Stressed to Super

on February 7, 2011

Earlier today, I felt like this:

I am in the HOME STRETCH of finishing the first draft of my second book (based on the Operation Beautiful website and geared toward tween and teen girls). I am hard-copy editing right now and writing the conclusion!

It is stressful, but exciting and fun.

Globs of white bean and basil hummus from Traderâ€™e Joe with leftover Super Bowl party chips powered me through:

And you know what else got me through?

The promise of yoga.

Lately, Iâ€™ve been viewing yoga as a chore â€“ which is so, so wrong! Yoga is a gift I give myself. When Iâ€™m busy, thatâ€™s all the MORE reason to go to yoga. I went to a small (only 5 people in the room!) power mixed class at Y2Yoga and itâ€¦ wasâ€¦ glorious. The teacher even gave me a scalp massage during the final pose. :)

I went from feeling stressed out and crazy to calm and relaxed. I tackled this eveningâ€™s project with a big SMILE on my face as a result.

The spring season of Girls on the Run starts tomorrow. The Husband and I are coaching a group of 14 girls (aged 8 â€“ 11) over 12 weeks, twice a week. At the end of the season, theyâ€™ll run a 5K. But GOTR is really about helping the girls form healthy habits, both physically AND mentally.

GOTR is super organized and gives you everything you need to be a coach (learn more here). Anyone could run a successful program with all the tools they provide, even if youâ€™re nervous. You also donâ€™t have to be a runner to do GOTR. Itâ€™s great fun and very relaxed. We just had to sort everything out and pre-read the lesson plan.

Some â€œextraâ€ things I am bringing: a Post-It pad so I can write the receiver of the daily â€œEnergy Awardâ€ a positive message to take home. Oh, and a camera to shoot first-day pictures!

And a horn. Weâ€™re going to need it.

Dinner was an awesome mix of black wild rice, roasted broccoli, and corn/black bean/onion salsa that was leftover from the party. I smothered everything in creamy balsamicâ€¦ so good.

Went back for seconds!

I am absolutely beat, and tomorrow is going to be a BIG day!

Have a lovely evening. 🙂

{ 70 comments }

Rachel @ Fit Fun and Fabulous February 7, 2011, 11:11 pm
I love when the instructors help guide you further into a pose, or massage your scalp, or anything like that. Some people don’t like strangers coming into their personal space like that but I LOVE it. The prospect of a mini-massage in is seriously one of the reasons I love to go to class.
- Katherine: Unemployed February 8, 2011, 6:57 am
  I think I would be so uncomfortable if an instructor massaged my scalp! I get the heebie-geebies when I get my hair cut and they give me a massage first haha
  - M February 8, 2011, 7:59 am
    Yeah I don’t like it when I get physical adjustments hands on in bot yoga-I appreciate what they are trying t do but all I can think is how sweaty and stinky I am in the heat (hot yoga) and it takes me out of my yoga focused state into a selfconscious awkward state!
    I would hate a scalp maasage in yoga-that would be too much in my oersonal space as well, but glad you enjoyed it 😉
- Caitlin @ The Caitie Experiment February 8, 2011, 8:24 am
  I love it now, but the first time an instructor came and sat on my back during pigeon, I apparently forgot I was in a vinyasa class rather than kickboxing, because I came dangerously close to rolling over and squishing her out of self-defense. 🙂
  - Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good February 8, 2011, 9:46 am
    I think I would be okay with an instructor touching me to help me with the pose, but I also think I would find it creepy to be massaged. Then again, I have never gone for a professional massage either.
Katy (The Singing Runner) February 7, 2011, 11:12 pm
Have fun with the girls! I never heard back about my application. 🙁 But I’m going to try again in the fall! 🙂
- Katy (The Singing Runner) February 7, 2011, 11:35 pm
  Haha, just as I wrote that comment, I checked my e-mail and got a coaching job offer! 🙂 Funny how that works. 😉
  - Caitlin February 8, 2011, 8:38 am
    hahah i love it – i hope you can get involved!
christine February 7, 2011, 11:13 pm
How exciting! When do you anticipate your book will be available to purchase?
Kiran February 7, 2011, 11:15 pm
Good luck with your book! Hang in there buddy, you are amazing! 🙂
Emily February 7, 2011, 11:20 pm
Is Y2 power mixed challenging? Ive only been to hot…i dont know why power mixed sounds so intimidating to me!
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 8:39 am
  Nope it’s pretty easy – it’s a level below hot vinyasa.
Amanda (Eating Up) February 7, 2011, 11:23 pm
Good luck tomorrow! Hope the Husband and you have fun!
Amanda @ The Artsy Kitchen February 7, 2011, 11:24 pm
I am the same way about yoga, I forget that it’s a gift, and I forget how amazing it is when I’ve gone to long without doing it.

