Great July

This month was a fabulous work out month.
1. Jason and I rode Suncreast and we also did Brighton (a 55 mile up a mountain ride) I am so proud of myself this ride is what you use to train for LOTJA or Tour de Utah
2. Won my age group at the Scofield Tri
3. Riding a ton with my peeps

THE LABYRINTH

My Cute Friend Mindy invited me to her amazing fitness retreat at Red Mountain St. George and We walked the Labyrinth last night. I found this to be a meditation routine that I loved. It was a rock labyrinth set in the red mountains of the desert. We walked in the dusk with gas lanterns surrounding the area. If you have never done a labyrinth, find one and check it out, or better yet walk quietly through life thinking to yourself- turn the i pod off for once.
Some general guidelines for walking a labyrinth are:

1. Focus: Pause and wait at the entrance. Become quiet and centered. Give acknowledgment through a bow, nod, or other gesture and then enter.

2. Experience: Walk purposefully. Observe the process. When you reach the center, stay there and focus several moments. Leave when it seems appropriate. Be attentive on the way out.

3. Exit: Turn and face the entrance. Give an acknowledgement of ending, such as "Amen."

4. Reflect: After walking the labyrinth reflect back on your experience. Use journaling or drawing to capture your experience.

5. Walk often.

MIRROR mirror ON the WALL

Today started out as one of those perfect mornings were everything seems to run so smooth. The baby slept in, I got my morning emails done, and I thought that I would reward myself with a ZUMBA class. I love going to these "types" of classes. You know the one were you dance around the room and in some strange way you feel like you are dancing in a club, or prepping to be on Dancing with the Stars. This "type" of class has always ALWAYS been a reward for me. I rairly make it to them, since they seem to only be for stay at home moms or well kept woman, because the only seem to fall in the time range of 9-11 am, you know the perfect time for "them".

Today I went and thought that I would have the time of my life. I walked into the room and started to warm up. Then the teacher walked in, a tan, chiseled size 2 teacher with a rack only a plastic surgeon could have provided. I stood up to get ready and there it was...me. I looked in the mirror at my body in motion, moving in a way that it has for so many years. I have always looked at myself in the mirror and for most of my life enjoyed what was looking back at me. Today, I did not. I felt horror, I felt as if I did not fit in with this "type". I refuse to let myself feel this way, for I know that I have a few lbs on me right now, but I had to have a strong self talk back to reality. I told myself of all the wonderful things my body dose for me and how it is strong, has children with ease, is rarely sick, always lets me push it to the limits.

I then went on to run 4 miles over lunch. Outside, without a mirror, or other to compare myself to. I had no tunes, and only the river and water falls to listen to. On this run I thought of nothing, just ran it was wonderful. Just me and my fabulous body. Thanks body for never letting me down, even when I am so critical of you.

Eat up- Swiss Oats

I have found a favorite food to fuel my body in the morning. I train early and I am always trying to be in stealth mode not to wake up the sleeping babies. This breakfast can be made the night before and it sits well on my stomach.

Swiss Oats:
1/2 Cup Oats
4oz of skim milk or Soy
1T of honey
Cinnamon
Salt

*Mix all of this and allow to soak in refrigerator, covered, overnight.

*In the morning add in any variety of fresh or dried fruit. (I also add in 2T of flax meal)
*I also love greek yogart on the top to add a creamy yumminess to it.

YUM YUM!!!

My hour, My music, My thoughts

today I went out for a hour run. I thought about how much i love going on runs when i am by myself. i used to hate to run by myself because i could only focus on the pain, weird breathing, feet pounding and the incline of the hill. today i focused on my goals and how i would acomplish them, i was in the zone of thought having deep conversations with myself. it was my type of meditation and just what i needed after a LONG week.

YEA- Jason bought a BIKE

Yesterday Jason went on his first virgin ride on his new TIME bike. I am so exited. We dropped him off while we headed out to farmers market and met him home. He rode an average of 20 miles per hour. I can't wait to ride with him. It looks like we will be doing the Heber Century together. He is built like a biker, strong legs, lean body and great endurance. I hope he enjoys his new found toy.