I'm up for Full.

I'm always grateful for I have friends around me when I work for my (life) goals.

Last year during PBIM, Gray, my first running buddy, said she's going to do Full next year. It's great to know friends are upgrading and getting more serious about what they are doing. I tried visualizing myself running for a 42km but all I see was a blurry vision of me running and panting and having major aching legs.

You see, when I'm into something (and I think most people with goals do), I visualize these goals and how to achieve them. If I am up for them, there's this surge of fire from within that starts to slowly rise and spark my entire being to stay motivated for the goals. So if I feel this fire, I know I am REALLY going for them. Well, I didn't feel this when I visualize running for Full Marathon. Not yet, I tell myself.

Thing is, this whole running for Full Marathon bugged me ever since. Especially knowing the other running buddies are also upgrading themselves. I mean, if they are up for it, why can't I?

"Kau pigi lari pun on and off, how are you going to run for a full? Baru Half pun kapus2," my consciousness tells me.

Okay lah, wait for the right time then.

This unsettling feeling, they never leave me. It's like I have decision still undecided despite telling myself I am not ready for it.

However yesterday... after some reflection routine I do when I'm into some life-changing and mind boggling matters, I decided to give it a go. It's funny how a decision to pursue my studies can trigger the spark to run for a 42km race.Ha!

I have not sign up for any 42 yet as I have already booked myself a Half Marathon for Borneo International Marathon in May, chasing for PB. The most apt run I have to do my Full will be PBIM. Besides, I think the PBIM 42km route is less harsh than the BIM. Hopefully.

So yeah, I am going for Full Marathon this year!!!

By the way, here are some photos during my first run in 2015. We ran 12km for the Alliance Bank Coastal Run 2015. Fun run indeed.

 

 

A different kick-off

Not really a New Year post eh?

I am still here. Still blog hopping whenever possible. Still browsing my blog once in a while. Just no intention to post anything. Life has been pretty busy on my other social networking sites i.e. Facebook, Instagram. Hence, the lack attention in here.

42 days had passed since New Year and proud to say that, I have not been sleeping past 9am anymore. On working days, it's inevitable to wake up at 5am because of work. But on weekends, it would be 6am. Why?

My first Yoga at the beach on the first Saturday of 2014.

If it isn't Yoga, I would turn to running to get my ass up in the morning.

I say, this is a different start to my 2014. Before, I always look forward weekends to wake up after 8am. Now, even though I am still depending on alarm clock, waking up isn't much of a problem anymore. Of course, there are times when I feel like cuddling under the blanket. Like those time in Jan when rain continuously pouring night and day. But, the thought of 'If I wake up late, I'll miss my morning yoga session' kind of bugged me.

And why do I love morning work out?

I've ran and do yoga in the evening. Most of the time actually. But, nothing beats the feeling of having to see the sun goes up while you run. Or doing the Downward Dog while listening to birds coming out of their nests. The quietness of morning before it turns to buzz due to day time activities. It just feel so refreshingly amazing. 

The great post-work out sensation plus the wonderful experience of nature very much affect my soul, my perception of life and how I would live it. This may sound cliche but yes, this whole working out thingy makes me feel content about living my life. I remember blogging about this end of last year; feeling unfinished. Somehow, the blockage that I was experiencing at that time kind of drifted away now. I feel... cleared.

Another great thing, my other half is on the bandwagon as well. And really determined about it too. He started his gym routine in Jan at 95kg. Fast forward a month and almost half, he is now 87kg. Almost 10kg! He is very disciplined on his work out regime that I am expecting he would soon turn to a work out junkie more than I.


So yeah... this year seems to be looking at fitness and health in our book in the hope that with such healthy life style will eventually bring more goodness and benefits into our lives. Whatever they are.

A toast to a healthy way of living!

*hugs*

With a Purpose

NOTE: Rant post


In life, almost everything we do comes with a purpose.

Why do we eat?
Why do we cry?
Why do we get married?
Why do we have children?
Why do go to school?
Why do we work?

