Cobwebs!

Wowza! 

So this morning on the train ride into Boston I, for some reason, after years, pulled up my old blog! I started this page way back in 2009 to chronicle my 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge and my love for being active!

During my train ride I went through and read back through a number of my old posts.  Good God...a rush of memories came rushing back!  I even teared up at one point (sap!).

We rush through life at lightening speed. Seems now more than ever.  How great is it to sometimes take a breather, reconnect with some past memories and refocus?  Feel that emotion you were feeling at one point.

So much in my life has changed over the past several years.  New jobs (I ADORE my role), moving for the 3rd time, new relationships etc.  Yet in many ways not much has changed at all.  I am still as active as ever.  Running (30-50 miles a week), Cycling (still healing from a crash!), Bikram (tho my beloved studio closed so had to find another one!).  My family is still their amazing selves.  So proud of my nieces and nephews growing and taking on new challenges.  Life is good my friends.

I still have Pink Panther Yogi with me!  A friend gifted it to me in 2009 and I blogged about it.  It remains with me and sits in my office still to this day.  A touchstone in a way I suppose.

I still try to Reach for the Stars every day.  I try to find the positive spin on challenges. Each day is going to throw something at you. How the day turns out is how you take on that challenge.

Not even sure if anyone still uses these Blogs.  But I really enjoy streaming thoughts so there ya
go!

Hugs and love!
Cheers,
Traci

Traffic, a Birthday and Bikram!

Happy (why do people say that?) Monday!  What a lovely weekend it was.  Getting to it was the hard part!

Thursday before I left the office for the evening I checked the traffic on WBZ online. UGH! Every direction was just solid red lines.  Not good.  I knew this was going to be a tough commute. I just didn't realize it would be one of the worst commutes EVER.  I hopped on the highway at 4pm.  I finally arrived home 2 and 1/2 hours later.  It was just terrible.  I might have even shed a tear! (ok..i did).  Once I got home it took another 2 hours just to calm down. The traffic guys on the radio described the roads as "miserable". 

I woke up the next morning and decided to work from home.  I could not get back in my car. I just couldn't. PLUS it was my Birthday!  So I worked from home and took the afternoon off to go shopping.  Treated myself to a few things including these earrings which I love mostly because they are my favorite color :)

Dinner and drinks with friends followed which was just perfect.

Saturday:  I needed a good solid Bikram class!  And that's just what I got.  The 3pm with Lucas. I walked in 15 minutes early to place my mat down and...WOW!  Intense heat wall hits me.  I take a peak at the temp on the wall...111 degrees and class hasn't started yet.  This is gonna be good!  And it was. Even though there were only 5 of us in that room it was a wonderful class.  I felt stronger than I have in 2 months (that's when I fractured my heel).  For the first time in what feels like forever I was pain free. YIPPEE! I truly can see the healing process now. Almost there!

Saturday evening after yoga was the family birthday party at my parents for me and my sister (hers is a day after mine). It was so much fun!  I truly have the most wonderful, fun family.  Love them!  My niece Hanna (10) is a competitive gymnast along with my older niece Emily (16).  Hannah is intrigued with Bikram so I literally did every posture with her. She totally rocked!  Standing head to knee first time she tried it! HA!  Really fun night with the family.

Sunday:  I decided that Books on CD might help dull the pain of the commute.  So made a Barnes and Noble trip before Bikram.  I started it on my commute in this morning. It's 17 hours long!

Bikram was the 3pm with Lucas again.  And today was HIS birthday!  He's a chocolate lover so I got him a couple of Theo dark chocolate bars (one with Chili peppers, one with orange zest).  Happy Birthday, Lucas!

Class was great.  About 15 people maybe?  I think about 5 newbies.  One was behind me so I kept trying to show her the postures.  She was following my every single move!  I told her she did great and should come back! I hope she does.  I wonder how many people actually come back after that first class?  I think some are so shocked at how challenging it actually is.  But that's what we love about it. The fact that every class is different. Each offers a different challenge.

One thing I have to mention about yesterday...Not sure how to phrase this but...The middle aged woman beside me just seemed a bit off.  In her own little world. Doing her own postures.  I've seen her do this before...she has on a very loose low cut flowy tank and no bra!  So when she bends over to get into posture..yup..you guessed it. Boobs completely exposed.  Not what we all need to see lady.  Cover it up!  The poor guy behind her had to be distracted.  That's what we saw when we looked in the front mirror!

And check out the beautiful tomatoes my garden is yielding.  Nothing better than fresh off the vine with a little sea salt, mozzarella, basil (also from garden) and balsamic. Perfection!

 

 

Have a wonderful Monday!

 

Pending the traffic situation hoping to get to Bikram tonight. We shall see! If you see a girl on the news stuck in traffic crying...it could be me! :)

 

 

Cheers!

