The Finish Line Is Just The Start

Well I did it.  365 days of fitness blogs.  Something written for every day. Some workouts were extreme, like climbing a 14,000 foot peak in snow squalls.  Many others were firsts, like skiing with an Olympian for the first time when I skied with Billy Kidd in Steamboat Springs.  He is the first American man to ever medal in alpine skiing.  From logging miles on trails in Colorado to running through sprinklers in my childhood neighborhood of Greenville, South Carolina, it's been a year of intense workouts, exploring many incredible places, and finding a renewed love of yoga.  It's been a year of a few wipeouts and crashes on bikes and skis and some moments of facing my fear of heights and doing things like rock climbing.

It's been a year of a ton of moments when I just wanted to yell at the top of my lungs, "I am woman, hear me roar."  Sometimes, you've got to be your own cheerleader.  But I also leaned on my fitness coaches.  Yes, I call them coaches because a coach is a trainer, cheerleader, and motivator.  Erin, my Pilates and Kinesis coach at Pura Vida Club, has been with me every single step of the way in this challenge.  I so appreciated it when she told me how proud she was of me for following through with the year-long goal and never giving up.  I started training with Cristina, my intervals and strength training coach, in the last couple of months of this journey.  She is the one who can push me through an 11 mph sprint.  These two, along with my coaches Gregg and Sharon in San Antonio, are not just coaches, they are friends....and yes sometimes my therapists.

This blog started as something for just me.  Yet, it turned into something much greater.  I used it as a fitness journal that was started as a way to hold myself accountable for workouts.  A lot of folks use 40 as a goal to do something fitness related - loose weight, run a marathon.....guess I'm no different.  What I learned along the way is that it wasn't about me becoming the skinniest I've ever been.  Been there, done that, and never want to go through the amount of stress that got me to that point ever again.

What the year became was a year to push myself through some intense workouts to become stronger, faster, and fitter.  One of my favorite stores in Denver, Cry Baby Ranch, carries a t-shirt that says "Strong is the new skinny."  That became my motto for my Workout Warrior Year to 40.

Little did I know when I started the blog that thousands would read it, get inspired by it, and try the workouts and exercises.  I've appreciated the comments on posts.  They've really cheered me on.  I realized it wasn't just about me in this blog anymore.  I just became the vessel to share the workouts, exercises, and lessons learned along the way.  The response to the blog has been incredible.  So much so that I'm trying to figure out how to continue the blog.  It won't be every day - trust me, it's a lot of work and a huge commitment to log something every day.  But the workout video clips, well I'm thinking of continuing those in some fashion.  The blog has also lead to me being a feature writer for NFit, a new fitness magazine in San Antonio, Texas.  I write for magazines and publications on travel and weather, but this my first run as a fitness writer.  Fitting I guess, since fitness has been a huge part of my life from cheerleading in high school, to being a certified aerobics instructor and teaching in Knoxville, Tennessee, and San Antonio, Texas, to running marathons and doing distance bike rides, to my newest fitness passions of hiking mountains, Pilates, and yoga.

For me, the finish line of my 40th birthday is just the start.  Within the next month and a half, I'll be hiking to the highest point (and second highest on the contiguous US) in Colorado hiking Mt. Elbert the last weekend in July and then attempting to hike what is considered by many, the most difficult 14er in Colorado, and climbing Capitol Peak.  My expert mountaineering friends Chris Tomer and Jon Kedrowski talked me in to that one and yes, they'll be pulling me through the whole way.

The finish line is just the start.  I'm running into my 40s and looking forward to the incredible fitness adventures that I'll go on...and wonder what fitness challenge 50 is going to bring!

Travel/Rest Day Monday

Yesterday was a travel and rest day for me.  Was hoping to get in a workout post-flights but got caught up in chores at home so just got some stretching in.

Sweating Out The Run

As soon as I headed out for a quick run before church, I noticed it was hotter and more humid this morning.  Glad I'd only planned a short workout.  It was my last run through my childhood neighborhood before heading back to Denver on Monday.  Yes it was hot and humid but I had to get in one more run in the ole 'hood.

I just did 2.5 miles and when I got back I checked the temperature...already 91 and felt like 93 with humdity.  Yep, definitely a short run kind of day considering the temperature climbed to 107 today, a new all-time record high for Greenville, SC, breaking the 1887 record of 106.

Running Through Sprinklers

Yesterday I headed out for a long run in my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina.  Yes, even in the heat and humidity, I decided to go for a 5 miler.  With temperatures already near 90, I headed out of my mom's neighborhood, which is very close to the street where I grew up.