There's always a reason behind our actions.



"Tambah kurus lah kau ni, beryoga-yoga."

"Cukup-cukup lah pigi berlari tu, nanti tinggal kertas ja badan ko."

"Patutlah kau kurus. Pigi Zumba lah..futsal lah...jogging la...yoga lah..."

I am slender. I know.
My stomach is flat. I know.
My body fat is around 20%. Normal. I know.

But what YOU must know, I am blessed with all the above even without exercising. Thank you Lord!

So no, I don't exercise to get slimmer. It's my heart that matter the most. You know, that blood pumping organ on your left chest that ensure you to stay alive. Well, technically it's about in the middle of your chest.

Now, why do I put effort in doing all these muscle-stretching routines?
Well, besides the general reason of taking care of the heart... it's the surge of adrenalin rush that makes me feel on top of the world, seeing sweat roll down my forehead and all over my body. The blood that pumped into all my body system making every sensor in me wide awake.Not forgetting the euphoric feeling when I can do things beyond my own expectation. i.e. do a headstand and hold for 30 long seconds!!

Don't get it?

Heh.
I couldn't care less to explain more.
Go find yourself a time to exercise and find that experience I mentioned above.

So the next time you tell me that I do not have to exercise cos I am already a lean meat, be prepare to get this...

"Ya, kalau orang gemuk mau exercise tapi tu hati tidak bersih, sama juga tu tidak pandai kurus."

That is, if you understand what sarcasm is.

Til next post!
*hugs*

Ticked off...

So, in my previous post I mentioned that I was going to join a 10KM marathon. I did.

I REALLY did it!

It was a  thrilling experience for a first time runner like me. I did my run training on a standard (boring) track where I only ran round and round until I reached my target distant. But running on a real marathon, on a road with cars passing by and runners next to you... the feeling is totally different from my training. Heck, I didn't even stop in the first 2km of the run cos everyone was running and I was not going to let my ego down and stop (like I used to do during my training ; 400m run 100m walk). It's amazing how I didn't feel tired and was rather enjoying my run. Well, not until I had passed the 7km distance lah. Seriously.

Initially, I jumped into the running fun cos I wanted to tick off 'ran a marathon' in my yearly list-to-do. So, I did tick if off. But, I didn't realize how the post-run effect could affect me this much.

I am already looking forward a longer distance run!!

Aside the first time experience, I am grateful I decided to join the run. Running gives another meaning to my life. To appreciate my body, inside out.

I have never done a constant long distant training run before. But joining the marathon, I had to kick my butt off the bed as early as 6am, thanks to two weeks of school holiday prior to the run. As I ran into my second week of intensive training, I felt so much energized to get up in the morning and go for a run. Not just because of the run date was closing near but I wanted to feel the sweat, the sore muscles and the good feeling of stretching my muscles with yoga practice after a run. And most of all, morning run and yoga keep me energetic throughout the day!

Now that the BIM 2013 is over, and after a week of rest, I am yearning to run the track again. So, I went running yesterday. I just couldn't explain in details how ecstatic I felt when my heart pumping vigorously during my run. Or how contented I was when sweat rolled down my face profusely. I guess, you have to be in my shoes to comprehend my feeling.

So, the run?
I clocked 1 hour 15 minutes to finish the 10 kilometres run.

It was way better than I had set on myself when I first registered.
Hoorah!

Eh, gambar?
Ada bah... Sikit lah.

 

Some friends I met during the event.

 

Noy, Maslight and I.

We met via blogging!

 

Daniel Chiam of room8five 

 And it wouldn't be complete without my fav Standing Bow pose.

BIM 2014 anyone?

^___^

Something to tick off...

I am participating in Borneo International Marathon 2013.
As a runner!
Duh.

I have thought of it since last year but was not courageous enough to sign up cos I was never a long distance runner. I do not know how far I could cope with running more than a 400m distance (that's the furthest I ran for a competition). Yet, knowing that I would never know my limit and capability if I don't give myself a shot intimidates me. I would not have joined this race if the run was not postponed to three months later though. So when it was postponed and my friend, Maslight gave a shout out about it... heck, it's now!