Traci

"Be positive, ignore the critic, follow your heart, invest in your passions, believe in your dreams and get busy making them reality." Josh Cox  

I just love that quote.  Short and sweet and says a lot!

Hi! Very rainy day here in Boston. Free water for the lawns! :)

Last night my commute was easy breezy.  I flew home and made it to Quincy with plenty of time to spare before the 5:45 Bikram class. Chilled out in my car catching up on some emails, eating strawberries (SO good this time of year!) and a Balance Bar (Peanut Butter is my favorite).  It's Monday so I'm a bit sluggish.  I make my way down Hancock street slowly with bag and mat in tow.

I get to the studio...look at the stairs..sigh (loudly) and make my way up.  Expecting to see Lucas behind the desk..I instead see..Ashley!  Yeah!  Such a treat. I adore Ashley's classes.  She is just an amazing Bikram instructor. Being a yoga instructor was most definitely her calling in life.  She is just wonderful.

Another surprise?  Well...the Monday class is ALWAYS busy.  Maybe 25 plus people. Class starts at 5:45. At 5:40 Ashley says to me "where the heck is everyone???"  Tonight there would only be 6 people in class.  But 6 people who have been practicing for years and know the practice well.  I knew this would be a great class!

And it was just that. Ashley speaks the entire class, stories, corrections, cheerleader and the like.  This is a class where laughing is common.  She's funny. She's motivating. She provides the tiniest corrections that make all the difference in the world.  I just had the very best feeling class. I gave every posture 100% and (umm...does my back actually feel sore today??? The good kind of sore) I walked out of class very tired but very happy.  Very peaceful. How it should be.

My commute was nearly 2 hours in this morning (damn rain!) so not sure what the roads have in store this afternoon.  If I make it back in time I'll be heading to Bikram.  Fingers crossed!

Almost halfway through the week!  Not that that's a good thing since I will be yet another year older in a few days. NOT a fan of birthdays!

Happy practicing, running, biking, swimming or whatever way you choose to move your body!

Traci

 


Josh Cox

1 great...1 not so great

Weekends. Love em. But why oh why do they seem to fly by!

Let's get right to the weekend workouts shall we:

Saturday Bikram: 3pm class.  So I was unsure about how many people would show up for class given that it had been 100 degrees yesterday and Saturday was still around 95.  I was pleasantly surprised to see it was me and 14 others!  Good size class.  Enough to keep good energy up but not too big.

A minute before class starts water goes down the wrong pipe and I start choking. UGH!  I hurry myself to the ladies room and am choking and this woman is trying to talk to me.  I just keep putting my hands up to indicate I'm "OK".  Ha!

Anyway, this woman is looking nervous and asks where she can put her back and lock it up. Um..just put it in the cubbies and come on, I say. Class has already started! 

I leave her fumbling in the locker room and get myself back in the hot room, where breathing has started.  a couple minutes later the newbie comes in with 4 water bottles, her wallet and wearing flip flops. Oh first timers are funny.  Immediately the teacher says...no shoes please.  So she just put them off to the side. No..all the way out of the studio.  Poor thing looked terrified.

Class was great though. Very hot as expected and challenging.  The type of class where at the end you are SO happy for air.  The Newbie? She almost bailed 1/2 way through. She started to roll up her mat saying out loud "I can't take it!"  Lucas is very calm and said "just leave your mat and go sit down.  Come back if you feel up to it. She came back in for floor and stayed the rest of class!  Congrats, Paula!

Sunday Bikram: 3pm class.  Ok..so this is the not so great part. I have come to really enjoy Lucas' class.  He is consistent, leads a true Bikram class. He is motivating and engaging and has a wonderful energy.  Saturday he told me he wasn't teaching Sunday and Linda was subbing. "OK, I thought, I'll give her a shot."

I always say it's never a bad idea to show up for yoga. I might have to edit that thought now.

In typical Sunday class fashion there are about 7 people in the studio today. I chat with the new teacher pre class.  She seemed to have  a good energy.

Sitting on my mat now waiting for class to begin.  Teacher enters the studio, lights off and fans are on, temp is not hot.  She moves right to the front of the room.  Fans still on high, lights still off and no heat going.  I'm concerned but thinking "maybe she just does breathing in this environment." Let's see what happens when we get to Half-Moon."   And with the breathing she only did about 1/2 the time and her dialog was not good.  so what happens as we go into Half-Moon?  Nothing!  Still no lights etc.

After 30 minutes I give up and do something in all my years of practicing I have never done.  I rolled up my mat and left.  It might seem rude but here's the thing. I practice Bikram.  I pay $150/month to practice Bikram as it should be. I love the practice. When Instructors put their own spin on the class, it changes the dynamic of it. Practicing in the dark pulls the energy levels down. I was very frustrated and it was not good for me to sit in there getting more and more frustrated. So I left.   And I will make sure I never take this instructors class in the future.

