Soul Magnetism

I took my first intentional (kind of) rest day on Monday [and was a semi GMF (grumpy mother fucker)]. The time before being months prior, and forced on me via a car & bike accident. It reminded me of how important rest is.

My body’s been communicating with me via niggles and I really don’t feel like ignoring them such that I’m forced to abide by a scream.

Listen to the whispers

So my “fasted” morning 4am ride is feeling super ick: everything from how I plan my day around it to the way my body’s feeling are “ick”. It’s not helping me get my period back (RED-S), but I do understand that it’s helping parts of me feel subdued (this is why therapy is important).

So a small shift today, after waking up hungry, was to cut 10 mins and add them to the post-breakfast ride. And that ride always feel like I’ve got more power and strength.

Power and strength. Those feel like good shit.

So the difference in this experience is that I recognized in my body that there was feeling guiding me: from ick, to power and strength.

Gym Shower Soap ≠ Shampoo

Fact.

Q: How can you tell if you’re really hungry?

Dry chicken breast tastes yum.

Clusterfuck of Feels

Dissociative coping via numbing: exercise training & underrecovery 👉🏻 rib spasm 👉🏻 pain-avoidance by eating less & training more 👉🏻 knee pain now.

When. The. Body. Says. (Fucking) NO.

First rest day in months- since the last time my rib went out because of the exact same cycle as above.

Woke up at my regular 4am, put in non-biking clothes, drank warm water then coffee then headlamp-walked an hour.

Physio later.

Appropriate song for now: https://youtu.be/RgEiuBYUoBY

“Jump to the Recipe” pop-up hack

Because “jump to the recipe” is false, I discovered a much better option: click on the “print recipe” option instead. It bypasses the rude ads and goes straight to the goods. (You are welcome)

Reason #1 that Autumn is Great:

Fallen maple 🍁 make the best trail toilet paper: Fact.

Thinking (*feeling) before I speak

Something I’m working on: “being” “embodied” before I respond. OM (but really, tho).

*Note: I acknowledge that this isn’t always possible, and that is something that makes it v powerful and important. (IMHO)

“What is ‘Effort’?”

This is so absolutely phenomenal (only 1:30 mins)

“True North”: the inner compass inside that fucking ALWAYS knows ease.

What I’m interested in lately:

Here’s a compilation of some things catching my attention lately:

1. Nasal breathing and training and Life:

• https://medium.com/better-humans/i-used-nasal-breathing-to-become-a-better-athlete-b1693d53fc3d
• https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/triathlete-training-podcast-triathlon-ironman-duathlon/id640768905?i=1000152942018

2. Gray Cook and Functional Movement Screening:

• https://www.youtube.com/c/FMStv
• https://youtu.be/H9vcGxRv5yA

“Make it challenging, not difficult.

Reflex-stability: distraction and compression for hips and shoulders are probably going to give you more reflex stabilization then rehearsing reps with the stabilizer muscles, because they’re going to send out a global signal for alignment and integrity.”

3. CPTSD & Psychotherapist Pete Walker:

• http://www.pete-walker.com/therapistHeal.htm
• https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/complex-ptsd-and-developmental-trauma/id1120885936?i=1000489632688

4. Lawrence Van Lingen: chiro & natural movement & breath cool dude runner Ironman works with Rinny Carfrae & Ryan Sandes ✊🏻

• The “penguin” exercise for stacking shoulders over hips & hips over feet: https://youtu.be/74a17Ou_jb0

5. Craig Liebenson and First Principles of Movement:

• https://firstprinciplesofmovement.com/about/
• https://www.youtube.com/c/FirstPrinciplesofMovement

Slow Shifts

I begin by entertaining the idea of change. Slowly “pendulating” between the safety inside the formed coping mechanism, and where I want to be.

A concrete example for me is switching my fasted AM bike to not fasted. Maybe later in the day.

I start by just observing and scanning in my body what feelings arise as I consider the switch. And then I back off and remember I am not actually doing it yet, and return to where I know I can do my fasted ride. And then I repeat, “pendulating” again.

Step uno.