Happy New Year! Plus HBBC Week 6

Happy New Year from Captiva Island, FL!! 

I have posts in the works for a 2012 recap & my goals for 2013 but those can wait while we continue enjoying our vacation.   Although, since it starts tomorrow, I will say my January goal is THIS.

It looks like this:

Source

Week 6 HBBC Recap:

Monday:  Run 2 miles (Day 33 #RWRunStreak), Walk 0.4 miles - 2.4 points
Tuesday: Bike 24 miles, Run 1.1 mile (Day 34 #RWRunStreak), Freggies - 10.1 points
Wednesday: Run 3 miles (Day 35 #RWRunStreak), Walk 1 mile, Freggies - 5 points
Thursday: Bike 40 miles, Run 1.1 miles (Day 36 #RWRunStreak), Freggies - 15.1 points
Friday: Run 1.1 miles (Day 37 #RWRunStreak), 1 hour Stand Up Paddleboard, Bike 4 miles, , Freggies - 6.44 points
Saturday: Run 1.38 mile (Day 38 #RWRunStreak), Freggies - 2.38 points
Sunday: Run 3 mile (Day 39 #RWRunStreak), Freggies - 4 points

Bonus Points: 7 - Daily FB check-in

Week 6 Total:  52.42
HBBC Total:  232.86

N2U CT Challenge - Stand Up Paddleboard Plus N2U Recap

Today was the 4th N2U CT Challenge of the month.  It drove me nuts that I skipped September through October so I decided I would do 4 in the month of December to make 12 N2U CT Challenges for 2012.  Whew!  The 4th challenge was Stand Up Paddleboard or SUP.   This is something I have wanted to try for over a year but never have had the chance.

According to the Sail Honeymoon brochure, SUP is the 'next wave in paddling fun!'   The brochure also says 'Just a few minutes to get the feel.  Enjoy the view or 'pump it up' for a great core workout!'  Sounded like a good N2U CT Challenge to me!

We found the place yesterday along the route on our bike ride to Honeymoon Island.  It is along the protected waters between Dunedin & Honeymoon Island.   The weather in Florida has been chilly since we have arrived (OK chilly is relative - it has been in the low to upper 60's this week).  I contemplated putting on my wetsuit for warmth just in case I fell off the board.  The water temperature was only 61 degrees. I read somewhere that 9 / 10 SUP'ers stay upright but that meant 10% get wet.  In the end, I skipped the wetsuit & wore my board shorts, rashie & my PFD.

The rental was $25 for an hour.  Perfect.  Steve put his kayak in to paddle around with me.  After an oh so brief explanation on how to get on the board & how to paddle along with a quick mention if you fall off there with be laughter from the rental shack I was off.

The dude put the SUP on the beach next to the water but I was responsible for picking it up & getting it into the water.  Once in the water, about knee deep, I knelt onto the board to get a feel of it.

Steve didn't get any of photos of my not so graceful way of standing up.  Think being on hands & knees, then something like a down dog position then slowly lifting hands with a lot of wobbling & whoa's going on!   I managed to get upright & stay dry.

After about 5 minutes I had the hang of it.  I figured out how to turn around - just like in a kayak.  I started with my feet side by side but then moved them to a staggered position.   Both positions felt about the same.  I was worried about moving my feet though - I never did figure out how to move them without feeling like I was rocking the board too much.

We paddled out to one of the buoys.  The boats came pretty close to the buoys so I get to paddle around in the waves.  Trying to paddle into the wave was much harder than paddling away from them. A few times I started to loose my balance but each time I recovered.  It really wouldn't have been a big deal if I fell off the board - mostly my pride would have been wounded.  There were a lot of folks hanging out on the shore watching.

We paddled up & down the shore for the hour.  I really felt my legs working.  My right foot had a bit of a cramp from trying to keep my balance.  My core was engaged the entire time but it never felt tired.  After I got the hang of paddling it was really relaxing.  I found the experience very enjoyable.  I am looking forward to Spring when our local paddle shop, Canoe Kentucky, starts offering SUP.

