Two months in a row I’ve remembered to write my Runfessions! It’s a new record. Every month, Marcia hosts a spill-it link up where you can get all your running stories, fails and triumphs off your chest.
When Running Meets Yoga
Since I’m essentially running for fun these days, I’ve been going out for my run and stopping at some point to get a yoga photo done for Brittany’s Instagram challenge, #findyourflexibility. I’m all about finding the gorgeous spots in Prospect Park for backdrops and since we decided to up and move to Vermont next month, I am caring even less than I normally would that people look at me like I’m crazy. (Haven’t they ever seen bloggers in their natural habitat??)
Running Out of Time
Yesterday I looked at the calendar and realized I have a smidge over two weeks before we leave! So…remember that running bucket list for my final ‘weeks’ in NYC? Pretty sure they’ll nearly all have to wait until I’m visiting friends next. I’m actually okay with that – they’re my favorite running routes, after all, which means I’ve run them enough to have lots of memories of special runs and experiences on each of them.
Rocking Out of Time
I have two clients who are in the middle of following my training programs for the Brooklyn Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. I was putting off starting my own training while I waited it out to make sure my hamstring (or whatever the problem was) was feeling normal again. Then, almost as soon as I was 100%, we were signing a lease for Burlington for a month before the race. So, I am feeling simultaneously super proud and happy for my clients and a little sad that I’ll be missing the fun!
Watching my Language, Part One
This isn’t strictly a runfession, but I was reading somewhere recently about the ubiquity of the response, “I’m so jealous!” when you hear or read of someone else’s good fortune. (If I could remember where I read about it, I would link to it! #mamabrain). I’ve used it before. I’ve seen a friend’s gorgeous vacation photo and written, “So jealous! Have a wonderful time!” I could definitely use it when talking to my clients who are running the half in October. While I’m sure 90% of the time the person writing they’re jealous means it in the same positive way I did, this article explained it’s not pleasant for the sharer of good fortune to have others be jealous.
‘Jealous’ is a strong word, which evokes a strong reaction. Ever since I started thinking about it, I’ve been more mindful of negative language when I’m reacting to others’ posts. And I have to tell you, it’s affected my whole outlook. Even though my use of, “I’m jealous” was simply to express that I was happy for them, now that I’m actually writing what I mean, like “I’m happy for you, you deserve it!” I actually feel happier overall. Try it!
Watching my Language, Part Two
Which leads me to another language reminder I had recently. Remember when I wrote about the word “should” and how using it about your workouts is the equivalent of wagging your finger in your own face? Well, it turns out I’m guilty of getting rid of should…but replacing it with “supposed to”. I did this pose for the yoga challenge on Instagram and you can see here what my caption read:
After I posted this, I had a long, thoughtful comment from runner/yoga instructor/blogger Holly, and we had the following exchange:
runwithholly Can we re-negotiate on the words ‘supposed to be’? I’m a yoga instructor, and I would say that in this posture, you’re supposed to challenge balance, stand tall, lift knee, and enjoy a twist from hips to shoulders. You have actually achieved ALL of these – AND honoured where your body is today. A pose need not go to full ‘expression’ for you to reap the benefits (and is in fact better when you take care of yourself first!). Leg extension adds a hamstring stretch, but you can easily get that another (safer) way for you today. So I say: 👏👏👏
carlypizzani 😘😍 Thanks lady. I was poking fun at my runners body, but you’re totally right – I honored where my body is today. (I love that phrase and am stealing it, just to give you a heads up). Also, it WAS a lovely twist! 👍
runwithhollyI hear ya – but in the age of hyper-flexible Instagram yogis doing ridiculous shtuff, I love seeing folks doing fundamental poses that are exactly right for them. To me, this is REAL yoga – and I don’t want you to sell yourself short! 💙 Keep up the good work, and. Keep spreading the run/yoga love! 😘
carlypizzani 😘👊 Thanks my lovely! #runyogaforlife!
And for every day of the challenge since then, I’ve been more careful not to make too much fun of myself if I have to modify a pose, or if it looks different from the way other participants are posing. My body does what it can on the day and at the time and Holly’s assertion that you ‘honor where your body is today’ is a powerful one.
