Yoga and Running

I had a great weekend! Friday was the quarterly network maintenance day at work so I managed to work most of my hours Monday through Thursday and just went into the office until noon on Friday. Adam also had off so we spent the rest of the day walking around Denver, eating lunch at Senor Burritos, then checking out Punch Bowl Social, a game bar I've heard good things about. It seemed awesome. They had a few bowling lanes inside! We tried the special drink of the day and played darts. Then we ended the day by watching movies, and finishing season 1 of American Horror Story.

Saturday was an amazing yoga day! Again I manged to go to three classes- yoga sculpt, yoga flow, and hot yoga. The yoga sculpt class (yoga plus weights) this week was such a workout, I nearly couldn't do the chaturangas in the second class! Then the hot yoga class was an excellent way to end the day. Being in that 105degree room really helped stretch me out and rejuvenate my muscles. Today was the 4th 5K in the Run Denver series- the Valentine's Day 5K. Today's race actually felt good. This run didn't hurt at all, and I was able to enjoy every moment! The last two, I've felt out of breath and out of shape from being sick, and each race just seemed like something to get through. But today's race was great and now I'm really looking forward to next weekend's 10 miler!

Finally Feeling Fine!

The past couple of weeks I have been feeling sick! At first I had a sore throat, then a cough and runny nose, and the past week, I've felt so much better, but so tired I could do little more that go to work. But today I felt so great! I was able to get out of the house, do yoga sculpt, vinyasa, and hot yoga, bike all over town, and finally unpack from my apartment move!

This week has been jam packed with life events! Liz and I moved out of our beautiful, big apartment. I'm in a tiny studio two blocks closer to work. It's a cute little place, and the only criteria I had was that I be close to work. I've learned that someday, when I'm looking for a place to live longer term, I'd like a big kitchen, and to not be in a basement so the windows will let in sunlight. However I do like the location of this place, and it meets my needs perfectly. Liz moved into a house with three guys a lot farther away. I can't wait to find out how she's dealing with roommates!

This week I also had my OB interview. I'm not sure how it went. I did manage to talk about my strengths, leadership experience, experience leading young adults during community service projects, and experience camping. However I don't think I managed to show my strengths of working with teens, and I don't have any canoeing/portaging experience. From the interview it sounds like the position and the organization would be a great fit for me. I do think I would do well, learn alot, and really enjoy the different tasks involved. The interns even get to lead students on community service projects toward the end of the Intercept Program trips! Hopefully my strengths outweigh my weaknesses and they think I'm a good fit too!

Vacation

Last week I flew to Connecticut for a little winter vacation. I spent the whole week eating too much and not exercising at all. I brought Adam and Jaws home with me, which made the flight there pretty awesome. Jaws was pretty thoroughly sedated, so although he hated every minute of it we did manage to get him into the carrier, and through the whole ordeal with minimal whining. Adam even clipped Jaw's claws before we left! Now Jaws is living in the lap of luxury in Connecticut. He has a big old house to run around in, a choice in litter boxes, and two new people he can trick into feeding him 4 times a day. All he has to do is outrun Zelda and try not to annoy my dad too much.

While we were home we ate out every meal. I felt uncomfortably full the entire trip, and barely made my company's Holiday Weight Challenge weigh in when I got back. (I stayed exactly the same). We ate at Sushi Palace, Indian Neck Pizza, SBC, Max Brenner's, Darbar, Jalapeno Heaven, the Parthenon, and Panera. Plus Christmas Cookies! I checked out a new yoga studio while I was at home. I was hoping to be able to stretch out, maintain my practice, and possibly learn something new. But the studio I found offered only meditation based classes, mostly involving laying down and breathing. I gave it a fair chance, but I only learned that particular style of yoga is not for me.

We traveled to New York City and spent the day wandering in and out of bars/restaurants. Then Sunday we went to the Mark Twain house, and toured his house, and the Harriet Beecher Stowe house. Twain's house is super impressive and the tour is interesting, but I'm glad we toured the Stowe House too. I hadn't seen her house before. Seeing the Mark Twain house was definitely Adam's favorite part of the trip too!

Here is Jaws forcing Dad to cuddle while he tries to do the crossword.

Reflections and Resolutions

• What are the things of 2012 that you are most proud of?

Finishing the classes for my Certification in Nonprofit Management

Paying off my student loans

Running a marathon

• What experience has made you the happiest?

Going to Joplin to volunteer for a week made me happiest. It made me realize that working with volunteers and people passionate about a cause is what I really want to do with my life. I met great people and was really inspired to change my life and pursue my dreams.

• What changes would you make to your career in 2013?

In 2013 I would like to change my career and follow my passion. I would like to help people experience the world as I have been able to experience it: seeking the unknown, finding strength and leadership through teamwork, and the beauty of volunteering and serving others. In the summer I would like to intern with Outward Bound assisting with the wilderness backpacking trips with at risk youth. In the fall I hope to work with a Habitat for Humanity affiliate to lead construction crews.

