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Week Long Runs & Run Downs

Happy Friday, Hip Huggers!

A few pretty cool things happened this week!

Let’s start with Monday

a 5 miler and some yoga pose challenges right

Well, as I was coming to blog about this massive dead turtle seen on my run,

my hubby came home with a gift bearing a familiar sentiment…

I got an iPad! A blog reader’s dream! I didn’t even beg ask!

Just Love Him 🙂

So, I’m distracted scrolling through Instagram when I noticed I had a message in my inbox.

It was a fellow fit IG’er, Heartbeat4Many, asking if I’d help host

a yoga challenge but not really a challenge #ShadesofHealth on Instagram.

Then she made a collage of all the yogis participating. I was blown away..

…blown away because I cannot believe someone felt I belonged in this crowd of exceptional yoginis.

I’m so humbled and filled with gratitude. I don’t. deserve. this. attention.

***

Tuesday…

has rolled around. I wanted to get a quick yoga session in before my run.

Another IG’er I follow posted a video of her first successful handstand.

Our fears were very similar, so that gave me a sense of strength in that I could do it, too…

Very proud of that!

But with all the energy given to the excitement of it all,

 I needed a jolt of energy to handle this short run…

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The beautiful sky honestly was almost enough.

***

Wednesday…

was a pleasant surprise! My neighbor wanted to run along!

I had 3 miles already planned! Perfect distance  for our friendship so it was just all meant to be…

***

Thursday…

was a much needed rest day from running.

I had been nonstop since the Week before! I needed to break before I broke myself.

But I did get in some yoga…

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**Friday**

Today, my long run was planned. 8 miles was on the menu…

Guess I wanted dessert! Pink Toes!

Today is also my twin son’s birthday and we’re taking them to see Transformers tonight.

So, I’m stealing a few moments with Runner’s World and

a green smoothie bliss and chatting it up with y’all!

Lastly, I got a few questions last week,  so I dabbled in vlogging it all!

Check it out!

Question? What are your questions??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday Speeds & Starts

Happy Sunday, Hip Huggers!

I got my Jesus on to start this morning!

dancing

I came home, had a burger induced nap instead of starting my run.

Had to wait until the rain let up a bit before that happened… but it happened!

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started on much avoided speed work. I’m glad to have started a little running streak.

 But I know I haven’t been pushing myself to run faster.

 That is still a big goal of mine: to run 10 minute miles easy.

 Another goal was to start some decent mileage this week.

Tuesday morning when I was gearing up for 3 miles I told myself,

 I should really knock the ball out of the park and try and run 30 miles this week.

Then, I laughed. That would leave me 6 days to run 30, no rest days.

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But I did it! With .3 mile to spare.

I think a good formula for me is running one long day, 8+ miles

 and getting out there at least 6 days a week.

 I may not get 30 miles total, but I’ll sure be close. And satisfied.

I should start there.

***

With some serious stretching started, I got on with the

Asana of the day for Summer Splits, Super Soldier is what they call it.

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My yoga teacher saw it on Facebook and even SHE was impressed.

Made my day! Love her to true death!

Speaking of, Season 7 of Trueblood starts Right Now…

lose me

I’m Outta Here, Hip Huggers!!

Question: Did anyone catch the Final Season Premiere? Let’s Chat!

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Boom! and Bloom

Happy Solstice, Hip Huggers! Today started out absolutely gorgeous!

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Summer is in full bloom!

I jumped in yesterday with a quick share about my natural hair feature, because

a) I can’t hold water, and

b) It was a special post that earned its own special spot.

**Quick Friday Recap: **

Yesterday was my hubby’s birthday so that is my excuse explains by leave of absence.

Not from running though! I got a good run in about 9am.

Funny, my brain said 6 miles and my body adamantly said 5. My plan was to break even, or at least

convince my body that was the plan…

Friday Workout: 6 Mile Run

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Clearly, the gams lost… I just have a weird peeve of half miles –

so I knew that wasn’t happening.