I would like to thank Kim at (Just) Trying is for Little Girls for hosting this challenge.  It was so good to get out of the comfort zone & try some new activities.  A lot of them will continue to stay in the rotation in 2013.  I can't believe they year is over!

Now for the N2U CT Challenge Year in Review:

January - Pilates Reformer & Pilates Ball
February - P90X
March - Barre Amped
April - Kickboxing
May - Zumba Tone
June - Jump & Pump
July - Laurel Lake Paddlepalooza
August - High 30 Xtreme
December - R.I.P.P.E.D, CycleYou, TRX, SUP

The ones that will stay in the rotation are Pilates, High 30 Xtreme, CycleYou, TRX & SUP.  I have never been much for home videos but if I were P90X would be in the rotation as well.

My challenge for 2013 is 13 in 2013.  13 running events in 2013.  Any distance race 5K to marathon counts as does the run portion of a triathlon.   You can sign up for free through 12/31/12 HERE.  There are well over 300 people participating with lots of great prizes.  My first race is the Hair of the Dog Virtual 5K on New Years Day - it benefits an animal shelter in Washington.

Next stop - North Ft. Myers.....

N2U CT Challenge - TRX Plus HBBC Week 5

Last Tuesday I completed my 3rd N2U Challenge for the month.  I finally got around to using the free TRX session pass offered by Swim Bike Run of KY that we all received in our Markey Tri goodie bags.  I arrived at SBR-KY a little early so I could knock out Day 27 of the #RWRunStreak.  

The TRX classes are in the same area as the CycleYou classes.   I was surprised but excited to see Marcus was teaching the class.  He taught the High 30 Xtreme class I took in August.  He mentioned he just started teaching at SBR about 3 weeks ago.

The TRX straps hang from the ceiling & basically you use your body weight to get an amazing workout.  Marcus started with arms, shoulders & back.  We then did a bunch of leg work followed by abs.  We did 45 seconds per set, 3 sets of each exercise.  All the exercises were very challenging but the one that was near impossible for me was the pike - in the photo above the pike exercise is the one with the girls butt in the air.  Let me tell you, I looked nothing like that!  I really wonder if I will ever be able to do a pike.  That is just the hardest exercise!  

TRX is a great workout.  My arms & abs were sore for days!!  Another great workout to add to the rotation.

Week 5 HBBC Recap:

Monday:  Run 3.22 miles (Day 26 #RWRunStreak) - 3.22 points
Tuesday: Run 1.2 miles (Day 27 #RWRunStreak), TRX 60 minutes - 4.2 points
Wednesday: Swim 40 minutes, Run 1.1 mile (Day 28 #RWRunStreak) - 5.1 points
Thursday: Run 1 mile (Day 29 #RWRunStreak) - 1 points
Friday: Run 1 mile (Day 30 #RWRunStreak) - 1 points
Saturday: Run 3.4 miles (Day 31 #RWRunStreak) - 3.4 points
Sunday: Run 2 miles (Day 32 #RWRunStreak) - 2 points

Bonus Points: 7 - Daily FB check-in

Week 5 Total:  26.92
HBBC Total: 180.44

I complain about all the crap we take with us but it is pretty cool to be able to blog from the passenger seat on I-75S.  Using my phone (on right armrest) as a local hotspot & Steve's new solar power charger (on left of laptop) I am able to upload photos, post on the HBBC Facebook page & publish this post.  Pretty nifty, huh?    

I would like to take a moment to give a huge shout out to Amanda at Run to the Finish.  She is the host of the HBBC.  She has done a ton of work to make this challenge fun & motivating for us all.  Thank you Amanda!! 

Finally, I would like to wish you & yours a very Merry Christmas!  May Santa be good to y'all!

Forty-Two

My 42nd birthday started off with a very cold run to the Arboretum with Steve followed by a few hours of packing up the Pathfinder to head South for the holidays.  The one bad thing about being into lots of different activities is there is a TON of crap to pack.  We loaded up our kayaks, bikes, running gear & all of our gadgets.   

