Seven Days Later and Still Sweating

It's been a while since my last post. I've been super busy doing yoga and other workouts at multiple locations. Here's my status update:

Tuesday was voting day! However there was no way that Mr. Obama would keep me from the studio...I knew he'd be waiting there with my rights when I returned ;). Took a 9:30 yoga class before venturing through the buzzing town of Isla Vista on this historic day. 

After yoga I got pied in the face for my sorority's charity...First Book, which supports children's literacy. The event was called "Pie a Pi Phi" Pretty ridiculous, smelly, and downright disgusting. At least it is for a great cause.

Trying to get my boyfriend back after he pied me :(

Skipped class on Wednesday afternoon (I'm a rebel...I know) to go to a 4:30 yoga class. My practice has consistently gotten more focused and deeper and I'm thankful that I have such an amazing studio in Santa Barbara that can provide me with such an experience.  

The healthy eating has also been a huge contributor to my mood and dedication to this challenge and goal of mine. I believe that presentation is the key to deliciousness...

MMMM!! Mediterranian Wrap, grilled onions, bell peppers, turkey, avocado, mustard, provolone, romaine.

Nothing like eating a healthy meal overlooking the Pacific...oh, how I love Isla Vista.

Had work Thursday, it was rainy and perfect. Its definitely starting to look like fall in California...as I'm sure you are aware...we don't have a winter. A lulu girl never goes to work out of style...

"Limitless Blue" wunder unders, Run A Latte Sock, and Combat Boots. #stylish

After work I headed to another 4:30 pm yoga class, tried to relax a little before heading to my sorority's philanthropy-- Arrow Jam. Its a lip syncing and dance contest in which all fraternities and sororities compete (and pay money to enter-- which gets donated to our cause). Because I'm on the executive board, I got to judge. Basically our job consists of sitting in chairs, taking "notes" and deciding who would be the "winner" of a little trophy and bragging rights. It was a great fun-filled night but with work, yoga, and sorority activities, I was absolutely exhausted come 11 pm (#busygirlproblems).

Me and my friends at ARROWJAM! #PPL

Went home from Arrowjam to pack for home! I had an exciting weekend ahead, with running my first actual registered and timed race as the main event. Had a busy day at work Friday morning and hit the road around 3:30 pm towards LA. Who doesn't love Friday afternoon traffic!?!?

Made it just in time on my way home (I have perfect timing) to an hour and a half Ashtanga yoga class at 5:30. What an experience. I first did Ashtanga last year around this time (right when I started working for lulu) and it changed my perspective that I had conceptualizing all types of yoga as calm and boring. Friday afternoon's practice was ANYTHING but that. I got into crazy bendy postures I didn't even know I could do, stood up and went back down into wheel (with my teacher's assistance), did floating lotus, and a HEADSTAND!!!! It was so awesome and I felt so accomplished. Even partially stopped breathing during savasana...good or bad? You decide.

My instructor said something that resonated with me. I always try to remember what my instructors say in their little yogi speeches but savasana always seems to erase it from my memory. He said something like, "if you eliminate your expectations of others and of the world, your mind will be free and you can create so many possibilities." So Landmark-ish but I love it.

That night went to SugarFish in LA...the most divine fresh fish in the world! I think I could eat it forever and ever. MMMM. 

I had been looking forward to Saturday morning all week-- my favorite boxing class at home followed by an hour and a half of power Vinyasa. It was quite a sweaty morning! Followed it up by getting a healthy wrap from one of my favorite shops, Juicy Ladies (check it out if you're in the San Fran Valley!). Then gathered my things and headed to Starbucks to begin writing my global studies paper...not fun. :( 

Then on to the main event of my weekend. So over the summer while working in Calabasas, I promised my team-- who encouraged me to start running and inspired me to BE a runner in the first place-- that I would come back and run the Calabasas Classic, an annual 5 and 10k race that is stationed very close to the store. This weekend I held integrity to my word and ran my first "official" race, with a time chip, bib, and a full 3.1 mile course. Luckily I had run that course several times over summer so I had an idea of what to expect. What I didn't know however, was how COLD it was going to be and that running it in 50 degree weather would completely change the element of the course that I was used to running. 

