Sweaty She Monday (04/26/10):Patience is a Virtue – Do We Need Virtue?
By: Susan Farago
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've always been a "what's next" person so living in the moment has never been one of my strong suits. Neither has patience. When I was little my mom always used to tell me, "Patience is a virtue." For the longest time I didn't know what a "virtue" was and figured I probably didn't need it anyway so I continued my impatient, future looking ways.
This year I turned 40 and while I’m not sure if it was the age milestone or the feeling that time is going by way too quickly, I decided to become more centered and try to live in the moment. My first attempt was to just keep telling myself, "I am in the moment. I am in the moment." But then my mind would wander off as I would begin compiling the list of things I had to get done or how I was going to spend the weekend. I felt like Dug the talking dog from the movie “Up” - - SQUIRREL!
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftidAFcJ_EQ&feature=related)
My second attempt was to try meditation. I consulted my yoga instructor who recommended I try Kundalini – a brain balancing meditation and mantra. The process is as follows: sit cross legged on the floor for 1 hour and chant the following phrase: "SA TA NA MA". The phrase is repeated continuously and in 15 minute blocks – first only in the mind, then as a whisper, then normal talking voice, then whisper, then in the mind. I decided right off the bat that 1 hour was not going to work because I would either fall asleep or become too restless. So I opted for 30 minutes total with 5 minute chanting increments. As I got settled into place and began my chanting, my cat Fritz came up to see what I was doing and proceeded to rub against my foot and hand and then head-butt me in the arm. While I appreciated his fuzzy support I booted him outside and resumed my chanting. The second issue I had was not knowing how long 5 minutes actually was so I was continuously looking at my watch. Is it 5 minutes yet? Is it 5 minutes yet? I figured this was probably defeating the purpose but proceeded anyway. After what felt like an eternity, I finished the 30 minute set and was exhausted. And Fritz wanted back inside.
My current attempt is reading a book entitled, "The Presence Process – A Healing Journey Into Present Moment Awareness". Blech. It might as well have been entitled, “How to Watch Paint Dry”. But who am I to judge? Plus it was recommended to me by a friend who is even more impatient and rammy than I am so maybe there was something to it. This is not a quick read and seems to require a lot of coffee drinking on my part to “hang with it” but for the past 2 months I have been reading, pondering, and gleaning little tidbits of insight into being "in the moment". Some examples:
1) When we consciously connect our breathing, the first procedure is the gathering of present moment awareness. This is an automatic by-product of breathing without pausing.
In practice – I have not figured out how to do this without hyperventilating but at least I am taking deeper breaths and not forgetting to breathe (which I sometimes do).
2) The experience of present moment awareness that we seek is nowhere “out there” in the world and cannot be achieved by fiddling with the outer world or moving frantically about in it. It is an inner accomplishment.
In practice – I couldn’t get past the fact that the author actually used the word “fiddling”. It made me giggle. But he did have a point and I could fully relate to, “moving frantically about in it.”
3) Most of us spend our waking hours either thinking about circumstances of the past or events yet to occur. Unconsciously, our mind is almost exclusively engaged in this activity. This is a mental addition and affliction that has imprisoned humanity in an inner world of illusion that is reflected outwardly as our ongoing planetary imbalance…we shall call this illusionary and unbalanced state “living in time”.
In practice – So my question is how does one NOT live in time when the rest of humanity does? Do I need to go live in a hut or ashram? In an attempt to distance myself from time I stopped wearing a watch. But I don't seem to have the hang of it because now I'm late to stuff.
As verbose as the author gets, he does raise some very valid points. I am on page 97 of 323. I have quite a journey to continue and apparently much coffee to drink.
I was trail running last Sunday with two friends and during the run we were talking about being in the moment. Shortly after that conversation, Laura tripped and nearly rolled her ankle. As she shook it off, she muttered, “Well that’s what I get for living in the moment! I was watching two butterflies just ahead on the trail and forgot my footing!”
So does Present Process Awareness allow for multitasking? Probably not. But I bet it allows for virtue!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Capes Won!
In response to the SweatyShe Monday Post - "To Cape or Not to Cape"
The capes won!
Boston Marathon - April 19, 2010
The capes won!
Boston Marathon - April 19, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
SweatyShe Monday: To Cape or Not to Cape
Sweaty She Monday-On Friday (04/16/10): To Cape or Not to Cape
By: Susan Farago
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's face it, the Boston Marathon is a big deal in the running world. Participants have to qualify in order to participate. It's not like you can just show up and run...or at least not with a clear conscience. So given it is THE running race of running races, it is to be respected, revered, and those who run in it are to be admired.
