I got my run in today!

I woke up this morning happy that I didn't need to be at work at the crack ass of dawn. I had a wonderful breakfast and took my time getting to work. We are moving gyms so our gym can get a new roof so it took the trainers until about 11:00. My honey and I met for some racquetball (I always lose, for now!) and then headed home for some healthy lunch. Knowing I have three clients this evening, I'm trying to decide when I'm going to do my 5 mile run. Low and behold one of my clients cancels so bingo, there is my one hour I have open and I couldn't miss this opportunity. I head to work and train my first client and then bee hived for the cardio room.

I had the usual on: heart rate monitor, IPOD and running clothing of course. The treadmill said I had just short of 5 miles to go when I checked my IPOD it said 5.44 miles. Well dammit, I couldn't just stop the treadmill right there, I had to finish to 5 miles (an OCD problem I have w/ the electronics, gotta finish on an even number even my heart rate monitor. My face was beet red due to the serious lack of air flow (no A/C) and the fan circulating hot air but I did it and was pleased that I fit it in today.

Pictures included today are from the Honolulu Century Ride I did with my honey and friends a couple Sundays ago. We rode 50 miles and had a blast! The weather was awesome and no one got hurt!

Darn I missed a day!

So I did my first "longer" miles Friday, October 2 and did well. Saturday and Sunday roll around and I have a ten hour course to complete for yoga, which was awesome and I'm very excited about teaching others. On Sunday morning before my yoga class I completed a sprint triathlon and came in 3rd place (in my age group)!!!! Finally, I received a medal and I am thrilled to death about it. I've been training really hard all year and it has finally paid off! I'm not giving up though, I still would love to have 2ND and even 1st place but I am living in the moment now with third.

Okay back to 1/2 marathon. So Monday comes fast and I'm suppose to run 5 miles, according to my program. I go to work at 5:30 am and done with my second client by 8:30. I am beat so I head to the commissary for some fuel (groceries) and then go home to lie in bed for several hours (it felt good and guilty all at the same time). I did some things around the house and then headed back to work so basically there were no miles to be run today.

Tuesday I feel myself again so I stick to my plan and ran my 3 miles. Along with my
P90X training, ab work and that is it! I'm a little sad that I missed out on Monday but I've got to look ahead and plan to accomplish the future runs and not dwell on the past runs!

Today is 5 miles and it's 8:00am, yes, I will get these in and tune back tomorrow for results!

Preparing for a Half-Marathon

As of today I have exactly 37 days to be ready for a half marathon. I have a friend coming to visit me here in Hawaii from Virgina and she would like to run a half marathon while she is here. Yes, I am very active and this should not be a problem for me you say? Well I ran 5 miles last week and that was the last time I ran. Today I set my program up in preparation of this race. I must stick to it and keep myself motivated. Maybe I need to read my blog about motivation. Running is one activity I enjoy but only on certain days so this will be a bit challenging for me. I will stick to the plan and hope for the best. My long runs are scheduled for Fridays so wish me luck!

I am excited about running this race with my friend. I've run one 5k with friends since I have been here and so far it's been 2.5 years. I hope we have a good time and enjoy the run. May the training begin!

What do your cards read?

I went to a friend's birthday party this past Saturday evening and the women there were so awesome and full of positive energy. I only knew about four of the women and wished I had more time to spend with the others. One that I already knew, was talking to me about the "Cards". I thought it was some psychic ready but it wasn't. The cards that are used are regular playing cards and they correlate with the universe. Sound silly? Well it had my attention and made me think and wonder...what card is mine and how my life is played out. I began to ask the difference of the scientific thought process but yet the spiritual aspect of it as well. I do believe in a higher power i.e. God but how does the scientific part of it play into as well?

There are many questions I have and would like to do more research on this subject but in all, we are given choices in life and it's if we make the right ones or not. God has our path written out for us and it is up to us to follow that path. Maybe there are other avenues to help us guide ourselves into that right direction but whatever card or hand we are given, it is our duty through God to make those right decisions.

Balance?

After training for months for triathlons; I now feel my balance is a bit off. Training for triathlons is a dedicated and thought out process months before the event. Once crossing that finish line, then at that moment all the hard work pays off and is well worth it. I have one or maybe two more sprint triathlons left this year and love the addiction and drive I have to want to complete these events closer to 1st place. I have come a long way; first triathlon ever was in New Mexico finishing in two hours and now my last triathlon was completed in an hour and sixteen minutes. I was ten seconds away from fourth place. I would be thrilled to death for a third place medal.

I'm trying new exercises such as; P90X, pole dancing (now that is fun and very interesting), racquetball and golfing. Not having a schedule of something to work towards is a bit unbalanced for me but I do enjoy all my new events.

Yoga is very important to me and that is where my true balance is. It helps me to focus on my body and what is happening to it. There is an awesome yoga studio in my neighborhood (Yoga 4 Ewa) that I would love to attend daily but my schedule does not allow me to. The owner has created a CD of a recorded class which I now have on my IPOD so I can do the class anytime of day. She is an awesome person and wonderful instructor. So where to find balance? YOGA!!!!!

