Running = Smiles

Happy Saturday!

As suspected my run yesterday made me feel so much better.  Oh, I won't lie, tying up my Mizuno's and hitting the streets was not easy.  Part of me kept saying just curl up on the couch and relax (um...right then...relaxing is something I am not so good at by the way.  I always find a closet to organize or something!) but the other part of me was saying get out there. You will feel so much better...you know you will!  What are you waiting for Traci. Get going!  Ok...ok...I'm going, I'm going.

Happy I listened to the latter.  I headed out for my run, blasted my tunes and within the 1st half mile I knew.  I knew this would be a great run. And indeed it was.  It was 7 miles of happiness.  I always do some of my best thinking during my runs.  It's just a great time to really put things in perspective. I came to realize that although I still am a bit sad about what happened this week...I am less sad.  I know it's for the best. With each step of my run I could feel mysel returning to my postive, sunny self. Ahhh...yes, that's much better. There's my smile.  I found it! I thank my lucky stars for my running.  Don't know what I would do without it.  Thank you running...I love you!

Moving on is great.  It can be exciting not knowing what is going to happen next. I have to get going on that next chapter!

I thought  about doing a Bikram class this afternoon but the weather is just way too nice today to not take advantage. Dry, 70's and sunny.  Picture perfect.  My running shoes are calling.  Thinking maybe a Bikram day might be on tap for tomorrow. I think my head could really benefit from the warmth ofthe studio...and i'm not just talking about the temperature.  That room and the people just have a way of making you feel so goo.

Anyway, my wonderful Mom has justed phoned me and said she got me a suprise that I am going to love. She's great like that.  Whenever me or one of my 3 sisters are a bit down she kicks into super mom mode  and does what she can to make us smile.  My Mom is the BEST! I'm off to go see what the suprise is!

Ok.  That's it for now.  Have an awesome Saturday.  Be sure to do something great for yourself...And for someone you love.

Best!  Traci

Saying Goodby is Hard...

I hate goodbyes...I always have. They crush me.

Saying goodbye to someone you care about, who you have cared about for over a year...it’s hard. It sucks.

Sometimes we prolong things because we’re afraid to say goodbye. Afraid of not having him in your life anymore. Afraid of not having him there to pick you up when you’re having a bad day. Afraid of not hearing him calling you by the nickname he gave you. Afraid you will never again laugh at the inside jokes you share. Afraid you will never again melt from him looking at you with that boyish grin. Afraid you won’t feel the chills you get when he touches you. Afraid you won’t have that feeling of safe happiness you get when he gives you one of his amazing hugs (god I love hugs). Afraid you won’t have that feeling of when you two are out together in a crowded place it still feels like it’s just the two of you. Like no one else is there. Afraid of being alone and starting all over again. I still remember the very first second I saw him walk into the bar over a year ago. Our eyes connected and I just knew we would be together. It was instant attraction. Sigh...

But when you think with your head instead of your heart you know it’s the right thing to do. To say goodbye, I mean. Being afraid to move on is never a reason to stay in a relationship that isn’t working. You know you both want very different things and it’s time to move on. Yes, there are lots of good things, but there are many things that just do not work too. Why is it that in relationships it very often seems one person wants more than the other. That one person is willing to make the other a priority, but the other person is not willing to do the same. I think we all want to be a priority to someone don’t we? I think we all deserve that.

Goodbyes are tough for me. I hate them. I do. But they are a reality. Sometimes they have to happen to get to being happy again. Of course I wish him all the best and still care about him but it was just time to say goodbye.

Enough of that...Time for this girl to pick herself up, dust herself off and SMILE! Time to start a new chapter! That’s kind of what life is like...Chapters in a book. Excited to see what happens next. Stay tuned!

You know what always picks me back up? A good long RUN! Works every single time. As I was driving to work this morning seeing the morning runners along the beach I knew that was what I needed. It’s a beautiful sunny day here in Boston and I see a nice long run in my afternoon plans. Just me and my music. And then later this evening out with my girlies for lots of laughs (and maybe...ahem...definitely...a margarita!)

Ok guys! Have yourselves an awesome weekend! Talk to you soon

Best,
Traci

Hello!

HI!
Hope summer is going great for everyone. Summer here in Boston has been just amazing.  We could not ask for better weather so far. Well, if you like it hot and humid it's good!  And of course I do!  To me this is perfect running weather.  Although after my run last night I think my face stayed red for quite a while and even my ears were sweating...but all in good fun.

It truly just feels so good to be back to my runnning with ZERO pain. After my injuries a few months ago (hip flexor pull and stress fractured foot) I felt as if I would never run pain free again.  I feel so happy and lucky everytime I hit the road.

And if I ever start to think "ugh, I really do NOT feel like getting changed into my running clothes"...I stop that thought and remember the injury days when I COULDN'T run.  I remember how frustrating it was.  And then I'm good.  I feel so lucky to be able to tie up my Mizuno's and hit the streets.  Doing between 5-6 miles a day, 5-6 days a week right now.

I've also become one of those runners who sings while she runs. Just out there having a good time!

And Bikram...Oh I have taken a break from the studio.  I just adore being outside. So while we have this great weather I opt for more running than yoga.  I do at home yoga to stay loose though. Great way to end the day. 

Alright guys...Just wanted to check in.  Enjoy your day!

Best!
Traci

Running Stronger...And a Charity Event

Don't you just adore Saturdays? You wake up not having to rush to work and you know you still have another day before getting back to business. Oh, trust me I still do plenty of work on the weekends but pretty much just from home. Work has been so busy and it helps to keep up with it on the weekends instead of coming in to madness on Monday.


Aside from my normal Recruiter duties at our company I'm also the Co-Chair for our annual Granite Day Charity event. Months of planning go into the event and it's coming so close now! The event is June 5th and still tons to do! It'll get done. Every year around this time I start seriously stressing about it. But in the end the day is always great. This is my 5th year doing it and though it takes up a lot of my time, I can't imagine not being involved. Ya, I'm one of those types that like to get involved in everything! Last year we raised $161,000 for Dana Farber Cancer and the Jimmy Fund. Hoping for that again this year! If your local please stop by! The day itself is FREE for everyone.  Awesome, fun day for kids. Check out my flyer below.

Anyways...You know that helps minimize the effects of stress? Running! I am so happy to almost be back to myself in my running. The injuries I had over the past few months were tough but I am back! Well, almost...

Mileage is still low but here's what this week looked like:
Saturday: 5 miles
Sunday: 5 miles
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: REST
Wednesday: Yoga (at home), planks, pushups
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: 5 miles (this was the BEST run since I got injured!)

My run yesterday was great. It was the kind of run that just leaves you feeling elated. Like anything that was bothering you before you headed out (and something WAS bothering me) just doesn't matter. Or if it does matter it helps you come up with a solution. That's one of the things I love so much about running. It puts things in perspective. Really any exercise does, but for me it's running. Bikram does that for me too, but the weather is just too nice lately to not take advantage and be outside.

Yesterday I could have run further, I felt like I had wings, but I’m still trying not to overdo. The last thing I want is to re-injur my foot and deal with that during the summer!

Ok...Have a fabulous weekend!

Cheers...Traci

Like running against a brick wall...

Happy Monday guys. Hope you all had a great weekend and feel energized for the week ahead. As usual it will be a very busy one for me. Busy is good though!


Yesterday was a great day with family. Even though we all live in the same state and within a 45 minute drive I don't seem to get together with my 3 sisters much these days. We're all just so busy. My work, my nieces and nephews sports (LAX, soccer, baseball, gymnastics, hockey, etc...) and so on...So we really have fun when we are actually all together. Yesterday it was me, my parents, my 3 sisters, my brothers-in-law, 7 nieces and nephews. You can imagine how loud it gets. Always, always tons of laughs. You never know where the conversation is going to go. We'll just say there have definitely been some very interesting things talked about ;)...I always crack up when I glance over and all the guys are lined up just watching the "show". Always a great show when all the sisters are together! Fun, fun, fun.

All the nice warm temps we saw last week have gone into hiding here in the Boston area. Yesterday was really chilly and Windy! I still made it out for my run yesterday but I actually had to put my running tights and long sleeve shirt back on! Brrr...Bring back the warm temps!

So how windy was it? Well, at some points during my run I felt like I was being pushed along by the wind...until I'd turn and run into the wind. Then it was like running against a brick wall. My ponytail was flying like crazy in the breezes. But I was still smiling and having a great time out there on the road.

Only did 4 miles but it felt like a lot more with the wind. It was so windy that my sister who is also a runner looked outside and said "Nope!" And headed to a nice HOT Bikram class. I think she possibly had the right idea. But I just love being outside, getting the fresh air and listening to my music. That time I'm outside on the road nothing else matters. It's just me and my thoughts. No computer, no cell phone, no people asking me questions...So good. Plus as usual I got some yoga poses in with my 7 year old niece. She loves trying the postures with me. And she is good!

Well...That’s all for now. Hope your week is off to a great start and that the sun is shining where you are.