Today’s run was a little smoother. I knew I was running 6 miles, so I could totally zone

and win races in my head, as we should.

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Saturday Workout: 6.2 Mile (10k) Run + Yoga

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Some Sirsasana (Handstand) Love.

And I love this filter! It’s called Bloom.

My shoulder felt good, too! Just needed a few days

To rest I guess, glad I obliged and backed off of the challenges.

I’m good at listening to my body, totally over overdoing it.

***

I’m also totally over 27 miles for the week! Boom.

 So a 3 Mile run is the ONLY running I am

Planning to do tomorrow. Boom.

Long time since I’ve been able to

Tout those stats .. boom

I’m encouraged!

And rehydrated.

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I found this absolutely perfect quote on a Yoga page and

It just absolutely speaks my heart about being the best you…

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Bloom Big, Hup Huggers 🙂

Question: Do you find yourself competing? Does it help or hurt you?

 

 

 

 

 

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Kinda Klassy

Good Evening Hip Huggers!

I just wanted to jump in and let you all know I have been featured on a blog! Again!! And it’s kinda a big deal for me!!!

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Kinda a big deal because it involved oversharing talking about 2 things that I never even considered in my life 4 years ago

that more than  kinda set me apart from the flock of fitness folk…

Fitness and Natural Hair!

Yes, this is a fitness blog kinda, and I absolutely love it that way!

I feel when I was trying to get healthy, I had no one that looked, talked ate like “Me” and that made me go it alone.

My fitness goals were realized and achieved this way, and I have maintained this lifestyle well. But

I know someone needs to see it can happen…that’s why I am here! 🙂

***

I L.O.V.E. being NATURAL!!! Absolutely, 100% happy being Fit Bloggin’ Naturalista!

Becoming natural crazy sounding ain’t it? changed me in a lot of ways just like getting fit and healthy did!

I don’t see a lot of women of my color where I live embracing a fit lifestyle. I’m in no way saying they don’t or don’t exist,

but it’s not something I see often. Everyday. All the time.

I don’t see a lot of women of color where I live embracing being natural either, but that’s ok! To each, her own.

But, for me to make the decision, build up the courage, and shave it ALL off to become content

with what God gave me was…. is…freeing. Something I’ll never forget.

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And if I can help in just one woman’s choice to get fit, go natural or run their hips,

this blog has a heartbeat. And I know it does. I can feel it!

So, sniffle Hip Huggers, please go check out the interview at Klassy Kinks!

Ijeoma is doing great things reaching out to Naturalistas everywhere!

I gave some sound advice on getting started fitness wise and how to keep that natural hair looking fabulous, too!

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Share the knowledge, you never know whose looking 🙂

Enjoy the Read, Hipsters!

 

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Strep and Long Steps

Hello Hip Huggers!

I spent a lot of time late last night  fixing my  weird Wordpress issue blog. Booooo.

I’m totally spent. I’ve already had to repost a picture on Instagram

because I don’t know the difference between Day 10 and Day 19.

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Fa’ Sho.

My husband is off today, so that meant I got pretty late start considering my sleep was completely

uninterrupted until about 8 am. I had my typical morning of devotional and breakfast

and scrambled eggs to get out for a run before 9 am and it got UBER hot.

 Still, apparently not early enough because after just a brief warm-up I was already dumping my rationed water on my head.

Which I paid for later. But anyway.

I had only planned to run 2 miles, yes exactly 2. Was going to take it real easy;

maybe a longer yoga session, or lift session if the hubby was up to it later.

I certainly did not plan on doing any heavy cardio, especially anything over an hour.

But, I got going and felt good! My hamstrings were a bit sore from yesterday’s yoga session so,

I just told myself we were going to run until they loosened up, just a bit.

Before I knew it, I had made up in my mind it was going to be a long run …

Workout: 8 Miles!

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I had decided about mile 3 that I was going for 6… then 7.. you know how that goes.