Upon Reflection:

In 2012 I ran 17 races: 2 Marathons, 3 Half Marathons, 1 Triathlon, one 10K, nine 5Ks, and a 7K. I discovered that I love doing yoga. I woke up one morning and realized that I felt happy and whole, and ready to take risks and leave my comfort zone again. I worked two jobs. I learned to cherish the time I leave unscheduled. I’ve met new people and made new friends.

Resolutions:

I’m going to put money from every paycheck into savings. I want to change my spending habits a little. I’m going to stop shopping for material things. I don’t need anything. I’m going to de-clutter my life. Today I’ll spend the morning sorting through my stuff, getting rid of the trash and donating the things I don’t use. I want to be less of a pack rat. I’m going to cook more and not stop for takeout for meals. I want to eat healthier.I want to try something new. In 2012 I started practicing yoga, and discovered I love it! I want to keep running! For someone who could never run like I can now, marathon-ing is a super power! I’d like to run more than 3 half-marathons this year. I want to live more in the moment, and less in anticipation of what’s next. I want to stay in better touch with my friends.

This is Liz's room, after I filled it with balloons when she went home for the Holidays!

Another Week

In the past 7 days I’ve gone to 11 yoga classes. I’m addicted to yoga. All week I managed to make it to the early morning 6am Hot Yoga class. My ten day trial expired yesterday so when I go this afternoon I’m going to sign up for the three month membership. Last night I went over to Qi Yoga for the Yoga for Detox class. It was a great class! We did several poses I’ve never seen before, like “bird of paradise.” It was really cool to mix new poses into a familiar flow. I’ve already signed up to go again next Friday!

Today I ran the Christmas Carol 10K in 1:04:11. It was pretty chilly this morning, but a great day for a race. I definitely enjoyed the day!

I’ve been busy getting ready to fly home in January. I’m mostly packed, and presents are wrapped. I’m sad I’ll be missing Christmas with my family again, but I can’t wait to go home for a week!

Hot Yoga

This week I started practicing hot yoga. It is amazing! The poses are less strenuous than the vinyasa I’ve been doing, but with the room heated to 105 degrees it’s pretty intense. Within 10 minutes I’ve got beads of sweat forming on my skin, and by the end my clothes are soaked through! I’m still in the ten day trial period, but if I can motivate myself to get to the 6am classes next week, I’m going to invest in a membership. The room is like a sauna. It is so hot I cannot help but be fully present and in the moment. The heat and the detailed instructions make me 100% focused on what my body is doing, and every thought I had before the class started disappears. Today I went to my 4^th class, and those 90 minutes flew by. Attending these classes is also making me more mindful about drinking water to stay hydrated.

Today is day 25 of my run streak! I’ve run over 24 miles last week. If I can make it to New Years, maybe this will be the start of a great Resolution? Yesterday I volunteered at the Santa Stampede and next weekend I’m going to run the Christmas Carol Classic 10k. And in just a few weeks I’ll be home!

Status Quo

Life has been spectacular. I’ve managed to keep up the Holiday Run Streak running at least 1 mile everyday (some days that is the only thing that motivates me to get to the gym!) Today is day 18 of the streak! Yesterday was the Ugly Sweater Run in City Park to benefit Toys for Tots. That was the most chaotic run I’ve ever been to. There were 7,000 runners! Everyone looked absolutely ridiculous/amazing in their ugly sweaters, Santa hats, stick on mustaches and assorted other holiday garb. Once I got there, and picked up my Santa hat and a delicious Angry Orchard Cider I started the run. This event wasn’t times, so I set my stop watch, and took it easy to enjoy the day. It was a great place to people watch! Everyone looked awesome and the atmosphere was festive and fun!

Last weekend was the first 5K of the Run Denver series. I ran the Rudolph Ramble in 27:46 which is faster than I’ve been running since this summer. I’m planning of running the entire series as hard as I can, and hopefully will be able to improve my record time! This week I also went to check out Qi Fitness studios because I have a groupon for 10 fitness classes. So I stopped in and dropped in on a “Kardio Kinesis” class. It was more of a workout than I expected- the class was a circuit of body weight exercises that made me sweat! In the next few weeks I hope to check out their yoga classes.

With the year winding down I’ve been trying to think about the upcoming year and what I hope my life to look like. I have started applying for Outward Bound internships for the summer, and I finished updating my Americorps application so I can begin applying for Americorps Habitat for Humanity positions soon. This week I submitted my finals for my Nonprofit Management classes, all I have left to do is finish my online profile and submit it and I’ll have my certification!

Yesterday Lori had an Empower Women in Africa sewing event in Boulder, and Sam (also from Bike and Build) offered to drive me! It was a great event- a lot of people learning about the organization were really excited about the work we were doing. The woman who runs the little sewing shop taught me how to use a sewing machine! It was great catching up with Sam and Lori, and I’m glad the next event is going to be in Denver.