The exciting part of my week is that I tried something new! Yoga! I had taken classes at a gym, but had never been to a yoga studio. One of the studios in Minneapolis (which has a location 2 blocks from my condo) offers a week of free yoga, so I decided to take advantage of it since I'd be around this weekend.
I took my first class on Tuesday and I was so nervous! I sent Amber a bunch of messages with questions about what to expect, what to wear, etc. I ended up going with this outfit: a Lulu Lemon fitted tank (purchased at the outlet last fall) and fitted pants.
 |
| I may not know what I am doing, but at least I look the part! |
The verdict? I absolutely loved it! I fit in as many classes as my schedule would allow this week (4). Now I have to think about whether I can make room in my budget for more classes. It is certainly not cheap, but I think it would really compliment my training. I know I could practice on my own at home, but there is something special about going to an actual studio and having someone coach you through all the various moves and positions - and correcting you when you are doing it wrong. I liked the deep stretching of the vinyasa class - and I got my butt totally and completely kicked by the Yoga Sculpt class, which ended up being more of a boot camp style class with things like mountain climbers, burpees, and tons of push-ups (hello, weak upper body).
Anyways, back to the training recap, here is how the week broke out for me:
Monday - 5 miles at an easier pace (9:40) - it was 90+ degrees and super humid. It felt like I was running through steam, so I took it pretty easy.
Tuesday - 9 miles on a stationary bike, 60 minute yoga class
Wednesday - 7 miles ran on a hilly path at a 9:20 pace. This was a challenging run as it was so humid but I was really happy with my pace.
Thursday - Rest
Friday - 60 minute yoga class
Saturday - 12 miles at a slow 10:00 pace. I used to dread my long runs, now they have become one of my favorite parts of my week! It helps to have good company out there on the running paths! I got home, had an avocado as a snack, and headed to a 75 minutes yoga sculpt class. Big mistake!! I won't do this class after a long run ever again! I clearly need a fresh body to make it through this intense class!
Sunday - 60 minute yoga class
****
All in all, I am really happy with how this week went. Ideally I would like to run 3-4 times and bike 1-2 times; this week, I ran 3 times, biked once, and did 4 yoga classes, so I feel good about everything I fit in. I am definitely excited for this training session. I have some work to do as I lost some speed over the winter/spring, but I am ready for the challenge.
Training Total:
Week 1: 24 miles
Have you ever tried yoga? If so, do you do it on your own or go to a class? Are you able to do the crow pose? That is the one pose I absolutely COULD NOT do!!
Glad to hear training is off to a good start! I LOVE yoga! I definitely think you should fit it in if you can financially - even if you just did two classes a week - that's a different kind of training and stretching than running and it really will help! Plus it'll keep your stress levels down!
ReplyDeleteThere's a yoga studio near my house that I've never tried out before and I was just talking to some girlfriends about it this weekend - we're going to all go to a basic class together b/c it's been so long since we've all done yoga - I can't wait!
I am so glad you tried yoga! I love it. Soon with my work hours I will have to rearrange my yoga schedule and go at a different time, but i think it is so worth it to do yoga while running high mileage! Great job on your first week!
ReplyDeleteThat outfit is adorable! I occasionally do a yoga for runners class, but since I'm in PT now I don't want to try anything new without permission. I like how it forces me to stretch, though.
ReplyDeleteNice job fitting in such a variety of workouts! It can be tough to get in everything that I think I should get in each week, and yoga is one of those things that rarely happens for me. But I agree, it's a great complement to your training!
ReplyDeleteI like yoga because it seems to compliment my running so well. It's not my favorite form of exercise but I love what it does for my body and I like how I feel afterward! I don't think I'd be as good about stretching if I didn't do yoga. Plus yoga arms are a real thing--my upper body strength has really increased since I started doing yoga about a year ago!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great first week of training! And I'm so happy to hear that you love yoga :) It's always so fun to try something new!
ReplyDeleteWait, your first week of training already has you at 12 miles for your long run? Holy cow!!
ReplyDeleteAt one point, I really got into Bikram yoga, but had to stop when we started trying to get pregnant. I should totally start up again - I'm pretty sure I have some classes left in my package.
Sounds like a great start to the training. I only tried a yoga class once many, many years ago. I have one yoga video I like and sometimes really need it but I haven't been able to jump on the total yoga bandwagon!
