It’s been a very busy few days, and I realize as life takes over, with my new job, travel races and keeping up with my workout regime, blogging may fall to the wayside again. I’m choosing not to beat myself up over it; the regular blog posts were a way to keep myself occupied and give myself a creative outlet while looking for a new job, and now the job must take priority. It’s a good thing everything is changing again – this is what I was hoping would manifest!

Day Eight of Yoga Revolution, Practice Serenity, was perfection. I knew it would be a relaxing and somewhat meditative practice, and it aligned with a day I really needed it – my Friday night (though actually Saturday night)! I was wiped from my first full week at my new job, and I needed to unwind! One of my favorite parts of this video is when she talks about blanketing yourself in love, especially if you’ve been hard on yourself lately. I loved the theme of tranquility, balance, peace and serenity.

I decided to head out for a one mile run as well, to keep up my run streak! I didn’t know that night would conclude my new five day run streak, but I had a feeling it might.

Very anxious here. About to head out to Ciclavia and get on a bike for the first time in awhile, as a trial run to start cycling to work. When I’m nervous, I like to put on my “Slay All Day” shirt to remind me that I do! I slay all day!

Sunday morning was Earth Day and Ciclavia from Claremont to Pomona – the Claremont hub, our starting point, was only about a half a mile from Mike’s parent’s house. It’d been years since I had been on a bike and I was anxious. I’m going to have to start riding a bike to work now that Mike is commuting to Long Beach, and in theory I’m super excited about it. The reality is that I’m a nervous person and nervous cyclist. I didn’t know how Ciclavia was going to go, but I promised Mike we could bike it. Fortunately his family has an extra bike that I can use for the time being, and halfway through our ride I realized it’s the nicest bike I’ve ever been on! Maybe that’s why I enjoyed cycling so much Sunday! I really had a blast, and feel so much more confident about my four mile commute to work on a bike. I had so much fun cycling at Ciclavia, I asked Mike if he wanted to keep riding after it, and head to Claremont Craft Ales. We had a couple of refreshing rounds and headed home. We ended up cycling about 14.5 miles on Sunday, and it was a blast. That was yesterday, and I’m still pretty sore – not sure if it’s from the uphills or the bike seat, haha.

Ciclavia was so much fun! I made biking out to be harder in my head, but then again, this is the nicest bike I’ve ever rode!

Before we headed out yesterday, I did Yoga Revolution Day Nine, Empower Practice.  I needed to feel empowered and this practice did the trick! I got nicely warmed up and ready to face the day (the bike). My core was still sore from Day Six! It all felt good though and I like warrior three – it’s a fun and challenging balancing pose that forces me to be completely present. Doing Revolution reminds me how much I miss the swift, vinyasa flows!

Yesterday, in honor of Earth Day, I was supposed to complete a four mile run – a virtual race for More Miles More Fun Races. I’m an ambassador for the virtual race program, in which all proceeds go to charity. For this particular run, 100% of the $5 race registrations went to the Nature Conservancy! I feel a little bad I didn’t complete it yesterday, but the sun wore us out and I’m only human! I used to pride myself on taking everything on, but now I want to be better at prioritizing and giving myself a break.  The Nature Conservancy still got my donation, and I amended that I would do the run today, Monday, after work.

Today after work I tried to take a nap, but the heat got to me. I decided to stop procastinating and get on the mat for Day Ten, Thoughtful Practice. This was another slow, gentle practice, and it lined up perfectly with how I felt today after Ciclavia yesterday. I also completed my four mile run, and made it to five miles just for funsies. Tomorrow I start cycling to work, which will be eight miles round trip, and this weekend we have Zion Half Marathon, so I probably won’t run again until the race Saturday! We’ll see!