizes.  Go Sport ID also has other bracelet products and even a "dog tag" like id necklace.  You can view all of their products here:
http://www.gosportid.com/mkt_gsi/category_viewall.php?mastercategory=sportids

So this holiday seasons or for your loved one's next birthday, pick up a Go Sport ID!

Races

Okay I've decided to get a few more races in this year.  In the past year I've run nine and although it didn't meet my goal of one per month, I'm happy that I will round out the past 12 months with 10 races (one is at the end of the month).

And so I'm now thinking about my plan for the next 12 months.  I will be running a race at the end of the month (Halloween) and I will run the local Turkey Trot again.  I'd love to find a Jingle Bell race even if it is hard to fit something else into December.  (Its worth it just for the outfits I could come up with to wear!)

I'm debating on running the Brookfield series of races again next year or maybe I should branch out and find new races to run.  I'm still only into running about one per month as they do cost money to enter and I don't want to tie up every weekend with races.  My husband is super supportive and comes to every race, but I do want to leave time for hiking, photography, etc.

So I'm wondering how you pick races to run and where you find them?  I have been using the site of a local track club, but I'm interested in branching out, traveling farther, etc.

2012 is going to be my best year yet and I know that making it the best year requires a little mental, physical and emotional preparation.

New Territory

Well its official, I am moved to a new town.  And its not so easy to make it back to the park where I used to run every day.  While its sad, I am optimistic about finding a new park that I will love equally as much.

The past two days have been spent with printed maps in hand, exploring new parks.  The first is called Hemlock Hills and while its not nearly as large as my old park it was the most similar that I've seen thus far.  It had a large road sized trail with many off shoots of single rider trails.  We explored about 2 miles of the trails and I feel like I have a grip on how to navigate around the park.  Its fairly hilly and my cell phone seemed to work the whole time we were hiking.

The second trail was a rail to trail and while it was nice and flat and had fresh crushed gravel on the trail, it was almost too flat.  I found it kind of boring to run on.  The trail follows high tension wires and looking at the backs of people's home and the large poles were less than thrilling.  I will say that seeing the trail in front of me just made me want to get it over with, and before I knew it I was running one to two minutes faster than my normal pace.  So its a great trail to use for my speed work days, but I don't think I will be putting in any distance days here.

When I was thinking about new running shoes (which I need) I was thinking about road shoes as I thought I'd be running on roads more frequently.  I also through about a hybrid pair.  However, it now looks like I will be able to continue to trail run as frequently as I want so I'm going to try a new brand of trail shoes.  I usually wear North Face trail shoes, but I'm not going to hit a North Face outlet any time soon and they aren't easy to find other wise.  So I've done some research and I am going to try a pair of Brooks.  I hope they work out well!

Heart Walk

The day after the Newtown Race I participated in an annual tradition of the Westchester Heart Walk with some dear friends of ours, the Ang family.  We are walking for and honoring the memory of their beloved Ernesto Ang.

The walk is low key and it is one of the only events that is actually just a walk.  It takes place on a lovely paved an almost flat course in White Plains, NY.  There are walkers of all shapes and sizes and the best part is checking out everyone's tee shirts.  Each team designs and prints their own tee shirts.

Our tee shirts were awesome and unique:

The race is a great reminder of the work and preparation it takes to be and stay healthy.

Despite it "only" being a walk, they are super prepared ahead of time.  There is a warm up before the walk starts.  There is juice, water, apple slices, snacks, etc.  There is even an activity tent for the kiddies!

After the walk we go out for dim sum with our friends and eat up every calorie we expended during the walk.  Being outdoors in October and walking all morning makes the food taste even better!

This year we took Roxy for her first real outing of the sort.  She did very well considering how frantic she was with people and other dogs back in the spring.  She barely barked at anyone.  Mrs.  Ang even made her a heart and peace sign bandana!  Its so cute we haven't taken it off since.  Because Matt and I were so tied up with watching Roxy we didn't snap a lot of photos, but I hope to have some new ones soon.  Here is one we did catch:

We will be back to the Heart Walk again next year!

Newtown Road Race Review

I've been waiting to run the Newtown Road Race for years.  Literally.  The first year I started training for it I got mono.  I trained last year and disconnected my IT band.  This year I was sad to find out it was taking place while I was away on vacation.  Well due to the hurricane, it was delayed until this weekend and I signed up right away.

With the move and renovation going on, I was really not prepared at all and my whole goal was to finish at all without feeling like I was dying.

The race morning was wet and cool, and I debated what to wear more than once.  I finally decided on one of my dresses, and my new Halloween Sweaty Band.  I was quite comfortable with the temperature.

The race was a rolling course and its one I have run quite often over the years.  I didn't wear my watch and I just did my best.  Shockingly, it was only 17 seconds off my PR.

I loved the race, taking part and getting back into it.  I am doing a race on Halloween weekend and I'm anxious to really get some great fall training days in,  I am off to explore some new trails tomorrow.