Same’ol Same’ol you know. I headed out at about 6:00 AM and went around the park a couple of times. I felt pretty good this morning with a bit more energy than usual, and perhaps that has something to do with the two slices of bread (for carbs) that I had not too long before heading out.

Maybe, maybe not, but I did feel better this morning than I normally do. Sore certainly, but more energetic over all.

One of my exercise goals is to be able to do the splits, and as a part of that goal I am stretching when I arrive home from the jog. For one stretch I place a leg onto the back porch (at about hip level) and stretch it out to the side while sort of leaning down onto it.

A second stretch that I do is effectively trying to do the splits; I go down as far as I can and maintain it for about 20 to 25 seconds, and each time I do this I try to spread my legs a bit further apart. The problem with this stretch is that it can be hard as hell to get back up! Heh heh.

Of course, I also put my feet together and try to touch the ground with my palms. I actually do this one at the start of my jog as well (after walking a short distance).

The reason that I am wanting to be able to do a full split is because I’m enrolled in karate classes for this Fall. I want to be able to do the splits by the time that they begin, or as close to a full split as I can. It’s my hope that having such limberness in my legs & hips will prevent (any further) injury to my hip, which I have had the nasty habit of over-extending during physical activities in the past.

It’s my working theory. Maybe it’ll work, maybe it won’t, but it seems to make perfect sense at the moment.

This morning’s humbling moment: Other joggers who were able to keep up with their dog and maintain that pace for three times as long as I am currently able to jog. Two such joggers were doing so while holding a bloody conversation.. sheesh. T_T

edit: I forgot to mention that I also done some ab crunches this morning.

~Steph

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