I didn’t even care how slow it was, I just couldn’t shake the urge to run it!

Glad I did. I hadn’t run that long since the Hot Chocolate 15k back in February, and I got

a reality check on the speed I’ve lost.

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I’ve got work to do, Hip Huggers.

I wanted to jump off my roof right into yoga after my run, my daughter had been complaining about a sore throat

all morning. I gave her some Tylenol, but still felt I should check her in to see her Dr.

Thank God I did! She has strep throat, poor baby! So, while we waited for her Rx to be filled, I figured

I’d reward us for our her inflamed sufferings this Thursday morning..

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Doesn’t get much sweeter than this! Now back to fitness …

Yoga Pose of the Day:

Puvvottanasana, or Upward Facing Bow.

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My hips were about as heavy as an actual bridge. But we got ‘em up into a plank! For that, I’m very happy.

And glad that was the extent of the challenges for today.

My shoulder is not pleased. One of the yogi’s I follow, @gypsetgoddess who recently over exerted herself,

gave a very encouraging word in her post today. She said:

“Always practice safety first”.

“Respect your body and limitations.” 

“Don’t get so attached to advanced poses”.

“The basics feel just as good”.

.. and THE most wonderful thing I’ve heard on social media yet,

“Taking it easy isn’t the same as taking a step back. But rather a step forward in personal growth.”

Pretty amazing words from a pretty amazing Yogini. Namaste Caitlin 🙂

I’ll let that simmer on your minds. Meanwhile. I’m waiting for the electrician to come look at my kitchen.

The dishwasher won’t come on, the garbage disposal either, and my microwave is not heating anything.

This could get $$$! Then it’d be Kitchen Nightmares, for reals.

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Say a prayer for me, Hip Huggers.

Question: Who ran unexpectedly long today? How was the weather?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Passing on Presses

Hello Hipsters, It’s a NEW Day!!

I can’t begin to tell you how much BETTER today is going.

Yesterday was just the pits, and I’m just glad its gone.

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I had a good word and a good breakfast this morning.

Did I mention I ran 4 miles yesterday after cleaning, tending to sick kids,

all on the fuel of a small apple and a Spark? No Bueno. I made sure I had carbs today!

I didn’t go into lame details about all that happened, yesterday.

But, one of the tragedies that did was my dishwasher expired…just decided to die. Right after I loaded it.

So, that meant, I had to wash everything by hand yesterday today.

Lots of work, but I’m glad I waited until today, or else I’m sure I would’ve broken something.

No casualties. Good day so far.

Also, some good exercise was in the works early today…I got busy!

Here’s a little Tree Pose to spread the love..

Workout:  3 Mile Run

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It was HOT! From now on, if I don’t run before 9am, ain’t gonna happen! Now it’s..

Time for Yoga!

Confession: I skipped out on the 2nd Summer of Balance challenge. Here’s the excuse deal:

My right shoulder was overworked this weekend, I’m thinking Sunday it had too much.

My arm is totally functional, but certainly sore.

If there is anything I’ve learned from Yoga that I can apply here, it’s that

 “one must be patient with the body.”

So, until my shoulder feels 80% 100% again, I’m laying off of the headstands forearm presses.

So, that is that. being said,

Yoga Challenge: Kapotasana (King Pigeon) &

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Utthita Hasta Padangushtasana (Standing Leg Raise)

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I convinced my head to touch my knee, and we’d reward the tummy with cookie butter…

