The Ci-i-i-ircle of Li-i-i-fe!

(If the video does not display, please click the link below) 
The Lion King "The Circle of Life"


So I am out walking this morning and stop to post a picture of a heart-shaped leaf on Instagram. I am seeing so many heart-shapes all over and have taken to posting them again...

Out of nowhere a voice belted something that sounded like "The Ci-i-i-ircle of Li-i-i-fe!" at the top of his lungs. In zero to 2 seconds I was feet off the ground, every hair on my body standing on end!

When I turned to see who it was, a young man plugged into his phone politely said, "Oh! I'm sorry"

All I could do was laugh and wish him a good day as he waved in response, continuing his tune...

I ended up doubled over laughing to compose myself. Turning to get back on the path, a man around his 80s in Nike shorts and a green tank top fast-walked by catching my laughter and joining in.

I turned around a few minutes later, only to run into the man in the green tank who had just turned around too. As I read his shirt, I had to take another laugh break. All I remember was something "Undie Run" and the year!

I not only get a good cardio workout on my walk-runs, but my abs are getting tighter from the laughter at all the T-shirts!

This post is dedicated to my father who loves to laugh! He's one of my biggest blog fans - it's mutual dad, I got a lot of my writing acumen from you!! - and it takes me back to listening to him cackle at The Road Runner cartoons long ago. Keep laughing Dad! You bring so much joy to the world!!! I love you :-)

I-I-Ice B-B-Bath! Wahhhhh!

I recently added a regimen to my workout routine that was painful, but effective.

It's called an ice bath.

You have not lived until you try to sit in water that is 60 degrees F for two minutes. 

Optimum time is three minutes. The following graphic explains it all.

I had it all planned out. I did my usual run on a hot humid Houston morning, cooling down, then would try the ice bath.

I happened to be speaking to my first best friend since childhood on the phone, explaining what I was about to do. She "went with me" to McDonalds where I got ten lbs. of ice for $10, bargain! (In reality, it took two trips. Long story, but she was with me through the whole event.)

"I'm getting in!" I told Gina, "but stay on the phone...Arghhhh! I can't believe I'm doing this! Talk to me!"

I don't know what she said, because everything became other-worldly. The minute each body part hit the water, every vessel and gland constricted, including my tear ducts! I felt like crying but couldn't. I laughed! My body was now a popsicle!

Every 30 seconds felt like five minutes. I barely made the two-minute mark when I hopped out!

"Enough! I'm out of here!"

Then the most amazing thing happened a few minutes afterwards, just as promised. The blood rushed though my body and I began to feel great! In fact, I slept well, got up and had extra energy today.

When relaying the story to my aunt yesterday, she said she had never heard of ice baths until watching the US Open. I learned Novak Djokovic and Marton Fucsovics took an ice bath break. Then refreshed, went at it another two-and-a-half hours.

I recommend the ice bath, but only after doing your research and if it fits in with your personality and regimen. 

I am looking forward to my next one. I read they should be done at least one week apart. That's long enough to forget the pain and live in the gain, much like giving birth, so I hear.

This post is dedicated to all athletes paid and not, big and small, known and unknown doing what you can to care for your temple including challenging it to do the amazing so that you can live a longer, stronger more vibrant life!

Here's to the Polar Bears!