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.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Memorial Day Weekend Special, Day 2: Everybody Go Surf!
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.
Payback is a bitch. heh. Whee! On day 2 in San Luis Obispo, We decided to venture to Pismo Beach: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pismo_Beach , a renowned surfing beach and key location for many surfing competitions. Now I don't claim to be a good surfer, but I was definitely more crazy about surfing before I got into running. Nowadays, I seldom hit the waves because running takes precedence. But, since this was my running vacation, I decided to revisit my watery playground.
As a surfing enthusiast, I wasn't about to let my climbing enthusiast girlfriend get out of surfing that day, especially after what she put me through the day before. Unfortunately, surfing in 50 degree water with 3-5 foot waves is a hard sell to a beginner (Raquel) who's averse to any sort of cold weather. Luckily, I'm personally used to these conditions because I learned how to surf in Northern California, where these are normal conditions. So under these circumstances, I have to give her credit for sticking it out as long as she did: 10 minutes. She did manage to submerge her body in the water and allow me to push her in on one wave. And then....she didn't come back. Like I said folks, extreme sports aren't for every couple.
In any case, I had a grand time hitting the waves. To me, those were optimum conditions: not too crowded, frequent sets, and slow rolling long waves to ride all the way to shore. Surfing gives me the ultimate sense of freedom. Growing up in Hawaii, the ocean seemed like the big blue portal to the outside world. And just playing on it makes me feel like I'm straddling the link between Hawaii (who I was) and the mainland (who I have become). I am not whole without either part, and surfing on the link allows me time to reflect and remember that.
All in all, it was a great day of contemplation and nature appreciation. Well...that and the ocean kicked my ass with the cardio, core, and balance workout it gave me.
Stay tuned for Day 3...
Payback is a bitch. heh. Whee! On day 2 in San Luis Obispo, We decided to venture to Pismo Beach: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pismo_Beach , a renowned surfing beach and key location for many surfing competitions. Now I don't claim to be a good surfer, but I was definitely more crazy about surfing before I got into running. Nowadays, I seldom hit the waves because running takes precedence. But, since this was my running vacation, I decided to revisit my watery playground.
As a surfing enthusiast, I wasn't about to let my climbing enthusiast girlfriend get out of surfing that day, especially after what she put me through the day before. Unfortunately, surfing in 50 degree water with 3-5 foot waves is a hard sell to a beginner (Raquel) who's averse to any sort of cold weather. Luckily, I'm personally used to these conditions because I learned how to surf in Northern California, where these are normal conditions. So under these circumstances, I have to give her credit for sticking it out as long as she did: 10 minutes. She did manage to submerge her body in the water and allow me to push her in on one wave. And then....she didn't come back. Like I said folks, extreme sports aren't for every couple.
In any case, I had a grand time hitting the waves. To me, those were optimum conditions: not too crowded, frequent sets, and slow rolling long waves to ride all the way to shore. Surfing gives me the ultimate sense of freedom. Growing up in Hawaii, the ocean seemed like the big blue portal to the outside world. And just playing on it makes me feel like I'm straddling the link between Hawaii (who I was) and the mainland (who I have become). I am not whole without either part, and surfing on the link allows me time to reflect and remember that.
All in all, it was a great day of contemplation and nature appreciation. Well...that and the ocean kicked my ass with the cardio, core, and balance workout it gave me.
Stay tuned for Day 3...
Memorial Day Weekend Special, Day 1: Climb Every Mountain
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.
My weekend began in the cute little town of San Luis Obispo, where Raquel went to college. We were determined to have an action packed weekend, where we kept up my training while she showed me her old college haunts. First stop on the tour: Bishop Peak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_Peak). This climbing/hiking area is literally in the back yard of her college campus. No wonder those kids are so fit. Even the beach was only 15 minutes away. It still makes me wonder how often those students attended class, lucky bums..
Anyway, the area was beautiful and filled with buff/tan students swinging on the cliff face. Now for those of you haven't gone climbing, this is a sport that challenges your flexbitiy, core, strength, balance, and general monkey swinging abilities. To me, it's like yoga on a wall and fantastic cross training. Fortunately, I have the luxury of learning from my expert climber gf. However, it doesn't mean she can give me her hard earned strength and agility. She can make scaling a cliff wall look as natural as walking down the street, while I struggle to even make it to the first ledge. But not to be deterred, I gave it everything I got.
At some point, I realized that a lot of this sport is mind over matter. My body is capable of a lot more than I think it is, if I could just overcome the fear factor. I needed to trust in the rope, the gear, and in Raquel to not let me fall to my death. Alright folks, this is why climbing is not for every couple and could potentially be a fight waiting to happen. In any case, as soon as I believed in those three things I found myself reaching for farther holds and trusting my own limbs more. All of a sudden, I felt like the climber from the Marines commerical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjya6LnF0mU , except I had a rope and didn't climb as swiftly. By the end of the day, I managed to complete the longest climb I've ever done outside. And I'm completely proud of that accomplishment, even if it was rated one of the easiest climb on that mountain.
So what did I learn? I need to let go of the things that I can't control (the environment, my gear, etc.) and focus on the things that I can. If you actually trust the support that you have to catch you, you'll always accomplish more than you set out to do.
Stay tuned for Day 2...
