August 10, 2010

Tuesday was a great day starting with the Branch Pond 5.5 Miler as Jude and I went across 1A and down to the tracks. Goal was not to stop on the way back up and it was achieved. I was a little sore from Zumba the day before. Spent the full day at camp getting ready for GGN arrival. Late afternoon trip to town for a haircut with Marisa and then off to a Charity Zumba to cover medical bills for a young boy. We raised $500 and it was great fun. Jude may be hooked on Zumba as she showed up as well. Christina arrived at camp yesterday and it was great to see her!

Jumping ahead to this morning...started at 4:15 am by stepping on a dead mouse in the kitchen!! Thank goodness I had put on my sneakers before I headed west to Surry to see Ursula. The workout changed the predominant subject in my brain with an 800 meter run (warmup) and then 21-15-9 of squats and burpees! It was a great final session - I improved my time by 4 minutes!

August 9, 2010

Up at 5AM for my penulitmate personal training session with Ursula :) It took me 24 minutes to complete the workout which was slower than my past ones. This was a 400 meter run followed by squats and then rollups in the counts of 21-15-9 (45 each). I really need to work on my running cadence and she provided some helpful hints. Not quite sure what Wed AM will bring but I have really enjoyed this. Still wondering what the appropriate "tip" is for a personal trainer.

Highlight of the day was seeing the bald eagle on the lake swoop down and catch a fish in its talons and then land over on the rocks in front of Ann's cottage. It was the closest I've ever been to a bald eagle and he was huge and beautiful. (Only regret was no camera!)

2nd Highlight was having the cousins join me for Zumba at the Y ~ we all got a great workout and they said they may come again :) Dinner at Main Camp and the Moore's joined the party for a week's vacation. GGNrs arrive tomorrow!

Flanagans visit Ellsworth

<--click to view photos

Had a great visit with the Flanagan family at Camp George from Tuesday night through early Saturday morning. These are just a few of the 500 pictures we took in 3 days. A great time was had by all.

July 25, 2010

Fort Knox for a visit and we caught a civil war re-enactment. It was a gorgeous day and Kevin, Aunt Ann, Jude, Kathy and I took a drive over to Bucksport. We had hoped to attend the Bucksport Bay Festival but come to find out it was a one day festival and it was all closed up on Sunday! Regardless, we were able to see this at Fort Knox and then have a great drive in lunch on the way back to Ellsworth!

I'm going to try to slowly catch up with my vacation, as the past couple of weeks have been busy and fun!

July 23, 2010

<--Double click to see pictures
Echo Lake, Beech Trail and Somesville
I headed down to the Island after the Branch Pond 4 Miler with Kathy in search of a hike on a Fire Road near Southwest Harbor. Before I got there the sign for Echo Lake with the hiking icon had me turning into the parking lot where I found the Beech Trail and made it to the overlook. I spent probably an hour on the overlook reading To Kill a Mockingbird and thinking what a great place to read (the trail was pretty quiet.)

Back to Ellsworth with a stop in Somesville at the MDI Museum, Somesville Library and the Somesville Bridge. It was another perfect 10 day!...Still to come: Zumba and the Town Band Concert!

July 22, 2010

Personal Training Stretch and Workouts
Last week when I was done my stretching (consisting of squats, pushups and jumping rope) I thought I was done before we started that workout. Ursula remedied that at 5AM this morning with a lighter stretch followed by quite a workout.

I got choose from 5 repetitions of 10 each (50 exercises) versus 21-15-9 (45 by my count) and without even thinking I chose the 21-15-9 ~ not understanding that this was 21 squats, 21 burpees and then repeat 15 and 9. I did it all in just about 20 minutes. The goal is to exercise efficiently and let me tell you I was not efficient in the last set of 9 at all. Another workout easily portable to a hotel room near me.

Branch Pond 4 Miler
After an hours rest did the hike with my cousins to "the store" and it is a glorious day here at camp. I'm entertaining tonight my friends Susan and Jeff. I met Susan in Portand almost 30 years ago and when we get together its like we talked lasts week. First lobsters of the year on the grill for me.

July 21, 2010

Acadia National Park - North Ridge Trail to Cadillac Summit
Click on the photo above to see pictures from Cadillac Mountain this morning. I started out on the 4.4 Mile roundtrip hike to the summit and back on the North Trail, and didn't make it as I lost the trail at the road. Later drove to the top and a ranger told me what I did so I have to try it again. It was a billed as moderate but I would say strenuous trip, but a wonderful hike. At the end I drove down to Sand Beach to put my toes in the ocean which was great therapy after the hike.