Around 10:30 this morning I received a text from a co-worker.  I initially figured it was a Happy B-day text but nope.  He saw my picture in the local paper & was teasing me.  Yesterday while walking downtown to get my license plates renewed I saw out of the corner of my eye a photographer.  It was c-c-c-c-old & windy yesterday so I was dressed as Nanook of the North.  The photographer stopped me & told me he was from the Herald Leader.  I busted out laughing.  I knew he was trying to capture the perfect photo depicting how frigid the weather was & when he showed me the picture he took I was confident he got what he was looking for.  I made a mental note to check the website but with all we had going on getting this morning I had completely forgotten - that is until I received Gary’s text.  Not only did I make the paper - I made the front page - on my Birthday!!  What are the odds of that?!

We finally hit the road around 1PM.  Our first stop was at the Jellico, TN welcome center.  To my heart’s delight what did I see?  Santa in a sleigh!!  Pictures were a must!

Around 7pm we finally made it to our first stop.  Birthday with my friend Kara & her family.  Kara & I go waaaay back.  We have known each other since high school.  Her husband Larry made his famous Chicago deep dish pizza.  Afterwards their girls played some Christmas songs for us.   We then had cake!  Kara made an awesome chocolate peanut butter cake.   My tummy was about to burst but it was so worth it!

All in all it was a fabulous birthday!  Next stop...St. Pete!

N2U CT Challenge - CycleYOU Plus HBBC Week 4

CycleYOU is my 2nd N2U CT Challenge of the month.  CycleYOU is new to Lexington & opened this past week for introductory rides.  It is housed in the same space as Swim Bike Run of Kentucky.   Noelle is the master mind of this new class.  You can read more about her & how it started on the CycleYOU website.

Since I have taken Spin for years, used the SBR CompuTrainers several times & spend the summers road cycling I was very curious to see how CycleYOU would be different.

I got there a little early to sign in & get my bike setup.  The space is pretty cool - inspirational messages on the walls, super sweet spin bikes, even candles to set the mood.  Melissa, the instructor, was walking around introducing herself.  I realized I had taken her spin class a few times last winter over at the Y.  She mentioned several times to keep an open mind while taking the class.

The bikes were similar to a traditional spin bike but there were some big differences.  First off, it is the smoothest & quietest indoor bike I have every ridden!  At one point the instructor turned down the music & even though everyone was spinning the room was silent.  Another really cool thing about the bikes is the gear shifter.  No more turning a knob to adjust the tension & guessing what the tension level is.   These bikes have a shifter that you move either up or down and the display tells you which gear you are in.  The gear settings are 0 - 24.  In addition to the gear setting, the display tells you cadence, power, heart rate (I suspect via an ANT+ strap although I didn't confirm), time & distance.  Hands down the BEST stationary bike I have ever ridden.   The website mentions using the best equipment & they definitely delivered.

Red lever in center of pic is the shifter

The class started off with a easy spin warm up.  I can't remember the order of the class but we did a jump set.  These jumps were not like normal jumps in spin.  Instead of sitting back in the saddle you hover over the saddle & which you will feel in your legs for sure.  There was an interval speed set & a hill climb, both seated & standing.  We did an ab set which included front & side cruches while still spinning.

We also did a set of pushups & a set of arms moves with hand weights all while spinning.  The pushups were straight forward as were the arm moves.  I used 2 pound weights which doesn't sound like much but believe me after 8 minutes of holding these they feel like 20 pounds!  The arm moves included lots of pulses, tricep & bicep exercises & a few others that I am surely forgetting before beginning the cool down.

The music was great!  Most of the moves are to the beat of the music & the moves are supposed flow from one to another - very yoga like.   By the end of class I was soaked.  It was definitely a great workout.

