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Training & Floating... Whaaatt?...

2/15/2018

I know your thinking "that is some title you got there, what the heck are you up to now lady"? I am still training and added in this new floating stuff. No I haven't fallen off the turnip truck yet... really I am completely sober and of sound mind when I decided to try it. lol

I can actually say Training is still going well. Have had a few ups and downs but overall it's going really well. I know I am in just as much shock as you all. I have a training schedule I made and am sticking close to it and modifying it as I go depending on how the body is feeling. The whole key to all of this is the part of ME listening to my body... like actually listening to it and changing things to fit the needs of what and how my body is feeling. Also been working hard on eating healthier and making smarter choices. I am seeing changes too along with how the workouts go and how I am feeling. So I am pretty stubborn and I have been told lots of amazing advice along the way but you know I am finally getting it. But I needed to find my way and figure out what will work with me. It's all a trial by error process... you have good tries and other ones just don't work. I'ts a process to find what works with your body. I am still changing things and trying along the way. Haven't found the magic formula yet but getting closer. Asthma has been really great too and hasn't been bothering a ton. It still tried to flare up during Spin class once and awhile but overall things are great there too.

So this training thing.... I am adding weightlifting once a week but thinking of increasing it to twice. I am running 2-3 days a week, I am spinning once a week and doing Hot Yoga as well. Also just tried a float at Float Life and gotta say... it was bloody amazing! So I know your all dying to know WHAT IS FLOATING?? Well Floating is....

It Involves floating in a pod or room in my case that is designed for short term sensory deprivation. It is usually done within a large tank of super saturated magnesium water that makes you completely buoyant.

Float tanks are also called Isolation tanks or sensory deprivation tanks. While they sound like something out of a old school war movie, they have been used and are gaining popularity among elite athletes, people who struggle with various health problems and stress.

You can float anywhere from 60 to 90 min sessions depending on the place you go, you are in body temperature water that you can control the lights and sounds in my case. You can choose your music before the start of your float.

So now I know your thinking to yourself "well why would I want to do something like this that sounds a little crazy and far fetched"? Well let me tell you the benefits of it...

People have used floating to help with:

Stress Reduction
Pain Relief
Anxiety Relief
Sports Recovery
Reduce headaches
more restful Sleep
learn to meditate
promote relaxation

So the benefits of the magnesium (Epsom Salt) is that when you are floating in a tank like that your body is able to absorb the benefits of it very easily. Magnesium is known to help balance calcium levels in the body, balance hormones, reduce stress, reduce the rick of cancer, normalize blood pressure and reduce other diseases and much more. You float very effortlessly due to the Epsom Salts.

So here is what floating did for me (warning this may sound like it's coming from a crazy person lol)...

So we arrived at Float Life in Marda Loop, we were greeted in a calm, relaxed, and quiet atmosphere. We paid and were taken to a nice relaxing lounge were we waited to get a tour of the place. We were taken to a room where everything was explained to us. How to put the ear plugs in and how to work the light and sound controls. Also we had to use just soap to wash before and I gotta say the showers were awesome. We were in a room rather then a pod... later I was thankful for that as I am claustrophobic. The room was not large but bigger and taller and wasn't feeling so confined. You could have the lights on or off. I tried off once and had a panic attack... it truly freaked me out in every sense. I thought something was going to come in and grab me and I would never find the door and the light switch again. Maybe one day I will get there but for now I am good. I chose ocean sounds and for the first half I really liked it but afterwards wished I picked something else. There wasn't a ton of water in but enough to float in without touching the bottom. You literally could not sink in it... believe me I tried to put my fears at ease. Once I got in and started floating I could hear my breathing and that bothered me with the ear plugs a little but then I just got used to it and never really noticed it. I then zoned out and lost total track of time and wasn't sure if I slept or not but then opened my eyes when I felt my hand touch the edge of the float room. I was surprised to see I had rotated around and wasn't where I started. Then I started to act like a crazy person thinking that I was left in there and forgotten about and feeling like I had been in there forever. You totally loose track of time. After that mini panic feelings I settled back down and started to get back into it. When your float is over the music changes and that signals you to get out. Then you shower off with the soap and conditioner. They have a room with mirrors and a blow dryer. You can chill for a bit and have tea before you leave. Afterwards things that would normally set me off I was feeling more relaxed and so much calmer. My muscle soreness I had before going in was almost gone. The calm feelings lasted well into Tuesday and beyond. I was sleeping so much better as well. I want to go back for the 90 min one and now that I know what to expect I can calm down more and get into it more. But I highly recommend going to the bathroom before going into the room. Towards the end I felt like I had to pee really bad. Once I got out I was fine.

So ya that all happened and I am glad I finally tried it. Planning some epic hikes coming up soon as well as races start up again on March 10th when I tackle the 10km Snowshoe race in Lake Louise again. Then it's the X Warrior St. Patrick's Day virtual race and with my team, we are heading out and doing something different with it. So stay tuned. Going to be so much fun! If you are in Canada and want to take part even if you can't join us register today as it's almost sold out... Last I heard it's over 80% sold out... once it's done it's done!
Team Name is Stubborn Warriors.
Here is the link to register.... click here!

We are off to Banff next week to get away for a few days and to have some new adventures. I am really looking forward to the break and some time away. Time off over Christmas wasn't that exciting since we had -40 Celsius temps here and it was hard to go out and have some fun. We were cooped up at home and barely left the house.

Lots of things on the go, lots of changes but everything is moving along pretty good now. Just making sure I enjoy the journey along the way. Feeling extremely grateful and lucky!

Until Next Time...