Fitness, Yoga

#SundayFlow

Happy Sunday, Heathens Hip Huggers!
So glad you stopped by to see me before service!

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Let’s!!
****
Sunday vibes begin with #churchflow selfies on the way to worship!
I didn’t wash my hair after yesterday’s run so it looked like a bird’s nest.
I’m thinking something glad nothing flew into it!

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Turquoise on #fleek!! I am obsessed with this stone.

***

I didn’t get up bright and early for cardio or stretching, so both must be done today.
First on the agenda was some yoga. My muscles have been mad sore with all this running.
I feel like it took twice as long to push past the muscle resistance as usual today.
I spent a lot of time on my back bending and breathing. Once I loosened up,
#Yogaflow began to feel refreshing, healing even.

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Eagle pose is my least favorite yoga pose. Nothing personal, but I just don’t see/feel
the benefits of this pose. There is such a huge risk in too much weight being put on the
supporting knee and you can’t see anything! I just don’t get it. But, all is coming so maybe
some perspective will along with that. Until then, this will be a random thing.

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I am a little more partial to backbends. I love anything backbend. This pose was a bit more
challenging coming down on the forearms, and rising up on my toes. Still needs some work,
but practicing backbends often is paying off. Wheel pose variation is workin’

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Another great favorite is the Compass pose. I remember posting it on Facebook
and my friends went crazy! Like Barbie doll legs. I tried to convince them
it wasn’t that intense, but does require a great deal of flexibility in the hammies and hips.

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Last pose to make the list is this yummy stretch! Upward Dog in my opinion does not
get the love it should, it is not just an easy pose. Those quads burn! I need to regularly
practice anything that stretches these genetically tight hip flexors. I love Upward D!

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I have been especially careful about stretching my wrists. I do a lot of inversions,
and recently started practicing peacock pose, an arm balance where to wrists are torqued
backwards and you’re balancing primarily using your abs on your elbows for support an d
digging into your solar plexus. It is brutal challenging, but I’ve made some progress. No, not
enough progress to show but sooner or later, I’ll have something to share! For now, just the stretch.

***

Just wanted to check in and share my yoga on the Sunday afternoon. I’m off for a quick #Strollflow around
the neighborhood to soak in the last bit of sunshine today. Hope all you Hipsters have enjoyed your weekend
and are ready to conquer the Mondays!

Enjoy the rest o’ your Sunday!

Question: Is there a yoga pose you are not so crazy about? Please share!

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Fitness, Yoga

Nab the Grab

Helloooo Hip Huggers!!
How was your 3 day weekend?
I spent mine trying get my life together…

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Just couldn’t capture it.
***
The weather here in Dallas has been perfect!
The sun has been in a very festive mood.
For the first time in weeks I’ve been able to
expose skin and show off some new kicks!

Speaking of kicks, I haven’t been kicking up my heels running lately.
Not much lifting to report either, but I haven’t been standing still.
I had an awesome yoga session Saturday morning
once I shook off the cobwebs and got down to the mat.
I really just wanted to fold and bend a bit,
so I didn’t set any intentions for practice…

Triangle Pose

I later changed my mind and decided to nab the grab…
Triangle Pose with a Bind

Once I finally opened up and could bend a little,
I warmed up my back and core with wheel pose.
My mantra this year is to open up my back, and I have
been keeping that mindset as I go into every practice.
That may not always happen, but that’s what intentions are all about.
So, I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus backbends.
I figured I’d see how ready my hands were to nab my feet in a full bow pose…

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Nabbed It! I love how yoga always gives me a new
perspective on triumphs. Whether it be trying something new,
or doing something better, yoga has taught me
that any process takes time and in that,
be gentle to yourself and be okay in the ‘in between

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Be in the In Between.
How’s this capture for perspective?
***

Now, I am off to Workout + Walk for my WOD!
I’ll catch you Hip Huggers later!

Question: What color is your yoga mat?

Yoga

Favourites Fridays

Hello Hip Huggers!!