ReplyDeleteYay for yoga! I'm hoping to find a studio that I can go to a few times while I'm in NYC. But the cost is always a factor. Otherwise, I'm waiting until the move is over with before I try going to a studio again. I really only have two weeks left at home when all is said and done.
ReplyDeleteBetween my lack of balance and lack of upper body strength, crow pose is a huge challenge for me. Sometimes I manage it for a second or two, though.
This makes me want to start training again! I loved doing yoga while training for my half; it was a great complimentary workout. I've been going to yoga fairly regularly (once or twice a week) for the past 18 months and I JUST got crow pose last week! It's a tough one!
ReplyDeleteGreat first week of training Lisa! You managed to fit in lots of yoga and cross training which is good. I have taken a couple yoga classes, but never got hooked on it
ReplyDeleteHaha, I can't do crow either, or basically any of the advanced poses. I like doing yoga at the studio too, I stop after 15-20 minutes when I do it at home and I haven't done it in awhile.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked yoga! I think it's worth trying to fit it into your budget because it is really good for training. Maybe just once a week or so?
yay you! um i tried yoga on demand because i do not try new fitness things unless i am in my living room cuz i am so uncoordinated and it was a giant fail. i did burn a lot of calories laying on the floor laughing at myself though!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was really heavily practicing about a year ago I managed to get into crow and hold it for about 3 breaths. I was SO PROUD of myself. Of course I haven't been able to get back into it since then AND my practice has slipped a lot lately soo... I really do love yoga though and was thinking while I practiced Saturday morning that I really couldn't imagine my life without it even if I do only go 1-2 times a week lately!
ReplyDeleteLisa, that sounds like an awesome week! And yeah, that sculpt class sounds killer. I definitely would love to fit more yoga classes into my schedule, but that would probably require me not having a gym membership and a few other things to make it work out financially. That being said, going to classes vs taking them at home via podcasts is so much different. You stay more aware of your body, try new things, push harder, etc. Happy Marathon training!!
ReplyDeleteGirl, you're a rockstar! I was super proud of my 1.3 miles last night (which wasn't all running since I'm doing C25K which makes you alternate walking), ha. I've done some yoga with DVDs, but have definitely been planning to actually go to a studio at some point. It's just pretty far down the priority list at the moment! I had to Google crow pose - dang. I would fall on my head!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you'd never tried a yoga studio before! I'm glad you like it : ) I'm a big fan (as you know haha) and I think it will compliment your training really well!
ReplyDeleteGreat start : )
Argh! I need to start going to yoga again, I haven't been in years now.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it and you do look totally yoga chic!
I have wanted to do a trial run at a yoga studio near me but I'm so intimidated to go! I need to find a buddy who will try it out with me and hopefully we'll both like it and I'll have an accountability partner.
ReplyDeleteI think, if you can manage it, you should totally try to fit it into your schedule - esp. as you train for your marathon.
Also... I googled crow pose and that pose should be illegal. WHO CAN DO THAT? It's just... not natural. Nope.
I have never tried yoga before!
ReplyDeleteAre you going to CorePower? I miss that place. There are no yoga studios like that in Fargo. :( Yoga is so much easier for me than any other sort of strength training. Good luck with the marathon training. It'll be fun to read your progress.
ReplyDeleteLove the outfit! The color suits your really well. Also, I am impressed by your work out schedule....
ReplyDeleteYou look incredible, Lisa! Wow!!! That training and clean eating has paid off! Hot sista!!
ReplyDeleteThat yoga sounds interesting, I may like that more than the yoga I have tried. I like the idea of it -- and I do some of the poses @ home when I'm "zenning" out at the end of the day. But I will have to share with you my 2 disaster yoga experiences when we see each other next week....
Wish we could do yoga together. I;ve also been going more on a regular basis and my Tuesday night class kicks my butt but I love that feeling. Plus, there is a ballerina in the class and she always goes in front of me so its just amazing to see her moves. I am like okay, I can do this as I try to hide! Lol
ReplyDeletePS: I agree w/ Abby you are in amazing shape! GOod for you!
I love your yoga outfit. Every time I go thrift shopping, I look for Lululemon. But who would get rid of it!? I have never tried the crows pose. I have seen it in photos and I am not exactly clear on the logistics!! I am glad you liked your free yoga week! I love bikram and power the most, as some of the others are good for stretches, but are a bit boring.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad your first week went well. I can't believe it's already time for marathon training for you! Whew! Time flies.