Confessions: Why I haven't been running
I love running. Running helped me lose weight, gain confidence, be independent, and helped me enjoy being outdoors. So why am I suddenly so unmotivated to run? Just when I had finally got back into the swing of things, we moved, and my whole world was turned upside down. The lack of routine (get up at 6, run, breakfast, shower, work) has been a rough adjustment. I'm tired from staying up with Andy (now that he's working, the only time we have together is after 7:30 pm, and sometimes after 9:30 pm), and can't get out of bed in the morning to save my life. On those rare occassions that I am up before 7, I have no desire to lace up. Why not run after 7? Because the humidity is 100% and the sun darkens my skin in about 5 minutes of exposure, even with sunscreen.
About a month ago, I re-discovered yoga. My mother-in-law lent me her beginner's DVD and I was hooked. A month later I finally shelled out for my own set and rturned hers. I even signed up for a yoga class at the local high school, which starts in September. Something about yoga has helped me tremendously through this period of adjustment. I still get that "me time" that I enjoy with running, but more than that, I get to enjoy it at home. In the morning, Buddy basks in the sun while I do my sun salutations and my 40 min routine on our screened in patio. By the end of it, he's ready for breakfast and I'm as soaked with sweat as I am after a 4 mile run. Most surprisingly, I feel great, and not a bit out of shape. On the contrary, my arms feel leaner, and I haven't done a single set of crunches in a month -- I haven't had to. When I run, my mind wanders. I think about the things that are bothering me (leaving my parents, lack of a job, Andy's job, everything). When I do yoga, all I can think about is my breath, and who hard this pose is at this very second. Which, I think, is the whole point of yoga--to live in the moment, the action, and not the past or future.
I miss running, but really I just feel guilty for not running. It's been such a part of my life for so long, that I feel weird without it. The guilt is pretty overwhelming at times. Enough for me to go next door and hop on the treadmill, even just to get in a couple of miles. What's worse is that I like how I feel when I don't run -- I have no leg pain, no stiffness, and even my crepidis (creaky cracky knee joints) is getting better. I read somewhere (sorry, don't remember where!) that "Yoga is good for running, but running is not good for yoga." Unfortunately, that statement is so very true. After a run, my hamstrings shrink and all the progress I feel I've made (whether true or not), is erased. I can actually touch my toes now!!! It sounds funny, but I've never been able to do that!
About a month ago, I re-discovered yoga. My mother-in-law lent me her beginner's DVD and I was hooked. A month later I finally shelled out for my own set and rturned hers. I even signed up for a yoga class at the local high school, which starts in September. Something about yoga has helped me tremendously through this period of adjustment. I still get that "me time" that I enjoy with running, but more than that, I get to enjoy it at home. In the morning, Buddy basks in the sun while I do my sun salutations and my 40 min routine on our screened in patio. By the end of it, he's ready for breakfast and I'm as soaked with sweat as I am after a 4 mile run. Most surprisingly, I feel great, and not a bit out of shape. On the contrary, my arms feel leaner, and I haven't done a single set of crunches in a month -- I haven't had to. When I run, my mind wanders. I think about the things that are bothering me (leaving my parents, lack of a job, Andy's job, everything). When I do yoga, all I can think about is my breath, and who hard this pose is at this very second. Which, I think, is the whole point of yoga--to live in the moment, the action, and not the past or future.
I miss running, but really I just feel guilty for not running. It's been such a part of my life for so long, that I feel weird without it. The guilt is pretty overwhelming at times. Enough for me to go next door and hop on the treadmill, even just to get in a couple of miles. What's worse is that I like how I feel when I don't run -- I have no leg pain, no stiffness, and even my crepidis (creaky cracky knee joints) is getting better. I read somewhere (sorry, don't remember where!) that "Yoga is good for running, but running is not good for yoga." Unfortunately, that statement is so very true. After a run, my hamstrings shrink and all the progress I feel I've made (whether true or not), is erased. I can actually touch my toes now!!! It sounds funny, but I've never been able to do that!
posted by Shalu @ 6:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home