Going into the class I wasn't sure what to expect.  I am already a member of the city Y's plus Sunday master's swim practice.  I didn't think I would want to pay for another membership especially since spin classes are offered at the Y.  The going rates are in line with the yoga studio's in town.  Not cheap but for the quality of the equipment it is fair.   The class & the bikes impressed me.  On my way out I picked up a 10 pass class card.  I think it will be my new go to spin class this winter.

Melissa, me & Noelle

Week 4 HBBC Recap:

Monday:  Run 3.22 miles (Day 19 #RWRunStreak), Freggies - 4.22 points
Tuesday: Run 1 mile (Day 20 #RWRunStreak) - 1 points
Wednesday: Run 3.22 mile (Day 21 #RWRunStreak) - 3.22 points
Thursday: Run 1 mile (Day 22 #RWRunStreak), 35 minute Swim - 4.5 points
Friday: Run 1 mile (Day 23 #RWRunStreak) - 1 points
Saturday: Run 3.6 mile (Day 24 #RWRunStreak), 60 minutes Yoga - 6.6 points
Sunday:  Swim 60 minutes, Run 1 mile (Day 25 #RWRunStreak), Freggies - 8 points

Bonus Points: 8 - Daily FB check-in & WoW

Week Total: 36.54
HBBC Total: 153.52

N2U CT Challenge - R.I.P.P.E.D Plus HBBC Week 3

One of my December goals is to complete 4 New 2U CT challenges since I have been such a slug the past few months.   In reality, I have been a little absorbed in my new job & just couldn't muster the motivation to get my bum to try a new class.  

The first New 2U CT challenge this month is R.I.P.P.E.D.    It stands for Resistance, Intervals, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance, and Diet.  It is offered at High Street Y 3 days a week.  There were only 3 participants on this particular day so it was almost like a personal training session. 

Whit was the instructor who was subbing for the usual Thursday night instructor.  He normally teaches Tuesday night along with the Thursday Powerhouse.  The dude is one tough instructor.  He is big on telling you to make the commitment to yourself to do the moves correctly.  He repeatedly said anyone can get through a workout by half a$$ing (OK he didn't say half a$$ing - that's me paraphrasing) the moves but you have to really challenge yourself to see improvements in yourself.  

This class reminded me of a melding of a lot of the P90X videos I took earlier this year.   It also reminded me of High 30 Extreme that I took in August at Northside Y.   There were some hand weight exercises, some body weight exercises, a section for power moves, some kickboxing & some intense intervals to get your heart pumping & the sweat pouring.  

This particular class didn't talk about diet at all.  Not sure why - I didn't ask since at the time I didn't know what the D stood for.  Maybe they covered diet when they first offered the class in September.  Who knows.  

It was a good class.  I was certainly sore the next day - particularly in my upper back & arms.  It won't be a regular to my routine but I would definitely take it again.

Week 3 HBBC Recap:


Monday:  Run 1 mile (Day 12 #RWRunStreak), Freggies - 2 points
Tuesday: Swim 45 minutes, Run 1 mile (Day 13 #RWRunStreak) - 5.5 points
Wednesday: Run 2 mile (Day 14 #RWRunStreak), Freggies - 3 points
Thursday: Run 1 mile (Day 15 #RWRunStreak), 60 minutes R.I.P.P.E.D - 5 points
Friday: Run 1 mile (Day 16 #RWRunStreak) - 1 point
Saturday: CycleYou 60 minutes, Run 1 mile (Day 17 #RWRunStreak) - 7 points
Sunday: Run 1 mile (Day 17 #RWRunStreak) - 1 point

Bonus Points: 6 - Daily FB check-in

Week Total: 30.5
HBBC Total: 119

I skipped Sunday Masters swim practice this week.  Starting Saturday afternoon I was feeling really tired / run down & continued to feel that way on Sunday.  I think it is a combination of things but regardless I decided skip the workout.  I still did my run since I hated to break the streak.  

I did marginally better on the freggies this week but still have work to do.  My goal for the upcoming week is to continue to improve on the freggies plus do the WOW (workout of the week) since I have yet to get that in since the challenge has started. 

