No Runners High Yet......but

I love exercising outside and I love exercising with my husband. One of the things I always didn't like about the "Biggest Looser" program was that the exercising did not seem fun.  The trainers seem to really make it hard and although I can see having the determination to to finish the program, I don't see why anyone would love to do it and want to do it on their own.  It looks hard and miserable.   

So if I can find a program that I make time to do and show up every time, I think it's defiitely more doable.

Tuesday and Thursday nights this week we were treated to the most awesome the sunsets at Huntington Beach while running along the beach path.  Then this morning we met at Edison Community Park  and ran to the beach and had the best sunrise.   Can it get much better than that? 

We are doing 2-3's which is 3 minutes of walking and 2 minutes of running for 35 minutes.   It seems so easy.  I love being outside to exercise and being with Steve.  He is not having any of the initial running issues (calf and shin pain) he was having before.   We do a warm up before and stretching after.  

This morning Daytona came with us.  She also loved being outside and included.  She even can hear our watches when they beep, so she knows when it's time to run versus walk.  The only thing is she wants to be with both Steve and I and although we walk together, with Steve's long legs he ends up striding away from me during the run portions of our intervals. So when Steve had her she dragged wanting to be back with me.  When I had her she towed me like she was a sled dog.

After our run we had a yoga clinic to learn some additional stretches.   Looking forward to the next workout.

All Tracks are NOT 1/4 mile!

Well, I'm in Minnesota for work again.  One of the reasons Steve and I decided to start running for fitness was because of the travel we are doing and it's not easy to continue cycling.  October in Minnesota is a lot colder than October in California for sure.   The days are in the 40's and last night as I drove late into my hotel, there were snow flurries.   From my last trip two weeks again trying to run early in the morning I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep up with my exercise plan because it was soooo cold.  I had resigned myself to having to run on the treadmill in the hotel fitness room. 

My 1/2 marathon training book said that treadmills aren't really that accurate and one of the things I love about exercising is that I can be outside.   Plus the fitness room is so small and when someone else is in there I'm a little bit self conscious.  So I did a little research and found out that Minnesotans not only have remote starters for their cars because of the cold, but they have indoor running/walking tracks.   I found one very close to my hotel that opens at 5:45 a.m. and closes at 9:45 p.m.  No excuse to not be able to continue training.   The single visit fee is $2.00 and you can get a 5 day pass for $5.00.  Although it is indoors it's a very large area and you kind of feel like you are outside.

Well assuming that the track was 1/4 mile I did what I thought was a 3 mile run/walk.   When I was beginning my post run stretch, I saw a sign that said, "11 laps = 1 mile."  What?  The track looked as long as the one on the Alaskan cruise ships which 6 laps= 1 mile - course maybe my memory is failing me.   So I went back out and did another 12 laps.   I was wondering why I wasn't as sweaty, just assuming it was because I was in an air conditioned or climate controlled environment.

The weird observations coming from a California fitness person, was there was a coat rack to drop your jacket off when I came in.  Then after my second set of 12 laps, I was a little more sweaty, it was hard to think about putting a jacket back on to go outside.  It was very windy and cold though, so I'm glad I did.

When running outside I use my Garmin 405 which keeps track of interval running and distance.  I thought the indoor track would be easier, but it was amazing how easy it was to lose count of tracks.  Everyone else seemed to have headphones and ipods.  Maybe they know with their play lists how much walking/running to do.  One older man was walking with a heavy pack on his back.  I wanted to stop and ask him what kind of large hike or summit climb he was training for.

Tomorrow is a strength and stretch day.  Let's see if I can get up early Friday morning to try the track again.

Running can be fun when you are with your honey

Like training for the Amtrak, I'm enjoying this season of fitness because my husband, Steve is running with me.   Although we are still arguing (ok discussing) our training plan we have joined a running class with Snail's Pace academy.  http://www.runasnailspace.com/training/ We meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6 pm by the HB pier and Saturday mornings at 7 a.m.   The coach is great and there seems like we will get a lot of information.  This class is meant to train people for a 5 K in 12 weeks, yet we need to be ready for our 1/2 marathon in February.  

I was encouraged that the coach and the 1/2 marathon training book I'm reading says you shouldn't plan to run every day.  Your body needs a day off in between to prevent injuries and for proper recovery.  We do need to do either cross training or strength and stretch on the opposite days.   Also the new way for increasing endurance is to put walk rests at intervals in your run.   It provides recovery during the run.