Off I go, thinking...."This isn't so bad." Well, that didn't last for long.  The few clouds I had for the first half mile quickly disappeared and the sun was beating down on me as I ran toward Augusta Road.  Time to get in the trees! So as fast I could, I headed into the neighborhood where I spent most of my childhood.  Running down Crescent Avenue I noticed how many of the homes had changed or are currently under renovation, like the home that used to be completely blocked with a six foot hedge.  Now with the hedge gone, it is completely visible from the street.  I've always enjoyed running or walking Crescent Avenue.  My mom and I used to walk it a lot as part of a large square route we'd do from home on Capers to Crescent down to McDaniel then around to Jones and back up Capers to home.  Some trails and routes are so engrained in our minds that even when we've gone away for a long time, there's the comfort of returning to that route where you knew every turn, every crack or bump in the sidewalk, and every home.

It was on Crescent that I ran through my first sprinkler.  On a hot morning the refreshingly cold water was invigorating.  There were a couple of other folks out running, walking or working in their yard.  It's such a treat to run past someone and they speak or wave. Yes, it's so Southern, but I love it.  Funny I thought, how doing something I did hundreds of times as a child started bringing up some childhood memories on this run.

As I kept running I passed an old boyfriend's home. During high school, he looked like the rocker, bad boy dude.  My parents weren't thrilled when I dated him but he always treated me with respect and was actually a perfect gentleman.  It made me a little sad as I'd lost touch with him years ago and then heard a couple of years ago he'd passed away.  I turned the corner and ran through a second sprinkler.  As I continued to run down the hill then up on my way to Cleveland Street, I ran by a house that I always wondered about.  It's perched way up on the hill and the driveway twists and turns as it winds up to the house.  As a child, I always said I wanted a big house like that.  It was my dream home....then.  Now I know that big houses aren't always what they seem.  Better to have a small home filled with love, than a big home filled with secrets, lies, and unhappiness.  Supposedly that big house has had those over the years.

With the sun now beating down, I weaved up and down a few roads, then made my way to McDaniel, turned right on Jones, then left on to my old street Capers.  Running up the street I ran through two sprinklers and just laughed.  How lucky I was to grow up on a street where we played outside, especially during the summer.  I can still remember our moms hollering at all the kids at dusk that it was time to come home.  For a few moments, running on the sidewalk, I was transported to a Friday or Saturday evening of hide-and-seek and other games with the other neighborhood kids then at 8pm all of us heading home for family tv nights of Incredible Hulk and Dukes of Hazard on Fridays and Love Boat and Fantasy Island on Saturdays. 

I ended up doing about 5.5 miles on a hot morning, but traveled a lot farther in my memories.  Funny how running through sprinklers can take you back to childhood in an instant.

Running Through The Old Neighborhood

Every time I visit my mom in my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, I try to get in a run through the neighborhood where I spent most of my childhood.  So Friday morning I headed out in the heat and not-so-bad humidity for a quick run.  As I was running the 3.5 miles I realized how I had forgotten how hilly my childhood neighborhood was and how much it had changed.  But yet somehow it was still the same.

Nice to home I thought.....even with the Southern summertime heat.

Travel Thursday

Thursday was a travel day from Denver to South Carolina so no workout.

Sprints, Upper Body & Core

Today was intervals and weights with Cristina at Pura Vida Club.  We started with springs of course!  After a quick warm up, then minute run at 6mph, I did 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9.5mph, and 10mph 30 second sprints with no problem.  During my 10.5mph sprint I felt my right hamstring tighten up.  I decided to go ahead and try 11mph but at 18 seconds into the 30 second sprint my hamstring said no and I quickly bailed off treadmill.  Cristina had planned for me to do box jumps and other leg exercises but did a change of plans on the fly.

Instead we focused on arms and core.  I started with alternating 12 assisted pull-ups and what I can the caterpillar crawl for 15 hands forward then 15 hands back.  I did three sets of each.

Another exercise set was 12 chest presses with crunches on the ball followed by 14 opposite leg and arm lifts in plank.  The plank move looked easy but I quickly found out it is tough really focusing on balance and core strength.  As soon as I was done with three rounds of that set, I told Cristina that I obviously needed to do those because they were tough.

I also 12 chest wide bar pulls with 12 weighted leg kicks.  When Cristina was setting up the weights for the leg move, I said "5 pounds?!?!?!" She said just try it.  Well it was actually 7.5 pounds and I quickly found out why she went light weight.  Balancing on a bent leg with weighted leg bent and off ground, then kick forward extending leg from knee down isn't easy!

Here's a look at those exercises so you can try them too.

