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but the fact that I was FINALLY riding outside (for the first time since August and after major surgery in September) superseded any concern about a little redness on my face.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

Pool session...

First pool session in awhile. Water was freezing! Was not expecting that. It was a short one, as I hopped in before the team I coach arrived for practice. Then it was off to yoga....
Tomorrow morning, 6am, Spinning & Yoga at Focus Fitness

New Year, Renewed energy. It's on!

Okay, so 2011 was a wash. With getting hit by the car and having to have shoulder surgery, and another major surgery (unrelated to car accident) in Sept, my goal for doing a half-Ironman in 2011 fell way short.

But, friends, it's a new year and I have an amazingly new outlook on life, training, goals, etc. So, save the date, Aug 5, 2012. Ironman 70.3 National Harbor http://ironmannationalharbor.com/ is my new official goal. Yes, I say official as I have officially registered! YIKES. But I'm going to do it.

How and where did I get this new focus? Well, quite literally at a place called FOCUS FITNESS. The best yoga/spinning studio on the Main Line. I have finally found what I have been needing. Not only have I healed so much more quickly from my Sept surgery than all the doctors and everyone ever imagined, I have met the most amazing, supportive, kind people on the planet. Kudos to the staff at FFML.
Oh, and if you are in the Philly/Main Line area and are looking for such a place: 
http://www.focusfitnessml.com/. I promise you will not be disappointed.

I'll be keeping you posted...

Namaste,
-M

SheRox Philly

Done with physical therapy, now time to put it to the test!!

Today I will do my first tri of the season, late I know, but that's what happens when you get hit by a car and have to have shoulder surgery...everything you want to do is put on hold. This is a big day. I have to admit, I am nervous, partly because it is raining and I'm afraid the race will turn into a duathlon...not what a swimmer wants to hear race morning!

I have no expectations going into this race. I know I'm not 100%, but I have to give it a go. I have to find out if I will be ready and able to do 70.3 in October. So, this is my test race.

Here goes....She ya at the finish!

Aloha!

-Megan