At Least I Have the Treadmill
I mentioned when I posted my running bucket list that part of the time problem isn’t actually carving out the time to run, it’s the little monkey relying on me for milk that means I can’t be traveling too far to run. So when I was approached to try out a new app by RunSocial, I was intrigued. Basically, it’s a way of running iconic courses, or even public events, like the London Marathon! You can also ‘meet up’ with friends who are using the app and run a course together – even if your treadmills are miles apart. Pretty cool, huh? I’m going to try it out this weekend, on Sunday, running the Monterey 5K route. Want to run it as well? Well, you can, because I have a free code for you! Just go to the RunSocial website here and use the code FFDRS13 to run it too. (If you want to run with me, I’m going to do it at 4pm ET Sunday.) Here’s one of the gorgeous views you’ll see unfolding in ‘front’ of you:
I’ll be reporting back about what the RunSocial experience was like – I hope some of you guys can join me ‘live’ but if not, please try it out next time you’re on the treadmill! I have a feeling it’s going to make the treadmill that much easier to bear.
Want to make your own runfession? You can spill all on your blog and go link up with Marcia, or just let it all out in the comments.
Where would you most like to run in the world?
Do you ever notice negative language habits of your own?
What do you need to runfess?
I’m so jealous that you’re doing everything you’re supposed to do! HAHAHAHA – sorry, I couldn’t resist 🙂 You also made me LOL with “haven’t they seen bloggers in their natural habitat?” Totally!!!
I’m also grateful the “watch my language” has nothing to do with swearing. #DodgedABullet
Have a spectacular weekend my friend!!! xoxo
Allie recently posted…Meaningless Mantras
I totally could have done a Watch your language part three, unfortunately. It’s hard to tell when little people who we supposed to be in bed are actually listening at the door of the living room. :/
When I read “watch your language” I thought you were going to say Roman was repeating some choice words he picked up. Haha! I think/hope most of us who are “jelly” truly are not that but happy for another’s good fortune. You’re right though, jealous is not the best word choice for sure.
I did a Lululemon yoga class yesterday and the instructor had some really poignant things to say about honoring the body. I definitely needed to hear them. Your IG challenge pics are beautiful! Thanks for linking up!
Marcia recently posted…Runfessions: Before Summer Slips Away
God help us when Roman learns to spell, Marcia! I will leave it at that. 😉
Interesting thought about saying “I’m jealous” – I use it quite often and hadn’t thought about the potential negative connotation. I love the phrase “honor where my body is today” – much more positive and empowering! I will be using it 😉
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…August Runfessions
Yes, that honoring your body phrase really resonated with me. It’s a powerful thing to respect your own abilities and limitations. And trust me, I used to say I’m jealous all the time and definitely meant it in a joking way- until I read that article it never occurred to me how strong language can be on the receiving end.
I love all your photos and you’ve been kicking ass with the challenge! Run Holly is right and the challenge is all about improving flexibility and working at the level you are now. You are amazing! I definitely use the “I’m jealous” line way too much. I need to think about how that makes other people feel even if my intentions are good. I think I will replace “I’m so jealous” with “you are so lucky.”
For instance, you are so lucky to be soaking up the last days in NYC and you are so lucky to be moving to Vermont!
Britt@MyOwnBalance recently posted…Friday’s Food & Fitness: A Healthy This, A Healthy That
Ha ha ha – well you are so lucky to be living in Brazil my friend! By the way I’ve been trying to sell all my training clients on your online Pilates/barre class subscription!! 🙂
I was thinking that your run was really in Monterey! I just don’t know if my 18 year old mill would transport me to that beautiful place…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Runfessions for August
Ha ha ha ha – try it with a tablet or iPad if you use the free code! I did it on my phone and was super impressed but wished I was watching it a little larger scale.
I say “I’m so jealous” quite a bit. That’s for the reminder to spin it around and say something more positive, because that IS really what I mean.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Runfessions (August)
Right? But what’s crazy is that I’ve also noticed feeling more positive as a result of using different phrases to replace I’m jealous!
RunSocial sounds really cool! I didn’t get the chance to run there when I visited a few years ago, but I’d love to go for a run in London and Paris! One day!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Runfessions – August 2015
Oh Janelle, running the marathon in Paris is my ultimate bucket list race! I ran there once when my husband and I were there for a few days and it was magical.
Interesting about the “i’m so jealous” wordage, I say that ALL the time! Definitely something to think about.
Jen@jpabstfitness recently posted…Raise Them Well (Review)
Try out using different ways of saying it and see what happens – I was really surprised it made me feel more positive!!
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