The alarm went off at 6:07 this morning and once again I hit the snooze.  I continued to snooze until 6:50.  No a.m. jog for me this morning, and that’s okay.  I worked late last night and didn’t get to bed until after 11 and then woke up just before midnight with cramps and then The All-Star woke up me (un-intentionallly) at 2:30 coughing so by the time that 6am buzzer went off the mind had made itself up to stay in bed.  I know that’s a lot of excuses but my body agreed that it needed some rest.  The jet-lag set in big time last night too so, I’m sticking to my wise decision guns.  That does not, however, mean that Day 2 will be spent doing nothing.  Quite the contrary!  My legs are pretty sore from my first day on the pavement so tonight’s fitness will be a self-led yoga session followed by some crunches.  I intend to give it a good hour.  For dinner I’ll probably make a lentil soup so the challenge can take place while supper simmers.  How’s that for multi-tasking?  For all you busy working folks, be creative with your time.  There’s always a30 minute opportunity somewhere for a little exercise.  And exercise doesn’t have to mean gruel and sweat, it can be some biceps and triceps curls while watching tv, or an after dinner walk around the block.  I too will find it difficult at times to “fit it all in”, but that’s just another part of the challenge.

All in I feel good today and I’m looking forward to this evening’s workout.  Stay tuned for next challenge post.

Here’s today Zen Meditation…

“Don’t move,” instructed Suzuki Roshi to his meditation student.  He then added, “When I say don’t move, it doesn’t mean you can’t move.”

Here it is, Day 1.  I realized last night that I was only mildly prepared but part of a challenge is facing the challenge and overcoming obstacles that may have been overlooked.  So last night I set my alarm for 7:56 am, a modest time since car-pool doesn’t pick me up until 10:30.  This morning, when that alarm went off, my arm reached for the snooze botton and my mind began the game of reasoning.  Finally at 8:25 my mind lost and my body got up to begin its test.

Fitness for Day 1 – a 2.4 jog to the beach and back.

I left at 8:55 am suspecting that it would take me roughly 1/2 an hour.  This isn’t a straight run.  There are lights so time for stopping needed to be factored in.

Off I went!  Do I look tired?  I was.  Yesterday was a long day. All part of the challenge!

So the run took exactly 30 minutes as predicted.  I made sure to stop the running at the last light and walk the rest of the block back as to bring down my heart rate.

Challenges faced:

• Menstrual cramps (got my period today – how’s that for an extra kick in the butt)
• Not-so-supportive sports bra
• Dog poop I almost stepped in

Positives

• New sneakers are comfy and feet feel fine
• Remembered to stretch before
• Warm sunny day and beach was beautiful
• I remembered to put on sun screen

Things to remember

• Avoid curbs – ankles have a tendency to roll
• Need to get mace for early morning jogs
• Would like to bring phone to take pics of ocean or make emergency call if necessary
• Make better play-list for Ipod, although today’s shuffle really did come through for me
• Afterward stretch before I blog

So that’s it folks.  Day 1 has begun.  I started it off right.  I had a post-run protein shake which I think next time I’ll have that before the run.  My lungs started moving some of the congestion that accumulated in the cold weather of NY and my back was a little achy but some more stretching and a hot shower fixed that right up.  Otherwise all A-OK.  Stay tuned for more to come.

For those of you following along with me on this challenge, feel free to modify as you wish.  Type of exercise, duration, and distance should all be to your capacity.  Just remember, this is a challenge, so take your time and be kind to your body.  Listen to what it has to say and push it when you’re ready.  Success is feeling good, not being hurt and tired.