Sunday morning finally rolled around-- woke up at 6 AM sharp, ate a nutrition filled breakfast (whole wheat toast with peanut butter, sliced bananas, and drizzled honey, a classic in my book) and put on my race gear. Nothing but the best Power Luxtreme crops (they're moisture wicking, ya know?) and my core piece, the Power Y. The name does not lie. Enjoyed the morning with my lulu crew product ambushing people with free lulu gear! It was really fun and exciting to introduce people to a culture and brand that has so profoundly changed my life.

Product Ambushed this woman into a Swiftly Turtleneck...YAY!

Me and the LU's pre-race in our red and black gear #joblove.

I then headed to the start line for what would be the most interesting experience that I could not have predicted. My friend JD and I were at the front of the start line, waiting for the gun to go off and I had the worst butterflies! I think taking pictures makes me less nervous...

Right before take-off!

The gun went off and I gunned it. I had some music difficulties because when I started my Nike Run+ tracker, it changed the song lineup I had planned, and my music was on shuffle but I didn't feel like taking the time to fix that. So I just let my workout music flow, as I figured my extremely technologically advanced iPhone4s would know what songs to play in order to keep me on my toes and get me to the finish line, fast.

Music could only help so much. I was FREEZING, could not feel my fingers or nose and had horrible mucous (sorry for the TMI, just want to give my experience!). I learned how to spit to take care of the mucous and just tried to focus on my running technique rather than on the fact that I was afraid my fingers would fall off. The course has a huge hill towards the last leg that has always beat me in past runs. Sunday however, the hill wasn't the worst part of it. My ice cold lungs and fingers were of much more importance and thus I didn't let the hill get to my head...I just got over it. After the hill you're practically at the finish line...and that's when I really started running. Turned the last corner, saw the time on the clock was 19:20 but still saw that I had a far way to go. I SPRINTED as fast as I could, crossed the finish line and couldn't help but smile. It was such a rewarding experience and I am so glad I went through with it. I ended up running that last bit at a 5'14" pace and ran the race at an overall 8'22", when my average is normally 9'30". I guess I do have a competitive side...

Now for the really really good news...I GOT BRONZE IN MY AGE GROUP 19-24! I was so excited I honestly didn't believe it. I came behind the second place winner by .7 seconds. My final time was 25:28, and I had initially set a goal for myself to not go over 26:00. Yay Me!

Lulu had a post-race party that was a blast! Old school music and my favorite...photobooth pictures with all my favorite people! 

Jonathan, my running guru and inspiration. He's running an ULTRA MARATHON this weekend...32 miles...GOOD LUCK J, LOVE YOU!

Me, JD, and Chelsea!

Me with my Finisher's medal and Bronze Medal!

Just because I kicked butt in the morning didn't mean that I could escape from my daily yoga challenge. I planned on taking a 4:30 class but fell asleep on the couch instead. So I then made JD do a Vinyasa Flow video on YouTube with me...sorry I'm not sorry.

Improvising

Woke up this morning with extremely bad pains in my shin muscles...ow. Still, nothing can stop me from my workouts! (It's an addiction). Went to a boxing class followed by a barre class. Mixing it up, I have found, is the key to change. I get bored too easily doing the same exact class every day. I find great joy in exploring new ways to sweat and stay in shape. Went about the rest of my day, getting a manicure-pedicure, and a de-frizzing treatment for my hair (so stoked).

Tonight was lululemon athletica Studio City's OnThe12th event at Black Dog Yoga. It was a "gratitude festival", and wow, was I glad to be there. (www.onthe12th.com). It was so fun and the yoga class was INCREDIBLE! So sweaty and powerful I was so excited to be sharing such an epic night with awesome people. After yoga we had fresh juices and played along in a drum circle. It was quite the way to end my night, and day 12 of my 30 day challenge.

Chelsea, Jonathan, Sabrina and I-- wearing all white/tan for the Gratitude Festival!

Drum Circle.

Chelsea and I post yoga!

My main squeeeze, Jonathan.

We were so close together!

Still extremely sore although I think tonight's yoga will help me make a speedy recovery. Headed back to Santa Barbara tomorrow to continue my ventures as a senior college student. 

Every day brings something new, and I'm committed towards being accepting and open to all things that come my way, every day. In direct correlation with that, I wish to share my learning with others so that they too can inspire others to become the best version of themselves.

Falling asleep now. I've got a power hour of yoga tomorrow following an hour of boxing. Should be another adventure-packed day. Living every day to the fullest and with the utmost enthusiasm is what I believe in. It's my religion, kind of.

-A.