Superior Spring Trail Run 25K

Hello from Lutsen, Minnesota!

Jason and have just finished a post run swim, ready to dig into the chili and cornbread they provide for the runners. The weather is gorgeous for sitting around and enjoying conversation…a little warm for me in regards to careening down the trail with my hair on fire. Thank goodness for the aid station at the half way point – water, heed electrolyte drink, fruit, gummi bears, you name it. I am SO glad I grabbed a third of an orange and carried it with me until a major climb a few miles later – an orange never tasted so good.

I feel better than I anticipated I would, what with having a week off training for an allergy.virus.cough sorta thing about two weeks ago. I was able to squeeze in two good runs before tapering off for a couple days this week. I was hoping to finish in under three hours (which would have matched my average pace from the Duluth TrailFest run last summer) and I finished in 2:50 straight up. I’m happy with that for the elevation and quality of terrain we covered. The two women I passed in the last mile of exposed gravel road were not far behind me at the finish and we shared a grateful exchange of ‘well done’ while giving up our chip and waiting in line for a garden hose. Finished 77 overall and 13 of 74 in my age group.With my slightly delirious counting of female runners on the single track out and back course ahead of me, I’d estimate I was around twentieth of female finishers. Update: Race results are available online and out of 132 women racing the 25K, I was the 16th female to finish! Whooooo!

Jason on the other hand with his speedy legs and strong lungs got 8th place overall. That’s my man!

Now off to get some food at The Scenic Cafe on Hwy 61 just north of Duluth, then to see my family. Super excited to encourage my sister-in-law who is training for Grandma’s Half Marathon in June and to see my brother and my nieces. And they feed us well when we visit. I hope they are ready for our appetites after that long run in the heat!

Next up, more trail running through the summer and potentially another 25k in July, then the Superior Fall Trail Race called the Moose Mountain Marathon. Yep – 26.2 gnarly miles of technical trails. Yes.

Enjoy your weekend!

Cheri

A week in Puerto Rico, I return to teaching

Hello there Blog fans and followers!

I am grateful to share some of the highlights of my recent trip to Puerto Rico with you. Intended as a vacation, I also did a little business while I was there, and visited Casa Grande Mountain Retreat. This beautiful, small retreat center is high in the quiet mountains of Puerto Rico. I was able to enjoy my own private yoga practice in their temple in the morning. The sounds of the coqui frogs and birds sang me through sun salutations and the gentle tropical breezes brought me into focus. It’s a beautiful space in which to grow and practice, and the accommodations were simple and comfortable. (Also, the food was great!) I also have my eye on Costa Rica as a potential retreat location for sometime in the future. If you have interest in traveling with me on a Yoga and health trip – please do let me know! A survey will be available for you at the open house on Thursday, May 17…to help me continue to research and make this trip possible for all of us.

The weather here in Wisconsin had me prepared for plenty of sun time and heat – but that was only true of about half our trip. My sun gladly accepted the cool rainy days as a break from the beach, and we did plenty of hiking and exploring around the islands, both Puerto Rico proper and the smaller island just to the east called Vieques. One challenge was to find vegetarian fare in PR – meat is everywhere and dairy is popular. Ordering a coffee, they will serve it up with frothy milk and sugar unless you ask otherwise – and even rice and beans have meat and meat fats in them for flavor. I accepted this and was grateful for the days I could find a great salad and more simple clean food – we even bought groceries and ate our own meals for about a third of the time as a break from the carnivorous and more spendy options of eating out. All in all, food was glorious…especially our dinner at El Quenepo on Vieques. WOW. I would go back there in a heartbeat and enjoy their seafood another time – and the espresso chocolate martini I had for desert.

I loved speaking Spanish, and certainly could stand to practice even more. I came home thinking in Spanish, as some of you probably noticed during your lessons…they were a touch bilingual.

I am happy to be home, and ready to begin teaching again. And practicing at home with my brand new mat! I bought a bright purple Manduka travel mat at REI before our trip – haven’t gotten myself a new mat for home practice in say….6 or 7 years? It was time. My practice will keep me grounded and satisfied as I continue to prepare for Movement Arts Day in June and the Womens Business Conference in April. That reminds me….I have a presentation to get ready!

See you soon,

Cheri

Interview with Donna Farhi

http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/rural-canterbury-s-yogi-in-demand-video-4807648

 

Enjoy this fantastic interview with one of my teachers – Donna Farhi of Canterbury, New Zealand. I have been deeply influenced by her teachings and have been so grateful to get to know her as an assistant when she’s come to the US to tour. She is committed to her practice and teaching in a way that inspires me to continue to grow.

Namaste,

Cheri

Thanks!

Special thanks to all members of TEAM EVOLVE from the Shamrock Shuffle last week. You made my day, and we won as the largest team in attendance for this local fun run. NICE WORK everyone! See you next year!

Also, a quick reminder to practice on your own this week as we observe Spring Break. Enjoy extra time with your family and active time with friends. Namaste.

See you next week!

Cheri