Freaky February Weather

I had my morning all planned for today... yoga class, then a bike ride before having to get ready to go to a cousin's wedding in the city this evening.

Well, the yoga part was fantastic (thanks as always to Diane at Focus Fitness). But then yoga ended; I was putting my shoes on to leave and I looked up. BLIZZARD conditions!! Really, WTF? No forecast I saw said anything about snow. There went those plans. Seriously, Mother Nature, make up your mind. Either 60 degrees or winter. This back and forth is wreaking havoc on my training plans, and I'm sure on others' as well.

On the bike trainer I go...

Fresh air with Focus

Okay, so it wasnt quite 'balmy' while I was riding, it was more crisp with a bit of wind thrown in for good measure. BUT... The only thing that matters is that I was OUTSIDE and not on a trainer! Glorious!
Started the morning with 1 1/2 hr yoga class, then the ride, and to top the day off, a 1 1/2 hr hot yoga class! Again, I say glorious.

In all it's crispy coolness, I must say the ride along the SRT was beautiful, barely a cloud in the sky... Not sure if it was windburn or sunburn I was feeling on my face, but the fact that I was FINALLY riding outside (for the first time since August and after major surgery in September) superseded any concern about a little redness on my face. Damnit, it felt incredible to be back on my bike, outside.

And let me tell you, those spinning classes are paying off! Mahalo aplenty again to everyone at Focus Fitness!

Happy training!

Winter? What winter?

Mother nature continues to baffle us with her cunning take on winter this year. Tomorrow, Saturday 18 February is set to be a balmy 50 degrees here in Philly. What does this mean, other than the fact that I have yet to brush snow off of my car or had the need to break out my super cold weather winter attire.... It means, it's time to ride outside my friends!
Full report after the ride, and yoga of course!

Peace,
M

Daily mantras

I am beginning to realize that starting the day with a mantra allows me to stay the course. My most used mantra to date:

Follow the path of complete devotion and unwavering focus.

Think about it for a minute. If we all can do this in every aspect of our lives, imagine how much less stress we would be under, how much happier we would be!

I do have to admit that this week was a wash.... a 4 day migraine had me in bed and getting sick, so my focus was shot to hell. But, I am getting it back. And with that, my devotion to training for this incredible goal I have set for myself. 

So, now that I am migraine free, it's back to the mat, the bike, the pool, and the pavement or track or whichever surface I can devote my run to.

Happy trails,

-M

6 months to go...

Yesterday marked the 6 month-to-the-date to the BIG race day, Ironman 70.3 National Harbor. 6 months. Breathe, Megan, breathe.

Okay, actually I am working on the breathing.... Yoga ha transformed my training and focus.

I've been a swimmer my whole life, biking I'm fine with...but running. I dont't breathe. I am tense when I run; I'm tense because I'm not breathing properly because I just want to get through the horror I've always considered running. I also never learned proper physical running technique. I'm working on that, too. Thanks to Joanna (Nutrition in Motion... http://www.nutrition-in-motion.net/) for helping me relearn how to run... I hope.. no, I know, it will work.

So.. The training continues even though life/work likes to poke its way in every now and then. If it weren't for work and life, this would be the life. Then again, it all makes me who I am, and has put people in my life for whom I am eternally grateful. So, to all those who believe in me, encourage me, push me.... Mahalo nui loa.

Until next time...
Namaste,
-Megan