I had roughly two months to train but Miss Sloth in me always came in between. In the end, I only have two weeks. My last training was yesterday. I managed to clock a good time for a 10km distance. I am happy. At least, I know I can do this.

So yeah, this Sunday, August the 25th.... Chegu Carol is going to run a marathon. Never mind it is only a 10km marathon. I hope to be able to strike 'Run a (10km) marathon' off my list this year. 

God's willing.

Siapa-siapa yang join tu BIM2013, jumpa di sanaaaaaaa.....

Til next post!
Hugs.

Yoga Progress: Standing Bow

Standing Bow pose has been one of my favourite pose from the first day I started practicing yoga. I just feel deeply mesmerized by the position of the body, the curve of the back, the elongated one leg up and the balance the whole body gets by simply stretching one end of the hand and the other leg. It just look so elegant. No wonder, it is also called a Dancer's Pose.

When I first started, I didn't know how to place my legs and abs properly.

On Day two, after throughly studying the pose, I managed to properly lift up my leg and align my torso.

Coming to Week Two and after pretty much digging details of the pose, I was able to get into some proper form of it. And I must admit, I kind of love the progress.

On the following week, I was aiming to get the back leg straighter and torso more aligned with the floor by arching the spine more. I didn't get much progress aside maintaining the posture I achieved from the week before.

Unfortunately, I was too ambitious the following week when doing Intense Side Stretch pose. I injured my left back thigh causing intense pain whenever I tried to stand straight on it.  It's been a week and the muscle is showing sign of recovery but VERY slow. I couldn't wait and so I trained my other leg to be the standing leg. This is as much I could do with my left side. Back too stiff to arch. *sigh*

Praying that my injury will get better as soon as possible. However, I feel good about the overall progress. I have been very religious with my practice and started to do yoga on daily basis from the 4th week.

How do I stay put?

Let's just say, Instagram and the people in it makes me motivated. Ha!

Till next post!
*hugs*

After a week...

Update on my Yoga progress.

My favourite pose, Standing Bow Pose or the Dancer's Pose. I think I am progressing well with this pose.

 

And of course, some other poses I've been practicing. I even bought myself DVDs for Yoga beginner. I reckon that I need more insights to Yoga than just practicing the pose via images found on the Internet. I must say, I look forward to dig deeper. To understand the reason why I do all the poses and the benefits yielded from doing yoga daily.

 

Namaste.

 

 

A Yogi?

I tried Yoga back when I was still teaching in Keningau. It was part of wanting to try what form of exercise appealed me for my evening workout. However, I wasn't keen. In fact, I only went to the class less than 5 times. The stretching and what not bored me. Heck, it made me sleepy. Or perhaps, I wasn't doing it right. Hence, the lack of enthusiasm.

Surprise, surprise!

Am back on it. Well, after some blogger friends (Read: Wyne_Mouren and StellaClaire) show fascinating trending of Yoga photos and they are filling up my Instagram timeline everyday. I was skeptical at first. But look who's joining in the bandwagon? Ha!

Great thing is, even hubby gives encouragement albeit subtle by telling me that there are apps on iPad regarding yoga for beginners.

Here's my first pose of the Dandayamana-Dhanurasana or the Standing Bow Pose, the 6th pose of the 26 basic Bikram Yoga Pose.
 A long way to go before I get the correct pose and posture.  

After I did a half an hour of some of the poses, what I noticed is that I get some slight headache post-exercise. I gathered it was due to the blood circulation or whatever that has gone through while I did the yoga process. But then again, it could be due to the incorrect postures and breathing throughout my exercise.

Today, I shall improve on the breathing first and has been doing bit of revision on the 26 Bikram Yoga.

Update again soon.

******
I read HERE that it is normal to feel dizzy when first starting yoga due to the body not being used of having too much oxygen in the system. A ha!