Wash Park Wednesday

It was one of those days where I had every intention of getting in a run at Wash Park before my noon haircut and highlight appointment.  But it was right at 11am when I got out of the station and I tried to bail on myself.  But no I headed over to Wash Park and got it done.  It was just a quick run in the heat (record high of 98 in Denver today) but checked it off my to do list.

Sometimes when you are crunched up against time constraints you have your best cardio workouts.  I needed that run.  Got the 2.6 miles done in about 22 minutes with a couple of minutes to stretch then off to my appointment on time.  It wasn't as far as I wanted to go but it was 2.6 miles farther than when I started!

Take Off Tuesday

It was take off Tuesday for me.  Body said so!  Needed a break.

Balance Control Front

In my Kinesis and Pilates session today at Pura Vida Club, Erin had me do a move called Balance Control Front.  It's a plank on the reformer, keeping body still and pushing the carriage out and in.  This one really works the core and is a shoulder stabilizer.  It's a tough move....along with the other ones she used to kick my butt in our hour and half session!

Turned A Sunday Stroll Into A Sunday Run

I headed out Sunday afternoon for what I thought was going to be just a easy Sunday stroll as a few sprinkles moved in.  Instead about a quarter of a mile into it, with some great tunes, I decided to turn it into a run.  Nothing too crazy - just covered about 3 miles total.  But woke up this morning with my lower back telling me it wished I'd worn my running shoes instead of a pair that's already passed their running prime.  Time for new shoes!

Hiking McCullough Gulch

Saturday was a great hike with friends.  It was shorter than I've been doing lately but we didn't have a ton of time since we were catching the cyclists come in to Breckenridge in the USA Pro Challenge.  McCullough Gulch is a 3 mile round trip with an elevation gain of about 800 feet.

It's a great hike near Breckenridge with waterfalls and a beautiful alpine lake!

Friday Rest Day

Took a rest day Friday.  Too much work to do!

Full Pike - Awesome Ab Move

Today was one of those days that I left my workout with workout euphoria.  Felt strong during an awesome Pilates and Kinesis session with Erin at Pura Vida Club.  During the hour and half workout she really pushed me today with upper body and abs as focus of workout.

One of the moves we did today was Full Pike on the Wonder Chair.  In the video Erin demonstrates how to do the move then I try.  Trust me it's tough!

I do have to laugh that you can see the road rash on my knee from my mountain bike crash on Saturday!

Walking In Wash Park

One of my favorite parks in Denver is Wash Park.  It's a great 2.6 mile loop.  My friend Christy is in town so after a great brunch at The Local on South Gaylord we headed over for some power walking at Wash Park.  It was a hot day so we were sweating in the park as we got a nice workout and chat in!

Taking a Rest Day

I'd planned to take a total rest day on Tuesday.  That's a good thing because with the earthquakes in Colorado and Virginia I ended up pulling a super long day at the station.

Stretching For A Long Spine

Well after my insane workout weekend and being sore and bruised from my mountain biking crash, I did just Pilates (normally do Kinesis and Pilates on Mondays) with Erin at Pura Vida.  Today she really focused on stretching, working out the kinks, and alignment.  One of the exercises we did on the reformer is called the Long Spine.  It feels so good stretch and elongate the spine!

Hiking Wilder Gulch To Ptarmigan Hill

Sunday I did a hike with two friends visiting their friends in the Beaver Creek/Vail area.  We'd headed over to Wilder Gulch, which you access at the rest area of exit 190 on I-70.  It's about a 7.1 hike round trip to the top of Ptarmigan with an approximate 1,200 foot elevation gain.  The hike is called Wilder Gulch to Ptarmigan Hill.

Since I was so sore, bruised, and scratched up from Saturday's mountain bike crash and miles of hiking, I loved doing a not so rushed hike in beautiful scenery.  We made it to Ptarmigan Pass in a little under hour forty-five minutes.  From there it's a steeper climb up to the top of Ptarmigan Hill and an elevation of 12,145 feet.  It's a beautiful view from the top. You have a great view of Machine Gun Ridge and Mount of the Holy Cross.

