Update

So, this year I had a new year’s resolution to get back into exercise and yoga, and blog about it. I have hit one out of three, and on the second I’ve done ok but not as well as I want. On blogging, well since my last entry is Jan 2, you can guess where that went.

It’s funny that often, when one makes a personal commitment, the universe throws us a bunch of reasons why not. It’s like a test.

Well, the exercise has been going well. I’ve been running at least 3 times a week on the treadmill, and I’ve been building my base speed gradually. I can run for at least 45 minutes at about a 13 min/mi pace (no incline).

Usually, I do the following in about a week:

• An “interval” train, which basically consists of running at about target heart rate (148-150 bpm) or slightly higher, interspersed with about 1 min bursts of speed.
• A long, easy to moderate jog to build up endurance. (Zones 1 and 2, if you’re keeping track.)
• A shorter, more moderate (Zone 2 1/2 or 3) run, with inclines.
• If I can manage it (when I can’t, it’s more time constraints rather than physical limitation), I do the third another time.

The yoga hasn’t been faring as well, though I have much improved over my practice from last year. I went to 3 classes in Jan and one in Feb, and practice about twice a week.

I’ve started a bit of crosstraining as well. Now that the weather is nicer, I’ve gone out on my bicycle. One of the roads near my neighborhood has 4 consecutive challenging (for me) hills, so I try to hit that. It’s very much like the interval run. Once I’ve mastered that and it becomes easier, I can try climbing out of the valley the hard way. But I imagine I have plenty of time and growth before that happens.

As for blogging the results, well, you can see the results for yourself.