Cheers...Traci

Running, Rain and Rainbows

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms!  I'm not a mother but sometimes I think I treat my 7 nieces and nephews like they are my own!  They are all so amazing in their own way.

Anyway, yesterday was a rainy, chilly day here in the Boston area.  I really wanted to get a run in,n so late in the afternoon when the sun started to peek out from the clouds I was so happy!  I quickly drove home, changed into my running clothes and....ummm whats that?  I live on the water and over the bay the sky had turned black again.  You could see the rain was on its way again.  Oh well, I thought.  I'm already changed and my mind is already in runnig mode.  So...Out I went. 

I was just a few steps down the street when I could feel the lightest of sprinkles coming from the sky.  Ok! This won't be so bad.  Off I go.  Then, about 1.5 miles into the run the skies literally opened up. There I was in my little running skirt stuck in a complete downpour.  So what did I do?  Well, the only thing I really could do!  I looked up at the sky, started to laugh and continued on my run.  I seriously must have been quite the sight.  Crazy girl running in the rain and smiling.  Sometimes you really just need to laugh at life, ya know?

At around mile 4 I was running down a hill along the sea wall.  I looked over the ocean and there it was.  The most beautiful full rainbow spanning over the water and across the neighborhood.  Literally stopped me in my tracks.  I just looked up at it, smiled and said...All is good. What it is about rainbows that make everyone smile?

By the time I get home the rain had stopped.  I was drenched from head to toe. But happy.  Twas a very good run.

Hope you all enjoy your Sunday! 

Chat with ya later.
Cheers...Traci

Amazing!

Amazing! That word pretty much sums up the weather here in Boston this weekend.  Truly amazing.

Hard not to take adavantage of it so no Bikram this weekend.  Nope. The idea of frsh air sounded more appealing. Now is the time to really enjoy lacing up the running shoes, cranking up the tunes and truly appreciating a good run.  Since my injury i have really come to appreciate the fact that I get get out there again.  Yesterday I did my nice 5 mile loop.  I forgot to time my run (oops!) but I felt I really pushed it at times.  Trying to get my speed back up there.  It'll happen.  After my run I felt great. Energized and happy.  Don't you think 99% of the time after a run you feel like that.  So good.  Heading back out for another run this afternoon and of course looking forward to it. I have my long run planned today.  It will be a good test for my foot and hip. First up on the agenda today though...Go Buy New Running Shoes!  I'll be sticking with Mizuno.  Been wearing them for years and they just feel best on my foot.

All right guys...Just wanted to check in and say hello.  Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying the spring!

Enjoy the afternoon!

Cheers...Traci

Bikram + Run = Bliss

Hey guys!  Quick post...

Awesome Bikram class Sunday with Chris.  Truly awesome. Really worked every single posture to my max. Chris is very good about pushing me there.  He's always behind me saying "Go right to your max Traci.  It's a really awesome max!" When you truly do every posture with 100% effort you can notice the difference. Felt so, so good! Left the studio dripping with sweat and I could not have been happier.

Great run tonight.  Perfect weather and I was singing along as I cruised the streets.  Loving seeing all the dogs out again.  In the winter I miss running by them and playing with them!  There are these two boxers who I swear wait for me to run by.  Then they jump up and down and run the length of their fence with me.  Love it.  It's at the end of my run and always gets me going. Gets me every time. Was grinning from ear to ear.  Nothing like a good run (or yoga practice) at the end of the day.

Foot feels pretty damn good...Happy to say.  Still not perfect but so, so much better.  The hip flexors not 100%.  Might never be.  But I just take it easy and stretch it out.  Feels good to be back and sweating!

That's about it for now. Need to grab some dinner as I'm famished!  Enjoy the evening.

Cheers....Traci

No workout tonight :(

Hi all! 
No workout tonight...sad!  Going to the Celtics, last home game of the season.  Have a great evening and I'll check back with you soon.  Since I seem to be nearly 100% healthy again I am in the process of developing a new workout schedule (running and Bikram).  I let you know what it looks like once I am done with it.  Need to get back onto a schedule.  I miss that!

Talk to you all soon!

Cheers...Traci

HI! Remember me?

Hi everyone!  Hope you all are doing amazing.  Things here in the Boston area are so beautiful right now.  It was like overnight Mother Nature brought everything back to life.  The birds are chirping, the grass is green and the flowers are pushing through the now thawed out soil and my favorite...The leaves on the trees have come out.  We have green leaves on the trees again!  The tree right outside my office window has these amazing white flowers.  So pretty I find myself gazing at them many times a day. You can just feel how alive everthing is.  Spring, it is so good to see you!  See ya later winter! And of course all this make us all feel more alive.  It's like we are bears are coming out of hibernation.  People are out and about more.  Runners and walkers are hitting the streets again. And people in general just seem happier. More smiles = good!

Anyway...I know it's been awhile since we last spoke but things are going great.  I had my first great run last week (on a random 90 degree day!).  It was amazing.  I think I was smiling and singing the whole 5 miles. Ya, I'm that crazy lady running down the street belting out a tune :).  For the first time since my foot injury I had ZERO pain.  I was in my glory.  Words can't express.

And my Bikram yoga practice?  What can I say? Loving it more than ever.  Yesterday was one of those classes that leaves you elated.  It was truly perfect in every single way.  I was suprised to see so many people in class given the beautiful weather.  But it was a good size class and still lots of newbies.   I think I just appreciate my running and my yoga more than ever since having to take a break.  Injuries will do that right?  It's kind of like you never know how much you will miss something until it is taken away from you. I see how lucky I am to be able to run. To be able to practice my Bikram. I'm also very lucky to have great friends and family who had to listen to me whine the past few months!  Thanks for listening to me guys...you know who you are :). Lucky...that's what I am.  I know it.

Well...I hope you all have a great night and a great week ahead!  Keep smiling guys.  Frowning causes wrinkles and really...Who wants wrinkles?  :)  And if you are having "one of those days" look at the sunshine, look at the beautiful trees and green grass and I promise a smile will form on your face.

Cheers and Hugs  and Smiles to you!
Traci

Body, Mind and Spirit

Hi everyone! Hope you all had fantastic weekends!!! Weekend was good here. Boston temps were Ahmazing yesterday. I think we topped out around 75 degrees...WITH a perfectly sunny sky. Wow! Not typical weather around these parts in March for certain. But people are just so much happier. People are outside. My windows are open. Truly, this weather is good for your body, mind, and spirit. Today was much cooler at around 50, but sunshiny and nice. I'll take it!

Last weekend we had some terrible weather. We got over 10 inches of rain in 3 days. The earth, streams and brooks could not take any more water. And so then came the floods. So many people and many feet of water enter their homes. Roads were shut down. Destruction. Terrible. By Tuesday the sun came out and the clean up began. My heart goes out to all those affected by the rains.

I ended my wonderful weekend with a divine Bikram class this afternoon. After being disappointed with the studio being closed yesterday for renovations I was so looking forward to class today. And it did not disappoint. First, the studio looks so great. Second, there was a good amount of people in class, but not crowded at all. Lots of room to spread out. Third, the heat was good. You know it's hot when you are sweating before class even begins. And fourth, and possibly most important, I love where I am with my practice. Oh sure, my foot still hurts and yells at me sometimes. But I love that I am more controlled with the postures. That I do each posture with 100% effort. That the fans don't bother me. That peoples breathing and sighing don't bother me. Nothing bothers me. Really, I'm just as surprised as you! Truly I am. I love how happy I am to be back in that hot room. I love sweawting. Many times this is my favorite 90 minutes of the day.

On another note…And slowly but surely I’m managing to let that guard of mine down little by little. And you know what? The more you let it down, the more you allow happiness to enter your life. I'm done being afraid of being hurt again. Oh sure, it might happen. But we can't live our lives being afraid. We have to open up and just see where things go. Life is good my friends. And life is meant to be lived.

I hope you all have an amazing week ahead. Not sure how many days I'll get to the studio this week with work so crazy, but hoping at least 2-3 times. And then Friday....CELTICS GAME. Yay!

Enjoy the evening.

Cheers and Hugs! Traci

Time to Sweat! (and I did!)

Good Morning to you! And Happy Saturday! Pretty gray out there today. Not exactly a nice sunny day, but at least we have a couple days off work to recharge right? Another busy week at work. I hired 8 people plus 4 temps. So Monday I have 13 New Hires starting with our growing team! Right now we are about 750 people in our company. No end to the growing in sight. Whew! Also planning a Granite Telecom Celtics Night outing for some of our team. I set up/organized a night where there will be about 100 of our employees going to the game on the 14th of April. Last home game of the year so it should be tons of fun! Not the same Floor seats I'll be sitting in on the 26th but Loge and still good.


Anyways...I slept in a little bit the morning and didn't wake until about 8:30. I lied there in my bed and started to bend my toes back and forth. Actually felt pretty ok. Since this injury happened my foot is usually so tight in the morning that it's tough to even bend the toes. Much better this morning. Much.

