Mapping Tip

Today's training tip comes to you courtesy of my good friend, Sidewalk Monkey. The other day she reminded me about this useful tool on the internet that I've been using, but haven't gotten around to blogging about it. Thanks Sidewalk Monkey!

So I don't know about you folks, but I do get bored with overuse of the same running routes. My remedy has been to find another route using this: MapMyRun. Don't let the boring scenery, excessive bikers, or car exhaust discourage you from running outside. I've found that the key to keeping me interested is changing it up. There are bunch of neat little features that this website has. For instance, you can map out your new run anywhere in the world, and it will provide you distance markers, landmarks, and the elevation of your spiffy new run. And if you're too lazy to do play with that feature, you can always fall back on the pre-drawn routes that other people have provided for your area. It's the perfect tool when you're trying to get in your runs while you're traveling, plus it helps you to explore that unfamiliar area. Be safe out there people and know where you're going before you go.

P.S. I've also become quite attached to MapMyRide, which is the biking equivalent page to MapMyRun. It's infinitely useful for a novice biker, like myself, who likes to avoid high traffic streets.

Memorial Day Weekend Special, Day 3: There's No Place Like Home

I decided that I was going to take a little running break over the three day weekend. But, I replaced it with other forms of body torture, I mean, cross training. So today, you lucky folks get three posts for the price of one as I recount each day.

Day 3 was the end of our San Luis Obispo adventure and we found ourselves back in the bay area for some relaxation, or so I thought. Having just gotten back from a road trip and noting the insane price of gas now, we were both opposed to driving around any more on Monday. Thus, it was time to break out our trusty road bikes. What was supposed to be an innocent bike trip down the street for breakfast, turned into a bike tour of our neighborhood to run every errand we missed that weekend.

Thanks to these little biking day trips, I will never take my car for granted again. As car owners, we never give a second thought about forgetting something at the store. It may be a minor nuisance to go back and pick it up, but just think about having to bike that distance instead. This is also a lesson in organization, people. GROCERY LISTS!! Learn it, Live it, Love it. On the upside, at least I got in a decent workout while saving the environment. On the other hand...I don't know if all that biking was worth saving one dollar in gas.

And that's my three day weekend folks.. Now, I'm going to let my battered, sore body rest until tonight. At which time, I'll resume my regularly scheduled training. As you can see from the graph on the right...I'm behind on my current running goal. DOH! Gotta love vacations, you always have to play catch up when you get back.

It's not easy being green

This month is National Bike To Work Month, and Silicon Valley is doing it's part by claiming today as our official Bike To Work Day. They even went so far as to provide food and refreshments in these little booths all over the bay for bike commuters who have decided to participate. Seeing this as an opportunity to be green and cross-train, I was all over it.

Now, let me preface this with the fact that I'm a novice biker. I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew when I'm excited, which is enhanced with my unwavering belief in mind over matter. Unfortunately, my confidence as a competent biker was shaken about a month ago when I fell into traffic. Luckily, I escaped unscathed except for a permanent scar on my knee. I like to showcase that as my hardcore war wound. In any case, the incident still fueled my anxiety to proceed with my 11 mile trek into work on my bike.

I'm happy to say though that I made it into work without a collision with a car, another biker, or the road. Hooray! I got to work feeling invigorated and very environmentally friendly. On the flip side, I must say that whoever planned this event needs to understand weather patterns better. Of all days to pick, he/she chose the day that hits 101 degrees Farenheit. Thus, I'm not looking forward to the ride home in this torturous heat. While I feel great for being socially-conscious and earth-friendly, I think I'll wait until the heat wave dies down before I bike to work again. I'm sorry folks, I'm a horrible resource user when it comes to personal comfort. For now, I'll stick to being a stickler for recycling in lieu of hardcore cycling. Alrighty Internet, I've done my part to help Mother Earth for today, have you?