We did a leisurely walk back down really soaking up the views and numerous wildflowers.

Hiking & Biking Up A Storm in Beaver Creek

Saturday turned into an all day workout for me at Beaver Creek.  It started at 7:15am when I took off on the Lost Buck Trail.  I headed out on what I thought would be just a nice hike/jog but it turned into a 3 miles hike/run with three hill intervals added in.  There's something about hiking or jogging by a ski slope that just inspired me to run intervals to the top of the hill.

For there it was out on a mountain biking adventure at 9:15am with my guide Laura.  Little did I know that I would be going 14 miles and there would be a crash.  I'm still a pretty novice mountain biker.  I'm a much better road cyclist.  At Beaver Creek we road the Centennial Lift then took off on Cinch to Dally to Village to Village over the Arrowhead.  Somewhere on the Village to Village I bit it going downhill while trying to shoot video.  In Arrowhead we caught the bike trail and then bus back to Beaver Creek for a quick lunch at Spruce Saddle, off of the Centennial Lift.

Laura was up for a hike so she went with me.  We took the Royal Elk Trail to Beaver Lake at an elevation of 9,746 feet.  After a quick break to soak up the beauty of the lake it was back down the Beaver Lake Trail to my hotel The Osprey.  Round trip it was a 6 mile hike.

That's 9 miles on foot and 14 on bike - not bad for a day's workout!

Sports Fusion Massage

I have been way overdue for a massage!  So today I got one.  I went to the Allegria Spa in Beaver Creek.  Of course it's fitting my massage therapist was a former pro snowboarder!  I'm not big on massage to relax. I want one to help my overworked, overused muscles.  So Justin was the perfect therapist for me.  I got the Sports Fusion Massage that promotes sports relief and clear breathing.  It's gear for relief from exercising at high altitude.  It combines hot stones, sport and deep tissue work using wintergreen and arnica body butter with eucalyptus steam to help restore clear breathing.

After several weeks of pretty intense weekend hikes I was in desperate need of this!  One of the best massages I've ever had.

Take A Rest Thursday

Didn't do squat for a workout today!  I took a slacker day....well just had to much to do to squeeze in a workout.  I tried though!

Sweating in the Sunshine

With temperatures in the low 90s this afternoon I was sweating in the sunshine getting a little cardio done on the South Platte Trail.  Although being out there reminded me I'm slacking on cycling when several cyclists went flying back.  Should have been doing that on a hot day.  Just did a couple of miles in the heat but got it done.  Now to stretch!

In The Rain....On Purpose!

Tuesdays seem to be my tired days.  So I just did a power walk.  Still dealing with blisters from Massive 14er so decided to walk instead of run.  I did one of my favorite things - walk in the rain.  It's such a renewing and refreshing experience to be on a walk or run and it starts raining.  So I timed it perfectly that the rain started when I hit the turn around point.  Hard to beat walking in the rain.....well maybe splashing in puddles like a kid beats it!

Work The Glutes & Hammies

Today was Pilates and Kinesis with Erin at Pura Vida Club.  Even though I was super tired she got me fired up for the workout.  Of course she kicked my butt as she does every session.  Even with my super sore calves she didn't let me get out of calf raises!  Here's a new move for the glutes and hamstrings.

Taking a Sunday Stroll

Sunday was a nice walk.  I went for a few miles on the Cherry Creek Bike Path.  I was trying to workout some of the soreness from my Massive climb the day before!

A Massive Climb

Saturday was a massive climb....up to the summit of Mount Massive, the third highest peak in the contiguous 48 states.  It is a long hike and big elevation gain.  The trailhead starts at 10,000 feet and you climb to 14, 421 feet at summit so it's a 4,421 foot gain in elevation.  It's 13.6 miles but my friend Sarah and I took a wrong turn so it ended up being more like 14 miles for us.  It was tough but so rewarding and the views are incredible.  Because of the mileage it's an all day hike.  I can certainly see why so many hike up and camp then come back down the next day.  It was a long day but a fun day and I made it 14 miles round trip!