Cookie Butter Yumminess. FTW! 🙂

~~~

Almost forgot – You know that moment when you tag your FAVORITE artist in a Tweet

(because her music is amazing) and she starts following you on Twitter?

Made my entire life YEAR! She is phenomenal. Her music is incredible.

I was also asked to contribute to something next month Fitness related, so

I’ll keep you all in the loop about that too!

Wow. Today was fantastic! Finally, can laugh at yesterday’s nonsense…

laugh

In. Your. Face.

 Off to finish cooking dinner and and get ready for Yoga class. I’ll holla, Hip Huggers 🙂

Question: Have you ever 86’d a ‘challenge’ because your body said “No”? Or did you press on? 🙂

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Not Namaste…Its’s Okay.

Hello All! How’d your Tuesday Go?

My morning went NOTHING as I’d planned.

I wanted to get out before things heated up but

it was literally a case of one thing after another.

 badday

Wasn’t until noon that I actually got outdoors!.

By then it was hot, humid, and I was over my run

before it ever began.

However, I managed to get a solid run in (can’t believe no walk breaks as hot as it was),

but it was very slow going. I was literally out there almost an hour

 from warm up to cool down. Not legit in this weather, but

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4 miles done!

As peeved as I was I had to wait and run when it was blistering hot,

the drag was likely because I just had not been running,

and certainly had not been running in the heat.

I’m just glad to be home and cooling off. I was beat.

Luckily for me, today’s challenges were leg stretches, so I killed 2 birds with one stone.

Day 17 Supta Samakonasana .. 

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 & Visvamitrasana

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First asana, pretty easy. Second asana hard.

I have a real tired right shoulder, so I wasn’t going to

put too much pressure on it. I also have really tight hamstrings and

I didn’t want to piss them off either.

All in all – I’m still a beginner, and I had a pretty

craptastic morning – So, today I cut myself a lot of slack.

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Interesting, todays devotional was all about laughter…glad I had that to dwell on all day.

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Going to recover and hope for bluer skies tomorrow, Hipsters 🙂

Question: How do you shake a bad day? Is a run/workout the elixir?

 

 

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Side Lines of Energy

Happy Monday! Did y’all catch the Finals last night?

 Being a Die Hard Mavs fan, it was REALLY hard to go for either team. But, I’m loyal to Texas now, so Spurs it was.

Plus, that whole “championship DNA” byte really started getting on my nerves. Glad they’re sidelined ’til next year!

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Hilarious.

And Congrats Spurs! Valid until Opening Tip October 2014

This morning, I woke up with a hankering to get outdoors! I started gearing up to drive to

 the city park and run a few miles before the kids got going.

Then I remembered my truck is getting a new compressor and I have no life car.

So, I treated myself to a Spark, and when for a short stroll instead…

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Back home and not much of an appetite. Boo. So, I drowned my sorrows in this

 half melted here Quest Bar I thought I’d eat in route but didn’t.

 

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Speaking of halfway, over the hump for June’s Yoga Challenges!!

But first, I got in about an hour of exclusive yoga stretches. Sure, the asanas are cool and

do wonders for the internal body but there is more to Yoga than just poses.

A CPT/ Yoga teacher I follow on Instagram know said (before I ever began yoga)

 “Muscles need to be intensely stretched daily”.

At the time I waved it off because it was not what I wanted to hear sounded like it involved yoga,

and I was just not feeling that.

However, it has less to do with yoga and more to do with flexibility, toning, and strengthening of the muscles.

 I’m sold now, as you can see, and have started incorporating more and more stretching before I move on

to the’ Flow of the Day’ and my daily summer challenges.

All the stretchy stuff is perfect timing because today’s challenge really stretched my limits legs…

 

~~Day 16 ~~

Started out with Baddha Konasana, or Cobbler’s Pose after my stretching to get my hammies ready.

They are massive and always tight.

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Challenge Poses today: Utthita Parsvakonasana  (Extended Side Angle)

& Dwi Pada Koundinyasana (Side Crow)

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Are those my LINES of Energy?

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I literally held that last asana for 4.3 seconds…or 2 breaths. Work to do, yet!

I was also in awe of a Yogi I follow on Instagram and her rendition

of Baddha Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) was so beautiful, I had to imitate.