My weekend began in the cute little town of San Luis Obispo, where Raquel went to college. We were determined to have an action packed weekend, where we kept up my training while she showed me her old college haunts. First stop on the tour: Bishop Peak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_Peak). This climbing/hiking area is literally in the back yard of her college campus. No wonder those kids are so fit. Even the beach was only 15 minutes away. It still makes me wonder how often those students attended class, lucky bums..
Anyway, the area was beautiful and filled with buff/tan students swinging on the cliff face. Now for those of you haven't gone climbing, this is a sport that challenges your flexbitiy, core, strength, balance, and general monkey swinging abilities. To me, it's like yoga on a wall and fantastic cross training. Fortunately, I have the luxury of learning from my expert climber gf. However, it doesn't mean she can give me her hard earned strength and agility. She can make scaling a cliff wall look as natural as walking down the street, while I struggle to even make it to the first ledge. But not to be deterred, I gave it everything I got.
At some point, I realized that a lot of this sport is mind over matter. My body is capable of a lot more than I think it is, if I could just overcome the fear factor. I needed to trust in the rope, the gear, and in Raquel to not let me fall to my death. Alright folks, this is why climbing is not for every couple and could potentially be a fight waiting to happen. In any case, as soon as I believed in those three things I found myself reaching for farther holds and trusting my own limbs more. All of a sudden, I felt like the climber from the Marines commerical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjya6LnF0mU , except I had a rope and didn't climb as swiftly. By the end of the day, I managed to complete the longest climb I've ever done outside. And I'm completely proud of that accomplishment, even if it was rated one of the easiest climb on that mountain.
So what did I learn? I need to let go of the things that I can't control (the environment, my gear, etc.) and focus on the things that I can. If you actually trust the support that you have to catch you, you'll always accomplish more than you set out to do.
Stay tuned for Day 2...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Checks and Balances
It's always crucial to have points in your training where you measure your general fitness, pace, and endurance. Well, today was one of those days for me. It is National Employee Health and Fitness Day, and my company participated by hosting a 5K for all employees. Naturally, the people who showed up to run are all athletes. Who else would be crazy enough to give up their lunch hour to exercise in the boiling heat? So compensating for that, I knew this would not be an easy run if I wanted to keep up.
Now, I've always considered myself to be a mid-pack runner. It never concerned me that massive, muscle-y hulks always lope pass me. But if the whole pack actually leaves me behind and I'm the lone last runner, then I definitely take an ego hit. Which, unfortunately, is what happened. Today was an exercise in calming my competitive nature. I'm usually content to run against myself and improving my personal record by a minute or two. But when faced with a bunch of sweaty lean runners who literally leave me in the dust, I can't help but beat myself up for my performance even if I tried my best.
This all brings me back to why I run. Running is for me. It's something that I use for my own self-improvement; allotting me enough time to cultivate my own fresh ideas about the world while maintaing my own physical abilities. So why does it bother me if I'm the slowest runner in the race? Because I'm the slowest! Think about it...on the plains of the Serengeti, if you're the last and slowest wildebeest in the herd, you become tonight's dinner for a pride of lions. It's our primitive nature to want to be faster and not dead (literally, in the case of the wildebeest) last. So, who am I to deny my own natural instinct?
I'm using today as a wake up call. For now, I will accept the fact that my pace is slow at the moment. But, herein starts my official speed training. I need to pick up the pace (pun intended). Naturally, the reward is not going to come without a lot of hard work and determination. But, that determination is not going to be fueled by wanting to be faster than the head of the pack. It's stemming from desire to just beat today's personal time by 6 minutes. If I set a goal which is momentarily too out of reach, I'll give up quickly. Baby steps, people...I'll aim for the head of the pack soon enough. But for now, Watch out Self, I'm going to kick your ass.
Now, I've always considered myself to be a mid-pack runner. It never concerned me that massive, muscle-y hulks always lope pass me. But if the whole pack actually leaves me behind and I'm the lone last runner, then I definitely take an ego hit. Which, unfortunately, is what happened. Today was an exercise in calming my competitive nature. I'm usually content to run against myself and improving my personal record by a minute or two. But when faced with a bunch of sweaty lean runners who literally leave me in the dust, I can't help but beat myself up for my performance even if I tried my best.
This all brings me back to why I run. Running is for me. It's something that I use for my own self-improvement; allotting me enough time to cultivate my own fresh ideas about the world while maintaing my own physical abilities. So why does it bother me if I'm the slowest runner in the race? Because I'm the slowest! Think about it...on the plains of the Serengeti, if you're the last and slowest wildebeest in the herd, you become tonight's dinner for a pride of lions. It's our primitive nature to want to be faster and not dead (literally, in the case of the wildebeest) last. So, who am I to deny my own natural instinct?
I'm using today as a wake up call. For now, I will accept the fact that my pace is slow at the moment. But, herein starts my official speed training. I need to pick up the pace (pun intended). Naturally, the reward is not going to come without a lot of hard work and determination. But, that determination is not going to be fueled by wanting to be faster than the head of the pack. It's stemming from desire to just beat today's personal time by 6 minutes. If I set a goal which is momentarily too out of reach, I'll give up quickly. Baby steps, people...I'll aim for the head of the pack soon enough. But for now, Watch out Self, I'm going to kick your ass.
Friday, May 16, 2008
cheating
Yep...I'm totally feeling this commercial too. I have to admit that those NB marketers are very clever.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
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?
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?
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