Ship Harbor Nature Trail

I'm trying this link out so that you can see the pictures I took yesterday while on the Ship Harbor Nature Trail with Jude, Kathy and Sara (a cousin hike). What isn't pictured but was a highlight was a trip to the Bar Harbor Brewery afterwards for a Summer Ale :) I brought home a 6pack of the Blueberry Ale that I need to put on ice!

July 15, 2010

5.75M ~ 291.5
Peg made it up to camp and Jude, Peg and I went to the "tracks" during a drizzle on Wednesday. It was pouring in the early mornnig so we took what we thought was an open window and got started..never a full downpour but prayers each time a car came down the road that it wouldn't splash us.

Zumba at 5:30 and the class was packed again, same level of energy with a couple new songs/workouts (for me). The majority of the class are regulars so they know what to do once a new song starts.

First CrossFit Workout Completed
5AM this morning at Ursula's house and by 6AM I had completed my workout which after stretching and some squats consisted of running 400 meters then pushups, starting with 21, then 15 then 9. Total distance 0.75M and time of just over 20 minutes. We'll see how that improves. Arms are a bit tired today - but I shouldn't need them for the hike planned on MDI later today.

July 13, 2010

4.0M ~ 286.0
Summer had begun and walks on Branch Pond Road with the cousins are underway. Yesterday Jude and I made it down across the tracks (5) and today Peg joined us for the trip up to the store (4). This is one of the highlights of each day up here at "Camp." I'm fortunate enough to be here for an extended stay

Zumba
OMGosh! I went to Zumba class at the Y in Ellsworth on Monday night and it was fantastic!!! I joined the Y and will make this part of my routine this week on Mon/Wed/Fri. I sure wish it wasn't at 5:30PM as it cuts right into cocktails and dinner which also is another camp highlight.

Cross Fit Training
First day today with Ursula G - my personal trainer. A drive over to Toddy Pond in Surry to meet at her house and we did some orientation and then a workout. She says we will keep track, so I'll say that today I learned technique for squats, push ups, and lunges. Then she put me on an interval of 10 squats, 5 push ups and 3 lunges to do as many as I could in 20 minutes. I made it 10 minutes with 4 intervals. We'll see how that improves. Next up is a 5AM appointment with her on Thursday! Driving home reflected on the fact that I could do that workout in my hotel room without any equipment needed which would be good.

June 28, 2010

4.0M ~277.0M in 2010
Welcome to Sin City! I arrived here last night after a wonderful week at Red Mountain Spa. I'm at a different end of the strip due to free hotel points so I got to experience the Riviera (dead) and Circus Circus casino's last night! It was 112 degrees when we arrived yesterday afternoon from St. George! Today's my day to gamble and pay for my trip, and then back to the real world tomorrow.

I also started an exercise regimine proscribed by the RMS, and so I was focused on heart rate while exercising. I'm thinking it will be easier when I get my new heart rate monitor when I get home.

June 23, 2010

Today's hike was 3.5 miles on sandstone mountains in Snow Canyon State Park which you see above. I actually think we crested this peak (we did 4) on the hike. It was a bit more strenuous than yesterday's but really worth it for the views and effort. I felt the effects of altitude today more than any other day but lived within my water supply. Today was another good day with one "extra" thrown in:

• Metabolic Profile - really interesting results about the relationship between heart rate and the number of fat calories you burn versus muscle. They've given me a 12 week training program I'll start next week after I get a heart monitor.
• Explorer Hike to Sandstone Mountains in Snow Canyon
• Drums Alive - by far the "coolest" cardio so far (and loudest). Workout was accomplished by drumming on an exercise ball (4 around you) and groovin to the beat. A blast.
• Kickboxing - I think this is Cindy's favorite class (she taught Hip Hop yesterday). There were only 4 of us in the class and we got a great workout.
• Total Body Conditioning - Bosu ball comes back again with weights and figure 8's. It reminded me a bit of the strength training in my CRT class at home, but I was bushed after.
• Still trying to decide if I will attend "Herbs for Holistic Health" tonight at 8PM. Might choose to chill out by the pool instead.

I'll be interested to see what tomorrow brings. I think balletone might be the most unusual.

June 22, 2010

Today's Explorer Hike was "3 Mile Canyon" outside of the resort at a place maintained by the Interior Department. Highlights were hieroglyphics on the rocks ~ we saw many. It was an up/down course for 3.6 miles at a pretty good pace. I ran out of water on the trip back and lucky for me, Roger had an extra small bottle which was a lifesaver. At the end of each hike, they have mint scented "frozen" washclothes that are remarkable.