Friday Rest Day

Friday was a rest day in preparation for my Saturday hike up Mount Massive, the third highest peak in the contiguous 48 states.  The hike is 13.6 miles. 

The Thigh Burner

Today was Kinesis and Pilates hour and a half training with Erin at Pura Vida Club.  We focused on abs and core work and then legs with several jump board series in Pilates and moves in Kinesis.  Jump board is tough.  It's pushing out and back on the reformer in different positions.  I call it Pilates cardio because it sends my heart rate racing let alone exhausting my legs to point of wobbly legs!

The move Erin is sharing today is for the quads.  It's called the thigh stretch.  It's more like the thigh burner!  You put a ball between your knees and squeeze.  Knees to head are in a straight line with pelvis tucked under slightly.  Lean back, hinging from your knees and keeping in a straight line as far as you can go then come back up.  Remember to breathe.  This is one of those moves you do to fatigue....which doesn't take long.  You'll feel the burn!

Had To Do A Work Day

With so much to do spent Tuesday afternoon basically glued to a computer.  Had to do a work day!

Trudging Through Mud - Resistance Cardio

It was one of those cardio workouts where you feel like you are trudging through mud.  I did resistance cardio today at Pura Vida Club.  I pumped up the resistance and worried more about time than mileage.  So I did 20 minutes on the Precor then 25 minutes on the elliptical machine.  Ended up getting in 4.5 miles with moderately high resistance.  Then some ab work including planks and the plank side bends.  Cardio with resistance really makes you sweat!  Great workout and I was out of the gym within an hour.

Another Travel Day

Today was another travel day so after a little walking around Aspen I headed back to Denver.  Tuesday will mean a tough workout day with sprints or intervals.

Much Deserved Rest Day

Sunday was a much deserved rest day to enjoy walking around Crested Butte and then back in Aspen.  Perfect weather for strolls in both towns!

Trekking West Maroon Trail

Saturday was a big hike with a group from Aspen to Crested Butte on the West Maroon Trail.  This was my first time to do the hike.  Most of the group has done it before.   It's 12.5 miles with the extra 1.5 (possibly 2) you have to hike because of an avalanche near Emerald Lake that is still keeping the road closed. We start at Maroon Lake at 7:30am and by 8:11am we'd arrived at Crater Lake, which is about 1.5 miles.  We crossed two streams and had to walk through two snow areas in the first 6+ miles to the lunch stop on the saddle at 12,500 feet.  We headed down from the Saddle at 11:25am. Wildflowers were everywhere on the second half of the hike.   We got to the trailhead at 1:08pm but then had to walk the road including uphill a ways on the road to Emerald Lake. The road was closed because of an avalanche that we walked over. We were to the bus at 1:50pm and definitely ready for some R&R.  The weather was perfect and the hike was awesome!

Adventure in Aspen & Snowmass

Today was a fun fitness day with mountainboarding and biking in Snowmass then stand up paddling on the Roaring Fork River in Aspen with a hometown (Greenville, SC) friend.

First for Frank and I was mountainboarding - something I've never heard of let alone try until this trip.  Our instructor Doug was fantastic.  No falls and by end of lesson felt confident on the board.  I'd call it skateboarding on steroids or a summer version of snowboarding on wheels.  Even did what's called "dropping small" which is boarding the small ramp.  Snowmass has camps for kids where they get to do this and adults can try it too.

Next was mountain biking with another fabulous instructor Kevin.  We went up the Elk Camp Gondola then did downhill mountain biking.  The trail system in Aspen/Snowmass covers 50 miles of varying terrain.  I'd never done straight downhill mountain biking.  It's challenging - especially going through the turns and bridges.  In addition to a workout for your legs, core and arms being in the athletic stance on a bike, it's also a workout for your hands since you'll be braking on the way down.





