Molly, Yoga, and Holiday Run Streak!

This week Little Molly came to visit. The perfect excuse to take some time off of work and eat at all my favorite restaurants. Monday we spent the whole day walking around Denver and hanging out. We hit up Snooze for breakfast that morning, and the menu had changed and we didn’t even order the pancakes! The new menu had a French toast we had to try: “Ichabod Crane's French Toast  Pumpkin and mascarpone stuffed brioche griddled and topped with roasted chile maple syrup, candied pumpkin seeds, crushed ginger snaps and lemony whipped cream.” Then we walked over to Symmetry Massage and Spa for massages. I thought our massage therapists did a great job! And, they had heated beds! As soon as I got into it, I was like: “Oooh, is this bed heated?!” On our way there we passed a cute little tea shop, so after the massages we stopped in for a pot of oolong tea. It turns out that tea shop is also a green auto repair shop! It was super cool and the tea was delicious. Then we walked to the 16^th Street mall and did a little bit of shopping, then headed toward the Nature and Science museum. (We got halfway there and gave up, so we stopped for espressos instead). Then we went to the gym for powersculpt and yoga! Tuesday we were so sore from all that walking followed by a workout! After yoga we went to DBAR for some garlic Parmesan fries and a cake and shake. Liz convinced us we should also get some crème brulee. It was all amazing! They were probably the best fries I’ve ever eaten, and I cant wait to go back for more delicious desserts! Tuesday we went to Watercourse for dinner and has Buffalo Seitan Wings, then we cooked Thanksgiving dinner for Wednesday. Wednesday was the Thanksgiving potluck at work, I brought cream puffs that Molly whipped up, and everyone loved it! Then Wednesday night Liz and Lupita came over for dinner and we had some transitional Thanksgiving goodness!

Thanksgiving day started the Runner’s World Holiday Run Streak! I’m going to run at least one mile, every day from Thanksgiving to New Years! Thanksgiving I had a good 5 miles run in Wash Park, then today I managed 2.6

When Molly was here we got to talking a lot about yoga. I brought her to the class at my gym which is a vinyasa flow class. I’m ready to start branching out and trying new yogas though, so this week I bought a groupon deal for a yoga studio downtown. I’m also going to go to the classes at my gym more too, to continue strengthening my practice. I’ve been going there for about a year now, and I never thought I would enjoy yoga so much!

Walking- Hobbit Style

My bike was stolen yesterday. The lock was cut while I was in the gym. So until I can find something to get around on I'll be walking everywhere. Like a hobbit. It was very sad to walk out of the gym to see a broken lock and my helmet where my bicycle should be. I am glad that they left my helmet. I would hate to have to buy a new bike, a new lock and a new helmet. Helmets are pretty darn pricey! I also had some tools in the saddle bag on the bike too, mostly tire levers and a multi-tool I think. Today I stayed late at the gym to catch an extra yoga class. The Tuesday night teacher focuses a lot on breathing and "letting go of things that don't serve you." I'm trying to focus on not feeling sorry for myself, and not being upset over the loss of a material possession.

Its just a "thing." As much as I might have liked that bike, I don't NEED it. I can get around just fine on my own two feet. The walk to work only takes about 25 minutes. I can probably make it there faster with a dedicated power walk.

I guess I'm sad because that bike has seen me through some tough times. When I was in Arkansas, and lonely and needed to be able to get away from my project/team/housing I bought that bike. It was a rainy couple months so I wasn't able to ride it very much, but just knowing that I could was comforting. Then in Joplin after a 12 hour work day I was able to ride back to the school we were living in, giving me the opportunity to get a little bit of exercise and a precious few moments of alone time. I've been a bike commuter in Denver for 15 months- all weather. Last winter was cold, snowy, but that bike shuttled me from two jobs, home and the gym. I was always on time, and in such good shape! And that bike saw me through the Rattlesnake Triathlon this summer, and got me everywhere I needed to go.

I like to think that I'm not materialistic. I'm not emotionally attached to my possessions. Being a cyclist is not the end-all-be-all of my identity.

Motivate!

Winter is coming. I can feel my motivation to workout slipping away. I haven't been running regularly since the Rock and Roll Marathon. I've had a few fun jogs in the park, and a couple quick 5Ks, but I haven't been hitting the treadmill or making time everyday for a burst of cardio. Mondays are always a good gym day though! Powersculpt followed by yoga is a good start to my week. Powersculpt is an hour long weight lifting class that also incorporates cardio and abs. Which is about the only thing I do that actually feels like "working out." Tonight's yoga class was so great. I feel completely stretched out and rejuvenated. I'm ready to tackle the rest of the week!

I signed up for the Run Denver Race series to keep me motivated to run this winter. Its four 5Ks, and a half marathon. One 5K in December, one in January, and two in February, then the Half at the beginning of March. I'm also contemplating the idea of running an ultra marathon in the beginning of May. I wonder if I could convince my cousin Ron that a 50K is a good idea?

I've also signed up to volunteer at a couple races. This weekend I'm going to volunteer at the Run for Fetal Hope, and in December I'm volunteering at the Santa Stampede.