Still trying to figure out what I got out of it. Making a chip on my shoulder and, eventually, an endurance event that would become something defining for a while.
Ironman Wisconsin made for a long day. It made for a long five years. Many things had changed for better and worse. I'm still trying to make some sense of it, if there's anything I really need from it.
These days, I'm pretty lazy. Running is at a new low and I've swam only once since that day. I've felt some tug to work out, so I've turned to yoga (thanks, Groupon!). It's a hot yoga studio where I sweat under 95 degree temps and typically flow through movements, building strength and stretching out my body. I will typically attend classes on Mondays, Fridays and sometimes Sundays.
I know I'm not the demographic but it doesn't mean that it won't help me. There's usually only one or two men in the class. As one man once told me, "Yoga should be a spectator sport!" It's challenging and new. I'm pushed in ways that I would never be pushed in running or triathlons.
They have names for different movements and poses. They have different types of yoga for different body effects. It's all very 'inside baseball' when it comes to talking the talk. The only people who talk yoga poses or movements ("Down Dog", " Asanas", etc.) are yoga teachers. Nobody leaves class and says something like, "That Gomukhasana really stretch out my legs somethin' fierce!"
It was only until we come to the end of a hot flow yoga class at night when the instructor uses one word pose that resonates with me. She tells us to try to make it into Wheel Pose (aka 'Urdhva Dhanurasana'), "and hold it there. Let your breath fill the parts that are hurting and fill them up. Those who are not in Wheel Pose, make a bridge." This meant that all those who are incapable of making a Wheel Pose, should lift their butt, so it easier but still working.
She tells us, "Stay in the bridge. If you're not in Wheel Pose."
This coming year of 2012, I'm making the pact to commit myself to being a yogi. It is supposed to feed into my training as a runner. As I recommit to certain aspects of run training, I hope yoga will help supplement my training. I have no doubt that it give great fodder for conversation all next year.
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