I was still in my cozy bed when I made the decision. Right then and there I said...Today. Today is the day. IT"S TIME. This is the day I head back to the Bikram studio I have missed so, so much. This is it guys! I need it. I know it won't be easy and I'll still need to modify certain postures but I'll be there. I think I'm actually a little nervous. I haven’t had a good sweat in weeks! I need to think about where to set up my mat. You know I am usually a front row kind of girl. But I think I might move myself to a nice hidden spot, as I’m not sure how my body is going to do today.

3:30pm is the class I'll be heading to. The class is with Zeb. He’s a newer teacher to our studio. He joined us while I was out on injury so I have not had the pleasure of taking his class. I have heard some good things from fellow students who have been so nice to keep in touch with me and update me during the past several weeks. Excited to see and practice on the new carpet in the studio too! Yay!

Ok people...Wish me luck. This could go either way. Either I'll walk out of the studio saying..YES, I'm back. Or I'll walk out saying...Ok, you tried but your foot needs a bit more time. Being the ultimate optimist I sticking with the "I'm back!"

Couple of errands to get done before class so I'm off to get those done. Trying to pack my yoga bag but it’s been so long I feel like I’m forgetting something!

One more thing...BYC: Remember how we had that pact about letting our guard down a little bit?  Slowly but surely I've been doing it.  So far so good.  Still cautious but getting there :) .

Whatever you have planned for your Saturday I hope you enjoy it. And remember…Take time to breathe!
Cheers...Traci

***UPDATE***  Quick note...Went to the 3:30 Bikram class.  How was it?  One word...Divine.  I have to go rush to get ready to go out but it felt so great.  I felt strong and happy and nearly pain free.  God have I missed that studio.  Fill you all in on the details tomorrow.  For now, have a fabulous Saturday night!  Be safe.  Love...Traci

Things just take time...

HI!  Hope everyone is having a fabulous week! You all ready for Friday? I know I am!!!

Still no yoga. Still no running.  Been wearing my running shoes to work everyday this week (very nice look in a dress with sneakers!) and I seem to be getting around the building pretty good.  But by the end of the day...OUCH!  Our facilities guy George (who is AWESOME!) gave me some ice packs so I can ice my foot when I get a free moment (haha...what's that?).  By the time I get home my foot is sore and a little swollen.  This thing will just need a little more time to heal.  At least I'm out of the boot!

Anyways...Hope you all enjoy your Friday tomorrow!  Weekend is quickly approaching.  Any good St. Patty's day events/parties planned?  Luck o' the Irish!  Maybe I can find a four leaf clover and wish for my foot to heal! Time....Things just take time.

Good night guys...talk to you soon.

Cheers...Traci

Wearing TWO shoes

Hello Everyone! Have a great week? Hope so. Work was insane this week. I'm always busy, but this week was just NUTS. Multiple projects that needed to wrap up at the same time. Seriously didn't have a chance to breathe all week. Picture me flying around our 130,000 sq ft building from meeting to meeting in my air cast! Finally yesterday around 5pm yesterday afternoon I finally felt my body relaxing. My boss and I just looked at each other as if to say...we made it! We kind of have the same mentality in that we love organized chaos. We thrive on it. At some points this week I really thought my head might explode though! Happy to say I made it through.

For all my hard work this week I was rewarded with Floor seats, row A to the Celtics game (the game is on a Friday in a few weeks). These are amazing seats and you can literally fist pump the players as they walk by. So much fun. Thanks boss! I appreciate it!

You know what I could have used this week? A good sweat. AKA a Bikram class! That would have calmed me down, loosened me up and helped my focus. My head kept saying go, go, go. My foot kept fighting those words and saying no, no, no. So I did the right thing. I listened to my foot and continued the healing process.

And boy am I ever glad I did listen to it. I got home last night and as I took the air cast off I closed my eyes, crossed my fingers and held my breath. In my head I'm thinking...Please, please, please. Please let there be no pain as I put my weight on this foot. I place my foot on the floor, open my eyes and breathe. Hmmm, this feels pretty good! Perfect? No. Better? YES! So, So much better! Yippee. Not only that, but the hip? The hip is also a ton better. I can feel it guys. I can. I can feel my body healing. I can feel myself getting stronger and back to normal. And I'm happy. Oh so happy.

As for the air cast...I have clearance to shed it for the most part. Doc says it might be a good idea to have it at work as I am constantly on the go and I am not 100% healed. But today? No air cast for this girl today! I have not one but TWO running shoes on right now and it feels almost normal. Oh I wouldn't attempt a run or anything. No no no. But I am so pleased to say I do believe Bikram may be in my future this week. YAY!!!! Happiness. I just need to wrap it for class and ice it after. I'll need to take it easy, but at least I’ll be in there.

I'm seriously busting at the seams here in Boston. I cannot wait to jump into my yoga clothes again and SWEAT! Funny how much one can miss sweating :) I think this break really made me realize how much Bikram is a part of me. How I am meant to do it. How I need it in my life. You ready to welcome me back Bikram? Silly question. Of course you are. You always are. You just sit there waiting and when we're ready to come back you're there opening the door and saying, "welcome back my friend".

Thanks to every single one of you who offered me words of encouragement over the past few weeks. I truly, truly appreciate them. Honestly.

Franca: Thanks for the email and update on the studio. Made me even more excited to get back!!! I WILL see you very soon!

Ok! So what’s up for today? I have some errands to run (with two shoes on!) and then tonight I’m helping my sis celebrate her birthday. Should be a fun night! Have a great Saturday guys! And I just have to say…It’s good to almost be back.

Enjoy the day people!

Lots of Cheers and Smiles and Love to ya!  Traci

Listening to my body

Happy weekend! Hope everyone had a great week. It was good but a busy one for sure. I'm happy to say that all the snow the Northeast is getting these days is just hitting us here in the Boston area as rain. So happy!


I've been a rally bad blogger huh? Every time I open up my blog to type away I just look, grunt and close it. You see this blog was created to talk about my running, my yoga, my workouts. The past couple of months I have had more injuries than ever. I've been working out all my life (pretty much anyway) and have never had to deal with injuries like this. So needless to say, I have had a tought time dealing with them now. First my hip flexor in December (which is still not 100% healed), and now the stress fractured foot. So frustrating.

Speaking of the foot. It still hurts and the swelling is still there. BUT when I think how it felt 3 weeks ago, that's when I realize how much it is actually healing. I have been really good about sticking to the "resting the foot” part of the healing process. 3 weeks ago I couldn't walk across the room without intense pain. Now I can walk in my running shoes and manage ok. I really just want to run or go to yoga, but I am fearful. I just want to heal this thing right. I don't want to still be dealing with this when the nice weather comes our way.

Luckily I have been swamped at work to keep my mind off of it.

So my workouts these days continue to focus on upper body and core. This morning I worked through the entire Bikram series at home (sans the heat). I rolled out one of my yoga mats, the blue one, (you might remember I like to change it up and have 3 mats!) and from breathing to spine twist I did the series. Some postures were modified of course. The only posture I left out completely was Awkward. Other than that everything else felt pretty ok. I thought about taping up my foot and heading to class this afternoon. My head could absolutely us it! I would love to get that feeling of total peace when class is over. After running through it over and over in my head doing a mental checklist of goods and bads, I decided to give it another week. I'm already this far into it, what another week? UGH! I really think this is the best choice, for me anyway. I always tell people to listen to their bodies. Well, body, ya I'm listening. I hear you. You are not ready yet. Soon though, right? Promise?

For now, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing on the workout front. I'll keep resting this foot. I'll keep taking my vitamins. I'll keep eating healthy. I'll do all the right things I can to get this healed as fast as possible.

To my awesome niece Sarah who is in her senior year at University: Congrats on passing the Teachers exam! You are going to make an amazing teacher sweetie!

Have a great weekend everyone. Hope it involves lots of fun things!

See you back here soon…Cheers! Traci

Monday...At least it's over :)

Hey there! Everyone have a great weekend? Weekend was pretty good here (I think) but went by way, way too fast (as usual). Ever get to Monday and you get those typical Monday questions at work? You know…How was the weekend? And... What did you do this weekend? Or... Do anything exciting? Well, as people were asking me that today, I just kind of looked at them and said.... uh, I guess it was ok, don't really remember! Either I'm getting old or it was a pretty uneventful weekend. Oh well, either way at least I am well rested! I was ready to tackle Monday.


This past weekend we actually had some pretty mild weather in the high 40's with sunshine, so it felt almost spring like! Good, but it really made me want to head out for a run. Soon. Not yet, but I see it in my future soon. Still have to remember to be patient and not push it too soon though. Don't want to take any steps backwards!

My foot: It's getting better and better every day. I just know I will be back to fighting form in no time. I just know it. Counting the minutes. Looks like I might be shedding this boot of mine in a week (or so). Woohoo! When I got home from work today I put on my running shoes and walked around in them. Still in them as I type. Verdict: Pretty good, so far so good. Going to walk around like this for a while to see how we do.

