Moving meditation ...

This will be a very short blog as I've had a busy non-stop day. Sometimes I think ... and, what else is new or different?!? I always seem to keep myself busy and do not stop that often. I do enjoy it to some extent however there are times when I just want to jump off that hamster wheel for a while! Mind you, seeing a friend for a long overdue catchup was great and thoroughly enjoyed!

So, what did I do today? I cycled about 2.5 miles to the gym and did a very good weights session, before cycling home again. It's been a while since I've done weights in the gym and I remember how much I love it. It's like a moving meditation for me when I focus on the movement, focus on the muscles being worked, focus on the posture, the form and the technique. I can get very 'zoned out' and definitely get that feel good feeling! Definitely a happy camper after a workout like today!

Social, not serious!

After a busy day, actually a busy week, I really didn't feel like putting on those running shoes and heading out the door ... yet head out the door I did. I actually convinced two friends to come run with me and they kept me company. A bit of social catch up and a bit of running is definitely good for the soul!

Out for 30 minutes at an easy pace. With the wind on our backs and the crashing waves in our ears, we sailed along the seafront. However, when we turned around to come back ... that was a different story ... wind in our faces and rain on our faces! We had been so busy nattering away on the way out that we didn't realize how much harder it would be on the way back. Doable, but just surprising!!

The run was followed by a nice warn hearty soup ... hmmm!

So what will tomorrow bring ... might do a bit of biking, a bit of gym or maybe dancing in heels. Does dancing in heels count as exercise?!?

Feeling the beat

Got up early this morning as reckoned it would be the only chance I got to do some exercise today and went out for a run.

Extremely surprisingly, I had an amazing 45-minute run in the rain at 6:30am! Very little warm up, straight out of bed and out the door! I put the music on and just let it carry me away ... and carry away it did. I was surprised how easy it felt and how I was spot on to the beat of the music all the way.

Very cool when everything just flows easily and effortlessly!

Gotta run now ... well, run between meetings if that count's as exercise today!

Gym today ...

Had a super busy day today and only now getting time to blog. Wanted to get out for a bit on the bike today (and to get it cleaned up after Sunday's mud fest!) however ran out of time and went to the gym instead. Today was my first session 'on my own', after my introductory session on Friday. I say 'on my own' as it's been a few years since I've been into a gym, however I have to admit I was a former 'gym junkie'!

It was great being back in the gym ... doing weights is like meditation for me. I know, that sounds a bit weird, however I really get into a 'zone' and although I don't get many insights in life and the universe, I do come out feeling amazing! After years of gym work, I'm remembering how to simply focus on the muscle group I'm working, on the form and technique of the particular exercise and my breathing. For me, I can easily get 'into the zone' where everything flows easily and effortlessly.

Well, maybe not so easily and effortlessly today and my body was re-awakening itself to the exercise and the movement! My body did protest at times and wondered what was going on!!

Although not clocking up the miles running or biking, it was still great and definitely going to become a regular part of my exercise routine!

Gentle jog ... honest!

First of all, I have to say that I've recovered quite nicely from the tough 4-hour off-road bike ride yesterday. I was worried about 'doing the stairs' ... and anyone whose done a marathon knows about the dreaded stairs the day after! However, I'm very pleased to say that I was ok ... surprisingly!

Now ... onto today exercise. I met Susie, a friend who is leaving this week for a 5-week ski 'working holiday' for a gentle jog. And guess what, a gentle jog it was!! We ran around Stanmer Park in the dark and we both agreed that we were glad we had each other as it would have been quite nerve racking to have done it on our own!

Felt like a novel concept to run about 5k nattering away ... that's what I've been missing all this time! So, note to self ... if planning to do a gentle jog, find someone to go out with for a natter, and then that will definitely keep the pace down so you can natter!

Mud, mud and more mud ....

Went mountain biking with the Brighton Explorers today which turned into a 4 hour hard ride!! With the bright blue skies ... it was simply great to be out on the Downs! However, 4 hours!?! Yikes!!

As I have been out either by myself or with Nick, I've tended to go ... at my own pace! Funny that ... taking it easy, stopping for breaks, admiring the views. Although it's been a good effort with hill climbs and such, it was a stroll in the park compared to today!

With all the rain we've recently had, and the snow, the ground was soft and there was mud ... everywhere ... and it was tough!! The climbs were putting me to the test and at times, my wheels were so caked up with mud that they were not even turning. Try walking your bike when the wheels don't turn ... fun!! One particular hilly and muddy bit, by the time I was at the top, I had a serious sense of humour loss. However was comforted by the fact that even the more experienced cyclists had found it tough! Then, on a steep, slippy downhill bit, they were all amazed I'd gotten down without falling off or stopping. I was however gritting my teeth and eye were wide with fear .... eeeeeeh!

The group was good about the fact that I was the one at the back of the group, and they were always waiting for me ... appreciating that it was my first time out with the group. However, I felt woefully out of shape and legs were like jello with no strength or power to them by the end!

Needless to say, that I'm lounging now comfortably on the sofa, compression tights on under my comfy trousers and have eaten a lovely sunday lunch. I imagine that an early night for me will be had!! (Says she, nodding as she types!!)

I do appreciate however that for the first time out with some serious riders for a serious ride, I did alright! And, I'll be back next weekend for another ride ... with repeated practice, I will have to get better ... mustn't I?!? Maybe I'll just stick to running ... it's so much easier!!

Lessons learnt ...

Did the parkrun 5K this morning. With legs feeling heavy, feeling like I had a chesty cough, I couldn't get into my stride or into the rhythm ... even focusing on the beat of the music wasn't working for me ... initially! Then, about 15 minutes into the run, I started getting more into the flow and by 20 minutes was definitely flowing!

Even though I was thinking that it wasn't going well, I stopped my watch at 25m30s ... which is 15s faster than last week. And last week was my first parkrun in years!!! So, was I pushing it harder today or not? Did the bike ride yesterday have anything to do with my heavy legs? Or, perhaps it was the intro session at the gym and doing some weights for the first time in ... oh, years! Don't have those answers!!

However, I did learn some lessons. Lessons learnt ... make sure I get out of bed more than 15 minutes before I'm out the door and running to the start (rolling out of bed, into running gear and out the door is not a good start!), make sure I do at least 10 minutes of easy jogging before the start and finally, make sure I do some stretching!!

Was going to follow that up with a dip in the sea (not really considered exercise at this time of year!) however it was too rough to get in so we all very sensibly went to the coffee shop instead!