your guide to everything under the moon, the Amber Moon, 7/29/24
How did it get to be almost August already? I know my summer has been busy, but gheez!
In June, I had my avg 7k steps/day goal. In July, it was to get in 2 walks per week. I managed that. August holds “starting to run” again – see Couch to 5k. I’m coaching it, and I’m also gonna DO it. It’s a virtual program that leads into my Taylor Track Time in September, and the GoodLife 5k in October.
It’s virtual, so that means you can join me from anywhere!
Walk or run, come on! Let’s have some fun.
First, though, I need some new shoes.
Blueberry Reads
If there were a magic pill that improves vitality, fertility, immune function, athletic performance and recovery, all while decreasing your risk of dementia, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity, just to name a few, would you take it?
What if I told you it existed, it was free, and readily available to everyone?
What if I told you it was 8-9 hours of sleep a night?
Would you do it? Would you choose to sleep this amount?
I finished Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. The beginning of the book was good, the final few chapters … inspiring… completely engaging… and brought it all together. I admit, it had a lot of science, referencing research regularly, and I love that stuff. These last few chapters exceeded my expectations.
We are a sleep deprived culture and it is so detrimental. I personally need 8-9 hours of sleep a night, and after my 15 hours of wakefulness my brain says “we’re shutting down….now”. Food sensitivities and menopause have affected my sleep, but as I get back to me, I’m sleeping better. I still have nights where I have a hard time falling asleep, although exhausted initially, and they are becoming fewer and farther between. As I return to me, I’m more active, I keep the phone & TV off before bed (it really works), I stick to my bedtime routine (including cat treats, which Allister will not let me forget!).
When you sleep the body actually goes in and clears out the plaque in the brain that is responsible for Alzheimer’s. During deep sleep, the brain actually shrinks so the wastes in between the cells can be cleared out. How cool is that?
Disturbed sleep tends to precede psychotic episodes. Sleep loss & mental illness are a 2-way street, and a neglected factor in the treatment of psychiatric illness. Creating controlled sleep can be beneficial.
Daylight savings (1 hour less of sleep in spring) increases risk of heart attacks by 33% that morning. The inverse is true in the fall. Auto accidents the morning after are similarly affected.
Sleep impaired driving can result in micro-naps: 2-10s where your brain just sleeps. No response from you is possible during this time. Driving in a sleep deprived/drowsy state? Don’t do it.
The World health organization has actually declared that shift work is hazardous to your health.
Don’t believe me. Read/listen to the book yourself. And train yourself to get by on 8 hours of sleep. And please note that sleep is just one factor, though apparently a big one, in these topics mentioned above.
Group activities for August
I’ve got Middle School cross country going thru 8/5. Masters swim finishes up on 8/1.
Cross country coaching starts 8/6.
A virtual couch to 5k starts 8/1, and leads into the Tues/Thurs track sessions in Sept.
In other words, I’ll have about a month of evenings off, before I start all over again! Who’s gonna join me?
Couch to 5k, virtually
**Ready to Transform Your Fitness? Join The New Couch to 5K Program!** 
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new Couch to 5K program! Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to get back into running, this program is perfect. 
What’s the Couch to 5K program? It’s a structured plan to help you go from someone new to running to a confident 5K runner in just a few weeks. 
With a mix of walking and running intervals, this program will gradually build your stamina and make running fun and achievable! Walkers will love this program too!
Why Join?
FREE Virtual Training for August. Track Training on Tuesdays & Thursdays in September for $5 per class. Discount entry into the Good Life 5K
Ready to take the leap and make fitness a part of your routine? 
Register here for the FREE Virtual Training in August!
Taylor & virtual updates
Openings are subject to change. These openings are a reflection of this exact moment in time.
- Tues, 8/6, 12n
- Thurs, 8/8, 1130a
- ***cross country starts 8/6, pickings might get slim***
- Fri, 8/9, 10a (30 or 45 min only)
- Tues, 8/13, 115p
- Not seeing something that works? Contact me!
Austin updates
Openings are subject to change. These openings are a reflection of this exact moment in time.
- Wed, 9/4, 1 & 215p
- Please ask to be put on the wait list if you’re wanting something earlier.
Thank you!
Brownie points: Can you correctly name all the cats in the “Blueberry reads” section?