Well...Traffic has been horrible lately. Hoping to make it to the 5:45 tonight but we will see what the traffics gods have in store.  Fingers crossed!

Have a happy day!
Traci

Bikram vs Crossfit....Hot Room vs The Box

I'll get to the meaning behind the title post in a minute...

First about last night.  I get in my car to start my commute home not knowing if I wanted to go to Bikram or not.  I'm tired. It was a long day. I approach the highway and say "OK, Traci...here's the deal...If there's light traffic and you're back in Quincy by 5pm (1hr drive time) you're going to class.
I start making my way onto the highway and it's nearly wide open!  Hit the jam as always approaching Route 9 and the lane drop but then it was pretty seamless.  Made it by 4:45. Well...looks like I have to drag my tired body into the studio!

Quick stop by Good Health for a few things, eat a snack (watermelon, blackberries and a Balance Bar), grab my green mat with the blue underside (I have red, black and gray ones as well but the green is my favorite) and bag and head down the street to the studio.  It's a slow walk.  My energy is low. I pop open the door and make my way up the stairs.  I'm surprised to see such a full house on the hot Monday evening! 

25 people will be sweating tonight...a good old fashioned, hot, sweaty Bikram class!

I say old fashioned because when I first started practicing (2 studio owners ago) the classes were always very full and very hot.  25 to 30 people plus a class was normal.  People use to get there 30 minutes early just to stake out a spot. Mat to mat, having to stagger with the person beside you so as not to hit each other.  I actually have seen that happen.  Another person hitting another person. Usually in a posture like Poorna Salabhasana. Pretty funny. Anyway, fast forward a few years and I can get there 5 minutes before class and be just fine.  I actually have come to really enjoy the smaller classes now.

Last night was hot. And humid. There were a few new people in the room who looked less than happy. One left he room at least 3 times. By Rabbit I'm thinking "air..where did the air go??" "I'll just walk out for a minute to get some air."  Of course I didn't. In all my years of practicing I have never left the hot room during class..not about to start now!

Class ends.  I'm tired. But a good tired, ya know? 

Now about the Box vs Hot Room...
Walking back up the street to my car with a fellow yogi we encounter the Crossfitters!  You see, a Box opened up about a month ago right beside our studio.  As we make our way up the street they decide it's good timing to do sprint drills on the sidewalk!  Seriously 30 people running at us, behind us. We look at each other..both tired and sweaty and say "they can go around us" :)

They we start talking and realize that Crossfit and Bikram, while very different, have some similarities. We both agreed it takes a very goal oriented, focused person (who also might be just a little nuts :) to to either. She likened both to having cult followings! ha! In any event I respect their practice as I hope they do ours!

Home!  Home by 7:30 asleep by 10!  I totally crashed.  Right before I made my way to bed I stepped out into the back and was drawn to the moon. It just looked beautiful last night!

I'm taking the night off from Bikram tonight..I think. Unless my car has a mind of it's own and heads there.  I have my bag packed...just in case :)

Enjoy the day and SMILE!
Traci

Tune it out -

Monday! Looks like we have another hot, humid week in store for us in Boston.  Looks like 95 or so straight through to Friday. Yay!  I actually love it. When someone starts to complain about it I say "Stop!  Do you NOT remember this past February? Remember that ONE snow storm that buried us in 30 inches of snow? Remember the nearly 100 inches total that we got?" That usually makes them appreciate the heat (for a minute anyway).

Mondays. Weekends go by way too fast don't they? Once I'm out of bed, showered and in my car I actually don't mind Monday's too much.  It's like a fresh start. A fresh set of days to get things accomplished!  I actually don't sleep well on Sunday nights because I start to think about the week ahead. Then the alarm rings at 5:30am and I'm like "already?!?!" 

Lot's of lovely Bikram yoga this weekend:

Friday evening Bikram with Tracey was so-so. Not my favorite class but felt good to be there anyway.  Tracey keeps the room way too cool and then (I think out of habit) puts the fans on.  She's known for keeping the room too cool.  My water was still cold after class. And swear I got goose bumps when she turned the fans on.  I got there 15 minutes early and was the first one to arrive.  Finally with 10 minutes to spare 4 more people came!  I was considering leaving if I was the only one. Solo class would just be weird!

Saturday 3pm with Lucas:  Small class of 7.  Great class.  I love weekend classes. And I really have come to truly like Lucas very much as a teacher.  His dialog is slow and strong where he needs to be.  He's good about giving corrections (the littlest thing can make a HUGE difference). He keeps the room heated to where it should be. He's good about assessing the room and turning on the fans for a minute to re energize and refocus the group.  He's still a newer teacher but already great and very motivating.