I LOVE that TJ’s hummus!!
JenATX February 7, 2011, 11:24 pm
Energy awards go a long way. I used to give them out when I taught dance clinics 🙂
Maren February 7, 2011, 11:26 pm
I was so confused about your title until I read your post 🙂 Glad yoga helped you out! Isn’t it amazing? I have already told myself I WILL get up and do yoga at home. I am so incredibly sore, but I know it will make me feel better! 🙂 Good luck at GOTR tomorrow!
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 8:39 am
  I am so sore today, too!
Ashley February 7, 2011, 11:27 pm
I’ve only taken one style of yoga but I really want to try others, because I wasn’t a big fan of the one I started with. I’m glad you’re feeling better, and the book’s almost done!
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks February 7, 2011, 11:33 pm
You don’t have to be a runner to do GOTR? Really? I thought it sounded like a really great program…something I could see myself giving time to. Thing is, although I sort of run, I have a hard time finishing a 5K myself on occasion, so I was worried about my ability to teach kids how to do it! 😛

But the idea of being an asst. coach sounded fun!
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 8:40 am
  Nope you can walk/run with the girls and learn to do the 5K with them. The slower ones will take 45 minutes or more to run the 5K, which most adults can handle after 12 weeks of training!!
  - Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good February 8, 2011, 9:48 am
    That’s pretty great! I find myself learning all kinds of things along with my kids, and it’s a lot of fun. 🙂
  - Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks February 8, 2011, 10:49 am
    Oh wow! That’s neat! I already can do a 5K faster than that…even on a bad day. Maybe next season! 🙂
Jess@atasteofconfidence February 7, 2011, 11:33 pm
Good luck with tomorrow, and with the rest of the book!
courtney @ the granola chronicles February 7, 2011, 11:35 pm
That scalp massage sounds absolutely divine!
I’m excited to hear how the first GOTR session goes for you and your husband!
Leah @ Why Deprive? February 7, 2011, 11:36 pm
Oh my goodness, a scalp massage? Thats just amazing.
annette February 7, 2011, 11:53 pm
You’re right….yoga is a GIFT to the body. Thanks for that idea- and that massage doesn’t sound that bad either 😉 Glad you finished off the night with a smile slapped on! You can do this! And I LOVE your enthusiasm for GOTR, so cool. I am so considering doing this- I will look into it for next year, fo sho!
Mo February 8, 2011, 12:09 am
Your dinner looks tasty. Did you make the creamy balsamic or buy it? If you made it, how did you do it?
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 8:40 am
  Bought it
Jessica @ The Virtual Scrapbook February 8, 2011, 12:36 am
Woohoo – you rock, lady! Good job on the book – I can’t wait until it’s out!! I was a mentor with GOTR but I’d love to look into coaching – so awesome!
Joanna @ Drizzle of Sunshine February 8, 2011, 12:51 am
You’re awesome!! You can do it! Can’t wait until your next book comes out!!
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 8:41 am
  Thank you so much Joanna 🙂
k February 8, 2011, 12:53 am
Frequent reader but new to comment! I’m going to be a running buddy w/GOTR this season, which for us has a few more wks before we get going, and love seeing your posts about your experiences with it! Such a great organization!!
Good luck as you continue to finalize your second book!! So awesome!
Take care : )
-K
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 8:41 am
  Yay! Running buddies have so much fun!
maria @ Chasing the Now February 8, 2011, 1:48 am
I understand completely what you mean about feeling stressed lately!
Orla February 8, 2011, 4:33 am
I love that you have 6 pens in the side of the bag. I am a stationary hoarder. if someone asks whether anyone has a pen I can, within seconds, pull out at least 5 – and give options – felt tip, ball point, roller ball, red, purple, pink and a highlighter just for good measure! Hope your first day as coach goes great!
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 9:20 am
  You can never have too many pens!
Little Bookworm February 8, 2011, 5:04 am
Good luck for tomorrow!
Lauren February 8, 2011, 6:53 am
I feel the same way about Yoga sometimes. It’s offered at the gym every sat morning after my cardio class and I ALWAYS have to talk myself into staying for it. Every single time, I am so thankful I do stay.
Haleigh February 8, 2011, 7:04 am
I’m glad that you enjoyed yoga class! I feel the same way sometimes regarding yoga as a chore, until I go to class and remember why I made it a priority in the first place!
Marie-JourneytoBodyZen February 8, 2011, 7:05 am
I’m trying to do more yoga too. I think the stumbling block of me is that it is time consuming. I like to at least do it for an hour and sometimes an hour is hard to find :)!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) February 8, 2011, 7:17 am
Good luck with your book! I can’t imagine how thrilled you must be. 😀 Looking forward to reading it!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey February 8, 2011, 7:32 am
I LOVE head massages – whenever my mom cuts my hair, I request an extra long scalp massage.

Good luck finishing everything up!
Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete February 8, 2011, 7:36 am
A head massage sounds amazing. I love getting my hair cut — someone else washing my hair and combing my hair is such a great feeling!