I trained hard in the winter of 2008 and qualified for Boston the Austin Marathon in February, 2009. I was elated to see all that hard work pay off. I registered for Boston that following summer and was all set to run Boston in April, 2010.
And here we are, the night before we leave for Boston.
The big question that has been on my mind these past few months hasn't been about training, recovery, or proper nutrition. It hasn't been how to beat my best marathon goal or to try to requalify for Boston at Boston. It hasn't been on which Boston Athletic Association apparel will I buy at the race expo.
The big question? Should I wear the cape?
By cape, I mean super hero cape of course.
I've been mulling this over and over and here are my top five reasons for wearing the cape:
1. What better way for Leary to find me on the course amongst 20,000 other runners.
2. Self-entertainment for 26.2 miles.
3. Additional warmth on race day - it's supposed to be in the low 40's.
4. Leverage in talking my running buddy Richelle into also wearing a cape.
5. In the words of my Mom, "Because I can."
But there's a tiny voice inside my head that is telling me this would be blasphemous. It's like showing up to the presidential inauguration wearing a clown suit (although these days one would fit in quite nicely amongst certain politicians - ha!) But you get the idea. Such a race steeped in 114 years of athletic excellence and historical significance warrants the utmost respect, doesn't it? But then again maybe I've just been indoctrinated with too much "Keep Austin Weird" influence.
So the question remains: to cape or not to cape? Stay tuned.
By: Susan Farago
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's face it, the Boston Marathon is a big deal in the running world. Participants have to qualify in order to participate. It's not like you can just show up and run...or at least not with a clear conscience. So given it is THE running race of running races, it is to be respected, revered, and those who run in it are to be admired.
I trained hard in the winter of 2008 and qualified for Boston the Austin Marathon in February, 2009. I was elated to see all that hard work pay off. I registered for Boston that following summer and was all set to run Boston in April, 2010.
And here we are, the night before we leave for Boston.
The big question that has been on my mind these past few months hasn't been about training, recovery, or proper nutrition. It hasn't been how to beat my best marathon goal or to try to requalify for Boston at Boston. It hasn't been on which Boston Athletic Association apparel will I buy at the race expo.
The big question? Should I wear the cape?
By cape, I mean super hero cape of course.
I've been mulling this over and over and here are my top five reasons for wearing the cape:
1. What better way for Leary to find me on the course amongst 20,000 other runners.
2. Self-entertainment for 26.2 miles.
3. Additional warmth on race day - it's supposed to be in the low 40's.
4. Leverage in talking my running buddy Richelle into also wearing a cape.
5. In the words of my Mom, "Because I can."
But there's a tiny voice inside my head that is telling me this would be blasphemous. It's like showing up to the presidential inauguration wearing a clown suit (although these days one would fit in quite nicely amongst certain politicians - ha!) But you get the idea. Such a race steeped in 114 years of athletic excellence and historical significance warrants the utmost respect, doesn't it? But then again maybe I've just been indoctrinated with too much "Keep Austin Weird" influence.
So the question remains: to cape or not to cape? Stay tuned.
Monday, April 12, 2010
SweatyShe Monday: Yoga Mat in the Shower (MGW#2)*
Sweaty She Monday (04/12/10): Yoga Mat in the Shower (MGW#2)*
By: Susan Farago
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Part of the Multi-tasking gone Wrong Series
We are busy women so any opportunity to do two things at once only seems to make perfect sense. The other day I was in a yoga class and when I was standing on my mat, I noticed bits of sand embedded into the squishy blue surface. Time to wash the mat. We live in a condo and really don't have a convenient way to wash things outside via garden hose and I was not liking the idea of trying to wash the yoga mat in the kitchen sink. Hmmmm....what to do?
I got home and as I was getting ready to hop in the shower my brilliant multi-tasking plan came. I would wash the yoga mat IN the shower WHILE taking a shower! So I grabbed the mat, hopped in the tub, and pulled the glass door shut behind me. I had to wrestle the mat into position in front of me but once I did, I could wash a small part of the mat, then scoot backwards, and then wash a little more. My process was working well: scoot back, wash, scoot back, wash, scoot back ....WHAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHH! Holy crap! I bolted upright! While in the throes of scrubbing the mat I forgot to pay attention to my derriere's proximity to the tub faucet. Let's just say that I backed up a little too far and, well, I got "fauceted"!
My husband came flying into the bathroom to see if I was OK. There "we" were - me and my yoga mat taking a shower. He asked me what I was doing and while I was explaining my grand idea, he just shook his head and walked out.