With the hamstring flare up I got a little extra stretch time on it.  Yes I give in.  I'm going to Airrosti to get it worked on.

Let's Do Opposites

Yesterday was my usual Monday Kinesis and Pilates session with Erin at Pura Vida Club.  After a jump rope warm-up, Erin said let's do opposites today.  She incorporated the Move Chair with the Kinesis cables.

Here's one of the moves of opposites.  While pressing the chair's pedal down, I did a double arm row.  Working opposites means full body workout.  It may look easy but keep the balance and form are tough.

This was my last session with Erin before my 40th, exactly one week from today.  While we were in the Kinesis room she let me know how proud she was of me for sticking with it for a year.....not quite there but close.  With fitness goals, a lot of folks get frustrated, get busy, get lazy, or just give up.  Not me.  She knew I was determined to see this through and that's exactly what I'm doing.  Sure is nice when someone let's you know he or she is proud of you.  Erin has been so motivating to me through this year.  I'm certainly lucky to have her as a trainer and a friend.  Of course she knows this quest doesn't just end on Tuesday.  I'm going to have to come up with the next challenge to go after.

After we did about 40 minutes of Pilates infused Kinesis we headed in to the Pilates studio for jump board fun.  That's 3 minute series of double and single legs jumps on the reformer.  An example is jump board with feet parallel for one minute, next minute feet in V position, and third minute alternating feet together and wide.  That's 3 minutes with no breaks.  Since we were doing opposites, Pilates was more of a cardio Pilates.

What Is It You Choose Today?

After a tough CrossFit workout Saturday with CrossFit Low Oxygen, I so needed a yoga session yesterday.  Plus I'm super stressed with a lot to do and not enjoy time.  Let's just say the tension in my neck is well a pain in the neck!  The 2pm class at Core Power Yoga Highlands location is a CorePower 1.  It's in a warm room and a little slower than the CorePower 2.  I enjoy it because it is a great chance for me to really focus on form and connecting moves to breath.

As today's class started, the instructor Cara said "What is it you choose today?"  Here we go I thought, that's my keyed in phrase of the class.  Then she said if you choose compassion for yourself at in point in class, feel free to go into Child's Pose.  That would be the first pose starting with a "C" that would stand out to me in class.

Starting the class in Child's Pose, gave me a moment to let it all go and realize I was right where I needed to be.  Spiritually, emotionally, physically, and stress level wise I needed to be in that class.

Child's Pose
Photo courtesy Core Power Yoga

The next "C" pose was Crow.  This is a tough one and extremely challenging for me.  Today was the first time since I started going to Core Power Yoga at least once a week since early May that I could hold the pose.  It wasn't for long but I got it.  Everything just clicked for me and I challenged myself to get Crow Pose.

Crow Pose
Photo courtesy Core Power Yoga

The third "C" pose was Camel.  I can actually do this pose, but because it opens up your heart, I'm often flooded with emotions and sometimes a little dizzy coming out of this pose.  But the clarity that suddenly replaces that overwhelming emotional floodgate is simply cool to me.

Camel Pose
Photo courtesy VeganBodyBuilding.com

So what did I choose today?  I chose compassion, challenge and clarity all wrapped up in a 60 minute yoga class.

CrossFit Low Oxygen

Yesterday I did CrossFit with my friends Melissa and Carl.  Now this wasn't just any CrossFit......this was CrossFit Low Oxygen.  It's located in Frisco, Colorado that is at an elevation of 9,042 feet.  Denver's elevation is 5,280 feet.

The Saturday morning class is full with about 30 folks of all different fitness levels.  Brothers Dave and Brent, both ridiculous fit, lead us through an intense workout that involved 100 reps per exercise, 200 meter runs in between exercises, and unexpected burpee breaks.  Oh how I hate burpees!  When the music went off the signal the burpee break, you could hear the collective UGH! from everyone in the class.

We worked out in groups of three so I did mine with Melissa and Carl.  The 100 reps of each exercise was split up between the teams, how ever you wanted to get to 100.  All three members of group had to do each run....which had a twist.  These were weighted 200 meter runs with medicine balls and sand bags.

We had a few minutes to come up with our game plan of how to get through the W.O.D or Workout of the Day.

We decided to start with pull ups to get the hardest one out of the way first.  Instead of each getting a third of the 100 done in one fail swoop we rotated doing reps of 10 or less.

I really love that on the wall behind the pull up bar is the word, "Breathe."  That's a challenge in and of itself working out at over 9,000 feet!

I used a band to assist me in pull ups.  With some shoulder issues I don't do a lot of pull ups.