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Now to catch up on some OITNB and H2O… as best I can

considering I ate all my cheddar popcorn here chatting it up with y’all Thursday

But, I’ll live… I guess… kind of.

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I’ll catch up with y’all Later 🙂

 

Question: Do your run/workout close to home or do you have a favorite spot a drive away?

 

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Asanas before Manana

Hello Hip Hugging Hipsters! Happy Dad’s Day!

Seeing all the beautiful homages to the world’s great dads on Facebook  and Instagram certainly had me super emotional today.

So, here’s to my amazing dad, whose sick and in hospice and whom I miss dearly in many ways,

but will always be the first love of my life!

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But today is a happy day, and we had an amazing Father’s day weekend! I almost hate for it to end!

Tons of food involved, and quiet time alone with the hubby. The weather was absolutely perfect and it was well deserved,

My hubby is the BEST! Such a great guy, in a million ways… easily my better half and hands down the best thing that has

Ever. Happened. to me.

Happy Father’s Day, Mike! We LOVE you!

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Just got home from the pool with the kiddos. A great end to a great weekend.

But hey, manic Monday isn’t here yet, so let’s talk a little weekend fitness, shall we?

 …

Still not much cardio, and even less lifting this week. What has happened to me?

 I don’t know if I am trying to find balance with the 2, or just spending way too much time balancing on my head.

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Either way, Yoga is the exercise special of the week,  so here’s plenty of it:


Day 14 Yoga Challenge:

I was tagged to #stopdropandyoga – I was stoked! So, I kicked off my session yesterday with Parsva Bakasana, or Side Crow.

I later flowed into Mermaid Pose, King Pigeon, and the most challenging, Firecrow.

 I spared you the long Sanskrit names THIS time, thank me later.

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Day 15 Challenge:

Virabhadrasana (Warrior I), Pincha Mayurasana (a modified forearm stand) and Sirsasana.

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The challenges have been getting pretty, eh challenging. My ultimate goal is still to perform

a nice full split like I used to do inmy heyday as well as balance for at least 1 minute on my hands.

Just to think, 4 weeks ago, I didn’t even want to stand and touch my feet because

the intense rush of blood to the head hmm, need to find that Coldplay cd and now I’m upside

at least 5 minutes,in some yoga capacity, for some part of the day.

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Haha! We shall see.

Gonna log off and spend some time outside watching the kiddos play kickball in the street,

sip some wine, and enjoy the evening.

Namaste Hip Huggers.

 I hope you all give lots of love to a good dad, or anyone’s dad, this Fathers Day.

And a huge Happy Father’s Day to my guy readers… you absolutely rock!!

Question: What did you all do for Father’s Day? Who got fitness stuff?

 

 

 

 

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New-bie Continued…

Happy Throwback Thursday! What are y’all up to?

I finally got up and got some things done today.

It’s the kid’s first official week of summer vacation

so, I’m still paying myself back for all those 5am musters all year…

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Reveille.

Just glad to be up and at ’em! This time last week, I was curled up in my bed suffering from the worst stomach cramps ever

thanks to a good ol’ tainted box of green tea. And how did I KNOW it was the green tea?

After 3 day, and finally a little relief, I had a nice brewed cup…and got sick. ALL. OVER. AGAIN.

Truly the pits. But this week, I am feeling refreshed and full of energy again.

So, I cooked up a quick breakfast for this champ.

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Also enjoyed a great conversation with my neighbor who’s on vacation.

Just kidding, we mostly watched dumb videos on Facebook.  But all in all, good times.

And now I’m snacking on processed popcorn and H20 chatting it up with all of you cool Hipsters 🙂

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Getting on with the fitness and all why we are here I started my day off with my now daily 60-ish minutes of yoga practice…

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and…….

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Day 12: Anjaneyasana & Salamba Sirsasana, also known as
Crescent Moon & Supported Headstand.

I’m such a show-off student of the practice, and am excited about my growth! 🙂

 #ThrowBackThursday when I was running with hips…

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and foolishly still ran in cotton shirts, LOL! The Days…

I’m logging off now to get some stuff done…  holla Hipsters!!!

Question: What are you a ‘newbie” in?

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