Saturday was gorgeous, despite all the rain.  (Seriously, people. If you don’t live in Asheville, I can’t possibly explain the amount of rain we’ve had this year. It’s incredible, and I realized that it’s suddenly autumn and I don’t feel like I really had a true summer.)

We had a great group at the workshop, and spent the day teaching the basics of the ChiRunning technique. The Pool Running Drill is so fun to teach, and I think it brings people out of their heads and into their bodies. If you have the new version of the ChiRunning book, check out this drill on page 100.  Also, the group found the Core Strengthening Exercise helpful, too, on page 74. Thanks to all our Workshop participants. It was great fun!

I have been going out for brief jogs with Oliver and trying to talk him as often as possible. Every time I go out with him, I prepare by getting really clear in my head that I am centered and in control of him and myself. I get my bones aligned and always do the Body Looseners. They’re so helpful and relaxing at the same time. I have felt very strong when I go out walking, and although I can tell my cardio-aerobic capacity is a bit less than it used to be, I am in my body and that feels great.

Recently, I have really been working on my chin down and pelvic rotation. I feel like my core is pretty well engaged most of the time when I am moving, and want to work a bit more on pelvic rotation. With all the hills around Asheville, the downhills are a great place to practice “sticky feet” while walking or running and letting my pelvis rotate and be relaxed.

This is certainly the year of rain for Asheville. Before the sun came up this morning, I roused Oliver and myself and headed out the door for a pre-dawn running session.

The misting rain felt great, and although 100% humidity is always interesting for running, listening to the air is a nice meditation.

I haven’t been running a whole lot, but have been walking with the dog and around the neighborhood a lot, so I could certainly tell my heart was working. We ran just over two miles, and let me tell you that if there is ever a running companion that will motivate you, it’s a dog.

I have noticed lately when I’ve been running that my shoulders are swinging a bit. I feel a lack of energy in my hips, and I probably need to get a good stretching session in before I go run again (not directly before, but a day or two ahead). Trying to get my shoulders to stabilize, I was working hard on leading with my forehead and directing my elbows to the rear. It’s certainly true that when my shoulders stop rotating, even a little bit, my lower body will compensate.

So, I’ve been constantly working on getting my chin down and the crown of my head high, all the time. When I drive, when I sit here and write, and especially when I am walking or running. Because I’ve been practicing every day, it’s way easier to make sure I do that when I exercise.

My body feels pretty good now and I am so grateful I resisted the urge to stay in bed and decided instead of get up and go for an energizing running session.

Planning on a run this weekend. Of course it’s going to rain, so we’ll see. Have a great weekend everybody.

Hi there… Going to be in Santa Fe this weekend, and I hope to go running once or twice.

I know we’ll be walking plenty, so I am planning for comfortable clothes, broken-in shoes and thinking about keeping my core engaged. Walking around all day can be either tiring or invigorating. I plan for it to be the latter!

We’re going to go to market, see the galleries, and soak up the high-altitude crispness of 7,000 feet above sea level.

If I can wrestle myself out of bed in the mornings, I’ll try to go run. And I’ll try to blog about it.

I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. If you are able to take time for yourself to go running or walking, perhaps we can support each other in the universe by thinking strong core and a light step… strong core and a light step, strong core and a light step…

And so goes my mantra for the weekend. Bon weekend!