Then off on the 200 meter run carrying a medicine ball. Yes, not fun!  We alternated carrying medicine balls and a sandbag during the runs in between each exercise.

For the Medicine Ball Walking Lunges, you had to hold the medicine ball overhead as you lunged.  I went first and decided to go ahead and knock out 34 so I was done.  Melissa and Carl alternated until we hit 100.

We did switch the abs and box steps.  For the Medicine Ball Sit Ups, two people had to do these together.  Sitting on ground with feet touching, both go back to lay on ground with arms overhead, one person has the ball, who then sits up and tosses it over to the other person.  Carl and I started.  I did 20 then Melissa jumped in.  When Carl hit 30, I jumped back in and all three of us alternated from there to hit 100.

For the Sandbag Box Step Ups, with a sandbag on your shoulders, you had to step up on a box then down.  We alternated doing 10-15 reps until we hit 100.

Next was the D-ball Slams.  You start with medicine ball overhead, slam it to the ground, and pick it up a couple of inches from ground when you are in the bottom of the squat.  We alternated doing 10 reps until hitting 100.

For the Sandbag Push Presses, you start in a mini squat, elbows out in front of you, holding sandbag at shoulder level then press up to full extension.  We alternated doing 10 reps each until we hit 100.

Finishing the last run was a fabulous way to complete a tough Saturday morning workout.

Post-workout Pic at CrossFit Low Oxygen

Of course I was exercising and filming. So here are some clips from the CrossFit Low Oxygen W.O.D. on Saturday, June 23, 2012.

Starting Day With Protein Drink

Three days in row with no big workout. Yes starting to get antsy, but know I have a tough workout coming Saturday.  Sometimes you just don't have time or you are just really tired and that's been me for three days in a row.

Made some changes to my diet this week and Friday was my fifth day in a row of starting day with drinking a protein shake/drink within 30 minutes of waking up.  When I did a mountain biking clinic in Breckenridge last Friday, my friend Annie told me it didn't matter what time I get up but I have to get a protein shake or drink down within 30 minutes of getting up.  Now I usually do eat something or drink a protein shake but have been doing it about 2 hours after waking up.  So changing the routine!  Annie also reps VEMMA and I'm giving those products a try.  If I could look even half as fit as her I'll be happy!

Zero Time Thursday

Thursday I had a lunch meeting in Boulder.  With traffic really bad on the way back to Denver I didn't get home until almost 4pm and was completely wiped out.  No workout for me.

Walkin' Wednesday

Wednesday I had planned to take Mad Abs and Dirty 30 at Pura Vida like I try to do every Wednesday but my plans changed on a dime.  I'm selling a car and had a chance to get it loaded on a truck.  Of course the truck was 2.5 hours late and that ate up my workout time.

So I just did an walk with my dog to take advantage of a cooler day.  We got a one day break from the heat in Denver.  So just walking and stretching for me.

Constant Climber, Renegade Rows....Great Weight Intervals

Yesterday was intervals and weights with Cristina.  I usually workout with Cristina on Thursdays but had to change because of a lunch meeting this week.  In the session I hit the ground running....literally.  After quick warm up it was into sprints.  These are 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off at 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, and 11mph.  I was really pumped that I only did 30 second rest before the 11mph sprint.  Sometime I'll take 40-45 second before that one.

I didn't get much of a break before hitting the Constant Climber machine to do oblique pull downs for 40 seconds on each side.  These were paired with 10 box squats on each leg.

Then to renegade rows and what I'll call weighted side hops.  The second one is actually to help me with form.  With lunges I tend to turn my toes in slightly instead of pointing toes straight ahead, so these hops are suppose to help hip flexors fire better so I don't turn in.  Those rows are tough to do with weights that roll!  I did 20 renegade rows (alternating 10 on each side) and 10 weighted side hops on each leg.

One other set was biceps and triceps.  As Cristina said when I did a drop set to exhaustion on biceps, "Your biceps need a little love"....in other words they need a lot of work to be ripped!  Those alternated with overhead tricep push downs, which I actually went up on weight with each set.  Got to do 12 of each for the three sets, until the last set of biceps when Cristina dropped the weight and made me keep going with bicep curls to exhaustion.

With the exercise pairs, you do both exercises for 3 sets with minimal rest between sets.

Here's a quick look at how to do the exercises.  Have fun!

Great Stretch With Foam Roller Twist

Today I was my usual Kinesis and Pilates session with Erin at Pura Vida Club.  In between my schedule and her vacation, it's been a month since we've had a session.  I was psyched to get back into my normal Monday routine.