I continued on my journey of trying most everything and so here was my schedule today:

• 3 Mile Canyon Hike
• Morning Stretch ~ a must after hiking
• Off the Deep End ~ water aerobics that were pretty darn strenuous with these crazy gloves in the deep end of the pool.
• Lunch outside on the patio with mists of cool water to keep us refreshed (solo)
• Hip Hop ~ definitely instructed by a white woman and danced by the same. Fun.
• Power Pilates ~ there was a reason I've never tried these, like core but with planned movements. I will absolutely feel this tomorrow.
• Chiball Stretch -- a combination of Tai Chi and others that I have to say will be the first class I've had that I wouldn't recommend. (And its the stretch after the hike tomorrow :()
• Introduction to Energy Work - Lifestyle Enhancement Discussion (later tonight)
• Great community dinner where we set up our own bike ride for Thursday night after dinner when it might be a bit cooler.

Time to take 2 more Aleve's and go the lecture!

June 21, 2010

Monday was my first full day at the spa and this was taken on the "inward" path to the rocks for the Daily Meditation Hike at Snow Canyon National Park. Unfortunately my camera battery died right after this picture, but it was a great start to the day. I did my best to do as much as I could for the day and after this glorious hike I did the following:

• Total Stretch Class (great after the hike)
• Nia which is a free form cardio class that was a hoot
• Spring Training - cardio, kickbox and tabata. Let me tell you tabata is a killer - its a 4 minute interval with 20 seconds on and 10 second rest for 8 intervals. Sounds easy until you are using a weighted jump rope. What a killer (but great fun to).
• Core Conditioning - this one I really needed and would love to have it every day, but probably couldn't do it!

2 Aleve's later a great dinner at the community table with some of the same folks from last night and 3 new guests -- they seemed more focused on the relaxation attributes of the spa versus the exercise ones!

Red Mountain Resort & Spa

I arrived at the Red Mountain Spa at about 3PM MDT and spent the afternoon getting acclimated. I went to dinner at 7PM at the "Community Table" where I met lots of interesting and nice people (mostly women). All but 1 were first time visitors, several started today and some were midweek. They convinced me to "crash" the Spiral Group Walk with Bud Howard which makes its way down through the Red Mountain Spiral Labryinth. We started with meditation and then it was a bit like following the piper with his flute through a labryinth while meditating. I focused on the week ahead and how it was going to be good for me.

4.5M ~ 258.0M 2010

Sunday Morning out early for the Fairfax 4.5 Miles and it was a glorious morning outside before the heat of the day came. I was blessed with the company of the Manter Family from Maine who came for an overnight en route to Ocean City MD. We had a great time catching up and "touring" Wegmans and they headed out this afternoon. Packing tonight for the week at the Red Mountain Spa to start my sabbatical.

4.5M ~ 253.5M 2010

Fairfax 4.5 Miles completed again before 8AM this morning. Family responsibilities eliminated the ability to complete it last night as well but overall yesterday was a great day. Today promises to be interesting also...potential sale of my 2000 Volvo ~ I never realize how attached to cars I am until I sell them, but this one got pretty sick and the Volvo technician who is buying "her" can fix her up and she'll have many more miles on the road. Should also spend some time today going through my "checklist" for things to bring on my "adventure" vacation next week.

4.5M ~ 249.0 2010

What a great morning for my Fairfax 4.5! The humidity sure was there, but overall a great morning to get out and enjoy Fairfax. I saw a couple "regulars" running and hope soon to be running also, but I walked quickly with my ipod and had a good time. Got to walk by a freshly mowed lawn and the smell of freshly cut grass is something I haven't had the benefit of in a while and I enjoyed it. A good start to what will be a great day!

4.5M ~ 244.5M

I took the early evening to complete another Fairfax roundtrip while listening to some pretty inspiring stuff. This was a great start to making better choices with a better attitude. I'm thinking 9 miles a day heading into a Fitness Bootcamp might be a good thing.

4.5M / 240.0M (Guessitmate)

Wow! Now I know how bad I've been -- I'm pretty certain the count is something a bit higher, but I can get to 235 looking back a couple of weeks and counting in the miles clocked, so I'll go and shoot for 250 miles in a 1/2 year here by the end of June.

I did complete the Zooma - but a 10K instead of the 1/2 Marathon. It was 78 degrees and humid on Sunday morning and I just wasn't in shape to make the 13 miles. I finished the 10K with a time not even worth posting, and am now trying to get back at it.

The familiar Fairfax 4 Miler this morning and on Friday morning when the heat of the day has not made it to the city. Lots of runners out in the morning and it was a beautiful way to start the day. Trying to get in shape for a Fitness Camp Spa that I am attending next week in Utah. Those posts should be much more fun than this one.

Not sure how many times I've said this, but if I write things down and focus this journey can be done. Starting again today.