The Lighter They Are or Month-End Review, June

Bicycling was my main mode of exercise this weekend and I feel really good about getting on my bicycle more often this year but it's not all glamorous. My hands, hip (right), hamstrings, quads and shoulders took a hit. I need to make time to go by the bike store and get a more comfortable seat.

Yesterday, joined Alison and her friend, Juliette, for a ride on Grant's Trail. Juliette pulled her bike minus a tire out of the backseat of her car and put the tire back on in less than five minutes. I wanted to know how she'd chosen her lavender bike. Juliette said that it was all very confusing as she combed Craigslist for used bikes and, finally, her brother told her that any of the bikes that she had put on her list would be a good.

I agreed with Juliette that, yes, choosing a bike can be confusing and that all I knew was that I wanted a lighter one. And the lighter they are, the more expensive they are, Juliette said. True, there are times when I think that I should have deliberated longer but I might still be looking for a bike. Plus, I'm pretty satisfied with my Globe Vienna -- with the exception of my really loud brakes which I need to also ask the folks about at my friendly neighborhood bike shop...

After work, put Kenpo X in the DVD player and kicked and punched my way to the end, ate dinner then headed to the Missouri Botanical Garden which is having special evening/early a.m. hours because the Amorphophallus titanum is blooming...

It takes seven to ten years for the Amorphophallus titanum to bloom for the first time. I'm in, I think, the eighth year of my fitness journey so I fit right into the blooming time frame.

Here's how I rolled this month:

10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix
*Cardio Kickboxing, 1 x

Bicycling, 4 x's

"Love" Graffiti @ Grant's Trail

Climbing, 1 x

Kettlebell, 2 x's

P90X
*Kenpo X, 4 x's

Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training
*15-Minute Upper Body Circuit

Swimming, 6 x's

Walking, 15 x's

Yoga, 9 x's

Yoga @ Ballpark Village

Zumba, 4 x's

Staff Member About to Measure Titan
Arum Bloom

Little One Peaking Out Window

The Miles Between

Love The Subtle Descent Toward The River

Challenging week and I could feel how tight my jaw was by Friday so I looked forward to hitting the Riverfront Trail this morning.

Went a different route because I thought that I would run into Pride Fest street closures. Didn't encounter any closures and it was nice to take a different route because I got to see the Old Courthouse up close which reminded me that I need to stop by to see the Dred and Harriet Scott statue.

With the Mississippi River on one side and Alison on the other, I was able to put miles between stuff that had been bothering me.

At some point, Alison said that she felt like Zumba was making her legs stronger and I realized that we were really rolling along at a nice pace. Switched my left gear to three for a while to add resistance. Can't believe how long I kept it on two...

Mile tally for the day: approximately 17.

Old Courthouse

Riverfront Graffiti

Held

Look, Up In The Sky...

Are you going to take a selfie? Because if you are, I want to be in it Patti joked to me as as I pulled out my iPod before yoga started yesterday. Had not planned to take a selfie but why not?

I'm totally digging practicing yoga at St. Louis landmarks like the Arch, Botanical Garden and Busch Stadium. Visited the new Ballpark Village for the first time for the Summer Yoga Series. Danielle Tridenti guided us and, even though we were outside and there was a large group, she was able to really hold space for us -- just like she held us in chair pose. I also thought we were going to set a record for the most downward facing dogs in one session.

Checked out the Ballpark Village Twitter feed and, of course, they posted a picture on Instagram with everyone in downward facing dog which is why I didn't do happy baby pose. Felt too exposed.

I'm kind of a lazy photographer of late. Took my "real" camera and never pulled it out of the bag. I have way too many pictures on my iPod and need to do something about it.

My Leg

Leg of Crystal, A Bicycling Wonder

Cold Rally Towel Came In Handy

Headed to my aunt Al's after work to wish her a happy birthday then I crossed the river again to catch Zumba class. Think Shawny must have had an energy drink before class because she was very animated.

Found the perfect card for my aunt. Wasn't crazy about the colors but love the message.

If You Go To The Deep End

Got to the pool about seven minutes before open swim time and I was surprised that so many people decided to swim indoors. There were so many people there, in fact, that it had the feel of a triathlon.

Swam 13 laps then headed to the 'Fugees where I exchanged niceties, put groceries away then headed to the pool. As I got close to entrance, saw a group of youngins smack dab in the middle playing volleyball. It was a group of Bosnian kids speaking English and listening to explicit rap music.

If you go to the deep end, you can get your laps in. They've been pretty much staying in the middle. They're probably playing the music a little bit louder than they should but... said the woman who thinks that I live there.

Went to the deep end and stayed there and the young ones stayed in the middle. The music didn't seem so loud after I got into a rhythm. It's been hot and humid for days but it cooled off tonight. The water felt chilly when I entered the pool but my body quickly adapted.

Went back to the 'Fugee's and she fed me watermelon. Yummy...