In Saturday's class there's this guy.  He's very good and gives 100% effort with every posture. However...He's a grunter.  And not just here and there.  With every posture!  It gets a little distracting for sure. And then there was the fidgeter beside me. I kept telling myself...stop concentrating on them!  Think about your own practice.  Yeah. Didn't work.  Kinda focused on that the entire class.  Felt strong though.

Sunday 3pm with Lucas:  It was 90 plus degrees and humid out so I was unsure how big class would be. We had 10 people.  Good class for a Sunday!  Some faces that weren't familiar to me either. But the grunter was there again and he set up camp right near me. Each and every posture..grunt. And beside him was a girl that sits out every other posture and is constantly playing with her multiple water bottles. That's fine. But it's probably a better idea not to be front and center. Behind me was a woman who kept huffing and puffing and sighing loudly.  Just one of those classes :)  But it was nice and hot and it was a wonderful class.  As I lay on my towel, feeling the heat come through the mat, I thought...I love this practice so much. My legs were actually a little shaky.  Good class!

After class in the locker room the huffer and puffer says to me "lots of noises in the room today huh?" I laugh.."yes"  She says "I guess that's part of the challenge of the practice. To try to forget about all the noise?" Me "Yes!"  It's always something I struggle with.  Trying to not be bothered by peoples noises etc. Constant battle for me!  Have to keep working on tuning it out!

I love Sunday late afternoon classes.  Great way to end the weekend and get a jump on the week ahead!

Bill and Judy (mom and dad!)

After class I went to hang out with my two favorite people..my parents!  We sat by their pool and just chatted and laughed (my dad thinks I'm hysterical/my mom lovingly says I'm wacky!).  Married for 51 years and still best of friends.  It amazes me that they spend nearly every waking moment together and still have so much fun.  And at 77 and 71 they still run at least 5 days a week.  Inspirational.




Lovely Sunday. 

  Whether you are struggling on a run, struggling with full locust or camel or whatever remember this...."I'm overwhelmed by the strength of my body and the power of my mind. For one moment, just one second, I feel immortal. " Diana Nyad

Happy running and happy yoga!
Traci

Foggy

Middle of the week already!  This time last week we were all getting ready for a nice long, hot, sunny weekend.  Oh what a difference a week makes!

Today as I look out my window it is once again very gloomy and foggy and hovering around 69 degrees.  Summer!  Some back!!! Please? Summer is so short around here as it is that when we get a week of this it just doesn't seem fair :)

I left work yesterday and had yet another pretty easy commute home! Lots of people on vacation equals less traffic equals one happy girl.
I could have easily made the 5:45 Bikram class last night.  But by 3:00 yesterday..I was sitting in my office with a very sore and again swollen foot.  I feel like I am going through the whole recovery process again.  **note to self:  When a doc says don't run yet...don't run!  Even if it "feels" better!**

Last night included lots of ice.   We'll see how it feels this afternoon.  I'll make the call later about whether or not I have a Bikram class in me tonight! Would love love love to go sweat tonight but have to be smart about the foot at the same time right? Or this thing will never heal!

My thought for today...Well my mind is constantly working so I have many thoughts flying around in there at the moment...but here's one:

I wonder if friendships with the opposite sex change into something else at a point in the relationship. I don't know.
I have this friend...we'll call him Mike.  We've been friends for over 10 years. Probably talked liked once a month. But over the past couple of years we started talking more and more. We use to share dating stories (people live for my dating stories!  I've had some interesting ones!!! I could write a book..just saying.  You would laugh for certain. Trust me!) but don't anymore. And all of the sudden here we are now and talk every single day, multiple times a day. I can't remember the last day that we didn't text. I pretty much tell him everything. Complain about injuries, good stuff that happened during the day, my running, what I'm wearing...anything that's going on. He asks for my advice about career, talks about his little brother, talks about his running, selling his house etc...really anything that's going on.  He's always telling me I'm adorable, sexy, cute, girly, sweet (there's more..but I'll leave it there)...Asks to buy me dinner. I was shopping and he gave me his credit card number to buy something!  No..I did not use it!

So now I feel confused.  I can't tell if this is just our friendship getting deeper or something more. He's a truly very nice person and very thoughtful, so is he just being his nice self?  He's my friend no doubt. I love our friendship.  But is there more?  I have no clue.  But what I do know is I don't think I would ever want to try to find out if there was something else.  I wouldn't ever want to chance loosing his friendship.

Anyway...just thought I share one of the things running around in my little mind today!  You know what would help make things clear?  Of course you do silly!  Bikram.  When things are foggy in our heads being in the hot room for 90 minutes seems to clear things up a bit.  Might not find the answer but I bet you come close.  Sometimes in Savasana I have the best ideas!

Enjoy your Wednesday and always smile!

