Happy Monday!
I had intentions of getting a post up yesterday but found myself in bed at 9 p.m. instead. Oops. Sometimes rest has to take precedence over blogging.
So, I just received a comment on my last post asking, “Will you ever post about running again?” Excellent question. The answer to that is yes but it’s not my focus right now (I also wrote this update on the status of my running a month ago). I love running. My body does not. I attempted to train for a fall half marathon but my hips and hamstrings said no thank you. Right now I am focusing on shorter distance runs when I feel like it. And I don’t feel like you guys want to hear about every 3 mile run I go on so I generally don’t blog about it. I was pleased that I was able to get in some longer runs while I was in Atlanta for Thanksgiving but they did leave me with tight hips and hamstrings. 🙁
I’m in the middle of this 62 day yoga challenge so the focus will continue to be on yoga throughout the end of the year. I am not giving up on running but I’m not actively training for anything at the moment. Hopefully I can turn that around after the start of the new year.
I do feel guilty for the lack of running related content on a blog named “Peanut Butter Runner” but a lot has changed with my body and how I work out since I started the blog. I have been able to let go of the must run all the time mentality and enjoy other things that leave me feeling good and strong.
I started my Sunday by teaching a hot yoga class and felt blessed to have so many of my favorite yogis in class. I really can’t explain the feeling of teaching the same faces several times a week. I feel so connected to them. I want to give them all big sweaty hugs at the end of class!
I haven’t had much of an appetite lately and really felt like I needed to get a decent meal in. Brunch sounded good so Brandon and I went to IHOP where I proceeded to demolish this entire plate of food (scrambled eggs, 2 buttermilk pancakes and turkey bacon) + most of his hash browns.
After pancake digestion, I went to Charlotte Yoga for Suzanne’s Sunday evening hot class. That class is one of my favorites in Charlotte. It was everything that I needed it to be and I felt like her message was speaking directly to me and the things I am going through right now. I left feeling 100x better.
Dinner was a big salad.
And eggplant parmesan…which promptly put me into a food coma and in bed. Pasta, bread and cheese, does the trick every time!
Have a wonderful week!
I totally understand the running thing – I like to run too, but my body does not. It’s tough. I run short distances and focus on other fitness like Body Pump, kickboxing, and even just walking.
i have had to really work hard to let go of the mentality that i have to run long distances to be a runner. you so don’t! i enjoy cross training and mixing it up so much more!
it took me such a long time to realize how helpful yoga was to my running. I am still working through perpetually tight hips!
Good for you listening to your body and putting running on the backburner. Most people I know who do it regularly end up in the same place as you: hurting, injured, etc. Peanut Butter Yogi sounds just as good! 🙂
Your salad looks better than most ones from a restaurant!
I’m not a faithful yogi, but I think my biggest source of frustration with it is that I do other types of exercise that work against it. I think you have said that yoga improves your running, and I don’t doubt that it helps my body, but it I don’t feel like I ever get “more open” or “more flexible” because I’m just kind of undoing the other stuff that I do.
I haven’t been to IHOP in forever! I have forgotten how good the pancakes are there!
We yogis love having YOU teach us several times a week!! So thankful for you!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo 🙂 🙂 🙂
Although I’m really sorry to hear about your body’s distaste for running, it is kind of nice knowing I’m not the only one. I like to run. I want to run. But my feet and knees aren’t really down with such high impact activity. At least your hips still <3 yoga. 🙂
i wouldnt feel guilty not running just because of a blog name! it’s good to listen to your body and do what makes you heart happy! 🙂 also, that eggplant looks amazing!!! yumm
Didn’t realize my question would spark a blog post! Ha
I was drawn to your blog because of the running discussions and now that you are injured and have found a new love in yoga I just feel lost bc I don’t practice yoga. It’s nothing against you at all! I guess that’s why there are a bazillion blogs out there to find one to relate to. I hope you get back into training and racing sooner than later! 🙂 Merry Christmas!
I think that it doesn’t make your blog name any less accurate even if you haven’t been running a ton lately. You still are a runner, and part of being a runner is dealing with injuries and being flexible with your expectations. I really appreciate your insight and I love hearing about your yoga experiences!
thank you so much candice! i love sharing my yoga experiences with y’all! clearly!
Hi! I would love to do a yoga challenge! I love practices that leave me feeling healed from the inside out! I hope your week is off to a great start!
Oh my gosh!! The IHOP photo is killing me! I could eat breakfast three times a day, or more! Loved your Sunday class too!
That breakfast looks to die for! I love pancakes!! 🙂
High-Fives to listening to your body! It feels so good when you can do that. Yesterday, I wanted to do hot yoga in the evening, but honestly, I wasn’t feeling it and had too much to do around the apartment. As I was in Spin class at 8:30 AM, I’m glad I didn’t do it or made it through the day. It’s nice to finally reach that point, when you listen to your body!
I really respect the fact that you’re real w/ your body and give it what it needs. I can only assume this has taken a long while to get to this point as running is a great (and addictive!) activity. I have done ONE yoga class in my entire life and struggle w/ being a ‘newbie’ at activities which has caused me to shy away from practicing. As I continue to follow your blog, you really have me intrigued and wanting to dive in.
it has taken a very long time and many injuries but i can see past the “must run” mentality now and appreciate that my body is good at doing other things.
just remember that everyone was a yoga newbie at one point in time. i know it’s hard but i look back at my “baby yogi” days and miss it. so cool to discover your body and all the things it can do through your practice. i love, love, love working with those who are new to yoga.
Jen- it wasn’t until you wrote about your struggles with running that I even thought about my own body in that way. I just always assumed- I should be running! And if it doesn’t feel good- it means I’m out of shape. But no matter how much I exercise, I don’t love running long distances. I like jogging a few miles or doing intervals, but nothing more. You made me realize I shouldn’t feel forced, and should feel good about the exercise I do really enjoy! I love yoga, so I love reading about your yoga journey!
clara – thank you so much for sharing this with me. seriously. it’s taken me a long time to realize that i don’t “have” to run and it’s okay to do what feels good for my body…and mind! happy yoga-ing! 🙂
I think it’s great that you listen to your body and respect it’s wishes. Also, it’s not so easy to change a blog name and url, so it could just take on a new meaning- you’re always on the run! You stay so busy, girl 🙂
love that spin on the “runner” – haha!
I think it’s great you are listening to your body and focusing on what makes you happy, healthy and whole.
Can you share the eggplant parm recipe ? It looks unreal…