A Hammer and A Yoga Mat

Really full Saturday.

Worked for a couple of hours, ate lunch then headed to the indoor pool so that I wouldn't feel like I was in a fishbowl. 

As I was about to complete my 10th lap, saw a familiar elderly woman climbing into my lane. Slowed my pace so that she could descend and thought about how Gloria reminds us in yoga practice about effortless effort.

Got out of the indoor pool and headed to the 'Fugee's pool. Rang her doorbell but forgot that she had an acupuncture appointment. Although I love swimming outdoors, I didn't stay too long but I did enjoy every single moment that I got to glance up at the sky.

Alison's "boys" are away so she invited friends over for yoga and a craft project. Told Alison that I think this was the first time that a friend has asked me to bring a hammer to their house. Felt funny walking up to her house with a hammer in tow and hoped that no one would call the police.

Kathy's Feet & Marge

Gloria Reviews Yoga Journal (June 2014) Sequence

One Of My Fave Poses, Gate

About 15 minutes into yoga, the sky became menacing and the wind picked up significantly. Can't say that I was unhappy with the breeze because, at one point, I didn't know if I'd be able to stay on my mat since I was so toasty. 

Janie, one of Alison's friends, had me cracking up when I lost my balance. Man down, she yelled...

We gathered the blankets, mats and blocks and finished practicing on the deck. 

Seated Spinal Twist

We had a post-yoga meal then headed to Alison's woman cave and, let me tell you, Alison has amazing woman cave. Every woman should aspire to have such a cave. We were all thrilled to see Alison in her element and for her to share some of her jewelry making expertise with us. 

Yum Yum

Alison Showing Us How To Make Designs for A Pendant Etc.

Gloria's Cool Earrings (They Look Better in Person)

I'm not very crafty. In fact, I think my mother wanted to pummel me in high school because I had good grades except for an F in arts and crafts. 

Still, I enjoyed myself and it was extremely nice to hang out with such a good group of women. 

My Design Was All Over The Place

To Take On Swinging

One of my former climbing partners was a kettlebeller. I admired him for being willing to take on swinging all by his lonesome. Knew that I couldn't trust myself since, if there's a way to do something awkwardly, I'll find it but it's been six months since I stopped going to kettlebell class and the heavy orb stares at me.

I've been going to Zumba on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. so I have plenty of time to do strength training before class. Looked online for routines and liked this beginner one:

Warm Up -- 3 Minutes

(Did a hodgepodge of jumping jacks, speed skaters, trunk twists etc.)

Around The World, 20 Reps, Each Direction

Figure 8's, 14 Reps, Each Direction

Two-Handed Kettlebell Swing, 20 Reps

Cleans, 14 Reps, Each Side

Halos, 10 Each Direction

Straight Leg Dead Lifts, 20 Reps

Squat Curls, 14 Reps

Bent Over Rows, 14, Each Side

It was supposed to be a 30 minute workout but it took me about 17 minutes. I also added a few snatches and presses...

Zumba, on Thursday, is kind of a "bad" move (pun intended) because it does feel like a party that should mark the culmination of the work week.

Woke up hard this morning and could barely manage to stand. Had a dream that I was in a crowded store with someone else but couldn't identify the person. As we waited to jump into the flow of traffic, I noticed a miniature Buddha with a rather large head sitting on a shelf. I wanted to purchase the Buddha statue but couldn't for some reason...

There's a song from Zumba class that won't get out of my head. It's Pitbull's Alright.

It's alright, it's okay
We gon' party all night and drink all day...

The refrain that's most dominant -- It's alright, it's okay...Probably blocked out the drink all day because I am not a consumer of alcohol unless I, on occasion, cook with it.

From Dream Moods Dictionary:

To see Buddha in your dream symbolizes wisdom, insight, compassion, and inner spirituality. You need to find calmness and peace within your own Self.

If You Could Just Learn To Be Still

Had a tough time deciding whether to do yoga and swim OR climb and swim. At the last minute, decided on the latter because of the proximity to the climbing gym.

Couldn't see my climbing bag and realized that I had foolishly left my gear in the car. At least my shoes, complete with a hole in the toe box, are on the way out. My shoes were so toasty that it felt like a spa treatment to my bare feet and the shoes also didn't feel as cramped. Too bad heat is bad for climbing shoes...

If words could propel someone up a wall, Emily would have gotten to the top of the "purple" route really fast. I know Emily's name because her friend kept talking to her.

Lean into the wall. 

Don't sit back. 

Don't bend your knees...

If you could just learn to be still...

After climbing, headed out to the Fugee's for a pool nightcap. The 'Fugee, however, did not join me.

The water was great and no one else was in it. I swear, there is nothing better than swimming out in the open. Actually, I had a peaceful time at the indoor pool yesterday.

I've been thinking about Amy Van Dyken-Rouen's accident but also thinking about how positive she's been...