Speaking of the "boot". I'm not sure why but people keep telling me I look cute in it. YA RIGHT! Real cute. I swear at least a few people every day say it. I just shoot them a look as if to say...Uhuh, right, cute. Sure. Someone even told me I was the only person who could make it look fashionable. Well, just have to do the best you can with what you have to work with right?

Ok, I'm off to do an arm and abs workout, have some dinner, answer some emails, shower, bed...and then do the whole thing over again tomorrow.

What was the best part of your weekend? Can you remember or did it just fade into the background like mine?

Hope you all have a nice evening!

Cheers....Traci

Sliding into Sneakers

Evening to you all. Tomorrow is Friday?!? That week pretty much flew right by. Guess that's what happens when you are straight out busy. Running from one meeting to the next all day long. Finally at 4:30 I sat down at my desk, which is in total shambles, and literally let out a huge sigh. My desk and office is usually very neat and organized. One of our Sales Reps came in today and said. Oh! This is not like you! I find while making a pit stop by me desk after a meeting all I have time for is to toss down documents, grab what I need for the next one and keep on running. So by the days end it looks like a bomb exploded. And all the papers strewn around are the aftermath.


From about 4:30 until about 7pm I was able to catch up tons of things. As always, I prefer to stay a little later than come in to a pile of work in the morning. And since I can't go to yoga or run, I really don't mind putting in some extra hours. I have recently taken on more responsibilities at work so trying to find a good balance with that right now. I'm pretty good at juggling so I know I'll work it out. Just have to make a few adjustments is all.

I just got home at decided to take the air cast off, put on the foot brace and slide into my running shoe. Just to see how it feels. Result: Not tooo bad. Not great and not ready to rock n roll. But honestly I don't have that piercing pain. How tired are you guys of hearing about my foot-healing saga? Promise it will be done soon. Or at least I hope it will be!

All right! I am about to do some light yoga and abs followed by some sort of dinner. Nothing is really sounding good right now. Leaning towards soup, garlic bread and a tomato, basil, mozzarella salad. Yeah, now that I typed that out...It sounds good.

Enjoy the evening! Cheers...Traci

I Miss, I Miss, I Miss

Hi everybody! How’s the week going so far? Awesome I hope! Yesterday was a bit of a crazy weather day. Pretty much snowed on and off all day. That's the view from my office around 3pm yesterday afternoon. To get to my car after work I had to once again put my aircasted foot in a garbage bag and tuck it into the top. What a look! Very attractive indeed. And the bag was white so it really stuck out against my black tights. What a pretty girl! Actually, I looked a little bit like a freak and made some co-workers laugh, but I didn’t care. At least my “boot” stayed nice and dry. I have come to the conclusion there is no way to look good wearing this thing on my left foot and a shoe on my right. Just not a good look folks. Alls I can say is better now than in the summer! I even asked one of my guy...um “friends?” (don’t ask) to come to my work, clear my car off and pull it to the front of the building for me. No such luck. I was kidding of course. Well, half kidding. I was secretly hoping he’d show up. Not just to clean off my car but because I really wanted to see him. Sighing...


Anyway...by the end of the day after running all around this 130,000 sq foot building of ours, my foot generally throbs. Today, not as much. Hmmm...healing perhaps? One can only hope. And my hip flexor? Although it is not 100% pain free, it seems to be about 90%. I noticed the more I stretch it out the better it feels. Stretch, stretch, streeeeetch! One of the candidates I was interviewing the other day looked at me and literally said “you’re kind of a mess”. Normally I would take offense, but I had to laugh. Right you are candidate, I am a mess! But the mess is temporary. I’ll be back soon!

I get home last night and decide to do some easy yoga poses (did some in my office earlier too). I love how it opens you up and how you can feel the blood pumping through your body. Also did some ab work and pushups. Not a fancy, hard core workout but at least I felt like I moved my body!

Things I miss...and miss...and miss...insert big sigh here:
You know what I really miss? Of course you do. This is no secret. I miss my yoga studio. I miss the hot room. I miss the heat (oh how I love that heat), I miss the feeling of sweat first breaking during the first couple of postures and how you make note of when you start to sweat (I always make a mental note of this for some odd reason). I miss when the sweat first starts to drip off your body. I miss how when it’s a really hot room and you can hear the sweat dripping on the mats and it sounds like a rain forest. I miss standing on my yoga mat, MY little space for the next 90 minutes and challenging myself. I miss looking myself in the eye in that mirror and saying “get after it”. I miss the amazing energy that comes from the other yogi’s in the room. I miss the seeing the faces of newer yogis in the room as they try and try and try (don’t give up yogi’s). I miss giving them positive feedback and encouragement. I miss teachers telling me they know I can do it right so DO IT RIGHT! I miss my yoga clothes. I miss my yoga friends. I even miss the things that sometimes irk me. Like the tiny locker room and jockeying for a little space to change (one time there were so many people in there I just said...Oh damn and changed right in front of the door. No time for modesty in Bikram). I miss the sounds of people’s water bottle caps turning (ok I really don’t miss that one), I miss dragging my weary body up the long staircase to the studio. I miss the orange walls. I miss falling out of postures and having the determination to jump right back in. I miss battling for a parking spot near the studio and the odd sense of satisfaction I get when I secure a prime spot out front. I miss the rush of getting to the studio after work. I miss my routine, my schedule, my passion. I miss the feeling of euphoria after class. I miss that feeling of pure happiness. I miss, I miss, I miss....I miss...it all. My heart, my mind, my body...All are aching to practice Bikram. To feel THAT feeling we get after 90 minutes of class. I am going to be one very happy girl when I finally get back. One very happy girl. My other love, running.  Well, he's still a ways away. Yoga first, then running.

 Random Act of Kindness Week: How ya doing with it?Last night I simply handed a basket to a guy at the store before grabbing one for myself. He looked confused and shocked and said “oh...thanks and smiled” Your welcome, as I smiled back. As I passed by a co-worker in the hall today her head was down and she looked pretty sad. I simply said...I love your outfit today! Very cute! With that her head popped up and I swear walked away with a pep in her step. You see, the acts, they needn’t be big, or costly. Just a couple of words, a simple gesture. That’s it. And bonus: It will make you feel good too! Give it a shot.

Thought for the day: You can’t force flexibility. It’s about releasing and opening gradually. Body + Soul, March 2010

Ok friends that’s about all I have for today. Can’t wait until I can actually talk about my Bikram practice again. I sense it will be like learning to walk all over again so I should have all sorts of interesting things to say! Hoping for only another week in the boot so keep your fingers crossed for me, ok? I can use all the positive energy I can grab!

Good night all and of course...Cheers...Traci

Monday....

What's up guys?  Did you have to work today or did ya have the day off?  We worked.  Typical busy Monday. 

Today, as I am getting through my interview schedule, I started thinking about how my job actually makes a difference in many lives.  I think we all want to feel like what we do makes a difference in some way.  I looked at how many people we extened offers to and hired during the past year.  It's a fairly big number, well over 100.  That's over 100 people who have been laid off, downsized etc. I never really stop to think how by hiring them, we have picked them up and given them a chance to start again. And how they can feel confident when they join the Granite Telecom team; they will be joining a solid, growing company.  Pretty good feeling!

Anyway, talking about good feelings, do you know what this week is?  Today starts Random Acts of Kindness Week!  And it doesn't have to be anything major.  Simple things like:  Holding the elevator for someone instead of letting the door close, smiling at a stranger, letting someone in line at the store who looks rushed & stressed go in front of you, paying a compliment to a co-worker on a job well done, email the corporate headquarters and let them know what a great job the barista team at your favorite coffee shop is doing (believe me this goes a long way).  There's tons of things you can do.  Most take but a second of time, but to the recipient it can change their day. It really can.  Your simple act might be the thing that puts a smile on their face for the rest of the day.  Let me know if you have any good experiences experimenting with it this week.

Still no workouts for me :( .... Need to get this foot healthy stat!

Enjoy your evenings everyone!

Cheers...Traci

Happy Valentines Day!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!  Lot's of love to you all.  Hope your days and nights are filled with lots of hugs and kisses.

Kiss, kiss, hug, hug.  Have a great evening!

Lots of Love...Traci

Good Luck!

Happy Saturday! I haven't ventured outside yet, but it looks pretty nice. Some sun, temps in the 30's...I can deal with that!


First and foremost I have to send a big old GOOD LUCK to Chris Bopp, owner of the Bikram studio in Quincy where I practice. He's out in California for the International Yoga Asana Championship this weekend. Good luck Chris! And congrats on making it there.

Sometimes I look at the postures these people do and sit there thinking....Good God! My body will never do that. And you know what? That's ok, because yoga is personal. It's about you, not what the person beside you is doing. It's you, on your mat for 90 minutes. A "moving meditation" as they say. I was thinking about that the other day. We rush around all day long, running from one point to the next. Talking, talking, talking. Sometimes forgetting even to do the most simple thing, breathe. And then for these 90 minutes we literally stand on this little mat and say zero words. Oh sure, most of the times we have lots of words running through our heads. I think we all have had some pretty spirited silent conversations. Sometimes they are pep talks, sometimes they are fights. But no words are spoken out loud. These 90 minutes are all mine. 90 minutes just for me. How good is that? Pretty damn amazing if you ask me.