November Stats & December Goals Plus HBBC Week 2

The only thing that went really well this week was keeping the #RWRunStreak alive.  Keep in mind when looking at the weekly recap below, the rules say a 'minimum' of 1 mile run counts to keep the streak going.  

My stated goal for this week was to get my 5-7 freggies in everyday.  Well, I am sad to say I fell short on that one almost every stinking day.  I blame Trader Joe's & my lack of self restraint for this.  I did manage to get 4 servings in everyday but at the end of the day when I should have been reaching for that 5th serving I was pounding down these bad boys.  mmmm, cookies.

Both Thursday & Friday morning I skipped my AM workout.  I just couldn't pry myself out of bed.

Yet for some reason on Saturday when I can sleep in, I wake up at 5:30am.  What is up with that?!  

Week 2 HBBC Recap:

Monday:  Run 1 mile (Day 5 #RWRunStreak), Walked 1 mile, 15 minutes of weights - 3 points
Tuesday: Run 2 miles (Day 6 #RWRunStreak) - 2 points
Wednesday: Swim 35 minutes (1050 yards), Run 1 mile (Day 7 #RWRunStreak) - 4.5 points
Thursday: Run 1 mile (Day 8 #RWRunStreak) - 1 point
Friday: Run 1 mile (Day 9 #RWRunStreak) - 1 point
Saturday: Run 3.55 miles (Day 10 #RWRunStreak), 60 minutes Yoga - 6.55 points
Sunday: Swim 70 minutes, Run 1 mile (Day 11 #RWRunStreak) - 8 points

Bonus Points: 6 - Daily FB check-in

I did buy a bunch of fruits & veggies at the store today so hopefully I will be able to meet my 5-7 freggie goal this week!  

Now on to the monthly goal recap.  Overall, November was an improvement from October.  Some really nice days over the Thanksgiving week helped get me out on the road to meet my bike miles. The Sunday Masters swim practice helped me finally meet my swim goal this month as well.  

Like I mentioned earlier, I haven't bailed on the #RWRunStreak yet.  My hip is feeling surprisingly good.  I was worried that the daily run would aggravate it but I think the fact that I am only running 1 mile most days helps.  I did a couple virtual 5Ks & a Glow in the Night 5K this month.  I even got a medal in the mail for the Thanksgiving Virtual 5K to benefit LLS.  I mentioned in another post but the Virtual races are all the rage these days.  Check out the Virtual Runs FB page for a large listing of runs - most of them benefit charity.

  

Here is how November went:

• Swim (Goal/Actual) - 8 / 8 miles
• Spin / Road (Goal/Actual) - 60 / 78 miles
• Run (Goal/Actual) - 40 / 34 miles
• Pilates Reformer (Goal/Actual) - 4 / 2 - uh yeah, 6AM Thursday class is not working for me lately. 
• Yoga (Goal/Actual) - 4 / 5
• Xtreme 30 (Goal/Actual) - 4 / 1 - Oopsie - I forgot I made this a goal in November.
• November N2U CT Challenge - Nada - I really fell off the wagon on this challenge.  
• Races - 3 - #Run4NYC Virtual 5K, Leukemia & Lymphoma Thanksgiving Virtual 5K & the Glow in the Night 5K
• Rest Days - 4 but some days were only 1 mile runs.  Those probably should be counted as rest days. 

Total Miles = 125

Total Time = 29.1 hours

2012 Nike Go the Distance Challenge (Goal / Actual) - 200 miles / 99.82 miles - UGH!  Had I only been paying attention I would have swam a few extra laps on Wednesday to hit the 100 mile mark.  

Now on to my December goals.  This month I am going to make it easy.  

December goals: 

• Follow through with the HBBC Challenge
• Keep the #RWRunStreak alive provided it doesn't aggravate my hip
• Do 4 New to Me Challenges to make up for the past few months
• Start thinking about what fitness goals I want to accomplish in 2013

Happy December y'all!