On Saturday, since Steve and I were camping with the Travel Bee's at Newport Dunes, we did our own run before breakfast.  We got a total of 5 miles in and started with 2/2 intervals (2 minute walk/2  minute run) after our walking warm-up and at the end of the 5 miles we were able to do 2/4 intervals (2 minute walk and 4 minute run).  It was the first time Steve's calves didn't hurt after running.  We definitely felt like we had a workout, but it was doable.

Steve's jog is a bit faster than mine because he has longer stride (and longer legs) but I just ran the interval a little bit longer in order to catch up to him during the walking portions so we could talk.  Even though we are training together, I don't think we will be running the 1/2 marathon together because we will each need to go at our own pace.

My new book says your first 1/2 marathon should have a time goal.  The goal should simply be to finish upright, with a smile on your face, and wanting to do it again!  

Here we go, week 3 of training, here we come.

...but I'm not a runner

Jessy said, "Mom, let's do the Surf City 1/2 Marathon in February. http://www.runsurfcity.com/Half-Marathon-s/23.htm They have cool surfboard medals!" 

Hmmm Steve and I recently completed another Amtrak and although I've been working a lot of hours and traveling again, I've not been doing every day boot camps.  One thing, at least when I travel, even though I can't bring/ride my bike, I can run.

Steve and Jessy devised a training plan.  On Saturday we did 3 miles of 2 minute intervals.  Sunday we took a day of rest and Monday we ran 1 mile straight.   Sunday night Paul encouraged us to sign up before they ran out of space.  I didn't understand why we needed an estimated completion time and I just picked a time out of the hat.  Now I realized that is the pace group they will put us in.   I think I can do it in a lot less time that I estimated. 

Now on to the training.

Colorado Springs - have to be outside

This week, I went to the Broadmoor Hotel Resort http://www.broadmoor.com/colorado-springs-resort.php, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.   Almost the full day was filled with meetings and meals, so there wasn't much time to enjoy this beautiful resort.  I did set my alarm and asked for a wake up call at 5:30 am, each morning so I could get my exercise in. 

Steve and I are signed up for the Amtrak in September again and we need to get the riding in.  I was concerned about having a whole week off the bike.

The resort had a lake with a walkway around it which was about .6 of a mile.   I jogged it on Tuesday  morning twice and my friend Beth joined me for a 2 miles walk on Wednesday morning on the back side of the resort.   The resort was at 6,000 feet and I didn't really feel the difference until I tried to jogged.

On Thursday morning since we didn't have meetings and my flight was leaving mid day, I signed up for 50 minute spin class.  I was the only one in the class, which meant I couldn't just sand bag because the instructor was watching me the whole time.   I did get 11 miles in and my face was red for several hours.

I'm back home for a week before another trip to Minnesota.  Hopefully tomorrow and Saturday we can get in some rides and get on with our training.

Let's go bike riding!

Well, Steve and I have signed up for the Amtrak century again in September.  I guess we better get some riding in.  I've been traveling so much for work, that when I'm home, it just feels so nice to sleep in a little.  But....I guess it's time. 

This morning we did our 14 mile Huntington Beach loop.  Not bad mostly 14 - 17 miles per hour.  My heart rate seemed a little up, so I'm afraid I may have lost a little conditioning.  It was nice to be back on the bike though.  This year for training we need to get some hills in before the century.   It's only a little more than 2 months.

After coming back from vacation in Kauai, on a morning jog though the neighborhood I had tripped on a raised sidewalk and banged up my knee and thumb.  I didn't realize I also had sprained my left wrist. It seem to be healing, but when I tried lifting my carry-on suit case on a work trip to Minnesota, I noticed it getting sore again.  We went to the doctor for an xray.  It's not broken, but I'm in a wrist brace, taking Naproxen and the doc wants me to do physical therapy.  Who has time for physical therapy? 

What concerned me the most was being able to lean on my hands on the handlebars of my bike.  The brace was annoying this morning, but at least it didn't hurt.  OK, many miles to go.

