Yoga or Running? | Mission: New Joshua

I’ve been thinking a lot about this whole Mission: New Joshua thing.  And I realized that I didn’t really think about or include anything that will make me healthier.

I know that cooking at home instead of eating take out all the time should help in theory.  But even though there will be lots of veggies in my diet it won’t always be the healthiest.

So in addition to the steps that I wrote about before I’ve been thinking (and tweeting) about either starting to do some yoga or some running.

I have never, with the exception of some Wii Fit, done yoga.  I am an absolute beginner.  I’m sure that I would/ will embarrass myself on my mat in front of the class.  But perhaps it would be worth it.

I’m not the most limber dude anymore.  I’ve got some knee issues and I’d like to be able to walk pain free and bend a little bit more as the years pass on.  And I hear that yoga is a good way to help retain and improve that kind of mobility.  It would also be something that I could schedule and know that I had to go to and be a part of.  That means the little part of my brain that likes to know what’s going on would be satisfied.  And as my buddy @sboulton said on Twitter last night (and I paraphrase) you can meet girls there too.

Side note: Part of me really wants to get some of those awesome yoga pants.  I think I’d look great in some Lululemons.  True story.

I know that it sounds like I’ve got myself talked into this whole yoga thing.  But wait, there’s another option.

I used to be a runner.  So I’ve thought about taking that up again.  With some good shoes and a new knee brace I’m sure that I could do it without hurting myself.  I could do it whenever I wanted or have time (which is a plus and a minus).  I could stay in my neighbourhood and gradually go for longer runs as I get back into it.  And I’ve even had an offer from a friend in the area to run at the lake shore.

However, it has been a long time and at the present time there are days when I wake up and my left knee aches first thing in the morning.  I also wouldn’t have an excuse to go out and buy new pants.  I could just wear the under armour style mandex (spandex for men) or my red one piece long johns under some shorts and get my run on even when the temperature drops a bit.  But there will be days when it’s just too cold for my desire for fitness to win the internal argument.  I know it’ll happen.  You don’t need to judge me about it.

Side note: The red one piece long johns were purchased as fall/winter running attire in 2002.

So I have a decision to make I guess.  Do I find a local(ish) yoga studio with an uber-beginner class that I can get into once a week or so.  Or, do I strap on some runners and pound the pavement little by little while I build up my stamina and get back to what I once was.

I’m open to suggestions, advice, yoga studio recommendations and offers of classes (wink wink) or whatever else you may have to say.

Let me hear you internet.

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Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.