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.