Beautiful Bike Ride on the East Coast of Oahu

This is my favorite ride on the island. From the beginning of the ride, where I start and back is about a 40 mile ride. There is a bit of traffic along the way but once off the main road, the scenery is absolutley beautiful. I will miss this ride once I move in April 2010. Hawaii has some beautiful scenery but it is a challenge not to get hit by a vehicle. Just about everyone I know, knows of someone that has been hit by a car while on their road bike. This island is very crowded and sometimes people just don't pay attention. This does not stop me from getting on the bike and riding. You have got to live and enjoy life to it's fullest. I want no regrets when I'm older and look foward to many more awesome rides here in Hawaii before I depart!

5,000 Calories

Wow, what an awesome week it has been. I've hiked, biked, hiked again, golfed, weight training, swimming and a little working! There is nothing more I love than to burn calories, well one other thing I love and that is my honey! The satisfaction I receive from a good workout is unexplainable.

Monday 8-3-09
I did a short 3 mile hike with a friend which led to beautiful swimming pools formed by the gorgeous waterfalls. The hike was Waimano Pool with an elevation gain of 700 feet and was suitable for novice and intermediate hikers. First of all, I would like to know who and how "they" decide who the hike are suitable for. In my opinion they are off at times but I'm guessing they want to be safe rather than sorry. Also, who gets that kind of job and hiking to find out elevation gain, type of hike etc. That would be an awesome job and I may have to look into something like that! The hike lead into the lush Waimano Valley and then ending at the two deep swimming pools which had ropes to swing from into the water. My favorite description of this hike reads this "On the return, take your time climbing "cardiac hill"". Calories burned 510!

Tuesday 8-4-09
I met a friend thinking we were going to play golf but the golf course didn't open until 1:00 so we decided to have coffee, breakfast and some chit chat. After that I met another friend at the gym where we worked our upper body, abs and did some cardio. Calories burned, 494. I then headed to pool and swam some laps which I haven't done in quite some time. Finally, around 2:00 I got a massage from a new therapist which his usual clients are boxers and fighters. I was a little nervous at first but we hit it off great and he did some awesome work. A massage is not relaxing for me because of all the "beating" I do to my body. I am trying to work on this by doing more stretching and hopefully more yoga! I need more time in the day, how do I get some?

Wednesday 8-5-09
Riding my road bike on the open road is great but riding along the North Shore in Hawaii is awesome. I met two of my girlfriends and we headed East starting from The Market in the North Shore and turned around just past Turtle Bay Resort. Heading out East was a bit challenging due to riding in the strong head wind but it makes for a great workout. We turned around at about 15 miles and headed back West towards the starting point. I was on fire and got up to 26 mph on a nice flat part. I stayed in the low twenties and felt so free and alive as long as the cars stayed on their side of the road! This is always a plus when riding your bike "in" traffic" and of course tons of tourist! We took at rest top looking over Waimea Bay and the water looked so calm and blue. In the winter months Waimea is usually pretty rough. We got back to our cars, placed the gear away and headed to Cholo's Mexican Restaurant. There is nothing better than Mexican food after a hot 30 mile bike ride! Calories burned, 1058!

Thursday 8-6-09
My two friends and I are eager for today with a 12 mile hike ahead of us. We meet at a coffee shop at 6:30 am for an early start and hit the trailhead by 6:45. We are all excited and ready for an adventure.....long adventure. Two of us had to be somewhere later that afternoon so we were hoping to see this faboulous summit. The hike we did or attempted was Manana. The book says it is a 12-mile round trip with 1,700 feet of elevation gain and suitable for novice, intermediate and experts. The first 2-3 miles were very easy and nice to follow but after that it seemed to get more narrow and a bit steeper. I enjoyed the ropes people had placed there to help you climb the steep parts. It was especially fun coming down. After 3.5 hours we had reached the 4 mile marker and were running out of time. We decided to turn around due to the fact we wouldn't make it to the summit and back in the time we had left. Towards the end the group grew tired and quiet. Maybe it was a good thing we didn't make it to the top although it would have been really cool. We finished at about 10 miles, 6.5 hours and 2,237 calories later. It was long but very fun and we saw stunning views of the Leeward side of the island.

Friday 8-7-09
Started the day off with an awesome golf game with a friend. I had my best game ever with two pars and a score of 43 (par 3 course with 9 holes). I celebrated with a flavored ice coffee from McDonalds. As on cloud nine I meet another friend at the gym where we did legs (if my legs could speak they would be telling me to sit the hell down already), upper back and a bit of cardio. We then headed to the pool where I could only punch out 500 yard. I was truly tired after burning 502 calories and ready to just soak up some sun. I finished this day off with a wonderful dinner at Outback with my sweetie! They have awesome burgers!

Saturday 8-8-09
Today was the easiest of them all! I coached a client at Ko Olina Lagoon and after her swim we went to my work where I taught a spining class (715 calories). I then met a friend at the movies and it was nice to just sit and relax!

Sunday 8-9-09
Celebrate my honey's Birthday! Happy Birthday sweets!