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.

April 27, 2010

3.2m // 213.9

This morning after clocking 13 minute miles I'm wondering what the opposite of Zoom is? Slug? I am still signed up for a 1/2 marathon the first weekend in June and taking a month off was not wise. According to the training calendar I should have clocked 5 miles today - but I was lucky to get the 5K in. We'll see how this upcoming weekend goes to get me back on track. Right now I'm committed to the Zooma, but not making any promises about timing - may need to walk quite a bit of it.

Unfortunately I traded in my running activities for eating activities so I've backtracked on that project, but today it starts again!

Tim Moore at 94.9 WHOM: The Danceman Hits 500 At Cornell

Tim Moore at 94.9 WHOM: The Danceman Hits 500 At Cornell

What a great tribute to my cousin Danceman from my other cousin Tim!

April 4, 2010

7.0M // 206.5 2010
It sure is true that if you stop running for 2 weeks its almost like starting all over! I went out to the W&O Trail in Sterling today around 11AM. If I said a glorious Easter Sunday it wouldn't even do it justice. The Cherry Blossoms on the Loudoun Parkway were spectacular -- I hope there are still more to be seen downtown next weekend for the CB10Miler a week from today. I needed to makes sure that even at this tortoise pace I could go the 10 miles next Sunday without getting kicked off the course. I'm pretty sure I can get the 1o miles done in 2:20. The neat thing about the trail was my turnaround at M27.5 was the start of where I ran my first 5 miles in March 2008 with Jude preparing for the RNR in San Diego. Lots of bikers out on the trail ~ makes me want to maybe take mine out next Saturday and give it a run. I will return there as it was a good course -- uphill on the way out and rolling on the way back. A very nice Easter Sunday!

March 22, 2010

3.2M Outside / 199.5 2010
Early morning run outside this morning on the Fairfax route right near home. How wonderful not to have any prep time before getting out and "going." Yesterday I went 4.5 miles around Burke Lake in the company of my sister, her daughter and 2 of the 4 dogs. The park was packed with folks outside getting in all kinds of activities. It was a beautiful day and nice to have some company. Finished up with an early dinner out where my nephew came too. Late leaving today to head back to Indiana

March 18, 2010

4.3M / 191.8M 2010
Rest after the 1/2 they always say, so I took them seriously. A quick 2.5 mile run on Siesta Key on Monday morning before I headed back north, and then 4.3 this morning back in Indiana. I have to pull out my schedule and plan to be ready for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler which is next up in mid April. I'm disappointed that the pictures from the finish of the 1/2 marathon has a runner in front of me with their arm blocking the clock, so I won't bother to spend the atrocious fees to get a shot from the race. Looking forward to GGN this Saturday night after a challenging week.

March 14, 2010

13.1 / 185.0 2010
First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon
What a spectacular day for a half marathon here in Sarasota. An early 7:15AM start in the dark (thanks to the first day of daylight savings time) and I was at the Ringling Museum. Lucky for me Grandpa Dick had loaned me his 1990 something blue cadillac to drive up this morning so I arrived in style and had a little difficulty parking the "boat."

Overall it was a great race and a PR for me at 2:45 across the finish line (after a 5 minute wait at the home of some friends so that my parents could arrive.) I was pleased to stay on pace through mile 10 at 1:57 which was great. Mostly a flat course with the only hill the bridge over to Lido Key. The weather was very cooperative, and the crowds and volunteers made for a great event.

Big thanks to Ernie & Jane who provided a post race brunch at their home which was excellent. This is absolutely one I would do again.

March 11, 2010

5.2M / 168.6M
I know you are supposed to "taper" before you actually do your long run, but I'm pretty sure there is no training calendar that says take 8 days off in the last 14. Unfortunately I got hit by a flu bug and work and I couldn't get out there (despite some awesome weather). I did trek 5.2 this morning on the treadmill before I head to Florida tomorrow for the race on Sunday.

A 7:15AM start at the Ringling Museum -- which will be a body clock 6:15 as we "Spring Ahead" on Sunday morning. At this point I'll be excited to finish before they shut down the course. Not sure who I will see on Bay Shore Drive at the home of family friends on the way back, but just knowing they are there will be fun. (I've never run by someone's home I knew before).

The weather looks to be warm (low 60's to start) and sunny which will be enjoyable. Once I put my toes on the white sand of Siesta Key I'll be ready. A big shout out to Steve who was nice enough to pick up my package for me. No expo which is a bit disappointing ~ I guess I should expect that from smaller races.

March 3, 2010

5.2M / 163.4M 2010
At the treadmill at 4:00AM CDT to clock my 5 miles -- I worked yesterday morning instead of working for myself..which is now a 2 week habit I need to break next week. Getting psyched and thinking about timing for the 1/2 which is now a week and a half away!

February 28, 2010

10.0M / 158.2M 2010 / 73.4M February
Two weeks from today the Sarasota Half Marathon...I clocked 10 today inside after a pretty tough CRT class on Saturday - The two aleve's I took this morning didn't help at all and I"m pretty sore today - I can only imagine what it will be like on 3/14/10.

Had a good quick weekend coming home from Chicago on Friday night. Took a trip down to Deale MD for dinner with Cheryl and got 3 wishes for a first visit to our Lady of Sorrows Church. The rest of the weekend was busy catching up after two weeks away and thinking that I should have gone back to the ice bath routine.

February 25, 2010

5.2M / 148.0M 2010
Work got in the way of workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday but this morning I was determined to get a run in, and I feel good/better about it. Staying here in Indiana through Friday which looks like a good call given the SNOW predicted for the northeast again.