Mission accomplished. My yoga mat is now clean. And I also know exactly how long my bathtub is!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thoughts or comments? Have any other brilliant multi-tasking ideas? Share them here!
By: Susan Farago
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Part of the Multi-tasking gone Wrong Series
We are busy women so any opportunity to do two things at once only seems to make perfect sense. The other day I was in a yoga class and when I was standing on my mat, I noticed bits of sand embedded into the squishy blue surface. Time to wash the mat. We live in a condo and really don't have a convenient way to wash things outside via garden hose and I was not liking the idea of trying to wash the yoga mat in the kitchen sink. Hmmmm....what to do?
I got home and as I was getting ready to hop in the shower my brilliant multi-tasking plan came. I would wash the yoga mat IN the shower WHILE taking a shower! So I grabbed the mat, hopped in the tub, and pulled the glass door shut behind me. I had to wrestle the mat into position in front of me but once I did, I could wash a small part of the mat, then scoot backwards, and then wash a little more. My process was working well: scoot back, wash, scoot back, wash, scoot back ....WHAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHH! Holy crap! I bolted upright! While in the throes of scrubbing the mat I forgot to pay attention to my derriere's proximity to the tub faucet. Let's just say that I backed up a little too far and, well, I got "fauceted"!
My husband came flying into the bathroom to see if I was OK. There "we" were - me and my yoga mat taking a shower. He asked me what I was doing and while I was explaining my grand idea, he just shook his head and walked out.
Mission accomplished. My yoga mat is now clean. And I also know exactly how long my bathtub is!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thoughts or comments? Have any other brilliant multi-tasking ideas? Share them here!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
SweatyShe Monday: Good Friends and Strong Currents (reprint)
This is a re-post from a prior SweatyShe Monday
A reminder to get out there and try something new - and see if you can rope a few friends in too!
----------------
Sweaty She Monday (8-10-09):
Good Friends and Strong Currents
By Susan Farago
Sometimes it’s good to just have the bajeezus scared out of you. As my Mom would say, “it builds character”. So whenever I’m feeling low on character and a little too comfortable in my own skin, I think up something goofy to do. And of course it’s more fun with friends! I am grateful for having good friends who are usually up for joining me in these screwy activities. The latest escapade? Night swimming in Lake Austin.
I decided the safest place from a “no boats” perspective would be the low water crossing immediately below Mansfield Dam. This meant the water would be cooler (68+ degrees) but a great excuse to wear a wetsuit for extra buoyancy and a barrier from weeds and who knows what else would be in the water. In addition to the wetsuits, a few of us discussed “gear” before the swim, including using glow sticks for lights and general navigation, and perhaps buying clear swim goggles to see better in the dark, which upon further thought I realized didn’t make sense.
My friend Laura said she was going to bring swim fins in case she has to “get away in a hurry”. Get away from what? I didn’t want to think about it. But unfortunately my overactive imagination kicked in and the list suddenly seemed endless: Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street movie), Jason (Friday the 13th movie), the Lochness Monster, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, snakes, sharks, piranhas, giant squid, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre guy, Jaws, giant human-eating seaweed, the thing lives under your bed, the Blairwitch witch, the Swamp Thing creature, barracudas, zombies, vampires, and did I mention Freddy and Jason?
With all these things in the lake, it was going to be a crowded swim!
A few days before the swim, Leary and I drove down to the low water crossing at 10:30pm, on our way home from a night trail run of course, to check things out. Virtually no current, water temps were fine, and surprisingly there was enough ambient light from nearby docks and the dam itself that we could make out the shapes and shadows of trees the shoreline, and the narrow channel that was the start of Lake Austin. Plus we didn’t think we would be in any “park rules violation” since this was just a small dirt parking area with a neglected path by the side of the bridge leading to the water. This was going to work. The prior week we scouted out another place to swim but a few days after we were there a woman accidentally drove her car into the lake at that very spot and drown. They recovered her body but I was NOT taking any chances. I knew foreshadowing when I saw it (smile).
The night of the swim, the small group met for dinner beforehand and at one point we ran through some “worse case scenarios”: What if the dam flood gates open? What if we get lost? What if we freak out? What if … what if….what if…The answer was always the same – head for the shore!!
At 8:30pm we were in the small dirt parking lot near the low water bridge. It was dusk and the lights of Mansfield Dam loomed above us – the fearless five: Laura, Mike, Laurie, Leary, and myself. We were nearly ready to go when a park ranger vehicle drove past us and onto the bridge which was a dead end so we knew he’d be back in a few minutes. We all looked at each other. In an attempt to corroborate our story (just in case) I said, “OK, we just finished our swim and are getting ready to leave, right?” Right.