I love that yoga is so tough and yet it relaxes me so much. I especially like it when I feel crazy muscles the next day — muscles I never feel any other day!
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy February 8, 2011, 7:41 am
I would love to be a part of a small yoga class like that. I hate crowded classes!
Stacey February 8, 2011, 7:44 am
Hey Caitlin,

I just came across this article and thought you might be interested to read, This guy ran 365 marathons in 365 days! WTF!

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/02/07/the-marathon-man-365-marathons-in-365-days-for-asthma-sufferer/
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 9:20 am
  That is cra-azy! I can’t do anything for 365 days except sleep 🙂 and eat.
Gill (snaxandthecity) February 8, 2011, 7:44 am
wow finishing the book! how exciting to be so close to publication! good luck with GOTR tomorrow 🙂
Amanda-The Nutritionist Reviews February 8, 2011, 7:52 am
White bean and basil hummus sounds awesome!
M February 8, 2011, 8:01 am
Caitlin I always though books took at least a year to write-this sounds like such a short period to write with a rushed deadline.
Do you feel this book is kind of being forced out of you with such a dash? I didn’t relaize books were written in such a hurry!
Best wishes with it and hope you are very pleased with your final accomplishment-happy writing!
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 9:21 am
  It depends on the type of book but yes, the two OB books were definitely rushed! That’s OK though – I’d rather be rushed than never.
  
  Fiction or really research intense non-fiction takes longer
Kristyn February 8, 2011, 8:01 am
True story…Charlotte rulez. Holla! haha. Good luck at your first GOTR with your husband! I cannot WAIT to hear how it goes. I’m so jealous you get to start a month earlier! It’s pretty disgusting up here in dirty Jerz so it would be pointless to start this early anyways.
Those girls are going to love you two!
Baking 'n' Books February 8, 2011, 8:13 am
Is there a specific time of day you go to or do yoga? Do you run on those days?
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 9:21 am
  not usually!
Kara February 8, 2011, 8:24 am
I have such a hard time taking that peaceful yoga feeling home with me. Usually by the time I get home and see piles of dirty dishes and bottles to be washed, I lose that “zen” feeling. I’m glad you’re able to hold on to it longer 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat February 8, 2011, 8:30 am
I also got my bod to yoga yesterday and it wasn’t really that great of a class but it DID achieve the goal of calming my head down. I’m glad you are feeling better, and I hope today is SUPER too!
Stacy @ Every Little Thing February 8, 2011, 8:37 am
Wow, we don’t start GOTR until March 1!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday February 8, 2011, 9:02 am
What is the horn for?
Parita@myinnershakti February 8, 2011, 9:06 am
Yoga is AWESOME! I love how I feel immediately afterward and when I wake up the next morning. ZEN!
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans February 8, 2011, 9:11 am
That black bean salsa sounds delicious! Do you have a recipe for it?
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 9:22 am
  I think it’s just canned black beans, diced tomatoes, drained corn, and onions, all combined.
Ali @ Ali Runs February 8, 2011, 9:35 am
So glad yoga helped you out! I’ve been really stressed lately and just bought the book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: It’s All Small Stuff” and it has really helped me put things in perspective. I highly recommend it 🙂
LIz February 8, 2011, 10:14 am
I only recently had TJ’s hummus (the regular, not the white bean) and it blew my mind! I still make my own to save on packaging and cost, but damn, that hummus is good.

Glad you made it to yoga – I find that it always helps me too!
Amber K February 8, 2011, 10:54 am
That dinner looks delicious!!
LauraJayne February 8, 2011, 11:41 am
I LOVE the extra GOTR coaching tips. I am head coaching for the first time this year (either as a HC or AC) and I am super excited, but a little nervous too! I want to make sure that this is the BEST experience for the girls! Keep posting updates and tips – our spring program doesn’t start for a couple of week (we have our training this weekend).
- Caitlin February 8, 2011, 11:44 am
  I will def continue to post tips!! good luck with coaching!
Lacey @ Lake Life February 8, 2011, 11:51 am
Great idea to think of a work-out as a reward! We all need to find a work-out that we look forward to. Mine is Zumba 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin February 8, 2011, 12:31 pm
Yoga really is the best way to de-stress! Good luck finishing up your book Caitlin! 🙂
Clare @ Fitting It All In February 8, 2011, 12:32 pm
So excited to read the book when it comes out! And I need to find a yoga class that involves scalp massages…sounds like such a great stress reliever.
Michelle February 8, 2011, 3:07 pm
I contacted GOTR as it fits so well with my vision- however at this point they are not accepting out of US applications. But- that being said I am still working with fabulous women and men teaching them to run at our local Runners’ Edge store. YEAH!
Allison @ Happy Tales February 8, 2011, 3:19 pm
Yayyyy so glad your coaching is starting up! Have you ever thought about taking James and Maggie? I bet the girls would love ’em…

Previous post: Getting Healthy: How to Get Started

Next post: Birthdays Galore