Running Yogi - In Training

Travel along with me as I find balance, and transform myself into a running yogi.

[runningyogiintraining]

Keep on keeping on . . . . . . . . . #selfcaresaturday #selfiesaturday #health #fitness #workout #cardio #healthy #instahealth #healthychoices #active #strong #motivation #instagood #determination #lifestyle #exercise #run #runner #runtoinspire #furtherfasterstronger #seenonmyrun #runchat #runhappy #time2run #instafit #happyrunner #runners #instarunner #instarun #workouttime (at New York, New York)

[runningyogiintraining]

Work Travel Checklist - Check into hotel ✔️ - Unroll yoga mat ✔️ - Light candle ✔️ - BREATH ✔️ (at Des Moines, Iowa)

[runningyogiintraining]

Rooftop Yoga - Nighttime Edition

Space in New York is at a premium, and we were lucky enough to find an apartment with a private roof deck. It took several months before we were using it regularly and even longer (close to a year) for us to get the deck into shape where we really enjoyed spending time up there. One of those moves was to put up lights, and now, at night, it’s a lovely little spot.

And has made it the perfect spot for some nighttime yoga. 

I’ve been using my travel yoga mat, but it has not been great. While the travel option is great when on the road, it is too think to use on a regular basis. I recently purchased a new, thicker mat, and used it for the first time last night on the deck. it was heaven.

Again, I went back to my favorite end-of-day practice, Adriene’s Yoga For Bedtime - 20 Minute Practice, and with the light breeze from the East River and the lights, it was a perfect way to spend the evening. 

I stayed up there watching the stars for several minutes after my yoga was done. 

[runningyogiintraining]

Back to the morning runs - nothing beats these views! . . . . . . . . . #health #fitness #workout #cardio #healthy #instahealth #healthychoices #motivation #instagood #exercise #run #runner #running #furtherfasterstronger #seenonmyrun #time2run #happyrunner #instarun #workouttime #goodmorning #morning #sunrise #awake #wakeup #wakingup #earlybird #instamorning #early #fresh #refreshed (at Central Park)

[runningyogiintraining]

Morning Run with A Friend

You hear it all the time - find a workout buddy. You’ll be more accountable, you’ll push each other, you’ll have more fun... and I never really believed it.

But this morning, my friend Kate and I went for a run around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. We agreed to meet at 7am, and do a single lap. We live on opposite sides of the island, so I entered the park int he Wast side, met up with Kate on the West, did a single pass all the way around the reservoir, left Kate, and headed back home on the East side.

20 mins - 1.6 miles - I have NEVER done that before. It went by so fast and (while not easy) was significantly more do-able because Kate was there. She kept going, I kept going. There are many times I wanted to stop (and kept waiting for Kate to need a break), but she pushed me to keep moving forward.

Aside from being beautiful and healthy, it was so nice to have some extra friend-time with Kate! I hope we do this again!

[runningyogiintraining]

MySore

I’ve been having a hard time finding a “purpose” for running in New York. When I’m traveling, part of the running process that I’m enjoying is that I get to explore a new city and find hidden treasure (see my post about running in Rapid City, South Dakota). But in New York, I’ve been having a harder time finding a route that I like or an “end goal.”

So I was excited to try out MySore at my local yoga studio, 5 Pillars Yoga. The idea is that I will run to the yoga studio, do 30 mins of yoga, and then run home. 

“Mysore is a supervised, self-guided daily Ashtanga yoga practice, which is a method of yoga that focuses on developing a personal practice, adapting a conscious lifestyle, and being open to self-transformation. Mysore is not a group led class. You can expect a somewhat “open studio” type of vibe, with people arriving throughout the morning and beginning their practice with the supervision and guidance of a trained teacher who will offer individual instruction. Students go at their own pace, tuning into their own abilities and body wisdom.”

The run was pretty nice - early in the morning, and I ran along to my guided meditation. I will admit, I was nervous when I got to the studio - especially when I got inside and saw some VERY experienced yogis going through some very advanced moves. the instructor, Lindsay, was wonderful and kind, and walked me through the first two series of poses. She would leave me with a few moves to do on my own, go over and see the other yogis, and then return to me. I was in the studio for about 30 minutes, then headed out and ran back home.