As you know I have been sidelined with injuries the past few weeks. I feel like when I get back to the studio I'm going to be a beginner all over again! And when I tie my running shoes and hit the streets, it will be a struggle to find my breath. I'll get it back though. I will. That's a promise.

This morning I ran through the Bikram series at home (well, I did what I could anyway with my foot). Breathing, half-moon, eagle, standing separate leg stretching, triangle (modified), tree (modified), cobra, locust, camel. So I had to pass on many of the postures. But the ones I could do I held extra long and boy did it feel great! My body is getting tighter and tighter the longer I'm out of the studio. Can't wait to get back. I have to loosen this baby up!

My foot by the way? After one week I can feel it getting better already. I have been extra good about letting it heal. I just know I will be ready to ease back into my workouts in no time. I just know it. Can. Not. Wait!

Enjoy your Saturday, people! I'm really hoping to be back in the studio by next weekend. I would love to be able to post about a workout! Oh, I'll set up in the back of the room and do modified postures.  But at least I'll be back in my yoga clothes, back in the studio and back to practicing our beloved Bikram. Running? Well that's still a ways away.  One thing at a time.

Smile and hugs...Traci

Happy Weekend!

Hi everyone!  Hope you all enjoyed your week.  It's finally Friday and we have all earned a relaxing weekend haven't we?  We're working Monday, but hope you guy's can enjoy a long weekend!

My foot is still on the mend.  I am absolutely going out of my mind not working out.  Doing what I can to keep limber but I can't wait to get a real workout in!  Patience right?  The more patient I am the better and faster I will heal.

Right now my foot (and my whole mind and body) is tired.  I'm constantly running all week long around the building from meeting to meeting. Which normally I love, but by the end of the day today I was done.  Drained.  I was tired of carrying this air cast boot around. By the end of the day it felt as if it weighed 50 pounds. And I was tired of answering the question "what happened?" I know everyone was just being nice, but people who know me know enough to just keep moving along.  The last thing this girl wants is attention because of an injury.  The weekend sure showed up at the right time.  Couple of days of rest and I'll be good to go again! That much I know. Right now I'm looking forward to a nice quiet night at home with my leg propped up on a pillow and possibly a glass of cabernet in my hand.

Enjoy your Friday evening everyone!  And Challengers...Thinking about you all and hoping you are staying strong!  Cheering you on from Boston :0) 

Hugs...Traci

A Beautiful New Boot!

Happy Monday all. Welcome back to the work week.  Hope everyone had a fun and rejuvinating weekend! After all that's what it's for right?  My weekend?  Eh, just ok.

I thought I would show you the perfectly lovely boot I am sporting on my left foot as of Saturday. Isn't she a beauty? Looks like this will be my stylish footwear for a couple of weeks. Lovely. I do hear they are all the rage. Seems that wearing heals and limping around for a couple of months wasn't the best idea. This left foot of mine really wasn't happy about it. Sorry foot. This thing is actually amazing. My foot doesn't hurt one bit when I walk in it. Something about immobilizing it and not letting the foot bend. I don't know, as long as I can walk and it gets better, that's all I care about. It's kind of heavy and clunky though and I feel like I’m walking around in a ski boot (I'm a terrible skier by the way!).  I keep thinking...Ok, I just need to get through the next few weeks of all these pains and injuries, then it'll be spring and my body will be back to normal! The art of positive thinking is powerful and can create amazing results. I'm a true believer in that. Really am. Just need to kick out those "woe is me" thoughts that keep creeping into my head though! Just have to rock on, right kids? No time for self pity.

I've been letting myself get down about not being able to workout for the last 2 weeks. Finally over the weekend I knew I needed an attitude adjustment...FAST. I pride myself in being a positive person. So I said to myself...Well, Traci, you can walk around with a frown on (which creates wrinkles!) and stew about all of this OR you can accept it, deal with it, get well and move the hell on. You can't wish it away.  Sounds better to me! So that's where I am. I'm going to do all I can to get these injuries healed as fast as I can. I'm going to do what I am told (rare & hard for me!) and listen. In the meantime I'll keep working my upper body. And halfmoon poses actually feel so good on my spine.  There's lots of stretching, arms & ab work I can do.  For now it will have to be good enough. Besides, summer will be here before we know it and I'll have these amazing arms from all the arms workouts! Tank tops here I come! And when I do get back to the Bikram studio (MISS IT!) I’ll still be nice and strong. See...there it is.  My positve attitude is still lurking around.

Ok people! That's it. That's all I have for ya. Busy day here at work.  I might have to ask them to bring my candidates up to me.  Going up and down multiple times today with the boot thing might get pretty exhausting.  Or...Maybe it will be good for my body to move?  Don't know, we'll see how it goes. Hope every single one of you  has a perfect day.

Cheers...Traci

Hip to Foot? Now What???

Happy Friday to you! What a week this has been huh? Whew! Really ready to get the weekend started. Just need to get through the next few hours...


So get this...now that my right hip is getting better out of nowhere my left foot starts hurting. I give up. Throwing my hands in the air. I don’t even know what happened to it. I have a few thoughts on this. 1. All the limping around I have done since December has taken a toll on my left foot. 2. The other night I was stretching and I might have pulled my feet back too much and pulled a muscle in my foot. 3. I wear heals every day and run around the building for like 11 or 12 hours a day. I can’t imagine that is good on the feet. For the first time I can remember at work I am wearing flat shoes today. I feel like such a shortie! I’m such a mess. I think I’m falling apart. I never had all these issues in my 20’s and 30’s! Welcome to 40 I guess?

Work has been busier than ever this week. For the most part I handle stress very well. I can juggle with the best of them and tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. Pretty much your typical Type A. I actually prefer to be crazy busy. Right now I have about 12 roles I am recruiting for. Some of the roles need multiple hires (one role needs 6!). It’s great that we are still hiring so many people in this economy! Last night I sat at my desk after pretty much everyone had packed up and left for the night. I sat there staring at my To Do list and decided to practice some deep breathing. I closed my eyes and pictured myself doing pranyama breathing in the yoga studio. It did help to calm me down. When we run around like crazy all day, I think this is a great way to pull it all back, calm down and refocus.

I didn’t feel up to an arm or ab workout last night when I got home from work so I just had some dinner, ran a bath, lit some candles, read a magazine and called it a night. Sleep. Sleep felt so good last night. I woke up this morning feeling totally rested and refreshed. Ready to start the day. Until my foot hit the floor and then OUCH. I feel like I just keep shifting the pain from one part of my body to the next! Stinks. Honestly, I don’t know if my hip seems like it feels better because my foot hurts now or if it really does feel better. I need my strong, healthy body back soon! And the thing is I have a high tolerance for pain. So if I complain, it really hurts.

When I get a little stressed out it changes my voice. Stress goes right to my vocal cords. So I’m in my weekly meeting with my boss this morning and says...do you have a cold? I smile and say...no that’s just where my stress comes out. Currently sucking on some Bee MD Organic Honey Throat Drops. Soothing. Looks like I have 5 more interviews to get to this afternoon and plus sourcing candidates for a brand new role for our company. New roles are fun and challenging to recruit for.

What’s up for tonight? I was supposed to have drinks with a certain guy tonight but he cancelled on me. Oh well. So looks like I can either enjoy some nice quiet time and decompress at home (sounding very good right now!) or head out with friends for some appetizers and drinks. Not sure which path I’ll take...

Anyway, you guys have good plans for the weekend? I plan on getting some rest, recharging and most of all I plan on doing lots of laughing with friends. Laughing fixes everything yes?

Enjoy the rest of your Friday. Thanks again for listening to me whine guys!

Cheers! Traci

Still a Hitch in my Giddy Up

Hey everyone!  Nice sunny day out there today.  Not exactly a heat wave at 27 degrees, but I'll take the sunshine.

Whew! I seriously over booked my calendar this afternoon!  I hate when I do this because it's almost a given that I will be running behind all afternoon.  Oh well I'm sure the candidates won't mind sitting tight for a bit.  I'm usually right on time for all my meetings.  Hate to keep people waiting.  I just really like to see as many people as I can manage to fit into my schedule.  The more people I see, the quicker I can find the right candidate to hire!

Injury Update: The hip flexor is still better than last week, but not any better than how it felt on Monday.  At this point it is just totally frustrating.  Last night I did some arms and abs as well as some yoga poses.  I miss doing my favorite Camel posture so decided to give them a shot after doing some stretching.  I think that was a mistake.  The hip kind of yelled at me. Lesson learned I guess.

Here at work today I was walking down the hall and I said to one of the guys (he practices yoga too!)...I'm walking better huh? He replied...You are but you still have a little hitch in your giddy up! Yeah, I know, I know. But at least I don't look like that penguin anymore!  I like penguins and all, I just don't want to walk like one, ya know?

