"Mise en place"

“Everything in its place.”
Pronounced "meez on plas"

It is a chef’s term meaning everything from ingredients to preparation tools should be decided on before you start cooking.
I use this approach in preparing for a run. It is especially important nowadays!
We run with so many gadgets…Nothing worse than getting halfway down the street and discovering you've forgotten your earbuds and gloves. And... your Garmin battery is at %10.
So I attempt to keep everything in its own place along with their accessories - auxiliary items such as chargers and plug-in cables.

Equipment
Mp3 player, Garmin, chargers, plug-in cables are stored right beside my computer. That way I can quickly upload a podcast or add to a playlist at a whim.
[When I return I can easily upload my miles to my system as it recharges and I stretch!]

Clothes
I don’t plan the night before as the weather is so flippant around here. But one of the first sites I visit when I get up is Accuweather to view the temperature and scan the local Doppler for rain. Then I decide what to wear.
I do keep long sleeve, short sleeve running tops separated.
Running caps hang together on my weight rack. I can grab one before I head to the bathroom. The last stop before putting the runners on.
The Sunscreens are applied, lips, hands and face.
Almost ready…

Runners
Gloves and runners live side-by-side in the garage. Nearby is a handy step stool to sit on.
Ready set - Go!



Are all runners this organized?

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Stretch those Hamstrings

Downward Dog

I’ve added this pose to my post-run stretching routine after watching a clip on Yogamazing.

I have never practiced yoga but the Downward Dog looked easy enough to try. It stretches the neck and shoulder zone (where I carry all my tension), calves, lower back and really, really stretches the top of the hamstrings. This pose felt so good.
I’m not able to do it with straight legs (yet – maybe never). But it is still an effective stretch for the hopelessly inflexible.
You can watch Chaz do the full routine – "Yoga for Runners" Check Episode #144
Breathe…
O
Tips for the Hopelessly Inflexible

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Looking for Balance

I caught a few minutes of Martha Stewart yesterday. (I always have the TV on while I’m working in the kitchen.) One of her segments was on Yoga.
Martha and her yoga instructor did few rather quick stretching routines. What amazed me was the agility of her guest! She wasn’t a super thin or muscular woman - but she was incredibly flexible! (Wrapping leg behind head, etc...) All of her poses also displayed a skilled control over balance.
I run, bike, walk and lift weights. But what I really need to do is more exercises that promote balance, coordination and flexibility.
(I already tried Qigong but found it to S L O W = boring.)
Can you do a one-legged squat without falling over?



I’m looking for suggestions. Are there any videos or site material you can recommend? (When I Googled balance exercises, I got a lot of hits with senior workouts - no, no not yet...

Fresh ideas?
New Trends In Exercise
Workout on the swing set with Monkey Bar

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