yoga

For anyone who hasn't tried yoga, I recommend it. If you're a member of the Y, there's probably a free class available, as there was at mine in Norman. When we get a little older, the body is less flexible and the muscles need to be lengthened, not just stretched, and yoga does this when you hold a pose about 30 seconds. The other benefit is that it gives you a time-structure. For about an hour once or twice a week, you know you will be getting beneficial exercise. It's also important to structure time to get that heart pumping in a cardio workout like running, or the elliptical trainer if you can't run. This weekend marks the 7th anniversary of my new life in fitness. I wasn't in bad shape before, just not in shape. On Memorial Day weekend in 2002 (I was 40), I started a walking and running routine with Team in Training. I cannot overemphasize the importance of a routine. It was important to get me going then and it keeps me at the level I'm at now. I just ran a 12-minute Personal Record at the Eugene Marathon and my sponsor Brooks is providing me a guaranteed entry to the Marine Corps Marathon this fall. This is one of the most popular marathons in the U.S., so it's hard to get an entry. There is no prize money, and most marathons attract the elites from around the world because they are professionals and need the prize money. This type of marathon is more fun for the rest of us. The Marines based at Quantico, Virginia man the course and do a great job. This will be my third time.