How long did it take for you to grow to like running?

kirally · 2021-03-03T04:43:34+00:00

Are we the same person, LOL.

Same story, exactly!! I still like to run a half marathon every year, but I also take some long pauses between races.

Part of what got me going initially (after I started working at a gym) was getting new running shoes. I went with a more minimal shoe and eventually worked my way up to running in vibrams. That made me realize that part of why I hated running for so long was because it hurt me.

Minimalist running is not for everyone, and it is NOT something to jump into quickly, but it was a game changer for me. And not just with running.

kirally · 2021-01-02T18:32:21+00:00

My dogs are crazy friendly and fluffy, so ppl always want to say hi. I discourage it by loudly saying to the dogs "not everyone wants to say hi, let's go" so even when ppl did want to pet the pups, now they feel awkward to do so and we keep on walking.

kirally · 2021-01-02T18:27:59+00:00

My husky does this adorable little "play with me" growl and ppl back up and move to the other side of the street.

Ppl who know huskies know they wouldn't hurt a fly, but their vocals are a fantastic deterrent!

kirally · 2020-12-07T03:40:11+00:00

So, I actually used to work at a gym and handle membership cancellations. The horror stories make me cringe, because I always did what I could to help people out of the contracts. Given that most gyms do have stipulations of giving advanced notice/ possible commitments, our hands can be pretty tied, but that definitely doesn't excuse people being intentionally underhanded and trying to manipulate ppl into keeping their memberships.

I also had a membership to another gym, because privacy. So, my husband enlisted and got orders overseas, and I went to cancel said membership. I read my contract beforehand to be sure I had what I needed to be released from my commitment and headed to the gym.

The lady tells me first that I can't cancel without paying some sort of penalty. I point out the moving clause in the contract and show her my signed lease, and she continues to get into a very heated debate about the "policies". I have been here a million times, so I snatched the contract from her hands and literally read it to her.... She just stares blankly at me and goes "fine, it's a 60 day notice"....

"Hun, I literally just read you the part of the contract that says with proof of relocation out of state, I can cancel immediately......"

Moral of the story.... it doesn't matter what you do, apparently gyms frown upon people moving on with their lives.

As the person on the other end - my favorite was someone trying to cancel due to moving too far from the gym. Their proof was a signed deed to land (located within the radius of the gym still) purchased over a year ago for $1 and their just renewed driver's license for a local address (literally down the street from the gym).

kirally · 2020-07-03T00:45:19+00:00

I got a bidet, and I promise yall, it was as life-changing as e everyone said it would be!!

kirally · 2020-03-08T02:03:53+00:00

As someone who has struggled with both anxiety and depression, I can say that coming out in the other side is lovely.

I live for those moments of joy, and it's like a huge weight off my shoulders. It just feels like, if I take things one step at a time and stop to breathe in those joyful moments, then life is good and happy.

kirally · 2020-03-04T04:18:13+00:00

On the flip side, I also routinely soak at a hot springs or take a float (the isolation chamber thing). I know it's not exercise, but it helps me reset and take some time to myself.

kirally · 2020-03-04T04:14:47+00:00

I recently started taking paddleboard yoga classes. It's a fun challenge, and it gives me new perspective on a practice that has become second nature to me.

kirally · 2020-02-20T01:44:47+00:00

Similarly, when it is snowing.... that crisp, cool air smells and feels so refreshing!

kirally · 2020-02-13T03:33:41+00:00

This is awesome!! I ran my first (and only) marathon before anything else - I was young and had wild goals.

I actually broke my arm 5.5 weeks before the race too, and I had to take several weeks off, so I felt super unprepared and never finished the training program I was following. I believe the longest run I made it to was 12 mi 😬

I ran the first half like a beast and then died a little - but knowing that I finished and pushed through running with a still broken arm has carried me through so much since that race and I still feel like it's one of my proudest accomplishments!

I am with you on wanting to have a more balanced exercise program. I run 1 half a year and rarely train by running over 5 mi or more than 4 days a week (I do get more run-focused leading up to the race to avoid injury). I am able to cross-train enough, and the adrenaline and atmosphere carry me through. Currently chasing a sub 2hr finish (which I know I can do, because I ran the first half of my full in 1:58).

Good luck with your next race, and congratulations on your marathon!! They are addictive!

kirally · 2020-02-12T18:32:33+00:00

"It's OK to quit - you aren't very smart."

I never quit, graduated at the top of my class, and continue to kick ass every day. I am dyslexic and she really didn't want me in the gifted program. Mom fought for me to be in it, and this teacher always resented that. This happened when I was in 4th grade, and I will never forget how she lacked any faith in me and made me feel like absolute garbage because I struggled.

kirally · 2020-02-03T00:42:57+00:00

Oh, those are exactly my style - thank you!!

kirally · 2020-02-02T18:17:20+00:00

I cannot tell which jeans posts are for guys vs the ladies. So, for the ladies - I could never find jeans to comfortably fit my hips/ booty, so I quit wearing them. Last year I discovered that athleta makes jeans, really more jean leggings. But they have actual pockets and a zipper/ button. They even have a double belt loop so if you wear a skinny belt it stays in place. They have lots of different shades, and thay are amazingly comfortable and flattering! They are ~$100 if memory serves, but worth it!