Sure enough, on his return the park ranger pulled into the parking lot. All I heard was, “Park’s closed!” and before I could turn around and say anything Mike said, “We just finished our swim and are getting ready to leave.” With that, the park ranger pulled out of the lot and left. Luckily the park ranger failed to notice the glow sticks strapped to Laura’s and my head AND the fact that none of us were even wet. A somewhat panicked discussion ensued about parking tickets, getting into trouble, and other scenarios leading to fines or incarceration. Mike said, “I have a bad feeling we’re going to end up on the nightly news after this.” We decided to hurry up and get in so we could get out.
A quick photo to commemorate the event at the edge of the water (of course), and then SPLASH - Leary was the first one in. The water reeked of mud and dead fish. With the low water crossing and the Dam to our right, we immediately turned left and started to swim towards the third dock light approximately 400 meters down the narrow channel. We agreed that at that point we would turn around and head back.
Swimming in the dark was wonderful! And oddly enough it didn’t feel creepy at all. After about a minute I popped my head up to make sure everyone was OK. I counted five sets of glow sticks. Good. But I noticed we were all making good progress. In fact, too much progress. I looked at the shore line. I was making progress and I wasn’t even swimming! One word flew through my brain – CURRENT!!! I hollered for Mike to look at the shore line – it was moving past us pretty quickly. Leary made this realization at about the same time too. Laura and Laurie were ahead of us so I yelled to get their attention. All I saw were two sets of glow sticks jerk upwards so I knew their heads were out of the water. I yelled “CURRENT” and they understood. We all started swimming back towards the bridge where we got in just a few minutes ago.
Remembering our “worst case scenarios” solution (head for the shore), I saw Leary make his way to the bank so I swam cross current and headed in that direction – aiming for the green glow stick that was bobbing along the shoreline. The current was definitely strong. There was a big dead tree branch half in the water and with every breath and stroke I took, I could see the same branch. I wasn’t making any progress. So I angled my body cross current to get closer to the shore and I kicked and pulled a little harder. I felt the current subside and as I neared the swim exit, I felt something on my foot. Freddie? Jason? No. It was Mike.
What took three minutes in swimming out with the current required about ten minutes of swimming back before we finally got to our swim exit.
Shortly afterwards, we were out of our wetsuits and back up to the cars, laughing and marveling about the whole thing. We took a few more photos and I brought some small mementos for everyone to commemorate the event. Just as we were getting into our cars, we saw the familiar headlights of the park ranger’s vehicle. He drove past us just as we were pulling out of the lot. Whew! THAT was close!!
Mission accomplished. We all tried something new and as a result…we each have a little more “character” than when we started. Were we ever really in danger? I don’t think so. But my years of growing up on the St.Croix River and life guarding have taught me one thing – it is always good to have a healthy respect for water.
On my way home, I sent everyone a quick text to say “thank you”. Laurie responded with, “We left just in time! That was a hoot!” And Laura responded with, “We need to do that again!” Did I mention I am grateful for good friends?
--------
Thoughts or comments? Share them here!
A reminder to get out there and try something new - and see if you can rope a few friends in too!
----------------
Sweaty She Monday (8-10-09):
Good Friends and Strong Currents
By Susan Farago
Sometimes it’s good to just have the bajeezus scared out of you. As my Mom would say, “it builds character”. So whenever I’m feeling low on character and a little too comfortable in my own skin, I think up something goofy to do. And of course it’s more fun with friends! I am grateful for having good friends who are usually up for joining me in these screwy activities. The latest escapade? Night swimming in Lake Austin.
I decided the safest place from a “no boats” perspective would be the low water crossing immediately below Mansfield Dam. This meant the water would be cooler (68+ degrees) but a great excuse to wear a wetsuit for extra buoyancy and a barrier from weeds and who knows what else would be in the water. In addition to the wetsuits, a few of us discussed “gear” before the swim, including using glow sticks for lights and general navigation, and perhaps buying clear swim goggles to see better in the dark, which upon further thought I realized didn’t make sense.
My friend Laura said she was going to bring swim fins in case she has to “get away in a hurry”. Get away from what? I didn’t want to think about it. But unfortunately my overactive imagination kicked in and the list suddenly seemed endless: Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street movie), Jason (Friday the 13th movie), the Lochness Monster, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, snakes, sharks, piranhas, giant squid, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre guy, Jaws, giant human-eating seaweed, the thing lives under your bed, the Blairwitch witch, the Swamp Thing creature, barracudas, zombies, vampires, and did I mention Freddy and Jason?