The run home was energizing and, actually fun! I felt accomplished and like I had earned my morning. I found that I totally “felt” the yoga later - it was a very good workout. I was surprised. The only thing keeping me from going back was the cost - my class was $20 for this first visit, but it increases to $30 after that. 

All in all it was a great way to start the day.

[runningyogiintraining]

Evening Run

I am a big fan of sunrise. Yes, the alarm clock going off and push out of bed is tough, but I feel so accomplished for the rest of the day that it makes it all worth while. Plus, the early morning hours are quiet, cooler, and have a secret feeling to them - it’s like anyone you pass is on the secret club. And there are few cities as wonderful in the early morning hours as New York. But if you sleep in, then you miss your chance for the rest of the day. 

And that’s what happened today. I had some work things that I had to take care of before I went into the office, and missed the chance to get out for a run. So I decided to try an early evening option instead. NEVER AGAIN.

It was crowded - people were everywhere! My typical route is nearly empty, where it’s just me and the road. Later in the day, it was overflowing with people on the road - with their bikes, strollers, running themselves - on the grass, standing around... it was unbearable. The sun was also hot, despite it being near sunset. And I was tired from the day.

I pushed my run more than I have been - did a full 2 miles - but the best part of this run was to reinforce that my early morning instincts are right now, and that I should be ready to jump out of bed and enjoy those early morning moments. 

[runningyogiintraining]

Evening run (can’t say it’s for me - still prefer the quiet and peace of sunrise). . . . . . . . . . #evening #summernights #health #fitness #fit #workout #cardio #healthy #instahealth #healthychoices #active #strong #instagood #lifestyle #getfit #exercise #run #runner #running #runtoinspire #furtherfasterstronger #runchat #runhappy #time2run #instafit #happyrunner #runners #instarunner #instarun #workouttime (at Randall's Island Park)

[runningyogiintraining]

Learning My Meditation Preference

Yep - it’s official: I don’t like non-guided meditations.

One of the reasons that I’ve been against running is because I get into my head too much, and I get bored - which is (apparently) a pretty common thing. A lot of people have suggested playlists and songs that keep them going, but music has never been a big part of my life or a motivating factor. 

So when Headspace teamed up with Nike, I thought my prayers had been answered! As mentioned in a pervious post (you can read it here), I loved the 3 Headspace-Nike mediations on the Headspace App. In fact, I loved them so much, that I downloaded the Nike App to get more guided runs. I tried one during my bike ride earlier this week and wasn’t impressed, and then again tonight. 

I can’t do it.

It’s the long pauses - I’m used to a guided mediation, where even if the guide steps away, it’s for about 45 seconds and they have given you very concrete tasks, like counting your breaths or listing all the smells. The pauses on the Nike app are for several minutes at a time, and the instructions get lost by the time they’ve even finished talking.

Turns out I need guided meditation to keep me fully focused. Good to know - I will adjust as necessary (aka deleting the NIke app and sticking with my Headspace)!

[runningyogiintraining]

5am bike ride. Read the post here: https://runningyogiintraining.tumblr.com/post/175468858880/i-am-a-sunrise-girl-i-love-the-sunrise-it-feels . . . . . . . . . #health #fitness #fit #workout #cardio #bikeride #healthy #instahealth #healthychoices #active #strong #motivation #determination #lifestyle #getfit #exercise #instafit #bike #bikelife #workouttime #goodmorning #morning #sunrise #awake #wake #instagood #earlybird #instamorning #early #refreshed (at Tivoli, New York)

[runningyogiintraining]

5am Bike Ride

I am a sunrise girl. I love the sunrise. It feels more “earned” than the sunset. You can luck into seeing the sunset, but you have to really want to see the sunrise.

I’m at my Grandmother’s house in upstate New York (my parents live here too) and when we arrived yesterday afternoon, the air was thick and hot. If a workout was going to happen, it couldn’t be when the sun was out.

So, I set the alarm for 5, meditated as I walked to my parent’s house at grabbed my father’s bike, and then headed off.

The early morning sounds are what get you first - the frogs and birds, the absense of crickets, then the horses and other rustling. The ecosystems that don’t care about your presence...

I biked along, watching the sky change color and the mist around me. It was a solid 35 minutes before I saw someone else out - a runner - as I rode into the small town of Tivoli.

I rode to the center of downtown, did a loop and headed back. I was surprised to find out that my favorite bakery and coffee shop was already open (usually I show up around 7) - but again, I was the only soul around.