I know I usually post my favorite workout, recipe, or run of the week on Fridays, but

I had to take a step back from working out at my usual intensity and allow my quad to heal up a bit.

So, the timimg and circumstance is perfect for Favourites Friday to include a Yoga Pose! Or 5!!

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Or, at least I think I do.

***

My favorite body part of all time to train and strengthen are my hamstrings.

I don’t know if that’s because deadlifts are my all time favorite exercise and that makes for stellar hams,

 or because running makes then awful tight and need extra attention.

Either way, I love working them, and strengthening them via running, lifting, and yoga 🙂

Big muscles need lots of oxygen,  so they are hard to train. But it must be done!

Don’t skimp on the Deadlifts, Squats, and Lunges, Hip Huggers! They’re your foundation!

Here are some of my Favorite Hamstring awakening Asanas.

 Sugar Cane Pose

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Crescent Moon Pose Variation

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Lizard Lunge

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Hand to Big Toe Pose

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Not all work and no play… when it’s time to give these hammies a rest…
we invert!

Hollow Back Handstand

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Yoga has absolutely seduced me and taken over Favorites Fridays!

Want even MORE yoga? I shared my nightly sweet dreams sequence here.

If you are having a hard tome getting rest,

these poses may just fix you up and get you into a slumber in no time!

Check it out, Hip Huggers!

Thanks for stopping by and have a Great Weekend!!

***

Question: What’s you favorite body muscle to train?

 

Triangle Pose

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Beasty Bling and Berry Smoothies

Hello, and Hello!!

I was feeling kinda sketchy about having an entire post that talks nothing about
August runs with Hips , but I haven’t blogged in a week and I didn’t want you to
forget about waking me.

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Parshva Parvatasana (Side Mountain Pose)
in Savasanahhhhhhh. Heaven.

After much ado about nothing reaching a
pretty cool milestone of 100+ miles for the month of July,
I guess my brain and my legs just kind of need a break.
This was by far my most ran month since I started putting
one foot in front of the other in the name of health.

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Despite the Bling, I have revisited some fitness goals.
My husband and I both have really been missing the weight lifting scene.
We are trying some new, unconventional means this time…

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Are you ready to Beast?
I am really, REALLY committed to this.
Crazy thing is I shared that same sentiment with my husband, and he agreed.
He says, I am different this time around. Something deep down in me really is.
I can feel it in my cheese pizza lined gut.

I guess I should clean up my eating a little bit too.
I’ve had more sugar than I care to admit to as of late.
Partly, due to summertime eating and an array of snacks around
for this seasonal time of year when kids are home and always bored hungry.
But these smoothies I started having daily, are here to stay!!

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Berry Smoothie:

1 cup Hemp Milk
1 frozen banana (peel THEN freeze)
1 handful strawberries
1 handful blueberries (they’re the Star!)
Drizzle of honey (if ya got a sweet tooth)
Slurp!!!
***
Cleaner eating starts today. Body Beast starts tomorrow!
Excite to get started on this stuff here! But first, let me take a selfie…

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I’ve filled you in. Now its time to refill my cup, Hip Huggers!

Question: Have you revisited some Fitness Goals lately?

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Cool-ish Run, Cold-ish Chakra

Hola Hip Hip Huggers!
***
Can I just say, the weather here this week has been fantastic!
So nice, we spontaneously took the kiddos to Hurricane Harbor.
For a day outdoors in North Texas, in July, to be pleasant??
Unbelievable!  I don’t think it even broke 90°!
Great weather for a day of walking, swimming, climbing endless stairs,
and indulging in ridiculously overpriced food.
But I spent a lot of time here, so I was content-ish 🙂

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***
I did take off 2 days to rest, accordingly. My legs had been tired from running, and it rained all day Thursday.
Sure fit signs to slow down and let my body recover, unrushed.
Today, I got back out there because the weather was peeerfect for some miles!