So lunch was approaching and what's a girl to do? I wasn't really hungry but knew I need something to take me through the busy afteernoon.  The guys are ordering sushi again...Sounds good to me! Plus had an oh so lovely Honeybell Orange...Isn't it a beauty! Delish

You guy's ever notice that when you can't do your normal cardio workouts your appetite pretty much disappears!  I hate that.  Truly do!

I sense an afternoon latte is in my future if I can find a few minutes to step away.  I wish Startbucks delivered!!!  If not I have some devine Dark Hot Cocoa that I could substitute. We'll see how it plays out.

Have a great afternoon.  And I have to say thanks to all my bloggie friends for your encouraging  words. You guys all totally make my day!  Seriously, you really do.  Your words mean more than you know. What a great community we have!!!! THANKS!!!!!!!!!

CHEERS! Traci

Cardio I Miss YA!

Hi all! Happy middle of the week. Hope your day is going swimmingly wherever you may be. In Boston we woke up this morning to a bit of snow falling from a gray sky. Wasn't expecting that! Just a flurry but enough to create a white blanket on my car.  I was too cold and lazy this morning to brush it off so I did the old trick of putting the windows up & down and turning the windshield wipers on.  HA! Look at that...Good to go and I didn't even have to brave the cold!  Thankfully the snow was really nothing to speak of.  I kind of feel like we are about due for another storm soon. Ugh!

Crazy busy day again at work. I was talking to my mom last night and she says...When do you think it's going to quiet down for you?  Ha!  What a funny girl you are mom!  It's not going to slow down and I like it that way.  Busy is good!  Sometimes I feel like there are so many people trying to get just a little piece of me all day long though. Just one Traci to go around.  Maybe I should clone myself?  And I have run out of room on my desk today so the floor of my office is littered with folders. Seriously, I need to organize big time before I leave tonight.   I thrive on this though. Good stuff!


I took a few minutes away from the action to grab some lunch at Panera though.  Had a delicious Tomato & Mozzarella on Ciabatta. So good.  One of the guys wanted  me to be in on the sushi run again today but I like to mix it up a bit.

And of course this delish afternoon treat!  That would be a tall non-fat pumpkin spice latte. It was really good but I think there must have been an extra shot of espresso in there. Left me a bit hyper! I just might be addicted to them...

WORKOUTS:

Not exactly what I love but got in my arm workout last night along with some of those planks that I love.  You really can feel them working!

Wish I had a crystal ball and could see when I would be pain free!  This hip flexor/psoas is driving my insane! Oh well, could be worse. Could always be worse right? Need to do cardio soon! I miss my cardio!!!

Have an awesome evening all.  Keep on staying strong 101's dayers! Enjoy a pose or two for me :).

CHEERS! Traci

Wasabi!

Good afternoon all! How was the day? A good one I hope! I honestly feel like we should be much further into the week than Tuesday. I have been asking my candidates all day how their week was going. Finally in my last candidate meeting of the day my candidate says...well, it is only Tuesday but I guess it's going well so far. Wise guy. Great candidate though and has my thumbs up to hire!


What a whirlwind of a day. Ever get to the end of the work day, the sun is just about set and you are just like...How did that happen? Where did this day go! One of those days today. It always cracks me up that as fast as I fill an open requisition there's another new one right behind it. Working on a couple of roles here that are brand new to our company, so trying to find my way to the right candidates for them is kind of a challenge. Makes it fun though! Always up for a challenge. I love the fact that I hire for so many different positions, divisions and levels here. So interesting to meet with candidates from new college grads all the way up to Senior Level Management. People are just so interesting.


Lunch today was oh so lovely and that set the stage for a great afternoon. Me and 3 guys I work with decided to order Sushi from a great local place called Beni Cafe. Of course once some others got wind of it they wanted in.  Next time guys...sorry.  I got the Spicy Avacado and Cucumber Maki.  I love spicy and used so much wasabi my face was bright red and my mouth was on FIRE. A little wasabi goes a long way doesn't it?  I got 6 rolls and finished every single one of them. Yum!  Just the thing I needed to boost my energy to tackle the afternoon. Our conversation the enitre time revolved around running and working out! The whole time I kept thinking....Oh I miss it so! For an additional boost of course I needed my afternoon latte fix too. Naturally!

So how's my hip? About the same as yesterday.  Last night I tried doing some yoga poses to test it and I think I might have over stretched the hip flexor a bit.  I tried some Trees, Eagles, Triangles, Half Moons and Bows. I just wanted to see where my hip was at.  Conclusion: Not Ready! Need a few more days of being patient with the healing process. Wish I could just hit the fast forward button though! Soon enough.

So I have a planned upper body workout tonight: Biceps, Triceps, Shoulders, Push Ups and also some Planks. Going to toss in some yoga poses to stretch out.  Think I'll give pull ups a shot too, but really not very good at them.  Love, love, love Planks though!

Have a fabulous evening everyone!  Enjoy your workout/Bikram practice and remember to have fun with it. We do this because we choose to. Because we want to...Remember that.

CHEERS! Traci

Healing is Happening!

Happy Monday! Everyone have a great weekend? As usual it went by way too fast.


Isn’t it funny how our dreams are so related to what's going on in our lives? Since I can't run or practice Bikram right now I had a dream last night that I said...Oh the hell with it! And decided to jump in at the last minute and run a marathon. The starting line was set up in a department store and there were only a handful of people running it. See, I have been so upset the past few days about not being able to workout and this is how it played out in my head. Funny.

Anyway, it's so cold out and I really just wanted to stay in my cozy bed under the nice fluffy covers a little bit longer this morning. I thought about rolling over to grab a few extra minutes of coziness. Then I figured that would only make it more difficult in the long run. Sigh...I threw of the warm covers and picked my body up.

As I hung my legs over the side of my bed I started talking to myself....Please, please, please let my hip feel better. PLEASE. I have been so good about resting and icing it this past week it just HAS to feel better. My feet hit the floor, I take a deep breath and stand up. Keep in mind that for the past several weeks the simple act of getting out of bed and moving my legs across the bedroom every morning has been a very difficult task. When my right leg would go to push off the floor and move my body forward...nothing less than sheer pain. So this morning I stood there a second before moving forward, almost waiting for the pain to come. Hmmmm... not too bad. I start charging (ok, not charging so much. More like inching) forward and while there is still lots of tenderness there is not that sharp shooting pain I had become accustomed to! Progress...I think! Definite progress.

As I'm getting dressed I also notice how I can stand on my right leg without wincing. Oh it still hurts but I think I have turned the corner. This hip? I do believe she is healing!

Why oh why didn't I take the time to rest it earlier? What did I do instead? I thought...I'm strong and tough. I'm not fragile. I can work through the pain. But guess what? You can't work through a real injury. Injuries need time to heal. You have to take care of them. They won't just "go away". When I look back over the past several weeks I'm so mad at myself. I'm mad I didn't listen to my body. That I walked around limping, walking like a penguin. Fighting back tears at points.

Why did I think this was ok? Why did I think it would just get better without time to heal? Why didn't I listen to people when they kept telling me rest was the only way to heal my injury? And most importantly, why didn’t I take the advice I so often give to others? Rest equals healing. It just does. Practice what you preach Traci.

Well, no sense in beating myself up now. Past is past I always say. The good news here is I did come to my senses. I realized I would rather take a week or 2 off now and heal it properly than end up with permanent damage. In some ways I think this sort of "work through the pain" mentality stems from years ago when I was a gymnast. That's what we did, we worked through the pain...Back pain, torn hamstrings, palms of the hands so torn and bloody from the bars (ripped palms were a like a badge of hard work), bruised bodies from falling off the bars and beam, on the floor and off the vault...on so on. We just rocked on. That was expected and that's what we did. I guess it made us mentally tough, but wow! Crazy stuff when I think back.

So here I am. I haven't run or done yoga since last Sunday. While it certainly doesn't make me happy (possibly even a bit cranky), I know this is what my body needs to heal. I'm on my way! Isn't that great news? I'm not quite there yet, but I would say I'm better than 50%. Lots of healing in one week! I just get all excited with the anticipation of getting back to my practice first and then my running. I think a few more days and I might, I just might be pain free. And that will make this girl very happy!

Hope you all have a fantastic Monday and start to the week!

To the 101 Challengers...Congrats on 1 month done and good luck with month #2. You guys totally rock!

E...Hope your leg is feeling better!

My niece Hannah: Congrats on your 1st place All Around finish! Ah, yes, yet another gymnast in our family!

Cheers! Traci

Not ready yet...

Happy Saturday people! I know I say this all the time, but I really love Saturday. I just think it's the best day of the week. Boston weather today.... 11°F Real Feel® -10°F Brrrrrrr! Too cold!




I woke up this morning and for some reason in my head I started to think...I'm going to jump out of bed and my hip is going to be miraculously healed, there will be no pain damn it. Well, unfortunately that's not exactly the case. Better though. I notice that I can get out of bed in the morning and put weight on my leg and walk without wanting to cry. That's good right??? This is just a slow healing injury but since I have taken the last 5 days off (ugh!) I notice a marked improvement. We're getting there. I wish I had done this sooner rather than trying to work through it. But at least I'm doing the right thing now. It's just not ready yet. Have to keep repeating that word in my head...Patience.