Namaste,
Traci

38 Minutes to Bikram!

Happy Tuesday!  Tuesday is a weird day, isn't?  Nothing special about it. Just kinda there. 

So my commute yesterday afternoon?  38 minutes and I was exiting the highway! Yippee! Trust me, it can take 1.5 plus hours on a bad day, so 38 minutes and I wanted to dance! I pulled into Quincy with time to spare before Bikram started. Quick stop by Good Health Natural Foods http://www.goodhealthnaturalfood.com/index.html (needed tomato's for a veggie burger after class).  It's right up the street from the Bikram studio and I adore it. Love the products and the team that works there is just amazing.  Been going there for probably 20 years!

Quick snack of strawberries, blackberries and Balance Bar ( I have to eat a small snack RIGHT before class or I will conk out. So I always eat just before I go into the studio)  I leave my car up by the store and walk down to the studio.  Walking along, black bag draped across my body, green yoga mat in hand, I suddenly realize the temp has dropped like 20 degrees!  It's...chilly!? Then an SUV almost takes me down as I'm in the cross walk with the walk signal. Ugh.

I arrive at the studio, pull open the door, hear the familiar "click" and make my way up the stairs (those damn stairs kill me for some reason!), sign in, head into the Hot Room to place my mat down. Hot. Very hot (smile).  As expected. It's good.

Back in the locker room I notice a girl that I hadn't seen in a few years.  It was her first class back in a while.  I love that.  I love how we can take a break from our practice and come back and pick right back up where we left off.  How everyone just welcomes you back and is genuinely happy to see you!  I forget her name but she is just lovely and has a beautiful practice. 

I start chatting with an unfamiliar face. A first timer no doubt. She's nervous.  I tell her she'll be fine. Then I ask "what else do you do? Run? Bike?" She says "umm...I don't do anything." I want to exercise more and figured I'd start with this."  In my head I'm thinking "oh boy...possibly not a good idea."  But I smile and say "just listen to your body and have a good class!  Just breathe and let your body get use to and absorb the heat. Every one of us has had a first class." She then nervously follows me into the room. 

Class starts. Good size. Maybe 25 people? And hot.  Not sure on the temp but it was steamy!  Love it. Just a couple postures in I turned to check on First Timer.  She didn't look good.  She was already sitting on her mat with a very unhappy look on her face.  But I'm proud that she stayed in the room the entire class! She never left once. I hope she comes back and tries again (I told her she did great at the end of class :)

I felt very strong and determined the entire class until Rabbit.  It felt like there was literally NO air left in the room at that point. It was that kind of hot class where you're lying there and can feel the heat coming through your towel. Hot. Where you lie in Savasana and it feels like you are lying in the blazing sun (I actually thought that last night!) Hot. But this is what we like! This it what we come to crave. It's part of our experience.
Lucas opened the windows for final breathing and it was like a blast of air condition! Seriously. I actually shivered! ha! I lied in final Savasana thinking "that was amazing. what an awesome way to end the day."

After quickly changing clothes I sat on the benches in my white running skirt and red and white checkered button down shirt and talked with Lucas for a few minutes before making the short trek back to my car.  Out the door, cross the street... I have to walk by a bar that always has smokers (ick) out front. Tonight was no different.  2 guys who clearly had been drinking a while start taunting me. Slurring "a yoga girl!" loudly. getting really close to me saying "how's the yoga?" and laughing.  I stop and say "amazing" More laughing.  I smile and say nicely "you're an idiot. Go have another cigarette." and continue my walk.  Laughing stopped. HA!  I think it shocked them.  Yes, I'm like 5ft3 and 102 pounds.  No, I'm not afraid to speak up.

Hoping for another easy commute this afternoon so I can make the 5:45 class. Wish me luck! I come in early and leave by 4pm.  Even then though traffic can be a beast! One little fender bender can jam the roads. Next time you are on the highway see how many people are texting and driving. It's insane.

Oh...this guy?  Who the heck is that, you ask?  Well...that, of course, is my Pink Panther Yogi!  A friend actually got him for me when I did a 30 Day Challenge back in 2009 and he stuck by side since.  I've been with 2 companies since then and he has made the journey with me.  He sits on the wall in my office...reminding me of my Bikram practice! I know...I'm quirky :)

Have a happy afternoon.
Namaste,
Traci

Every morning...

I love that every morning I wake up to a new bud that has bloomed!  So pretty. What a nice way to start the day.

Anyway...the long 4th of July weekend has just passed and it was wonderful to have a nice little break!  Our company was closed Friday so it was a nice 4 day weekend for us.  Waking up this morning and getting out the door by 6:15am?  Not so nice! I'm a pretty organized person though so everything is ready to go the night before.  I just basically shower, grab my bags and go.  30 minutes max and I'm out the door.

