Well, It's Official

Ok, so it is now official, and a sad, sad, day. I am doing the half instead of the full. Today I went for a 10 miler and the time off for my back did quite a number. The level of conditioning that I had at the beginning of the month has been set back by a month, and I don't think there is any plausible way for me to get back to where I need to be with only 25 days to go.

As a result I am sending off the email tonight requesting that I be moved from the full to the half. But, I will be doing this again and get that full conquered, but I need to listen to my body, and right now it is telling me that 13 is totally doable but the 26.2 will take more out of me than I am willing to give.

31 Days to Go - 3 Mile Bike Today

I did a quick 3 miles on the stationary bike today. I haven't used a stationary bike much at all in my life, but I enjoyed it today. It certainly was good cardio, and my legs felt great afterward. I'm trying to mix it up with running every other day, and some other type of exercise on the off days.

31 days before the big day.

Feeling Human Again - 32 Days to Go!!

I thought that it's about time we start a countdown since WE ONLY HAVE 32 DAYS LEFT before the big day!!! How exciting.

The weather here in Houston was beautiful, so I went for a 5-mile jog around our new neighborhood. It was pleasant - people out with their dogs, the usual hippies hanging out by the museum, cars going at a slower pace than usual. I'm so grateful that our new apartment is in a neighborhood with sidewalks, which is a rare thing indeed in inner loop Houston.

Weekend Warrioring

I figured I should post an update as to how the weekend went after being on hiatus for my back. I thought that I would be slower and have a hard time, but as it turns out that two weeks off was awesome. I felt great after doing my walks (that is all I've done), and it would seem that my back is starting to snap back into shape (literally). I haven't done any cardio or strength because that involves a lot of bending, and I know that I'm not 100% yet to be able to tackle that without risking another episode.

I'm off to get in another walk.

Oh, the time at 24HF, as long as it was after 10pm, it was fine. I went on Sunday afternoon and it was relatively quiet as well. I think my time is either early am or late pm so that I don't have to give up the treadmill after a mere 30 minutes.

Back Won, But Traci is Back

Ok, so my back clearly won. It kept me on the floor until last week Friday, and still sleeping on the floor today. My back is slowly starting to loosen back up - I was able to get a crack out of it today for the first time in over two weeks ... which means it is starting to get back to normal. While I still cannot bend like I was, I am not at 100%, tomorrow I am going to go for a walk and see how things go.

I am going to get in some video workouts as well, but I need to keep the bouncing and bending to a minimum until my back is at 100% again.

I am going to start hitting up 24HF and give my membership its first workout so that I can use the bikes and treadmills when it is too treacherous for me outside. Clutz and ice do not mix - especially with my back.

We shall see how it goes ...

3 Miles & My Gym Dilemma

Forgot to post this yesterday: I managed to get 3 miles in at lunch hour.

24 Hour Fitness
I've been meaning to give 24 Hour Fitness a try by signing up for one of their 7 day free passes. Everyone else I know who works out has a membership there, but something about the big box atmosphere turns me off. Picky, picky, I know. I just get self conscious working out around a lot of other people. And something about the 24 Hour Fitness gyms just seems so testosterone, if that makes sense (this is coming from the girl that used to work out at "Flirty Girl Fitness").

I did suck it up and went to the 24 Hour Fitness down the street from my work, free pass in hand. It wasn't too busy, though the parking lot was full because the gym shares a lot with several restaurants. I was surprised to find out that most of the other people at the gym were not really working out. There were a few strolling on the treadmill, and a few pumping out a few weights. God I hate gyms. If I have to be there, you better believe I'm going to kick my butt. If I want to go for a stroll, I'll do that in my neighborhood. I managed to get in a 3 mile run at a decent clip... all while watching Maury. Which brings me to another reason why I hate gyms: there is always someone else hogging the remote. I'm going to give 24HF another try today, and maybe for the rest of the week. But the good news is that the console arrived for our stationary bike, so hopefully I can just do that and some running outside.

Yin Yoga

I took it easy today and did some yoga. The thing I love most about yin yoga is the feeling afterward, as though your blood flows more efficiently. You feel as though you breath easier. It is like a full breath for your body.

Here are some of my favorite poses:

Dangling - just a basic forward bend with your head cradled in your bent arms.

Sleeping Swan - this is like the pigeon pose in yoga, except your entire front body is on the floor, or at least that's the goal.

Reclining Twists - arms in a T, both legs to one side and then the other. This move feels divine!

I like to mix it up between the yin poses with some downward dog, child's pose, and plenty of plank.