Today? Today I really have to urge to put yoga clothes on and head to my Bikram studio for a nice Hannane class. It's like I have the angel and devil on my shoulders. The angel is saying...Your hip is still healing; you are doing the right thing and resting it. You have taken steps forward in the healing process and don't want to take steps backward at this point. The Devil? He's saying.... Oh, just go you wimp! You haven't been to yoga since last Sunday...Almost a week! You'll be fine. Just go.

Hmmm....Whom should I listen to? I know, I know. I should be smart about it and not head back yet. It's hard though! Don't you guy's find the less you workout the less energy you have. I feel like a slug today and just know a good Bikram class would take care of that. Oh well, soon enough I suppose. I'll just need to find another way to pump up my energy! 

I did some easy yoga postures to loosen up this morning. Just had to stay away from any postures that use or stretch the hip. Ever notice how many postures use the hip? ALOT! Anyway, what I could do felt good.

Hope you all have a great Saturday. If you practice Bikram today enjoy some postures for me, okay? Typical Saturday chores and errands to do and then I'm looking forward to a fun girls night tonight! Bundle up out there!

Cheers all! Traci

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! 

Not much to say today since I can't really work out much. So sad. I think my hip might be getting a little better.  The worst part is when I first stand up from my desk.  Once I get moving it loosens up and feels somewhat better.   A couple more days of rest and hopefully it will feel much, much better.  The good news is I don't think I have the penguin walk any more! Still limping, but a little less I guess. Any improvement is good at this point!

I really, really, really can't wait to get back to my Bikram practice and my running.  I miss both so much. I honestly do. And as I read all the other blogs about your great, challenging classes the green monster appears and I get so jealous. Injuries...they just suck. Oh well, I know I'm doing the smart thing now so I can be back in action soon. Patience. Not exactly one of my strengths, but that's what I need right now. Patience.

Hope you all have a great rest of your Friday and have lots of fun things planned for the weekend!

Cheers...Traci :)

Jolted out of Bed!

Morning  to ya!
Early this morning I was jolted out of bed by an extremely loud horn sounding. It sounded like a freight train was going through my bedroom! After my eyes popped open I looked out the window to see the biggest tanker I have ever seen leaving the harbor escorted by tugboats. Tankers come and go all the time, but this thing was gigantic and loud! Not an ideal way to usher in the morning, but at least I was up nice and early to do some light stretching. Always a bright side of things, huh?


I was at the office late last night. I was here late probably for 2 reasons:
1) because I was catching up on things and I like the quietness to do that after hours and 2) because I knew I couldn’t workout. I was procrastinating leaving because I was sad about not being able to run or go to yoga! And much to my chagrin I stuck to my no running/no yoga last night. Instead I did some arms & planks. Here’s what I did:

1. Pushups
2. Bicep Curls
3. Shoulder Presses
4. Tricep Dips
5. Overhead Extensions
6. Planks
7. Side Planks
8. Stretching

I wanted to do some Bikram postures but I realized pretty much all of them seem to pull at my hip flexor. Decided not to.

We have a great gym in our building here at work. I don’t really use the one here but it’s actually excellent. Weights, about 20 treadmills, elipticals, bikes etc., tv's, locker rooms & showers...We are definitely a company that believes in fitness and want to support those who want to be healthy. So there’s a group of trainers and one of the benefits for our employees is we can have an assessment done by them. They’ll create a plan specifically for you. The owner of the training company is awesome. Former Captain in the Marines, Triathelete (Iron Man and others), Marathoner, has climbed various mountains...really just the fittest guy I have ever met. Pretty hard core. He also leads our Boot Camp on Friday mornings. Outside. Rain or Shine. In snow, in rain, in single digit temps, whatever. They are out there. Crazy stuff.

Anyway, I think I might go see him to set me up with a good routine while my hip heals. I sense it would be helpful. Have to keep the body moving!

Well, hope you all have a great, productive Thursday. Have to get to work at checking lots of things off my “to do” list!

Cheers...Traci

Injuries Stink!

Good morning everyone. Hope you all had good Tuesday's. Mine was pretty good . I was here at the office until around 7 last night finalizing things with a candidate. Makes me happy because I filled a high level open requisition with an awesome candidate. He's a great fit for the role. And I love how excited he is to be joining our team. I know I've said it before but that is truly the favorite part of my job. Matching candidates to a role. Such a great feeling presenting an offer to someone and seeing how happy they are. Especially in this economy!

Anyway, about this morning. This morning I'm not such a ray of sunshine. I’ve come to the realization I finally have to give in and listen. I tell people all the time: Listen to your body. If it's in real pain you need to pull back. Now it's my turn to listen and take my own advice. I need to take a break from my workouts and rest my hip flexor. I realize this is not something you can just work through. It's just not getting better and I don't want to end up with a problem that will be permanent. I need to listen to the docs and my body and rest this damn thing.

That means no running, no yoga for...well; I'm exactly not sure how long. Going to give it a few days and reassess where I'm at. They tell be this could take weeks  to heal. Not sure I could handle that! It's going to be truly difficult for me to not workout. It's such a huge part of my life and I love it. But if I don't take care and get my hip better, things could end up worse. During this break I'll just concentrate on upper body exercise. Not my favorite but it’s something.

Oh well, that's my story. Not great, not making me happy. But life is not all sunshine and tulips everyday right? We just need to take the situation and make the best of it. It could be worse. I know this will heal in time. That's just what I need to give it. Time.

Like the quote hanging on my wall here at the office says "Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results." I'm sure I've posted this before but thought it was appropriate today.

Have a great day everyone. I'm off to try to find a way to be positive!

Traci

Rain gives way to sun...

Life is kind of like too isn't it? You could be having the darkest of days and then all of the sudden the sun is shining on your world and all is good!

Good morning. What a difference a day makes! Yesterday we had some wild weather around here. Tons of rain and high, high winds. Lots of broken umbrellas (no not like in balancing stick!) strewn about the streets I thought I was going to get blown over as I walked to my car last night!


Which reminds me of a little story...

A few years back I actually did fall down on a very windy day in the Financial District in downtown Boston. I went down pretty hard. I opened my eyes to see a small group had formed around me. I popped right up, bruised ego, body and all, gathered my bags and was on my way. Quickly.

A friend of mine living in another state heard the story from a friend and thought it would be funny to send me ankle weights in the mail and told me to wear them on windy days to keep my feet on the ground. Nice huh?

Have I mentioned how seriously clumsy I am? How people here at work say I should be wrapped in bubble wrap? How when someone falls they say to me "Oh, I just had a Traci moment". And they always seem so excited to tell me about their mishaps! People always say to me...How can you be such a clutz? You do yoga and were a gymnast! Don't know...just am. Always have been and probably always will be. Adds to my charm, that's what I say.

Oh I could honestly write a book on all my clumsy moments. Some of my favorites happened during first dates! And they actually came back for a second. I think the most important thing is to be able to laugh at yourself. If you’re laughing everyone else will too right?

Anyway...The sun is shining and the wind is lower today. Thank goodness!

Last night I made it out of the office around 5:30pm! Not bad huh? I had a serious case of the Mondays. With the weather and all I really just wanted to go home. I knew if I went to yoga I wouldn't get home until about 8:30pm. So I scrapped yoga and pointed the Jeep in the direction of home. On the short drive I had to develop my workout for the night. I decided to roll out one of my yoga mats, turn up the heat in my home office and do the Bikram series at home. Actually felt pretty good. Of course not as good as in the studio, but good to get the blood flowing and open up some muscles.

I'm going to try really hard to take a break from any running this week and be more consistent with icing my hip. I have come to the sad conclusion that running is only making it worse at this point. I almost get teary eyed when I'm driving along seeing all the runners hitting the streets. Just need to heal and I'll be back out there soon! I'll be back. Injuries are so freaking frustrating aren't they? Grrrrr!

My yoga bag is sitting here with me in the office waiting to go to Maria's 6:30pm class this evening. I think I need a good yoga session tonight! Looking forward to a good sweat.

Shout out to Michelle @Bikramyogachic: Chin up girl! Things always have a way of working out. They just do :)

UPDATE: Just ran to the market  to grab lunch and a water bottle comes crashing down onto my cheekbone. Leaving me with a little bruised swollen patch on my face. Lovely.  See...I really am clumsy! OUCH!
Have a happy Tuesday everyone! Until next time...Traci

Sore Muscles...And That's a Good Thing!

Good Monday morning everyone! I slept like a log last night. Usually I’ll wake up a few minutes before my alarm sounds, but not today. When the alarm went off I just rolled over and was like...Ugh, I’m still tired! I think it’s in part because of the really dreary day outside. It’s warm though. They are talking about near record temps today of around 57 degrees! Too bad the sun wasn’t out for us to enjoy. Oh well, can’t have it all right?