Finding time to exercise

After coming back from an active vacation on Kauai and then doing lots of walking over a New York long weekend, I have found it hard to fit in my regular exercise.   I went on back to back trips to Minnesota for work.  The first week my sister had to travel there for work as well so we stayed at the same hotel and got up every morning for a 1.6 mile walk.  The next week we had lots of rain so I was stuck in the hotel gym on the stationery bike.  I'm miserable when I have to workout inside.

The last week of June we joined our friends, the Chastelers for a trip to the California Wine country staying in the little town of Windsor.   My wonderful husband got up with me each morning and we did jog/walk intervals for 3 miles alternating with 2 days of swimming laps in the pool.   Felt good to stay active although I'm missing my strength training and loosing my core work. 

One day we canoed the Russian River 10 miles.  More of a float trip, but at least we were outside.  Then the next did a short 2 mile walk/hike in the Armstrong Redwood State Reserve.   I still don't think my working out is more than the great meals we are eating.  But at least I can still jog for a full mile.  It's not like starting at square one again.

When we get back, it's back on the bike as we have both signed up for the Amtrak again and it's time to start training to get in shape for the 100 mile ride the 2nd week of September.

Staying active in New York

The first weekend in June, Jessy, my sister-in-law Cyndi and friend Maleia did the big Apple. We enjoyed good food, drinks and fellowship, but we stayed active.  We walked many many blocks.  On Sunday Morning we got up early to beat the heat so we could jog the Brooklyn Bridge.  What a view, we could really see the city waking up and getting ready for the day as we jogged along.  It's about a 1 mile crossing.  After a yummy breakfast at a local bagelry referred by a local dad playing with his daughter in the park, we rented bikes and road Central Park.  Definitely the way to see most of Central Park. Total riding mileage was over 7 miles. 

Hiking the Kalalau Trail - Na Pali Coast

For our biggest hike we planned and did the Na Pali Coast, Kalalau Trail.  On a previous trip, we had done a hike with the girls to Hanakapi'ai Beach which is about 2 miles each way.  This time we decided we would like to hike as far as we could without a permit.  After hitting the beach, we headed inland on a tougher trail which was covered in jungle.  The way was tough and you could tell the average tourist didn't normally try this route.  We had to cross the stream 4 times, I gave up on the boulder hopping and after just about falling flat on my backside into the stream decided to slosh across walking in the shallows.

We did meet quite a few people on this trail unlike our one earlier in the week doing the Power Line.   Mostly couples and no children.  There was a all sorts of terrain, from red clay, to rocks to roots, to lava rock, to crumbling dirt.  We climbed up hill for 2 miles and were rewarded with an air conditioned (the breeze from the falls hitting the pool was a natural cooler) view of Hanakapi'ai Falls which fed the stream.   Very pretty.  It was like we hiked through Jurassic park to get there.

After a leisurely lunch we retraced our steps.   Although we had waited an extra day for our boots and the trail to dry, it started to rain on our way back.   The trail back from the falls was OK, but back from the beach to the trail head was very muddy and very slippery.   It was a lot slower going back.

This gave us a total of 8.5 miles for the day.   Our legs were sore, but it was fun - another day on Kauai, going somewhere we had never been before.

Kayaking the Hanalei

So my lovely trainer mentioned that getting in and out of the hammock does not count as exercise (course she has not seen my husband get in and out).  In keeping with our active vacation yesterday we kayaked the Hanalei river.  On past trips we have paddled the Wailua which includes a short hike to a water fall, but found that to be very touristy and too many people.  This trip took us up into the state ecological reserve. 

We could paddle as far inland until it was too shallow to paddle.  Steve even got out and walked over a couple of shallow areas to go even further.   Paddling up river was a workout as we had to constantly paddle against the strong current and winds.   We were rewarded with lots of birds, wild bamboo, growing bananas and turtles.   Yes, Steve, turtles count as wildlife.  All sizes and many of them sunning themselves on logs and branches floating in the water.

Then we paddle back downstream and out into Hanalei Bay.  Because the surf was flat, there not very many people at the beach.  We were able to find a secluded beach around the corner from the new St. Regis (formerly the Princeville Hotel) to have a leisurely lunch.   Then we went back out into the salt water and enjoyed the rolling waves and attempted to kayak surf the breakers.    What fun with such a buoyant kayak.

I was very sad to paddle back and give up my boat.   With the rolling waves I thought it was as nice as my hammock.  

When we got back we did the "map my kayak (run)" and figured we got a total of about 6 miles of paddling in.