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I was probably still a little dehydrated. I didn’t drink nearly as much at the park as I should’ve
and I’ve been eating a TON of sweets!
So, I tossed in a fruit punch Nuun to my wawa and got my fizzle on!

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Running goal: I planned 6 miles. Felt god, but 1st mile was long.
I’d decided I would concede at 4-ish, and just focus on my long run Sunday.
But got a 2nd wind and just kept going!

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8 Miles! Long-ish run for the week is accidently officially done!
And just under an 11 min/mile pace.
I have to thank my hubby for bringing me water and Spark at about mile 6.5.
I wouldn’t have made it otherwise, totally saved my run!
Here’s my splits to keep me accountable.

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I am truly learning to run easy. Yes, its slowed me down, but it’s changed my running!
I am running distances I just would not a few months ago because I am not burning out.
***
Yoga-ish Time!
I stretched about 10 minutes opening up my hips before coming inside for yoga…

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Utthan Pristhasana, or Lizard Pose.
Random-ish SN:
That moment your yoga instructor virtually adjusts your ass Asana….

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I just love her! Such an amazing teacher and the one responsible for
me falling in love with yoga! Namaste, Caitlin

***
I’ve also started working to unblock my Muladhara, or my root chakra.
It has been very ungrounded since I stopped eating LCHF. Truth.
Anxiety, isolation, fatigue… I can feel it all.
It’s mainly why I’ve been practicing/sharing less inversions and arm balances; to focus more on
standing poses during my practice, such as warrior, low lunges, etc.
Which brings me to a picture a dear friend on IG added some “love” to…

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Anjaneyasana.

The light and strength of yoga I hope to share, spread to everyone.
I love my Omies!

What are your workout weekend plans?

 

 

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Goals and Holes

Hello Hip Huggers!!

Ok, so the 2 weeks I REALLY needed to be keeping up

 with blogging I didn’t. Now, I’m Fire in the Hole

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Good one, huh Trubies 🙂

***

Quick Fitness Recap!

I finished my month long running of miles!

Which might I add, didn’t start until approximately

2 weeks before the month ended, not too shabby.

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I am at 34 of 85 goal miles I plan on running this month! Awesomeness!!!

***

I’ve been practicing yoga too, but not as much as before.

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I really do throw myself completely and unapologetically into whatever

my heart desires… but, I am a balanced broad so, my goal is to find the middle ground..

which has been post running quick yoga outside on the ground as of late.

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I will say the highlight of my running career gig so far has been

running the Flagpole 8k on Independence Day.

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I have ran the Flagpole 8k once before and loooved the route!

It is at White Rock Lake and the run starts out on the

 “boardwalk” and leads into a higher altitude trail … awesome right?

Buuut, this year it was at Flagpole Hill. Just down the street.

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None of the beautiful amenities of running the lake, sadly.

 Not the busling walkers and morning joggers.

Not the beautiful lake view and sounds.

But,  it was flat, and it looped around just once.

 That must  be a  huge advantage for someone like me because…

I placed 1st in my age group!!!

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In all honesty fairness, I will say, it was a small race.

Even with that, placing was never my goal, not even a thought.

Easily less than 100 people, but who cares? either way,

of the far and few that are embracing their early dirty 30’s such as I am trying to,

I was the one to beat!

And this, I will treasure.

***

In other running new, I decided to run a half marathon!

‘ That Dam Half’ in Lewisville October 19.

 Training for that doesn’t begin until the end of the month,

 so I am just keeping things injury free and nimble for now.

I will be doing all the necessary speedwork and tempo runs.

Really going to stick to this plan and try to have a great race!

And a great day, as it is Bring-your-girls-to-visit-dad-and-have-Chili’s-with-dad Day!

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Taking a couple days off to rest up for my kinda long 8 mile run Sunday morning.

A new friend is coming to run with so, I plan on…

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That’s the goal!!

Have an Awesome Friday and Enjoy the Weekend!!

Question: Have you ever ran a 1/2 Marathon? Awesome?

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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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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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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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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.

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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?