lunar elements

In the last few months of 2013, fitness had sort of fallen away as a priority for me.  And that would be ok (I don't mind being a wee bit softer and rounder for a time) except that not exercising actually makes me anxious.  And that's not ok.  So in this wonderful new year, I'm trying to find ways to fit fitness (ha ha) into my new routines and habits. This means cutting back a bit from where I used to be, but I'm realizing, it doesn't have to be so all or nothing.  I can just do a little bit, every day; it's all about balance.

Here's what I'm doing...

just do it

I ran my very first race this weekend.  A new 5K here in Madrid through the beautiful Casa del Campo.  I know 5 km isn't much to people who've been running for years, but for me it was a major accomplishment.  Words cannot describe how excited and proud I felt to participate, and finish, and with a much better time than I'd anticipated too!  So in honor of small goals and huge achievements, I dedicate this post to the runners out there, beginning and advanced.  Go on, get your run on.

Some running essentials...

wave inspire

Mizuno Wave Inspire Osaka.  That's the full name of my new running shoes.  Impressive, eh?  I think their razzle dazzle flash lives up to the name.  Of course, here I am, in my new superhero shoes, shuffling along like an old man.  But I'm totally ok with that.  At least now I know I'm not hurting my knees or hips or anything.  And eventually I'll be able to pick up the pace a bit.  Right?

Since my post the other day I went to 4 different running stores (5 if you count Nike, which we really shouldn't), and had my gait analyzed in a variety of manners: running barefoot on a treadmill, standing on a magical glass plate, squatting, standing, walking...  Most folks agreed, I am a mild pronator.   I tried on thousands of shoes (slight exaggeration), and while it was hard because I honestly don't know what a good shoe is supposed to feel like,  I eventually went with these babies.  The woman at the store said they'd be great for me just starting out, but that they would also last a super long time (a year and half she said.  That's considered a long time?!) and that they would hold up well even if I ran for 4-5 hrs.  4-5 hrs?!  I can't do anything for 4-5 hrs, except sleep.  I'm really good at that.  But running?  Well, maybe one day...