Although my memory is excruciatingly bad, I think I can say that I have been actively practicing yoga for about 10 years now. In college at the local gym, at the beautiful SBYC in Santa Barbara & now in LL with my beloved Ali.

The precious thing about yoga is how after so long, you can learn the simplest trick to help your practice. Tonight, in a flow I have done thousands of times I realized for the first time that I needed to exhale before moving into upward facing dog in order to allow the room for the inhale & extension. It was amazing that one small exhale made all the difference. And how fitting as this month's focus has been on the breath.

And even though I am tragically not even close to inverting with confidence, I did get one step closer as my hips released even closer to giving me the trust to extend my legs.

Distance: n/a
State of Mind: Completely, completely soaked

Met up with a smaller crew for our usual mid-week run. My legs were still feeling the effect of the speed workout from last night but I started out running with a few of the faster runners & just couldn't get myself to slow the pace.

Afterwards, Coach asked me what my reasoning is behind "always running hard". I was honest with him & told him lately that I only run to get out of my mind. Which I think he thought was a little sad, but nonetheless true.

Distance: 5.35 miles
State of Mind: Mind over matter...

One thing about working in Manhattan & living in Brooklyn is how obvious it is when I am pulled in different directions. I can feel the stretch as I run from my agency to the train at Herald Square...all the way back to Brooklyn. But I will never get over the feeling that I have as I turn the corner & see the arch on my way to the park.

Tonight I met up with the speed group & headed to the track for a little workout. Coach had us do 12x400's, which was a big number to swallow.

I was pretty happy with my times, averaging 1:29-1:31 for the first 10 until the last 2 when I broke down a bit. Although I should be disappointed, I love the feeling of pushing myself over the edge. Even I have no control.

Distance: 3.5 miles warmup, 12x400's, 3.5 miles warmdown
State of Mind: The lightness of day...

Just because you buy waterproof doesn't mean that is what you are going to get. Oh yes, today was one of those days that made that test quite easy. Met up with R to do the cemetery loop, where we kept our heads down & our minds full of family dynamics. Definitely wouldn't have made it out this morning without the company of her.

Distance: 9.75 miles
State of Mind: Hating hills, even more than usual

Today felt like a promise to many more beautiful runs. A hefty sized group joined up at GAP to get out of the park & into the streets. We decided to do a bridge run, heading into Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge & back into our boro through the Williamsburg Bridge.

During the final miles of the run, there was an amazing ratio of guys to girls. Definitely made the view much better.

Distance: 12.5 miles
State of Mind: Trying to enjoy every moment

Met up with S for an afternoon yoga session. Although I love adding a new activity to my Friday, it is a little hard to get in the right head space. But the practice definitely had a lot of great movement, if only I let my mind take it in instead of rolling right past.

Afterwards, we headed west to a cute little restaurant called Tipsy Parson. Very yummy. And a perfect way to end a work week.

Distance: n/a
State of Mind: Always wanting more...

My god, I am not sure you could have fit another soul in the practice room tonight. You could feel the energy in the air even before we started. Practice tonight was again filled with unique vinyasa flows, poses that required complete attention. I had a series of highs & lows, from successfully inverting in handstand to letting anxiety get the best of me when I tried to move into wheel while standing.

The whole practice tonight was focused on finding your inner teacher, the one that lets you break free of your fear & doubt, to leave room for all-important breath. I spent the whole rest of the night thinking about how much of my life is filled with fear & doubt, wondering how I ever have room for the positive.

Distance: n/a
State of Mind: Why, that's a new way of looking at things.