So I biked

I woke up very exhausted this morning.  My eyes stung and begged to be closed for just a bit longer.  I am rarely tired in the morning...waking up this way is a very rare occasion. 

Part of my exhaustion was due to the great 8-mile run I had yesterday.  It was a beautiful, sunny but cool morning and I ran from my building downtown across and along the river.  I had no music ( I think my iPod is dying) so it was a nice change.  I had a very long conversation with myself, another rare occasion when I literally talk to myself as if I'm talking to an old friend.  For a long time if I were "talking" to myself internally it usually wasn't nice.  But yesterday was nice.

Anyway...I planned a no-run day.  I also havdn't ridden my bike at all since last week so I planned on commuting to keep the legs loose and save the $12.

As soon as I woke up I immediately thought I was too tired to get on the bike.  I spent the first 20 or 30 minutes of my day deliberating as to whether I should bike or just drive.  I've gotten in the habit of sitting quietly, usually outside next to our garden, and meditating for a few minutes before I jump into the action of my day.  Starting my day off like this has done wonders.  After clearing the cobwebs and breathing fresh air into my body, biking became a good idea once again.

So I biked.  And not only was it a good idea, but I was so energized and livened up by the exercise.  I took my time.  It turned out to be one of the more pleasant 10 miles on my bike that I've ever had.  I got to work and the rest of my day followed suit.

The moral for me: when I don't feel like doing something - and it could be anything - is probably the time when I need to do "it" the most. 

A lot of times I do need a break, a rest or something mindless but most of the time I don't feel like doing something for other reasons such as fear, avoidance, disbelief.  And the miracles happen when I act despite my fear...every....single...time.

Corporate Inspiration

I have had a smile on my face for days.  I recently wrapped up one of the most involved and rewarding projects of my career.  I developed a corporate wellness program in which the objective was to educate and inspire staff members to make positive lifestyle changes that would ultimately improve their energy, stress management and productivity in and out of the workplace. I was granted the opportunity to run this program with Simpson McCrady, an insurance brokerage company in my building.

A few days ago after three months the hardest work I've ever done, we finally celebrated the winners and the unbelievable success of those who took part.  The program was also highlighted by KDKA, the local CBS affiliate here in Pittsburgh, this week.  What a reward!

Here is the link:
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/07/22/local-insurance-firm-helps-employees-get-fit/

Words cannot express my satisfaction of the outcome of this program.

• 32 employees participated
• 88 percent of those who participated utilized all aspects of the challenge (group exercise classes, one-on-one training sessions with me, fitness assessments, tracking steps with pedometers, wellness seminars)
• 97 percent improved in 2 of 3 areas (of their choice) that included weight loss, dietary changes, increase in strength and/or flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, increase in mindfulness and decrease in stress 
• Folks who were aiming for weight loss (15 people) lost a total of 113.5 pounds
• 25 percent decreased his or her body composition for a company total of 15.7%
• 47 percent lost inches in various areas of their bodies (mostly waist)
• And 28 percent maintained an exercise program for the first time in his or her life.

AMAZING!  Simply amazing.  I'm at a loss for any additional words to add but I'm sure I'll come up with something in the next couple days.

Thanks to all for the endless support throughout this whole process.  You all know how hard I worked and how all-consumed I was from April-July. And thanks to the amazing folks from Simpson McCrady who showed up, trusted me and did the work day in and day out to make the program such a success!!

ING

GAMETIME!  I'm about three months away from the NYC marathon.  Time to train!  I'm also just about to kick off my fundraising campaign.

Training...no problem.  I've only been running my whole life. I have a great base already; I've been running consistently the last 4 years.  My plan is actually to reduce the days in a week that I run and improve the quality of those runs.  I'm thinking one long run, one interval day and one tempo day; biking and yoga the other days, when I have the time.   

I had a great run at Heartwood Acres on Monday...it was the first time I had ever been there.  I didn't know what to expect.  It was a beautiful park, lots of wooded areas (my favorite) and lots and lots of hills.  I ran about 10.5 miles, half of which were uphill.  Great workout! 

Running is such relief for me.  It affords me time to think, brainstorm, pray or just enjoy the beauty around me and stay in the moment.  And to have the opportunity to help other people just from running a race is just another way to pay forward my gratitude for something that comes to easily to me.
Amen!

And now, off to the treadmill! The heat and humidity is absolutely ridiculous here in Pittsburgh today.