We definitely jumped back into with lots of cable work and intervals in Kinesis.  In Pilates we spent a lot of time on the reformer doing everything from the Pilates Hundred to lots of hip and leg work.

Since I do a good amount of cardio my hamstrings, IT bands, and hip flexors tend to be tight, so Erin had me do this great stretch on the foam roller.  I'm definitely adding it in to my at-home stretches.

Here's Erin explaining how to do the stretch.

Father's Day Run

Father's Day is one of the hardest days of the year for me.  Last time I saw my dad before he passed was Father's Day two years ago.  So after tears after waking up, I did something I hadn't done in a long time - run for coffee.  I used to do it all the time when I worked a night shift.

Runs are therapeutic for me and this one certainly was.  I just went about 3 miles on the Cherry Creek Bike Path.  It was a warm and sunny morning so the path was busy with folks running, walking, and biking.

Even though it was crowded I was still able to get lost in my tunes and use the time to think through some things.  Luckily I had a very busy day ahead of me with plans to head back to Keystone for the rest of the TBEX conference.  As I was running I thought how my dad would want me to keep moving forward....one step at a time, remembering that nothing happens overnight and with hard work the good things will come.

Still miss him dearly but know he's with me every step of the way, even running down the bike path.

No Time Saturday

With the TBEX conference in Keystone and covering the PM weather shift, there was zero time for a workout.  Took it as a busy rest day.

Mountain Biking With Backcountry Babes

Friday I did a mountain biking clinic in Breckenridge with Backcountry Babes.  They are holding a women's clinic July 7-8 and I got a mini-lesson as I shot an upcoming Explore Colorado segment.  I learned so much in just a couple of hours.

We started on grass, then went on a mini course, then off on a trail.  It was such a fun afternoon of learning and riding.

Lots of Lunges

Last Thursday was intervals and weights with Cristina at Pura Vida Club.  Instead of coaching me through and time watching, Cristina ran the sprints with me.  I love it when a trainer jumps in and does some of the exercises with me.  We did 30 second on, 30 seconds off at 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, and 10.5 mph. Then off to do some weight sets including the constant climb machine.  Never done that one...and certainly felt it through the weekend.  I think Cristina was on a lunge kick Thursday because I certainly had to do a ton!

Here are some the exercises including:  Lunges with ViPR Twist, Side Lunges with Weights, Constant Climber, and Bosu Lunges with Overhead Press.

Have fun trying these at the gym!

Push The Circuit

Today I made it the the Mad Abs and Dirty 30 classes at Pura Vida Club that I love to take on Wednesdays but hadn't been able to make in a couple of weeks.  There was no ease back in to class with Mad Abs class set up in circuit style.  So I jumped in and pushed hard for an hour.

Here's the set up for the Mad Abs class that Cyndie taught:

Burpees with weights (I did mine with 10 lbs)
Back Raises on the ball
Plank
Side twist with bands
Crunches with body bar
Side crunches on Bosu ball

Each exercise was for a minute (if side then switched at 30 seconds).  We did 3 rounds of all exercises.

That was just the beginning....Dirty 30 included burpees, of course!  But the burpees had a twist.

Here's the breakdown:

Front Lunges - 20 each leg
Squats - 20
Tuck Jumps - 20
Reverse Lunges - 20 each leg

Medicine Ball Chops - 15 each side  Using weighted medicine ball, start with ball to one side raised up over a shoulder, then slide or chop the ball across your body to the outside of the opposite hip as you squat slightly.

ViPR Push - across room and back  The ViPR is a weighted tube.  You basically bear crawl on your hands and feet as you alternate hands to push the weighted tube across the floor.  I started with the heaviest one for the first round but dropped to a lighter one for the other two.

Nasty Thing - 15 reps  Okay I laughed when Tim wrote it on mirrors.  It should be caused burpees that make you cuss.  Start in push up position, row one arm, push up, row other arm, push up, jump feet to hands, stand up,  extend arms overhead, then return to start position.  Here's the kicker....do these with weights.  First round I did 8 pound weights, but for other two rounds dropped to 5 pound weights.

I got through almost three rounds before the 30 minute class ended.  I was in to my third round of my last set of Nasty Thing and finished five.  I was bound and determined to finish three rounds so I kept going and finished the last 8 of the set.

Pushed it and got it done!

Smoke Made Run A No Go

I only had a small window to get a quick run in between work and hair appointment.  Northwest winds brought a thick layer of smoke from the High Park Fire back over Denver.  So I used the 30 minutes I'd carved out for a run to try to tackle some emails and catch up a little.

So guess I got smoked out and took a rest day.

