You don’t need to be an overachiever!

So you know I’m a type A personality.  This isn’t anything new.  So it might not come as a surprise to you that I’m always trying to map out all of my workouts, races, and yoga classes.  A few weeks ago, I sat down with my bff Google Calendar and worked out a training plan that would get me in shape to run the Philadelphia Half Marathon in September, and the next day I set out for a run.

It didn’t go very well.  It was a nice little 3 miler, but not even a mile in, I was walking.  I was huffing and puffing, even though I’d taken my medicine before I left.  You see, like many other runners, I have exercise induced asthma.  I’ve never (knock on wood) had an attack, but my lungs are awfully tight when I run.  I’ve tried to work through it, but I always end up walking while trying to suck in air.

This time I decided enough is enough.  There is a lot of pressure in the blog world to run races.  Not direct pressure, and maybe it’s all in my head.  But so many people are getting these lovely shiny medals, and it makes you want one to!  And I’ve tried. 

But even during my half marathon, I wasn’t breathing right.  I hadn’t trained enough.  And I walked.  A lot.

The other day after my wheezy 3 miler, I went back to the drawing board.  I called the doctor, and together we are working on the best treatment for my asthma.  I revamped my training plan using the Couch to 5k program, with a goal of running the 3 mile Beachpalooza in New York at the end of August. 

I can’t tell you how excited I am to run this obstacle course.  The hubs is running it with me, and it’s super close to his mom’s house, so we can just roll out of bed and head to the beach. 

After this race, I will be starting the Bridge to 10k program, with a goal of running the “Run the Bridge 10k” that crosses the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philly.  I’ve wanted to run this race for a long time, and I think it will be a great time! 

After this though… my race season for 2011 will be over.  Yes, my longest race for 2011 will be 6.2 miles, which seems to be a blog travesty!  But this brings me back to my original point…

We don’t always have to be over achievers!  Running marathons and half marathons and ironmans is great.  If you can do it, do it.  But if you can’t, there’s nothing wrong with scaling back.  I’m excited to “start over,” and hope that ultimately it will make me faster and stronger.  And maybe next year I’ll get a pretty medal  

If anyone else is in the same boat, I strongly recommend the Couch to 5k program.  I’ve used it before, and it just works for me!  There’s even an iPhone app that tells you when to run and when to walk.  It’s the best.

Do you have asthma?  How has it affected your running?  Have you ever had to “start over” with your running?

Spin Class: Chapters 1-4

Once upon a time, I made a New Years Goal to take a spin class.  My idea was that I would take one every week from January 1 until the wedding, and look like a svelte, hot model on my wedding day.

What I failed to account for was that I was chicken.  I woke up in time every Wednesday morning, but I scared myself  and would go for a run instead.  Then one Tuesday in March, I had a dress fitting, and while the dress zipped, I couldn’t sit down (that’s a whole other story for another time!).  The next morning, I woke my ass out of bed and went to spin class. 

{Chapter 1}

I told the teacher (her name was Sarah) that it was my first time spinning.  She explained how to set up the bike so that I wouldn’t bounce around and injure myself.  And then it was time.  I was so nervous but I tried to treat the class like yoga class.  If the class was in a “run” but I couldn’t stay standing that long, I’d just sit down and get up when I felt ready.  By mid-class, I felt more awake than if I had had a giant iced coffee.   What a rush!  I was hooked.

{Chapter 2}

The following week, I took another class with the same teacher.  I was loving the music selection (all fun pop music like the new Jlo and Britney songs!) and I was getting stronger.  By the end of the class, the other women in the class recognized me from last week and told me how strong I looked, and gave me tips for “running” that would make it easier (like turning up the resistance so you’re not bouncing around all over the place!).  I started chatting with one girl about running and the Broad Street Run.  I never believed that people made friends in the gym, but maybe they do.

{Chapter 3}

The week before the wedding, I took off from work.  I refused to make it to my regular 615am spin class, so I took a 630pm spin class.  The teacher was good, but he was older and not nearly as energetic as Sarah was.  He played songs like the Beatles, and the class kinda dragged.  But it was still great to sweat.it.out. and melt off some stress.  Oh – I should mention, that at this point I could sit down in my wedding gown.  Maybe it was the spin class, maybe it was the salads I was eating at lunch… but I think it was spin class.

{Chapter 4}

After my last spin class, I was hesitant to go back.  I felt like maybe since the last class was kind of boring, I wasn’t going to like it anymore.  (read: I tried to talk myself out of it again.)  But I didn’t feel like running and I needed to sweat, so I went.  And for the first time, I was able to get through the entire class without having to sit when the class was standing.  I think part of it was the teacher (unfortunately not Sarah!) is training for a triathalon so she had us focused on endurance and speed, which I prefer to the hills.  But also I can feel myself getting stronger, and it’s so fulfilling. 

I’ve been having a hard time getting motivated for running lately, but spin class makes me smile.  And as an added bonus, every time I hear the new Jlo song (On the floor) or the new Britney song (Til the world ends) it makes me excited to get back to class and rock out.  Who doesn’t like to spend 45 minutes jamming out? 

Anyway, sorry for the wordy post with no pictures!  Have you ever taken a class that freaked you out?  Did you end up liking it?

Cupcake Craving

Last night I was on my way home from yoga when I had the sudden urge for a chocolate cupcake.  I’m NOT a huge cake person, so I figured that if I had such a random craving, I should indulge it.  But where is one to find cupcakes in Lower Merion at 9:30 at night?  Unfortunately not at a bakery.  Enter… WAWA!

(not my picture, but my wawa!)

Besides Wawa, another Philadelphia staple is a Tastykake.  I’ve never really been the biggest fan of the sugary treats, but look – a craving is a craving.  I sprinted into Wawa and came out with this:

Ahh sweet sugary relief… Wawa + Tastykake = 24 hours of cupcake!

In other news, I took my third yoga class at Dana Hot Yoga yesterday.  My second class last week was ehh – the teacher was too quick (so many chatarungas without stopping!)  But last night I took Jeff’s class, and he was slow and deliberate and made sure to explain and demonstrate the poses.  (Often times at Dana it’s too crowded for the instructor to also do the yoga.  Strangely enough I enjoy it when it’s crowded – it’s cozy and I love seeing 45 other people who are taking steps for their health.) 

Last week I spent a lot of time in child’s pose, but this week I went to class with the intention of spending a lot of time upside down, and I succeeded!  I attempted to go into crow and headstand (and failed) but I was still upside down.  It was a great way to clear my head… as silly as it sounds, I imagined all my crazy thoughts falling out of my ears and I left clear headed and not stressed.  During the whole class I felt strong, instead of rushed and flustered from not being able to keep up with the moves.  It was a good class.

I also found another friend  from both SJU and the firm where I used to work… blog, meet Julia! 

Ok so that’s a really old, bad picture… but you get the idea.  I love that I run into so many friends at the yoga studio.  And I love that we all have time to go to yoga on a weeknight now that we’re not working Busy Season anymore

Does anyone have advice for getting into crow or headstand?  I think I’m strong enough, I just think I have the wrong positioning!