The weather was HOT and sunny the entire weekend. I think today the heat wave is finally suppose to break. I actually don't mind the heat (thank you Bikram!) but I know a lot of people are bothered by it.  Since we deal with so much cold and snow in the winter I will almost NEVER complain about the heat. It's summer. I want to feel like it's summer!

Running update: Not good news here.  Well...looks like I was a bit over zealous. My foot has reacted badly to my easing back to running.  I was doing OK until my July 4th run.  I was nearing the end of the run and I felt that familiar pain in my heel.  I knew it was over.  I stopped and walked last 1/4 mile back. 
I got back to where I had parked my car and was greeted to a parade!  For me??? How nice! Um, no, silly.  Being July 4th there's an annual neighborhood parade by where I live. Neighbors make some pretty elaborate floats.  It's quite the event! This year I would say most (if not all) of the floats were the Boston Strong theme. Very cool.

So I'm limping along and sweating (because it's like 95 degrees and HUMID) and the Mayor says "good run?"  Me..."not really!" he laughs.

I find a quiet spot and sit on the curb and start taking the tape off my foot. And there it is.  I can see the heel starting to swell up again.  Ugh.  Damn it!  I must have looked upset because a guy walks up and says "Are you OK? Do you need water?" I smile and say "Thanks, no." Then he pauses and says "you want a beer?"  I laugh and say I think I'll stick to Gatorade. 

Heel got worse by the evening and kind of put a damper on my 4th. I enjoyed being around family though ( I have the best family!).  At least I know now running is not in my near future. I'm taking the rest of the summer off and we'll see how it is come September.  Hoping for the best but for now I've come to terms with the fact that running will not be part of my life this summer. So sad!

Bikram...
This of course has made me once again realize how very lucky I am to have Bikram in my life.  Good for body mind and spirit! 

I went to class Saturday with a sore foot and a shattered spirit. It was a very small class with just 6 people.  We were all a bit low energy pre-class.  Once class started you could just feel the energy in the room building.  We were all getting stronger and stronger together with each posture.  I love that.  And for 90 minutes I forgot about everything.  And by the end I was clearer. So you can't run for now. So what? Do something else! I walked out of the studio with a smile on my face and a much happier girl than when I walked in. Always, always a good idea to go practice. Just puts you in a better place.

Sunday's class was equally as good.  Again just 6 of us.  3 girls, 3 guys.  I've really come to love these tiny little classes! You almost feel connected to the others in the room. Class flew by and before we knew it we were in final Savasana.  Just a "nice" class.  Temp wasn't very hot. I like it on the hotter side, but I just enjoyed the practice and loved being in the room. Thankful.

So here we are at Monday.  A fresh new week to make things happen.  Lot's going on at work right now and lots of roles to fill!

Hoping I can make it to Bikram tonight.  As always, it depends on traffic. If traffic cooperates I can make it back for the 5:45. Never know what the highways will have in store for you on any given day. Fingers crossed!

Have lovely summer day!
Namaste
Traci

Ice Cream Truck Day!

I love holiday week commutes!  I leave my house pretty early most days to miss the heavy traffic. Even with leaving at 6:15am it generally takes me at least an hour and 15 min. Bad days? 1.5 hours.  Today? 40 minutes!  Yipee!  The commute home is usually worse. A really, really bad day..a rainy day perhaps..or throw an accident in...can take close to 2 hours. Insane. Boston area traffic can be brutal to say the least.  So this week I'm just going to enjoy the quiet highways!

People ask me all the time why I choose to work for a company located in a spot where the commute is horrible.  My answer?  I adore my company.  I love the team I work with, our product and space (Healthcare Analytics/Informatics) and my role here!  I'm very fortunate to work with such a talented and bright team every day. I've been a Corporate Recruiter/Talent Acquisitions for about 10 years and I truly LOVE what I do.  Such a great feeling being able to connect someone to the right opportunity and at the same time grow our company. I love when I need a break and I can shut the door to my office and look at this for a few minutes...Although we are in a city our office building is away from the traffic etc.  Feels like the country!



Ok, you ask...so then why, Traci, don't you move closer to your work?  Good question! Answer:  Because I love where I live too!  I'm comfortable and enjoy living right on the water. Sitting outside watching the boats go by on a warm summer evening or watching a snow storm roll in across the water...love it.



So I get through the traffic woes. Some days wear on me more than others. Some days I sit in my car looking at a sea of red brake lights and think..I'm going to lose my mind if we don't start moving! (insert curses where you think they might go!) My poor mom has been on the receiving end of more than one traffic meltdown call. Thanks, Mom! I'm almost certain when she sees a "traci" call coming in during commute time she thinks twice about answering. :)

Most days I just listen to the radio (mostly talk on the evening drive), eat a snack (I'm always prepared with a mini healthy picnic! ha). I know I'll get home eventually. What I've come to realize is somehow, some way it seems when you love what you do the commute is more manageable. It's just part of your day.  You accept it.