Race To The Mat...To Let It Go

Apparently yoga is therapy, or at least for me it is.  I went to a different Core Power Yoga location today. I was going to take a noon class but wasn't able to get out of work in time.  When I checked the CPY website I found a 3:30pm Core Power 1 class.  Perfect for me today!

As we started class, the instructor Jessi was talking about racing to the mat as a metaphor to life.  That's definitely me.  Yes I race to yoga so I can have a moment to breathe, relax, recharge, and renew.  Kind of ironic but that's the way it works for me.

A few minutes later she said breathe in and then as you breathe out, let it go.  As I put the two simple lines together in my head and focused on those during the class I found the heart of why I enjoy Core Power Yoga.  Yes I race to the mat just so I can let it go.  

I'd originally started going to increase flexibility and use it as a supplemental workout to my other cardio and strength workouts.  What I've found is that no classes are the same and that the classes are not just a physical workout for me but also an emotional and in a sense spiritual moment for me as I ponder over thoughts and ideas.

In a couple of the classes and in the mine today, instructors have said when we're in an inverted position about how those positions can give you a different perspective.  It's so true.  As I walk out of each class I have a different perspective on something going on in my life.

So like today, I go to yoga to get a new perspective and challenge myself through the postures in a hot room. It really is detoxing and yet renewing at the same time as you sweat through the postures.  In the 60 minutes of class, something changes and there's some sort of different perspective at the end.

Yes, I race to the mat....to let it go. 

  

Would Rather Be Hiking

I was suppose to go on a great hike with Outside in Aspen today but my dog was having major tummy issues late last night and early this morning.  So I decided it was best to head back to Denver instead of doing a 4 hour plus hike then driving back.

Bummed I didn't do hike but it definitely gives me a great reason to get back to Aspen soon!

Casting A Line On The Roaring Fork

Yesterday was a fly fishing excursion with Outside in Aspen.  I had a blast fly fishing the Roaring Fork River with Aspen Outfitting.  We did do plenty of climbing up and down the river banks as we went for great fishing spots on the river.

I had a blast casting a line trying to hook some big trout.

After that I spent some time walking around Aspen with friends.

Travel Day to Aspen

Friday was a long day of work and travel to Aspen for Outside In Aspen.  I'd hope to get in a quick walk or hike but it didn't happen.

Intervals & 2 Sets Weights

Thursday was my intervals and weights training session with Cristina at Pura Vida Club.  I went in really tired but was still able to push in the workout.  I started with sprints at 7.0 mph and increased .5 mph with each sprint.  These were 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off the treadmill.  Because I was tired I only went to 10.0 mph.  During sprints we laughed because with my crazy schedule, workouts are my therapy!

Then it was in to weights.  Cristina had me do exercises in sets.  Some counts were 12 and some were 6 depending on the move.

One set of 12 was lunges with row.  That was followed with ViPR push ups.  These were 6 on each side of putting one hand on the ViPR and other on the floor for push ups.

Another set was triceps pull downs with side lunge for 12 followed by Bosa Ball leg lifts of 6 on each side.

Here are the great gym moves.

National Running Day

Wednesday was National Running Day so instead of heading to the gym, I hit the trail at Wash Park.  As I was changing I realized I had forgotten socks.  Oh well I thought and decided to go run sockless.

With tunes going I had a great first lap.  There is some construction and restoration at the park which forces you to get off the trail at a few spots.  Navigating trail and off-trail made me feel like I was running cross country in high school again.

As I was running second and third lap I had to do a little work and emails because of the stormy weather that was coming later that day.  Yes I was running and watching clouds build, emailing and tweeting along the way for about 7.5 miles.

Easy Dog Walk

After several jam packed days, Tuesday was a little bit of a crash day for me.  After work and a luncheon I just took my dog for a nice easy walk.

Thrills in Royal Gorge

Monday I had a super long work day.  Right after newscast, I headed to Royal Gorge.  It was my first visit to the Gorge.  They recently opened the Soaring Eagle Zip Line.  You zipping along at 1,122 feet above the Arkansas River.  You zip line backwards for 700 feet, then forward 700 feet on a zip line that parallels one side of the Gorge.

With the gusty winds, walking across the bridge was a challenge.  I have to admit I definitely got the willies walking on the wood planks and peaking through the slats at the Arkansas River as the bridge swayed in the wind.

Keep in mind that I'm afraid of heights but I do try to challenge myself to face that fear.  With the Royal Rush Skycoaster, the scariest skycoaster in the world, I was certainly doing that.  In a harness they pull you up 100 feet in the air.  You pull the cord the soar at 50 mph 60 feet out over the Royal Gorge.  Then you just swing back and forth out over the Gorge.  Definitely a rush!

