On Saturday morning Steve and I met up to run our last race together this year, an 8mile virtual race round London’s Hyde Park and Battersea Park. The last time I ran was the snowy 10Km on 10th December so I was really anxious about approaching 8miles (12.88Km) with no decent prep, yet again. The lack of consistent training has really been an issue for me. My intention to run a race each month his year was designed around the need to run more regularly and I had thought that a race each month would be enough to make me train consistenly. In reality it turns out I can run 10Km without too much hassle, so it’s been possible to ditch most of the regular running training and just turn up to the races and get round them. An achievement in itself but not really the point.
On Saturday I found the run surprisingly easy, we ran at a gentle pace and the first 11Km or so were fine, but the the last Km was a bit more challenging. Nevertheless we complete the run in 1 hour 29 minute 20 seconds.
Essentially all year my pace has been quite slow which I put down to inconsistent training and no speed work. I am really pleased that I have exceeded my goal of 12 medal races over the year, but I’m looking forward to sitting down and reevaluating my year and setting new intentions for 2018 that will result in more consistent training. I need to dream bigger!
Over the weekend I managed to get to Yin on Saturday and Sunday making up classes 166 and 167.
Completing the 8miles on Saturday meant that I now have 19 medals hanging on my rack, with a few more virtual runs in the pipeline. These are:
- Christmas Day 5Km
- New Years Eve 5Km
- 9 3/4 Km run
- December 25Km minimum total
- I SMASHED IT IN 2017 medal
This would take my medal total for 2017 to 24! Double my plan; which would be fabulous.
On Christmas Eve I went to bed with a bit of a niggle in my throat and woke on Christmas morning feeling unwell. I was due to run 5Km but had no energy, full body aches and pains and a sore throat. After a little procrastination I headed out and to say I struggled is an understatement. I competed the 5Km in 35:55 with a lot of walking intervals and coughing. It was really grim.
The rest of Christmas Day was lovely but since then I’ve been feeling so unwell that I just haven’t been able to do anything but sleep and relax. Although I may be able to make the 24 medals there is no way I can do 16 more yoga classes within the next 5 days!
My aim for the year was to complete 10 yoga classes a month and as the year progressed I was smashing this and was on track to complete 1 class every other day, which I made my new goal. Recent setbacks like illness, crashing my car and work commitments have made my new goal unrealistic, but Steve gave me some good advice.
He reminded me that my intention was to practice yoga consistently, and I really have done this. This goal was to help me strengthen my commitment to this yoga practice and to help my physical and mental health. So Steve said I should stop focusing on the number; and he is right. I have been focussing too much recently on trying to meet the goals that I haven’t been practicing because I enjoy it or because it helps me feel good.
So I may not make 1 yoga class every other day this year, but I have made amazing progress with my practice. I’ve over doubled the number of classes I did last year and my physical and mental health have really benefitted which is the best achievement of all. I’ve done at least 10 classes every month so I have met my initial intention.
Earlier in the year I wanted to start sun salutations in the mornings. I only managed this 7 times which I didn’t count in my tally as they weren’t official classes. Even if I add them to my total I probably won’t make 183 classes this year, and you know what….
…..I’m alright with that.
As the end of the year draws in my plan is to practice in a way that feels good baring in mind I am sick. Some yoga and some runs if I feel up to it. No pressure, no expectations, just some exercise driven from a place of happiness and wellbeing.
And that alone, demonstrates succinctly how this year has helped me.
