Walkers take heart!

Not all of us are runners. Some of us prefer the steady beat of a brisk walk to the pulsating rhythm of a run! And then we wonder.....are we getting the same benefit as runners? Are we burning the same amount of calories? Should we be running?

The answer - thank goodness - is No, thank to this study.

Darshana - thank you for passing on tis article!

Keep walking ladies! 

Thursday's Training Tips - Yoga postures for runners

We thought that on Thursdays we could write posts on training tips. Unless there is something more important to share.....

We all know the importance of stretching before a run, the importance of staying hydrated, eating right and so on. For those of us who get our kicks out of yoga - no pun intended - here are three fabulous poses that will open up your hips, hamstrings and torso and keep you limber and loose and ready to rock and roll on D-day! Yoga not only helps you relax tight muscles, but can also calm anxious and overstressed minds

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Pigeon) - Hip Opener

Start in Downward Dog. Lift your right leg up and sweep it through to your mat, folding it and placing it on the mat. Keep your right foot flexed to protect the knee. Your left leg is straight behind you with the toes pointed. Keep your hips square and level, with the left hipbone pressing toward your right foot. Inhale and press your hands into the mat, getting as much length in the spine as possible.

Exhale as you walk your hands forward on the mat, coming out to your edge. This might be on the elbows, with the arms extended all the way out or right where you started. Hold this pose for one minute. Remember to breath! Switch sides.

Revolved Crescent Lunge

This pose is a rotation of the spine combined with an intense hip flexor stretch on the straight leg and a deep stretch of the outer hip of the bent leg.

Stand in Mountain pose with your feet together. Lunge your right foot forward and make sure that your right knee is directly over your right ankle so that your right shin is perpendicular to the ground. Balancing on the ball of the left foot, press the left leg straight. Draw your hands together at your heart, twist from the waist and hook the left triceps on the outside of your right thigh, rotating to gaze up over your right shoulder. Make sure to keep your spine long and chest lifted off of our thigh. Keep pressing the palms together. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on other side.

Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch or Pyramid) - Hamstring opener

This pose is excellent for opening up tight hamstrings, the illiotibial bands and promotes balance. 

Stand in Mountain pose with your feet together. Step your left foot back about three feet and angle the back foot out slightly. Keep both hips facing front, squaring the hips. Draw your hands behind your back, bending the arms and clasping the elbows. Inhale as you look up, opening the chest, exhale, hinging from the hips, keeping your spine long as you fold forward over your straight right leg. To modify, slightly bend the front leg, working toward straight. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on second side.

If none of this works for you, grab a bottle of your favorite wine and do this! 

Happy Thursday all! All information via this. 

We are now at 54 Team Members - Thanks to Sarika Bodas, Preeti Malhotra and Udita Arkalgud for joining the team.  Sarika - thanks for your donation and just know I am following up with Komen folks to ensure it shows on the Team Site.

Pink Panters hope you like the Blog. Sending a BIG shout out to Kamini for setting it up. Thanks so much for starting the blog Kamini! We will work on adding names of all our team members and build this blog out some more with a goal to providing health tips, training tips and tips to embrace life true to the spirit of this RACE. We have so much talent on this team - come forward if you would like to share yours!

I've got a slogan for our team WALK..RUN..THINK..PINK! Open to other suggestions as well so please post your suggestions!  Have a blast at Rihana if you're going there tonight! Alka

So here is what we know.....

The timing for the walk has been changed. It will now begin at the crack of dawn at 6am! Yes, you read right, 6am!

NOT

On the 1st of April we all got this e mail from Darshana.

Hi girls,
just received an email for Komen - there is some parade around Seattle on the 2nd of June that they need to clear the area for which is making them change timings on the walk/run events. They are planning the walk around 6 am at this time.Just wanted to keep everybody informed as this is a little earlier than we planned but i guess our enthusiasm will still get us there...Darshana

It took some clever sleuthing on the part of Anushri to figure out it was an April Fools joke! Thank Goodness, many of us (including me...sssshhhhh) got their panties into a bunch after reading that! 

Anyway to recap so far:

1)      Mona will come up with T-Shirt design and Priya will send a link to Mona for the online order:

a.      Pink T-Shirts – Mona to take the Pink Panter logo and customize. Also to include the words Pink Panter on our T-shirts!

b.      Black pants – whatever you see best

c.      Possibly Middle Eastern Belly Dancer Hip Scarves – Anushri to share the link

d.      Visors – there was follow up conversation and some folks prefer not to wear visors since they cause headaches – so please consider Hot Pink Sunglasses, I’ve seen some really great blinged glasses so if any of you has a suggestion please send on this thread!

e.      Cost for T-shirts – Mona and Priya to send

f.       NOTE: Be sure of your T-shirt size – cannot change later

2)      Taran to share ideas on jingles – since we want to be stars on KOMO 4 news.
3)      Other ideas – Dholki to come along with us (Mona let us know what you find).

As things get decided and voted on, we will update you all via this blog! 

Our first get together!

The Pink Panters had their first gathering on the 31st of March at Alka's house. We could not have asked for a more picture perfect day! The skies were crystal clear and blue, temps in the high 60's and as if by some divine intervention - all the gorgeous cherry and plum blossoms were in full bloom, showing their support in all their spectacular pinkness!

We came decked in pink. Pink T-shirts, sparkly tops, silky halters, linen shirts - every possible shade and hue of pink....rose, coral, salmon, fuchsia - and congregated at Alka's beautiful home for some great food, fun and games. There was chatter, a lot of squealing and screaming, a lot of introductions and a whole lotta planning. Alka played the gracious hostess, Darshana played well.....Darshana! 

There was delicious food and decadent dessert! 

There was enthusiasm and energy all around like you would not believe!

Ideas for team apparel got tossed around. Pink bras got vetoed, pink spandex tights got nixed, even this below was a suggestion from Priya....... that got axed! What does she have on her feet anyway? 

There were games and prizes to be handed out. Our raffle winners were - Seema Bharati and Sujatha Khangaonkar!

It was a fabulous gathering of women. I myself met many, or I should say most of them, for the first time, and even though I left before it wrapped up, I came away feeling that infectious energy and enthusiasm, as I am sure many others did.

Here is the link to all the pics! 

GO PINK PANTERS! WE"VE ONLY JUST BEGUN! 

Introduction - Who are the Pink Panters?

We're a group of fun loving women with a serious side to us! We're young girls and ladies combined, we live in Seattle and its suburbs and we have all come together to show our collective support for Breast Cancer! Specifically, we are taking part in the Susan G Komen 5k Race for the Cure walk/run in early June.

In each of our lifetimes, Breast Cancer will affect us, or someone very dear to us in one way or another. 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. And while plenty is being done, we have to do more. Since 1982 the Susan G. Komen Foundation has played a critical role in the fight for a cure. 

Our team is captained by Alka, who is sitting right behind the cake in the pic below. This is us, 50 strong, and growing every day!