Not sure how much of a workout this counts for but considering I didn't get home until almost 5pm, I was 100% wiped out.

Hiking To Glenwood Springs Fish Hatchery

Last Sunday was a great easy hike with my cousins.  We did a great hike that took us through ranch land that is close to Storm King Mountain, where there was a huge wildfire in 1994.  As we walked on a very warm sunny morning, it was so fun to watch the kids kick around a soccer ball, check out the scenery, feed horses then feed the fish at the Glenwood Springs fish hatchery.

It was about 2 miles to the hatchery so we did a nice outing of about 4 miles.

Fairy Caverns & Vapor Caves

Yesterday was a fun day of going underground.  In the morning, we headed back up to the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park to ride a few rides then go on the Fairy Caverns Tour.  On that tour you go about 200 feet below ground to an amazing cavern room called King's Row.  

After the tour and a little more park fun, we headed to lunch then the Glenwood Hot Springs, which were packed.

Then two of my cousins and I headed over to the Yampa Spa & Vapor Caves.  We started first with mineral baths using water from the hot springs.  Then I enjoyed an hour massage, which I desperately needed to work out some kinks and just to plain ole relax.  After the massage, I joined my cousins in the vapor caves, which are geothermal steam baths.  Water at 125 degrees flows from the hot springs into the caves to naturally create a steam bath environment where the temperatures stays in the 110-112 degrees range.  You go in for 10-15 minutes sittings then back out to a cooling room or relaxation room.  Then head back into the steam.  The Ute Indians regarded the caves as a sacred place of healing and rejuvenation. 

 

Wild Time at Glenwood Caverns

After driving to Glenwood Springs Friday, some of my cousins and I went wild in the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.  I know - not exactly a tough workout but we did a lot of walking and of course holding on tight on some of the rides.

The craziest one I did was the Giant Canyon Swing that goes 48mph, pulls 3Gs, and is 1300 feet above the Colorado River at its highest point.  

We also walked to and from dinner so got in at least a mile there!

Get 'Er Done Intervals

Yesterday I had a one hour intervals and weights session with Cristina at Pura Vida Club.  I text Cristina right before session asking if we were going outside.  YES! I got back.  Ok here we go I thought - one hour of sprints, hops, lunges, shuffles, and other moves that made me tweet out afterward that the new name of my sessions with Cristina are officially called "kick Jen's booty hour."

We did start indoors for sprints.  I'm better at sprints on treadmill so I can watch speed and time.  So after a quick warm up, I was off and running sprints at 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, and 11mph.  I did 30 seconds at each miles per hour then 30 seconds off before going on to the faster speed.

After sprints, we headed outside for some top of the parking garage fun.  First up was set of lunges with ViPR row and shuffles with Cristina adding resistance to the band that was around my waist.  I did 10 lunges with 20 swings and 10 shuffles each side for three sets.

Another series was leg hops over small hurtles and bicep curls.  I did 10 hops then straight in to 12 bicep curls for three sets.

The toughest one for me was the lift of a 24 pound ViPR.  That was followed by jumps over a small hurtle.    Cristina had me do 4 lifts of the ViPR (using 4 small lifts up and down) then 10 jumps.

Here's a look at some of the intervals.

Quick Jog Wednesday

Somehow I watched my workout time Wednesday just whittle away.  I'd planned to take the noon Mad Abs and 12:30pm Dirty 30 classes at Pura Vida.  But the weather was so nice that I decided I would get in a run at Wash Park.  Well, when I didn't get out of work until after noon, I decided I was hungry and headed home for lunch with intention of a nice run later in the day after lunch and working on blogs.

When I put on my Ipod late afternoon for what I thought would be a nice 45 minute to hour jog....FAIL!  Ipod was dead.  So my workout got crunched down to a quick 30 minute jog.  Oh well, guess the long workout just wasn't meant to be.

What's Your Intention?

What's your intention? That was the question my Core Power Yoga instructor Heather started class with yesterday.  My initial intention was to just to try to keep up with the flowing moves (I'm still a yoga newbie), sweat, focus on my breathing, and stretch.

It is funny to me how my mind wanders in a yoga class as I think about a sentence or a few words an instructor says in the beginning.  Maybe I do it so I don't focus on the heat or the fact that so many others in the class are so much better at yoga than me.