With all these things in the lake, it was going to be a crowded swim!
A few days before the swim, Leary and I drove down to the low water crossing at 10:30pm, on our way home from a night trail run of course, to check things out. Virtually no current, water temps were fine, and surprisingly there was enough ambient light from nearby docks and the dam itself that we could make out the shapes and shadows of trees the shoreline, and the narrow channel that was the start of Lake Austin. Plus we didn’t think we would be in any “park rules violation” since this was just a small dirt parking area with a neglected path by the side of the bridge leading to the water. This was going to work. The prior week we scouted out another place to swim but a few days after we were there a woman accidentally drove her car into the lake at that very spot and drown. They recovered her body but I was NOT taking any chances. I knew foreshadowing when I saw it (smile).
The night of the swim, the small group met for dinner beforehand and at one point we ran through some “worse case scenarios”: What if the dam flood gates open? What if we get lost? What if we freak out? What if … what if….what if…The answer was always the same – head for the shore!!
At 8:30pm we were in the small dirt parking lot near the low water bridge. It was dusk and the lights of Mansfield Dam loomed above us – the fearless five: Laura, Mike, Laurie, Leary, and myself. We were nearly ready to go when a park ranger vehicle drove past us and onto the bridge which was a dead end so we knew he’d be back in a few minutes. We all looked at each other. In an attempt to corroborate our story (just in case) I said, “OK, we just finished our swim and are getting ready to leave, right?” Right.
Sure enough, on his return the park ranger pulled into the parking lot. All I heard was, “Park’s closed!” and before I could turn around and say anything Mike said, “We just finished our swim and are getting ready to leave.” With that, the park ranger pulled out of the lot and left. Luckily the park ranger failed to notice the glow sticks strapped to Laura’s and my head AND the fact that none of us were even wet. A somewhat panicked discussion ensued about parking tickets, getting into trouble, and other scenarios leading to fines or incarceration. Mike said, “I have a bad feeling we’re going to end up on the nightly news after this.” We decided to hurry up and get in so we could get out.
A quick photo to commemorate the event at the edge of the water (of course), and then SPLASH - Leary was the first one in. The water reeked of mud and dead fish. With the low water crossing and the Dam to our right, we immediately turned left and started to swim towards the third dock light approximately 400 meters down the narrow channel. We agreed that at that point we would turn around and head back.
Swimming in the dark was wonderful! And oddly enough it didn’t feel creepy at all. After about a minute I popped my head up to make sure everyone was OK. I counted five sets of glow sticks. Good. But I noticed we were all making good progress. In fact, too much progress. I looked at the shore line. I was making progress and I wasn’t even swimming! One word flew through my brain – CURRENT!!! I hollered for Mike to look at the shore line – it was moving past us pretty quickly. Leary made this realization at about the same time too. Laura and Laurie were ahead of us so I yelled to get their attention. All I saw were two sets of glow sticks jerk upwards so I knew their heads were out of the water. I yelled “CURRENT” and they understood. We all started swimming back towards the bridge where we got in just a few minutes ago.
Remembering our “worst case scenarios” solution (head for the shore), I saw Leary make his way to the bank so I swam cross current and headed in that direction – aiming for the green glow stick that was bobbing along the shoreline. The current was definitely strong. There was a big dead tree branch half in the water and with every breath and stroke I took, I could see the same branch. I wasn’t making any progress. So I angled my body cross current to get closer to the shore and I kicked and pulled a little harder. I felt the current subside and as I neared the swim exit, I felt something on my foot. Freddie? Jason? No. It was Mike.
What took three minutes in swimming out with the current required about ten minutes of swimming back before we finally got to our swim exit.
Shortly afterwards, we were out of our wetsuits and back up to the cars, laughing and marveling about the whole thing. We took a few more photos and I brought some small mementos for everyone to commemorate the event. Just as we were getting into our cars, we saw the familiar headlights of the park ranger’s vehicle. He drove past us just as we were pulling out of the lot. Whew! THAT was close!!
Mission accomplished. We all tried something new and as a result…we each have a little more “character” than when we started. Were we ever really in danger? I don’t think so. But my years of growing up on the St.Croix River and life guarding have taught me one thing – it is always good to have a healthy respect for water.
On my way home, I sent everyone a quick text to say “thank you”. Laurie responded with, “We left just in time! That was a hoot!” And Laura responded with, “We need to do that again!” Did I mention I am grateful for good friends?
--------
Thoughts or comments? Share them here!
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