So aside from the traffic "stuff"..in other news...I did a walk/run (well slow jog I guess) yesterday to test the foot. Did OK!  I just did 30 minutes on the treadmill.  Started off with a power walk and worked up to a 12 min mile.  I know, I know..SLOW!  But I was just happy to be at least doing that.  I was scared about how it would feel today. So how does it feel?  Pretty good! Making progress. I just need to remember to be patient and not add too much too soon.

Today's workout:  Treadmill/yoga at home 

AND I was just reminded today is Ice Cream Truck Day here at Verisk! 2 Friday's ago we had Friday Happy Hour. :)

Enjoy your Tuesday and smile!

Happy running!
Traci

Two shoes!

Happy July 1st! Lovely weekend here in the Boston area. Though right now it's completely overcast and not so nice. I'm hopeful the sun will make an appearance today!

Summer really is my favorite time of the year.  What's not to love....
It's when we trade in our boots, jeans, winter coats and gloves for flip flops, mini skirts, cute little tank tops and sunglasses!  We go from running tights and layers to run skirts and tanks. We go from dashing from the car to the house wincing in the bitter cold air as snow is blasting our face to wanting to be outside as much as possible soaking in the sunshine and warm breeze.  From shoveling snow and scraping the inch of ice that has encased our cars to enjoying the fact that we live on the water and head to the beach or out on the boat.  Ah..summer...it's short so all the more reason to enjoy every single second of it. 
I swear, people are just more pleasant this time of year. They seem to smile more, to say thank you more. Understandable, I guess, right?!?

Anyway...Bikram Saturday. It was...well..interesting.  I truly try not to let things bother me, but this got to me. We all know being late for class is not only not acceptable, it's not allowed.  Doors are suppose to be locked.  You're late, sorry. See you tomorrow. Right? Right. I started noticing this happening a couple of weeks ago (people coming in late) but this past Saturday it was annoying!

We had already done breathing and half moon 1st set.  During the second set the door opens and in walks this guy, mat and towels and water in hand.  It was a complete distraction.  He walks right up to the front, tosses his mat DIRECTLY in front of me, rolls out his towels, situates his water bottle and stands there.  Then the instructor walks out of class to push the button to lock the door.  Not cool.

Now, it was NOT a crowded class by any definition. He did not need to place the mat right in front of me. I glared at him, shook my head and shifted my mat.  Yoga etiquette, dude! Don't come in late and don't put yourself right in front of me so I have to look at your back the whole class rather than myself working through the postures. I seriously spent the rest of the standing series annoyed and distracted.  Also, he is clearly injured and not doing the postures.  He spent most of the class either just standing or lying in Savasana. Apparently he has a streak of coming he doesn't want to break. Silly. 

Ok, so that brings up this...the door are suppose to be locked when class starts.  Nobody is suppose to be able to enter the building.  This is clearly stated.  So why is our instructor leaving the door unlocked for people who call and say they will be late?  Aside from the distraction factor it's also a safety issue. When class starts there is no one in the outer lobby.  Everyone there is in the hot room.  So anyone can walk in off the street and go through our bags in the locker rooms.  Again, just not cool.

Ok!  Moving on now that I have that off my chest! Sometimes we just need to vent :)

Sunday's class was, thankfully, much better. Very hot, no fans, no doors opened, no latecomers. A nice, hot, energized class.  Great way to start the week!

Exciting news!  (well..for me anyway :) ...this is my first full day sans the air cast!  Look...I have two shoes on (tho flip flops are probably not the best choice)!  Still not able to run but making progress for sure.  I just want to be able to enjoy at least some of the glorious summer running weather. Running...my long lost friend..I miss you! I seriously miss everything about it.  Bikram is of course a love as well and leaves you feeling wonderful. I'm thankful for the practice. But for me nothing replaces that feeling of running with just your thoughts and your music and enjoying the ride. I adore the fact that as long as I have my running shoes with me (I keep a pair in my car, my office and at home..have to be ready!) I can run.  There's no schedule. No rush to get through traffic so I don't miss class. Just go when I can. When I want. Soon!

Namaste and Happy Running!

luv traci

At the end of every practice is a rainbow....

...or maybe there should be!   Last night there was :)

After several years of practicing Bikram it still amazes me how different each practice is. I guess it's not that much different than running.  Which is probably why I adore both.

I can go out and have a strong, amazing run. The kind of run where you get to the end and say "I still have more in me! So you tack another mile or 2 on at the end. Couple runs later?  You go out and your legs feel like cement blocks and for some reason the run never "clicks".  Yep.  I'm sure we have all had those ones.

