Ahhhh, thank you SUMMER!! With the arrival of weather that is actually above 70 degrees and for more than one day in a row, I finally basked in the joy of an intensely awesome sweaty workout, pranced around in my cutoffs and bikini top while watering the flowerpots and drinking a near frozen cold beer, and have gotten eaten alive by mosquitoes. I’ll take it!
I have also released my denial that Duke can no longer go on runs with me, so I have adjusted our schedule accordingly. Tonight, I got changed into exercise clothes and trail runners, rolled my sore hammies out on the foam roller, then the three of us did this:
The nightly walk through Cutesville still counts as mileage.
After a quick pit stop at home and settling the boys in to rest, I grabbed my water belt with phone and headed back up the mountain with the goal of doing five miles total in an out-and-back. It was gorgeous and clear, no wind, dry, and the sun with a few hours to go before retiring after its near longest day. As I made my way up the first ascent to get to the trail, I realized the previous two days of hiking were having an extended hangover in my glutes. (The first ascent is no joke. If you are familiar with hills in San Francisco, it’s steeper than Fillmore Street where there are STAIRS to help pedestrians navigate the incline.) Well good, I thought, it’s about damn time my backside learned to increase its tolerance for exercise. And there are those short-shorts to contend with.
Once on the ridge line, I settled into a nice pace of running the flats and downs and marching the ups. I did not bring music because I find that I prefer to listen to nature and it forces me to really focus on my alignment and pace. I am irrationally terrified that I will fall and break things, so I am intent on picking a good line to run and to watch where I am putting my feet amongst the gravel and crags. Although slightly OCD, I find that I can zero in on each muscle group, each twinge, my breath and then make adjustments as necessary. Realizing you are not using your abs and then suddenly engaging them is like having a stash of turbo power under your cape.
The sunset turned to twilight, so I took off my hat and stayed at pace, thankful that I did not need my inhaler I forgot. (Oops. Not so smart.) As I descended and the first hill became the last, I took out my phone to check the RunKeeper and was stoked to find that what I thought was five miles by my time and pace was actually five miles. Having the connection between your body and the distance you cover on the ground is invigorating.
Part II of the workout is below. Tomorrow, a walk, the roller and pushups. God I hate pushups.
I always say I am going to keep up with the push ups. I always slack, like lately. Dammit. Tomorrow morning for sure. :) Book it. If I say it I’ll do it. ….. I give myself a 25% chance of actually doing it. :) I talk tough though, and that should count for something. :)
the tough talking totally counts! I will let you know how my intended push ups turn out. god I hate them.
Ha Ha ha.
Shizzle, now I really have to get back into the swing of things! So envious you have the mountains to enjoy while you go. Noe just doesn’t compare. :) You and your damn short shorts (which I bet you ROCK) are my muse…
you are welcome for some hiking and trail running ANYTIME!!! and you can wear the sh*t out of some shortie shorts my friend. vanity is a powerful motivator ;-) PS, looking into CrossFit over here. need it to get ready for the TM. holy hell. xoxo