Running and Yoga

Hello my friends!

It’s been a few weeks since my last post where I talked about where I was at after 8 months of running. The month of March was all about taking my time, not putting any expectations on my runs and really enjoying the scenery. I’m still doing that but I started to feel like I needed more. I hate to say it but part of me was feeling a little bit bored of running. I wanted something else!

If you eat the same plain oatmeal for breakfast it can get boring. But what if you add some fruit? Suddenly that old bowl of sludge seems brighter and more appealing. If oatmeal is my running then yoga is my fruit. Since the beginning of the pandemic I’ve been saying “I’m going to do a 30 day yoga challenge!” and then never did it. It was finally time to commit.

Any type of habit forming behaviour requires repetition. This is true for running, yoga and drinking wine. I signed up for Yoga with Adriene’s 30 days of Yoga. Beginners and pros alike can benefit from her videos and they’re very user friendly! (If you’re familiar with YWA, watch my parody video here!)

What I like about a 30 day challenge is the structure. I love structure. I love crossing something off a to-do list. Feeling like I’ve accomplished something. I’m about half way through my 30 day challenge and I’m really enjoying it. She constantly reminds you to be present in the moment. Not to rush through your workout. Not worry about your to-do list. (Wait, what?! But how will I know I did something??) She wants you to be gentle and patient with yourself. (Ugh, fine!)

Introducing daily yoga has taken the pressure off of running. Depending on the length of the video I’ll do it before or after a run. It either sets me up for a great run or gives me the opportunity to really stretch, relax, focus and get stronger after my body is all warmed up. On days where I’m not running I feel like my yoga practice sets me up for a better run the next day. I’m able to connect better to my breath and I’m a slooooowly learning how to be more gentle with myself and less judgemental of my progress or lack thereof.

I like that they call it yoga practice. That’s a great way to approach so many things in life. It’s all just practice. Except practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes change. Practice makes discoveries. If you’re practicing, you’re allowed to make mistakes because you’re learning. You are always learning. I constantly need to remind myself of that.

If you feel stuck in your running I highly suggest supplementing it with yoga. Yoga helps stretch and strengthen your body and mind and I feel like so much of running is mental.

If your just at the beginning of your running journey and you’re someone like me who thrives on structure, try making a little 30 day challenge of your own! Write it out on your calendar or day planner so you have something to cross off. Commit to moving your body for 30 days.

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Here’s a sample week:

Monday: 20 minute brisk walk
Tuesday: 20 minute slow jog (walking if you have to!)
Wednesday: 15 min yoga video
Thursday: 20 min slow jog
Friday: 20 min slow jog/brisk walk
Saturday: 20 min restorative yoga video
Sunday: Long walk.

That is just an example of what your week could look like. If you break things down into bite-sized pieces you’re less likely to choke. If you want to add yoga to your practice, sign up for a 30 day challenge! If you want to make your own challenge, do it with a friend! Even if you’re not physically doing it together it can by fun to build your own 30 day little plan and hold each other accountable.

On that note, it’s a beautiful day and and I’ve got the runs! (and the yoga’s…)

Julia