The third outdoor adventure of the day was stand up paddling (SUP) on the Roaring Fork River in Aspen with professional skier Chris Davenport and Aspen Kayak & SUP Academy owner Charlie MacArthur.  This was such a great core workout with amazing scenery.  Plus the water felt great - yes I fell in but we all did!

Tomorrow is a 12.5 mile hike from Aspen to Crested Butte!

Travel Day Thursday

Thursday was a travel day to Aspen but I did get in a quick bike ride and walk around town - such a great mountain town!

Workin' Wednesday

Tried to get a workout in Wednesday but it just didn't happen with watching storms, logging video, blogging, etc.  Oh well - an unintended rest day.  My mind was racing though!

Get The Ballet Body

I used to love taking fitness classes.  In fact I used to teach them in Knoxville, TN and San Antonio, TX.  But for whatever reason I haven't taken a class in ages.  Which is a shame since my gym, Pura Vida Club, has some amazing ones.  Can't even remember what the last class I took - probably a spinning or pilates mat class.

So today I decided to take a Ballet Body class.  Almost didn't get to because of the threat of storms but I made it.  I love to dance and what female doesn't what the toned beautiful lines of a ballet body.

Here's Pura Vida's description of the class:  This class will tone and sculpt giving you the lean, dancer's body look you desire. You will sweat and burn your way through strength training exercises rooted in Ballet, Pilates, and gymnastics. Barefoot encouraged. Reservations required. 

I walk in to the class and see everyone grabbing a mat, ball, yoga strap, and 3 pound weights so I do the same.  The instructor is Amanda, whom I see sometimes when I'm doing Pilates.

Amanda starts the class with shoulder circles to loosen up then straight in to arms.  You might think 3 pound weights sound wimpy but go through the series of lifts and pulses that we did for about 10 minutes and you quickly find out 3 pounds can weight a ton!  From weights we went straight into a 3 position series of push ups then over to the barre for leg work.

At the barre,  we do a series of relevé moves with feet parallel and in position of heels together and toes apart.  Then add the ball between legs just above knees for additional focus on inner thighs.  With these moves it's easy to see why ballerinas have that long, lean, toned look!

Then it's back to mats for abs then stretching with yoga straps.  We end the class with hip flexor stretches.

It's a great class and I'm sure I'm going to feel it tomorrow.  It went by so fast - that's a sign of a great class.  It definitely showed me that I need to do more ballet moves and stretching to increase flexibility, especially since I do so much cardio stuff like running and hiking which can cause you to really tighten up.

I'm going to keep going for the Ballet Body!  

Going the Distance on Elliptical

My week is a little out of whack already with Erin, my Pilates and Kinesis trainer, out of town.  I'd hope to make the Mad Abs 30 minute class at Pura Vida Club today but didn't get out of work in time.

Instead I hit the elliptical.  My calves are still pretty sore for Grays and Torreys 14ers climb so I figured it would be a fairly easy go of it on the elliptical.  But as soon as I put my tunes on I was off.  I ended up doing 5 miles in 41:25 minutes.  That's right at an 8:13mph pace.   

After the cardio, I did some ab work on a machine then headed into one of the fitness class studios that was empty and jumped rope.  That's right went old school or boxer style.  Thanks to Erin using jump rope as part of my warm up for Kinesis I've been getting it in at least once a week.  So for three minutes I jump rope.  It's one of the best cardio workouts and easy to see why boxers are in such amazing shape.  I just need to add it in a couple more times a week.

I did 20 moving push ups on a Bosa ball. Yes on my toes.  Then did 20 (on each side) side bends in plank that Erin taught me last week.  Finished out the workout with some stretching. 

Not bad for a girl who went in to gym for an easy cardio session!

Lazy Sunday

Took a lazy Sunday with no workout and enjoy some time with friends and family.  Rest is just as important as workout!