The Dual Obsession

So, after completing the Couch 2 5k program, I inevitably came upon that fork in the road to Cross Training. Apparently, when you are a new runner, you should only run every other day, but you dont want to lose fitness, and you want to improve running...so the logical (not so much to me at first) thing to do, is to find another fitness routine for the off days (Thanks Heather, Im like a lost child out here in the fitness world!).

That how I ended up at Target several weeks back, full intending on buying some Kettlebells to play with on my off days of running. This is what I envisioned before heading in: some brightly colors, rubber covered weights...perhaps 5 lbs? Being reasonably priced as a pair... I was NOT expecting a minimum 7 lb cast iron monster. Sold individually. ...At nearly 30 bucks a pop. After I picked my jaw up from the floor, I glanced around, in a predicament of what to incorporate into my new fitness obsession. I looked at resistance bands (too boring), weight training thingy's (i dont want to get bulky...), Dancing With The Stars DVD's (i question my commitment), then I saw a Gaiam Yoga Beginner's Kit...Ooohhh interesting! Agility? Balance? Improved breathing? Toning? All wrapped up in the promise of mental serenity? Count me in!!!

That night, after the kids went to bed, I popped in the DVD that came with the mat and accessories, excited to get agile. Rodney Lee led the session, and I was disappointed. It was about 20 minutes, and completely underwhelming. I had never done any Yoga whatsoever, and I was not challenged in the least. Not to be discouraged, I headed back out a day or 2 later, and picked up a 4 pack Total Yoga set, led by Ganga White and Tracey Rich. Completely different experience! I became hooked.

Yoga is an amazing work out. Its non impact, yet works every muscle in your body. Its mentally serene, yet leaves you drenched in sweat. Its challenging, yet soothing. I have become addicted to the way my muscles "vibrate" after a yoga workout...even into the next day.

I never expected to be in the place I am in today. I look forward to running and yoga. You know that "achy" feeling after a workout? Thats my constant state of being these days. And I love it. My daughter Emma even got in on the Yoga action!

So in my quest to be a "runner", I have cracked open the door to a whole new world of knowledge and excitement, and cant wait to absorb it all!