In yesterday’s post I talked about working to my maximum in class. It felt great to do that in class yesterday morning and I could notice a huge difference. Things opened up more and I could feel the muscles doing what they were suppose to. Sometimes I hold back in class and don’t really go to my maximum right away. That’s not a good habit and it’s something I’m trying to get better at.

Well, let me tell ya, this morning I noticed the difference even more! I can’t remember the last time my muscles were truly sore from a workout. Today? Oh yes, today I have sore muscles. Sore in a very good way, mind you. Just slightly sore, not painful. When I got out of bed this morning and felt the soreness as my feet hit the ground I smirked. Soreness in my back, in my abs and in my legs. This was validation to me that I worked my body hard yesterday. That I worked to my edge.
The soreness is kind of like the prize. Sherie keeps telling me to work harder. Yesterday I listened and did. And today I’m happy for it. My body is happy for it.

I stretched out this morning before getting ready for work. That’s really all it took to make my muscles feel nice and loose again.

So next class no slacking for me. Not that I ever sit postures out, but I DO just go through the motions at times. I know where I can get to in postures and that’s where I need to get to right out of the gate. Stop holding back Traci. No saving it for second set. Any other 2nd setters out there? Just go for it. That’s why we’re there, that’s why we’re practicing this yoga right? To get the most out of it that we can. If I don’t give it my all while I’m in that room, why am I even there? And on any given day my all could be different depending on what happened outside the studio. Busy day at work, not enough sleep, not feeling well. All play a role in how my practice will go. The point is to work to your edge, wherever it’s at that day. Oh sure we hear leave all that stuff outside the studio. But sometimes I think it’s ok to bring it in with you and work through it.

Here’s what I know: To get the most you have to give the most. And of course that goes with each and everything in life. If I want a relationship I have to be willing to let my guard down a little and let someone in. If I want to advance professionally, I need to work hard and show my dedication. If I want my Bikram practice to be at the level I want it to be at, I need to work hard. No fears. No excuses. Just get it done.

Well, I’m off to focus on my Monday now. Lot’s to do! I had planned on Bikram this evening but I’ll just have to see how the day goes.

And remember “A great flame follows a little spark” Dante ...Always does.

Cheers! Traci

Working at my Maximum

Hi! Hope you all had an awesome weekend. It actually felt pretty mild out there today, warmer than it has been in a long time. No sun, but I wanted to look like a cool chic so I still sported the shades anyway. :) Weekends are just so recharging aren't they? It's like we get to Sunday evening and I'm ok with the fact that it's Monday tomorrow. Well...Almost ok. Of course it would always be nice to enjoy a 3-day weekend EVERY weekend.


Let's talk Bikram shall we?

Saturday's 3:30 class with Hannane. Oh Hannane...How are you doing it? Hannane is 30 weeks pregnant and still teaching like a rock star. She cracked me up yesterday though. I enter the studio, she looks up from the desk, smiles and says...I was going to ask you to move your car so I could park there. See, I had secured a nice prime spot directly in front of the studio and she had to park all the way up Hancock and waddle....um, I mean walk...down. I wish she had tapped on my window. I absolutely would have moved for her! Next time, Hannane.

Class? It was good. Nothing really stands out as notable. Maybe just the fact that the pace was very quick. Her classes are like that. She holds you in postures for a little extra time and then moves quickly on to the next. No rests in between. As I type this I can't really remember class. It's so odd. Usually I can remember the entire class from breathing to final Savasana. Or at least pieces of the 90 minutes. I honestly can't even remember who was practicing around me. Very strange. Oh well. I just know I felt good after.

Sunday's 10am class with Sherie. It was awesome. My stomach felt a little off this morning so I didn't have a snack before class. Made sure to hydrate well before though. Set up in my favorite corner with Yong and her husband Mark. These two are an amazing pair. Such great people to practice beside. I love their attitudes, how they can laugh at themselves and at the same time I love the determination in their eyes to just keep on going. They make class fun. I guess I hope that's what people say about me too!

Anyway, it's about 9:50am and there are still PLENTY of open spots on the floor. It has started folks. I was wondering how long it would take. The New Years Resolutions people are starting to drop off. Slowly, but it's definitely happening. By the time class begins in very full, but not packed like the past couple of weeks. Still good room to move a bit. Actually it was a pretty perfect size if you ask me.

Class begins and as in every morning class my shoulders feel tight during the opening breathing series. But my body and mind feel strong. Half-moon...Sherie has a way of getting me to my maximum. And she knows it. So if I am hanging out and not going deep enough she definitely lets me know. It feels so good when I drop all the way down. Mental note here: Go to your maximum right away Traci. Every time!

Class cruises by nicely. I worked hard and with purpose. Sherie did and awesome demo for Standing Head to Knee using 5 yogis. All are at different points in the posture. Great visual. How impressed are you guy’s that I accept the stop and start now? Second set Sherie tells me to just go, don't think. So I do and forehead is on my knee. There ya have it. Just get into the posture!

Notable on the floor: Cobra pose. Sherie kept giving me great direction the entire pose. And I tell ya, this posture never felt so good. I could feel 100% of my back muscles doing 100% of the work. Left me open and happy. For the first time in a while when we hit Camel I was tired. This was a good tired. I knew I had worked my body hard. And Camel felt lovely as it always does.

Class ends and I take my time in final Savasana. I let my body sink into the floor and totally relax. It felt amazing. I look in the mirror as I stand to exit the Hot Room. I’m drenched. There's not a dry inch on me and my face is red as can be. What a great thing! I smile ever so slightly knowing I had put in a good practice today. Thanks for getting me to work to my maximum Sherie! What a difference!

So that's it. It was a good couple of days of Bikram. Some fun with friends. And now here we are at Sunday evening, preparing for the busy week ahead. I'm hoping to get to the studio Sunday (Sherie DONE), Monday (Mimi), Tuesday (Maria), Wednesday (Sherie), Saturday (Hannane). That would put me at 5 practices for the week. I'll get in 4 for sure, 5 if work isn't so crazy. Day at a time. No stress. No pressure.

Have a lovely Sunday evening all, take a deep breath and let's get ready for the week ahead of us! Oh...and smile...never forget to smile! Challengers: That goes extra for you! SMILE, BREATHE, HAVE FUN.

Cheers! Traci

Saturday, Sunshine & Bikram

Saturday. Don't you just love Saturday's? I love waking up with nowhere to rush off to. To just get up when my body is ready to pull itself from a comfy bed. Enjoying a leisurely breakfast along with some caffeine. I don't drink a ton of caffeine, but I do need a cup a day (sometimes 2). I know a lot of people try to give it up completely, but I can't. Saturdays…they do a body good. Chance for us to re-energize!


Anyway, last night was a lovely night with friends. Always a great way to wrap up the week. Lots of laughs (as usual), silliness and fun. And that margarita I was looking forward to? Yes, that showed up for the fun along with the pizza I was craving. Got home and had a wonderful sleep last night.

I use to be such a terrible sleeper. I would have the hardest time falling asleep because my mind was going a mile a minute (typical of a Type A personality like myself). Once asleep I'd wake up and not be able to get back to sleep because I’d start thinking again! All this would of course leave me tired the next day.

Now? Now I pretty much am out the minute my head hits the pillow. Unless there's some sort of loud noise or something to wake me up I'm fast asleep until it's time to get up. I only need between 5 and 6 hours of sleep a night and I'm good to go. I don't know, maybe our beloved Bikram has helped with my better sleeping? Maybe. Score another point for Bikram.

What a lovely day it is out there today. The sun is shining bright, temp is around 30 degrees as I type, and I hear it's suppose to warm nicely into the 40's. When we get to this point in winter as long as I see the sunshine I'm good. Sun just helps so much doesn't it? I swear when the sun is shining people are just happier and nicer. Nothing worse than all those cold, dreary, dark days. Sunshine I love you! You make me happy.

So what's on your agenda today? For me: A little work to do which I'll do from home this morning. Has to be done before our 8am meeting Monday morning so no procrastinating! Then of course I have some errands to run early this afternoon, as I do every Saturday.

After that I'll be heading to the 3:30 Bikram class with Hannane! It's been a couple of weeks since I've taken a Hannane class so I'm looking forward to it. 2 days away from the hot room in a row and I feel like I really need this practice. You know when you take a couple of days off from any sort of workout and your body just starts talking to you? Well, mine is saying...Uh, Traci? Please get moving. Get into the hot room or tie the running shoes in those double knots and move! Can't wait to get to the studio this afternoon. I'm interested to see how my class goes since I had that big AHA moment this week. I'll have to be sure to fill you guys in later on how it went.

So how'd I do with my workouts this week? Not bad, could be better. I'll hit my minimum goal of 4 Bikram classes.

Sunday: Bikram; Monday: Bikram; Tuesday: Run; Wednesday: Bikram; Thursday: OFF; Friday: OFF; Saturday: Bikram (this afternoon). Light on the running this week but I think this is best for my hip. I have to get this damn thing healed. Driving me insane!

Well all, I hope your Saturdays are great! Bikram on your schedule? Enjoy the class and remember to smile. Look at yourself in that mirror and smile. The rest will just happen.

Cheers!!! Traci