Same with Bikram.  This past Saturday and Sunday the classes just seemed to breeze by. Felt strong. Giving 100% effort in every posture. Like I was just dancing through class. At the end I could have gotten up and gone for a run (well...if this heel would heal already!) Dare I say it? Class was easy? Could this practice just not be enough of a challenge for me anymore???

HA! Silly girl.  Fast forward to Monday evening. The 5:45. It's humid out. Really humid.  The sky is getting darker you can see rain's on the way. Right as I walk in the studio I can feel it.  Even the locker room was hot!  I'm happy to see some of the people I have been practicing with for years there. We catch up on the benches pre-class.  Class was pretty full which added to the heavy conditions in the hot room. By the end of the breathing exercise it's clear to me...umm...this might be one of "those" classes.

I kept searching for the extra energy I felt in classes over the weekend. But I was tired. My mind was all over the place. Looking around the room. Fidgety. Is it raining out yet? Think my contacts are dry. That person has a really loud water bottle. How is she wearing pants? Is that his normal mat?  looks different.  Seriously folks..my mind was everywhere!

And then the thunder storm started and let out the loudest roar of thunder during one of the Savasana's. I think I even let out a little gasp (did this not startle anyone else??)

It wasn't a bad class...just a low energy one.  a bit unfocused if you will.The kind of class where you're lying in Savasana thinking...Oh god...I have to sit up in 20 seconds! Flex your toes..arms over head...ok..ok! I'm up already.  We get to Camel and I thought about just staying on my knees.  But I muster the energy to do both sets.  Happy I did, of course.

I think that's what I love about both running and Bikram.  That every time we tie our running shoes and hit the road or roll out our mat in the Hot Room it's different.  That there will most likely be some sort of challenge to push through. Maybe it was a long day at work, maybe you have a lot on your mind, maybe you just spent the last hour in traffic rushing to make it to the 5:45 class and there's an accident tying things up (a daily occurrence for me!) or maybe your just feeling great!
You really never know how it will go.  The key is of course to always stay present.  Calm that wandering mind.  Focus and just enjoy the ride. I always say...I never regret a run and I never regret a practice.  Even if they aren't perfect, they are always good and I'm happy I did it.

I walk outside after class.  It's raining. It feels good. I look up to the sky and let the rain fall on my face for a minute before I head to my car. Simple pleasures, right?

Quick drive home and as I'm getting settled and things ready for the next day I pause and look out my back slider and see this...

 
This was the perfect ending to the day and made me smile and appreciate my yoga practice.

Namaste and happy running!
Traci

So here's the thing...I've gone back into the hot room. After nearly 1.5 years away from Bikram, 3 weeks ago I stepped back in.  Am I happy to be back?  I'll let you know in a bit...

How did I get back here? Well...truth be told I was forced!  Ok, not so much forced. But a running injury and air cast landed me back here.

My running is for sure a love of mine. I love absolutely everything about it.  I crave it. And when I can't do it, I miss it. A lot.  I miss that challenge that every run brings.  That feeling during the run when everything clicks and you are just enjoying the ride. That feeling after. After about 20 years doing it, it is of course a very big part of my life.  I run 6-7 days a week and 30-50 miles a week (depending on what's going on that week!).

As athletes we all have little nagging injuries from time to time, right?  Some we know we can work through...others we know we can't. You know what I mean?  There is just this difference in pains that are just not good.  I'm out on a 10 miler 3 Saturdays ago and towards the end my foot hurt. Bad.  I knew what was coming next.  This was not like a hip flexor that you run through.  Long story short here I am in this air cast. No running! Looking back there were of course signs of the injury I ignored thinking "it'll get better". I always tell people..listen to your body!  I need to do a better job at it myself :)

At first I was of course devastated. What will I do??? I NEED to run!  Then I remembered something...

Bikram! It's like that old friend you can call after not seeing a year and just pick back up where you left off.  So I packed my yoga clothes, towels and mat and headed to the studio. Soon as I walked (or limped!) up the stairs and through the studio door I felt like I had never left.  I took my air cast off and limped into the hot room. And the practice came right back to me. Like almost no time had passed. I had forgotten how much I loved that feeling of heat and sweat and being still... It was a wonderful first class back and all the negative feelings I had around my injury seemed to lift.  Yes, I have an injury. No I can't run (for now).  But it's temporary.

Healing is well under way.  I'm healing quickly and I swear the Bikram has a big part in that.

So while I'm not happy about my injured foot I will tell you I'm thrilled to be back in the hot room. Practicing with some amazing people who challenge themselves every time they step into the room. Coming back has made me realize how much I love it. How much it's important to create balance And so when my foot is healed and I'm tying my running shoes and hitting the roads I will always still make Bikram a part of my week.  Good for the body mind and spirt as they say!

Can't wait 'til I'm suited up in running gear again!

Namaste!
Traci

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