Contemplating

Sunday 11/25/12

"Do not allow yourself to be held hostage by anything you don't need.  Let go." -Emmy, Bikram student/teacher

I read this quote today in the book that I am reading called Hell Bent.  The book is about Extreme Yoga Asana Students who compete for trophies and recognition in this highly competitive arena.  Yoga and competition is one of the biggest oxymoron's I can think of.  I instruct my students at the beginning of each class to let go of competition, expectation and judgement (as was taught to me by my Yogafit training).  These people are certainly an interesting breed.  They are not really a stereotypical group of hippie freaks either.  They come from all walks of life to learn, practice, and compete.  Interesting, to say the least.  The quote though is something else entirely to me.  I can be taken hostage by a single thought at any moment.  I can hold on to that single thought or situation for a day, a week, sometimes even a month (if it's a really hot issue for me).  In fact I think there may be a few things that I have held on to for far longer than that. 

I am currently in need of some significant cooperation and quiet.  As Sundays wind down I start to contemplate the week ahead of me.  It starts with planning my work schedule, reviewing my teaching commitments and then fitting in my runs and workouts around those things.  I wish it would stay that neatly in my head.  See, I am thoroughly dissatisfied with my current employment right now.  When I begin to contemplate the week ahead, I tend to get depressed and aggravated about having to go there and do a job for people who treat all of us as if we are pawns in their game.  I have to stick it out just a little while longer before I can actively look for a new job.  In the meantime, I have to find things to distract me from this anxiety ridden reality.  Running does that for me most of the time and today was no exception.  I went out to do my 6 mile training run today and I did let go.  Even if it was only for that hour.  I was one with my breath, my legs, the trail.  I noticed the cardinal perched on the fence picking berries.  I noticed the kitten hiding in the woods as a strode by, watching me as if I might be a predator.  I noticed the cold air entering my lungs and patiently waiting for my body to assimilate to it.  I noticed the direction of the wind and compensated my pace.  There is nothing like a nice contemplative run to make the rest of the day feel just a little bit better.

As a nice bonus, I got to see a good friend, and a new friend that I wasn't expecting to see when I stopped for my post run cup of Joe. 

I turned down the pace of my run significantly today.  Coming off that PR on Thursday, I wanted to take it easy.  I took all of my scheduled walk breaks.  I felt pretty good throughout the run

6.01miles; 1:05:09; 10:51 pace; 567 calories.

November 25, 2012

Foods	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Cholest	Sodium	Sugars	Fiber
Breakfast
Kashi - Frozen Blueberry Waffles , 2 waffles	150	25g	5g	4g	0mg	340mg	3g	6g
Great Value - Light Reduced Calorie Syrup, 1/12 cup	33	9g	0g	0g	0mg	57mg	8g	0g
Generic - Egg (Scrambled), 2 egg	120	2g	10g	12g	390mg	130mg	0g	0g
Earth Balance - Natural Buttery Spread - Original, 0.5 tbsp (14 g)	50	0g	6g	0g	0mg	50mg	0g	0g
Blueberries - Raw, 0.25 cup	21	5g	0g	0g	0mg	0mg	4g	1g
Grapes - Raw, 0.5 cup	31	8g	0g	0g	0mg	1mg	7g	0g
Fresh Fruit - Pineapple, 75 g or 1 cup	39	10g	0g	0g	0mg	1mg	8g	1g
Lunch
Herbalife - Cinnamon Roll Shake, 8 oz	250	0g	0g	23g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g
Dinner
Jiffy - Corn Bread Muffins W/ Skim Milk, 1 muffin	141	5g	4g	3g	27mg	57mg	6g	0g
Robert's - Raw Honey, 1 teaspoon	20	8g	0g	0g	0mg	1mg	8g	0g
Chicken Tortilla Soup, 1 serving(s)	208	34g	2g	14g	29mg	1,174mg	8g	6g
Kraft Foods - Nabisco - Oreo Cookies , 2 cookies (34g)	107	16g	5g	1g	0mg	93mg	9g	1g
Snacks
Generic - Banana , 100 grams	89	23g	0g	1g	0mg	1mg	12g	3g
Coffee W/Cream - French Vanilla, 1 Tbsp	37	6g	2g	0g	0mg	30mg	6g	0g
Richland Orchards - All Natrual Greek Yogurt Bar, 1 Bar	160	22g	6g	7g	0mg	40mg	11g	5g
Herbalife 24 - Rebuild Endurance , 2 Scoops (44.5g)	160	27g	1g	10g	10mg	250mg	14g	0g
Torani - Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup, 2 Tbsp	0	0g	0g	0g	0mg	5mg	0g	0g
Cream - Half and half, 2 tbsp	39	1g	3g	1g	11mg	12mg	0g	0g
TOTAL:	1,655	201g	44g	76g	467mg	2,242mg	104g	23g

Exercises	Calories	Minutes	Sets	Reps	Weight
Cardiovascular
Running (jogging), 6 mph (10 min mile)	567	65
TOTALS:	567	65	0	0	0