It is hard to believe it is only the 6th day of 2012!
How are you? Did you have a good time this New Years Eve? It seems as though the holidays were upon us as quickly as they were over…
A FEW THINGS…
This was the second year my taste tester and I literally ran into the new year. We decided on a new route for a new year. Happily a good course to prepare for ANY hilly 5k/10k and the option of tearing it up on a flat course! My times should show an improvement…
The run was absolutely exhilarating! It was however VERY QUIET!
No bhangra or dancehall music in the distance, no house parties with their 80′s/90′s music anywhere! Absolutely quiet! EVERYWHERE!
The economic downturn is my reasoning as to why there wasn’t much of a celebration. Things seem to be hard on everyone these days. Many people are affected financially right now.
It is displayed at simple places you would normally see loads of people! Many retailers are suffering and closing large stores. Blockbuster has been closing stores for awhile, as well as Kodak possibly having a downturn. People just don’t have extra money to spend!
I have NEVER seen so many people on bikes, commuting here and there and quite honestly everywhere. Sometimes the need to be more frugal can actually be healthier! 
My taste tester and I were discussing riding our bikes to and from the shop when the weather gets better….
RUNNING
2012 will happily result in running races for the SECOND time! Clap Clap Clap and a big smile for races coming up!
The Pepperdine Coastal 5k 10k is approaching. The last time we ran that race we also had International Vegan Pizza Night! I think I will have the events on different days! It was too crazy that night to do it again!
Races to follow: Chinatown Firecracker Race and the Brea 8K. These are some hilly courses! I have committed to better times AND to make those hills my B_TCH!
I have learned so much from my commitment to 12 races this last year.
Here are the HARD LESSONS from my first year of running and races…
Lesson #1 – DRINK WATER!
DRINK LOTS OF WATER! I know it probably sounds simple…maybe even stupid but it is the truth.
At any given moment during a run you may be confronted with feeling that your legs are as heavy as two concrete blocks! For me and many the feeling is generally in your thighs! This is definitely dehydration. Also, when it is difficult to take hold of your breathing pattern and break into your endurance mode it is usually water related. (That’s not to say nutrition isn’t a variable but that is further on down the list!)
MY ANSWER FOR ME: Make sure to drink more thank 64 oz a day if not more! Drink most of your water within a 12 hour period PRIOR to your run. Don’t jam on water trying to get it all in before a run! I repeat DON’T DO IT! You will definitely make yourself ill and that defeats the purpose! Just be aware of your water intake! And PURE water! None of this colored tinted or flavor hinted nonsense out there! PURE WATER!
LESSON #2 - KEEP IT CLEAN!
Any physical activity that places demands on your body like running, yoga, cycling and/or any other endurance sport should not occur after a cup of coffee! If the caffeine effect is your desire then go for some sort of tea, energy bar and/or natural supplement. I have found both the Vega Supplement to be quite helpful!
Coffee is extremely acidic something you DO NOT WANT for your body if you are going to race within a few hours.
You want to stay as ALKALINE as possible to curb injuries!
This year I read many articles on the internet, in running magazines and my beloved world of blogs about injuries people sustained while running.
Keep your diet and liquids clean! Your body will thank you and you will be happy with your endurance levels and overall performance.
CLEAN FOODS = CLEAN BODY!
Lesson #3 – BEWARE OF YOUR INNER WHINER !
When embarking on a run invariably you I will feel various things.
My inner whiner will enter my mind and tell me all kinds of things! For some the whiner begins sooner rather than later. It is the whiner that is often called “THE WALL”. Well here at the Veg888 blog…we call it “your inner whiner”.
A few examples are:
I have to go to the bathroom you should stop and go back … (My reaction: What are you talking about you just went to the bathroom before you ran for this specific reason. Keep running. )
My knee hurts…ouch my ankle…or some other type of pain… I can’t do it…i’m tired…it’s cold…(My reaction: Stop with the whining already just run. That is all you have to do. You just finished one hour of yoga madame..you are more than prepared!)
I think I will run a shorter distance than originally intended…(My reaction: Do you have a goal? If you do meet. Be about it…Don’t Just talk about it!)
There are many more examples but these usually hit me the first 1/4 mile.
Whenever that little nagging whiner rear it’s ugly head…I work through it! Shut the whiner down!
Lesson #4 – STRETCH IT OUT AND WALK IT OUT!
It is absolutely imperative to stretch! In the long run, (no pun intended) you are far better off when you stretch than when you don’t! Take the time to do it! If you don’t you will be sorry.
I pose this question to myself – Which would you rather do? Take the time to stretch and then run? -or- Get an injury because you didn’t stretch and then you can’t run for a few days/weeks/months and have loads of time nursing your injury?
Lesson #5 – PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING IN
& WHAT IS COMING OUT!
Okay so this is where the uncomfortable moments begin in this posting…
1) Whatever your persuasion regarding what you choose as your general menu, make sure you are no less than 60% alkaline! (I once read someone say “…there are two subjects that will make people not like you in any discussion. Talk to someone about their diet or their god and you will definitely encounter hostility!) In all physical activities, the more alkaline your system is the better your body will perform, repair, and continue comfortably. Experiment with your diet. It is the best way to fine tune your fitness goals and your quality of life.
2) Pay attention to what is coming out and how often! You should be able to have 1 or more bowl movements a day. If you skip a day drink more water, add more salad, add fruit, take a probiotic, something! Do not allow a day without a bowel movement! This is where many of diseases will end up living! Your colon, your digestive system and any of the filters our wonderful bodies have to assimilate food. I have been getting a colonic once a week since I first started. I feel better, my “movements” are better and my entire life is changing. Seriously. I certainly am not telling you you have to get a colonic. I am simply telling you to be aware of what is coming out. Be kind to your body and keep it clean!
This topic can be an uncomfortable subject, but I do feel it is important! I think when we as humans realize that we are in control of our health we will grow by leaps and bounds!
Our bodies are miraculous machines. Our bodies work better than any new technological gadget that can be imagined! Anything going wrong with your body is like a crime.
We have an amazing healing system within and remember to use it! We NEVER get sick for no reason! There is always a reason! Get CSI on the problem and I guarantee there is a natural cure! Anything you eat should not stay in your body for more than 8-12 hrs. So just be aware and love your body!
I don’t want to have too long of a post so I will end here!
Thanks for reading!
Namaste!
What are your goals this year? What goals did you meet last year?
Experience life and enjoy each adventure you find yourself in!
