The fifth day of my 10-day yoga challenge was Tuesday. I went to a 60 minute Bikram class which was pretty awesome. It was taken my a friend who has become a teacher fairly recently, and who I have practiced with in the studio for a number of years. This was the first class of hers I have taken and it was perfect. Hot, plenty of air, excellent timing and wording. When I arrived the back two rows were full so I put myself in the front row for the first time in ages.
I felt strong and flexible and loved the class. It felt like the old Bikram days where the room was hot and heaving. It was smashing!
On Wednesday I went for a 5Km run as I am conscious I’ve not been for a while. I did a lap on the common in 30:45 which is good considering I did a little walking.
I really want to focus on getting my 5Km down so it’s nearer 28 minutes, but I’m going to have to do some intervals to get my speed up.
In the evening I did a 75 minute flow which was a nice complement to the run. I often find flow quite challenging, it’s partly to do with my balance but also not knowing which posture comes next as the sequence frequently changes. But this was a good class. I managed to get up in an unassisted headstand which was a surprise!
Thursday was a fast and fierce 90 minute Bikram. I’m beginning to get more strong and flexible with the daily practice and I practiced in the front row again in this class.
On Friday night I went to a candlelit 75 class which is normally quite a chilled Bikram, but this time it was hot and harder than expected. I enjoyed the challenge of it and got into toe stand balancing on my right toes which I think is a first. I’ve done it on the other leg before but not this side, so that felt like a real accomplishment.
I’m aware that the half marathon is getting dangerously close and I’m not training for it in the right way. Maybe it was stupid to try and do a yoga challenge now, but I am finding it so good. My back is infinitely better and my mood is pretty good too. My cold is beginning to subside and my sleep is generally good.
This morning I got up and went to the 08:30 Bikram 60. Giles and I are heading off to walk a costal route to get some fresh sea air. I’m really looking forward to it. We packed some sandwiches for the train journey and will walk for about 3.5 hours along the seafront before having an early dinner before heading back to London.
Tomorrow I’m aiming to run in the morning and go to yoga in the afternoon before heading to a hotel for the night for an early start on Monday. Tomorrow will be day 10 of my challenge and will mark exactly 2 weeks to the half marathon so I can try and refocus my attention to running for a while.
I had promised myself to do 3 x 06:30 classes but I’ve not done any! I perhaps could have done if I hadn’t been sick, but I’ve just not been up for it. Maybe 3 before the end of the year is more realistic!
I feel physically good for this little blast of consistent practice. I’ve lost a couple of pounds but am still 3lbs up from my lowest weight this year. I’m about half a stone heavier than my pre-medication weight so I’m going to keep persevering, but my focus is definitely on consistent exercise rather than the number on the scale.
Right……I’m off for this walk now!
my happy life project 