I arrived back at my parents house and the workout tracker said I had been gone for 59:20, and had just passed the 8 mile mark. I returned to the main house for some “cool down” yoga, and felt incredibly accomplished for 7am.

[runningyogiintraining]

Sunrise Walk and Yoga

My initial plan was to repeat my routine from yesterday - since it was my final morning in Rapid City. But when a friend asks to see the sunrise with you, you make it happen!

My friend and I met up at 5am, grabbed some coffee (thank you, Eaely Riser Starbucks!) and made our way through the empty streets. We choose to go through the Art Alley - a small alleyway filled with graffiti from local artists.

We exited the ally and continued along the deserted streets. We walked as the dark red and orange sky turned like blue. As we passed the library, we spotted a new friend.

We had spent the past 3 days together, but this morning, as we walked through the empty city, we talked about all those unimportant things - the ones you look back on as the most meaningful conversations of all.

[runningyogiintraining]

Morning yoga for the soul . . . . . . . . . . . #yoga #morning #morningyoga #hotelroomyoga #fitfriday #stretch #health #fitness #fit #workout #healthy #instahealth #healthychoices #active #strong #motivation #instagood #determination #lifestyle #getfit #exercise #workouttime #goodmorning (at The Hotel Alex Johnson)

[runningyogiintraining]

Morning hotel yoga - as has become my custom. . . . . . . . . #yoga #hotelyoga #hotelroomyoga #health #workout #cardio #healthy #instahealth #healthychoices #active #strong #motivation #instagood #determination #lifestyle #getfit #exercise #workouttime #goodmorning #morning #sunrise #awake #wakeup #instagood #earlybird #instamorning #early #fresh #refreshed (at The Hotel Alex Johnson)

[runningyogiintraining]

Sunrise Run In the City of the Presidents

I returned to Rapid City for a work event and was fortunate enough to be staying at the Historic Alex Johnson Hotel downtown. I love coming to western South Dakota. I continue to feel an incredible connection to the Black Hills and visiting Rapid City at the foothills feels like you are an explorer about to head out on miraculous adventures.

Many don’t know that Rapid City is also known as the City of the Presidents because along the two main streets of the city are statues of every American President. I decided that my morning run should include visits to these great men.

I awoke at sunrise (5:00am), grabbed my running shoes and began my historical run - accompanied by a Headspace/Nike guided run. I ran along the empty streets as the sun rose and visited my old friends (with specific stops for Truman, Lincoln, and Garfield). I have long known that running was a great way to “see a city” and learn more about it’s intricacies. Now, I couldn’t agree more.

Along this route, I discovered a new coffee shop (which I returned to later that morning), as well as completing my Presidential scavenger hunt. But I also uncovered a new component of a city that I have long loved. Watching the city wake up and begin it’s Day was a new, comforting viewpoint.

1.5 miles in 30 minutes (including photo breaks) - I might be getting hooked!

Finished up with a 20-minute post run yoga session.

[runningyogiintraining]

Coffee and smiles after a short 20-minute Sunrise yoga session at Mt. Rushmore National Park. Doesn’t get mush better than this! . . . . . . . . . . . . . #goodmorning #morning #day #daytime #sunrise #morn #awake #wakeup #instagood #earlybird #sky #sunshine #instamorning #early #refreshed #health #workout #healthy #instahealth #healthychoices #active #strong #motivation #determination #lifestyle #getfit #exercise #yoga #travelyoga #workouttime (at Mount Rushmore National Memorial)

[runningyogiintraining]

Sunrise at Mt.Rushmore

I get to do some very cool things for my job, but glamping in Mt. Rushmore National Park will forever be one of the coolest!

We spent the night in fabulous tents in huge, comfortable beds with fires roaring. I wanted to make sure that I got that real “Sunrise” yoga in, so I set the alarm for 5.

It did not disappoint. Just being there, alone and in the silence, was a spiritual moment. It was so special to be surrounded by nature and the history of the Black Hills - and even more so to see those four faces in the distance.

I rolled out my yoga mat and began to play some sunrise yoga instructions. I did a 20-minute session with a yoga podcast I recently discovered, Yoga Download. It was warm and cozy, like being hugged by the mountains themselves.

Nothing could erase the smile on my face after this experience.