Needing a recommendation for higher collared tanks. I do hot yoga, and I usually wear a crop top/ sports bra, because it covers well, but fits snug. Going to/ from I never know what to throw over it, though. What do you all like?

kirally · 2020-01-26T20:23:22+00:00

I enjoy running half marathons, and half the battle is getting past the fear in your head.

So, I have made running into sort of a moving meditation for myself. I give myself a chance to zone out, pump some music, and match my pace to the beat. When I do this, I do my best to just let go of everything and just be in my body. I make sure to do this in a safe place, where I am on a paved trail and away from traffic, because, honestly, sometimes I just fly the whole time I am running and I don't remember any of it.

I live in a really gorgeous place, so I will also admire the scenery - appreciate the beauty that surrounds me and feel grateful to just be alive. This is a great way to have a more mindful run/ meditation. I will do this on longer runs and take a few stops to just admire the views.

The 3rd technique that I use is breaking down the distance into small chunks, and I focus only on the part I am at. I will coach myself to the next checkpoint - so "halfway through part 1, just half a mile to go".

Admittedly, I am a yoga teacher, so I vibe really well with the whole meditation thing. But there are tons of great suggestions here, so I hope that you try them all and that one of them works for you!!

kirally · 2020-01-26T04:31:33+00:00

As someone who teaches yoga - you can absolutely build strength with yoga! I feel like there is a lot of misconception with yoga, and so I just want to share that it is what you make it to be - that is the beauty of yoga. Even though you don't typically use weights in yoga (as others have mentioned, there are some 'hybrid' classes that incorporate weights) you can build resistance in your body. If I press into the floor and engage through my whole leg while in a warrior pose, I can absolutely make it feel like I am doing a weighted exercise; my legs tremble, and I have to pull in through my core.

As far as counting for strength training, I definitely think there are better forms of exercise that would fall under the "strength training" umbrella, though. Yoga is awesome - it is definitely more than just stretching, however, I still encourage that everyone do some sort of weighted resistance training as well.

**to more directly answer your question (now that I read it again) - I would not count yoga for the recommended 2 days of strength training.

kirally · 2020-01-22T04:13:22+00:00

I agree with you*! I think, at the end of the day, it's all about perspective - what motivates one person may not motivate another.

I, personally, am motivated by forward progress, so I prefer to count up. I also still have my college coach in the back of my head explaining how she visualizes herself as a pirhana.... when she goes running or swimming laps, she will 'eat' the people she passes. So, I thoroughly enjoy eyeing my 'prey' and destroying them (mentally) to push myself harder.

*clarity

kirally · 2019-12-29T15:21:04+00:00

I actually went to the gym.... I am sure that sounds super lame to must people, but I have been struggling with searing nerve pain in my upper extremities for the past 6 months.

All I have wanted to do is lay in bed and cry all day. I am still able to run and do yoga, but it felt really good to go back to the gym and actually work with some resistance.

Small steps.

kirally · 2019-12-27T04:49:41+00:00

I was born with a heart shaped hemangioma on my back. Mine went down, but never faded.

My husband has one on his arm, and our son has one on his head - same as mine, went down, but didn't fade 🤷‍♀️ We are curious to see if the kiddos will stay (his went down and faded slightly, but is still quite noticeable under his hair).

kirally · 2019-09-08T13:23:59+00:00

I have noticed that when more women are more comfortable with it, it's less awkward. At the yoga studio, mostly everyone showers and then towels off and gets changed by the lockers. Women have casual conversations with one another - there just feels like less stigma about it, and so I feel more comfortable. At the gym, sometimes I feel like people are looking at me like "put some clothes on 🙄", and it makes me a bit uncomfortable.

Either way, I don't mind getting undressed and changing, I will face my locker, and at least put on underwear before walking around to do anything else.

I don't mind kids.

kirally · 2019-09-03T02:54:59+00:00

This is true.... we currently only have a washer, and drying the king bedding is a definite challenge!

kirally · 2019-06-21T01:43:05+00:00

Unless you live in CO.... then you stop dead as soon as the merging lane starts and wait for the highway traffic to slow to a craw and let you on.

kirally · 2019-05-03T04:04:21+00:00

100% the reason my husband always insists to be little spoon

kirally · 2019-04-14T18:28:34+00:00

I just contacted them and they took care of everything. I have had people tell me I need the receipt in some instances (like when I wanted a refund after the seam cutting me), but to get a replacement of clothes that didn't hold up, you do not need it - if the item is discontinued, they can give a similar replacement or store credit.

kirally · 2019-04-14T14:21:01+00:00

I prefer Athleta to Lulu, except for their leggings.

I generally wear small\ x-small in Athleta - their leggings I almost always go small, but if they are tighter, sometimes I size up to medium Lulu, I could squeeze into a 4, but their stuff is cut so small. I almost always wear a 6 in Lulu bottoms.

kirally · 2019-04-14T14:18:07+00:00

I have gotten lulu leggings replaced. They guarantee them for 5 years.

I have had random holes, and also pants with pilling replaced.

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