This class was packed.  There were literally a couple of inches between each mat.  Deep in thought over the word intention, flowing from one posture to the next in the heated, crowded room, somewhere out of no where the old-fashioned stereotypical small town idea of the father standing at the door with a shotgun with his daughter's suitor trembling on the door steps as the father ask, "What are your intentions with my daughter?" popped into to my head like it was a scene in a movie.....then SMACK!

The girl next to me had just kicked the guy behind her in the head as she was going up in a handstand. Rule #1 I thought, don't try a handstand in a crowded yoga class, especially when you are in the middle row.  His head snapped back.  He sat back without saying a word but just put his arm out for her to stay away as she turn around and moved toward him to make sure he was ok.  From his reaction I'm going to guess it really hurt and he might of had some sort of neck issue.  She sat shaken on her mat for a few minutes and slowly rejoined the posture series.

Just like the smack to the head, I suddenly realized that the intention of this class just turned in to me analyzing and pondering my dating life. Well that hit me like a ton of bricks.  Really? Yoga correlates to dating?  Ah heck, I really just have to go with this right?  Just go with the flow I thought, since I'm in a hot yoga class....although I did wonder for a sec if the heat was getting to me.

Okay here's the deal, I apparently stink at dating.  I'm blessed to have a ton of friends, but Mr. Right? Well he's certainly hasn't made his presence known....yet (at least I hope there's a yet in there).  As far as intention, working in television, I do wonder at least for a split second when a guy ask me out if he's asking me out because I'm a chick on tv or because he's asking me out for me.  I've gone out with both and the first type I realize in a hurry.  Those are road blocks, but you have to run in to those to appreciate the joy of spending time with those who want to spend time with you, because of you.  It's just like in yoga, you have to put in the effort of trying a pose, fail, or not quite be able to do it, to relish in the joy when you can.  Wow, I am correlating yoga to dating I thought.  My closest friends say I'm perceived as a strong woman.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, but apparently it's not such a great thing when dating.  Struggling through postures and poses in yoga while watching others bend and twist in ways I'm not sure I'll ever be able to do, I know I have many weaknesses and weak moments, but I'm willing to at least try and search for a strength inside of me to get through.  In a roundabout way I figured out my intention in that class:  weaknesses and struggles can lead you to a new joy.  Mr. Right?  He'll come along but it's probably going to take me getting smacked in the head to realize it.  It's ok to laugh, because I am.

I did smile when Heather said near the end of class to think about the intention you started the class with....and then how the intention changed over the 60 minutes of class.  Wonder what my intention is going to be for my next yoga class.  

Lazy Day Monday

I'll admit - I took a lazy day Monday.  After a busy weekend of traveling to Telluride and some fun adventures there, I took a nice long nap after working Monday morning.

Plus since it was a holiday I decided it was ok to take a lazy day.  You have to every once in a while!

Taking A Ride On An ATV

Sunday I got a chance to ride with Telluride ATV.  It was a blast going through the trees on some rocky dirt roads near Telluride.  While it's not a break a sweat kind of workout, you do have to use core strength to stay balanced on the ATV and even some quads as you go through the twists, turns, and maneuver the terrain.

It was great to be outside on a beautiful day soaking up some picturesque views.

We did stop and walk around in a meadow for a break before heading back.  We ATV'ed for about 2.5 hours.

Ok, I know it's a stretch for a workout but that's what I did before driving the six hours back to Denver.  And it was a heck of a lot of fun!

Jeeping Saturday

After spending the morning walking around Telluride I went on a jeep tour with Telluride Outside.  It was a fun shoot as we headed up to the Tomboy Mine, then back down in to Telluride, and then up to Bridal Veil Falls.

Not sure how much of a workout it counts for but you do have to do a lot of holding on as you get bounced around in the jeep on the bumpy roads!

At Smuggler Mine on way to Tomboy Mine

Bridal Veil Falls

Friday Travel Day....of course!

Friday was another travel day for me.  No surprise right?  I was off to Telluride for Mountainfilm Festival and to shoot a couple of stories.

Push It With Intervals & Weights

Today was one hour of intervals and weights with Cristina at Pura Vida Club.  Which really means one hour of push me to the max.  I went in full of energy and ready to rock after a great day of work and 45 minutes of running around scrambling to get a few errands done.  We hit it right away with sprints after a warm up.  That meant 30 seconds running on treadmill at 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, and 10.5 miles per hour with 30 second breaks in between.

After sprints, it was some arm work, several intervals with VIPR, squats with 85 pound barbell, more arms including TRX moves of pull ups and triceps extensions.  All weights were three sets of 12.  All intervals were 30 seconds with short rest in between.  Goal with intervals is 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off like Cristina has me do with sprints.

Here are a few of the exercises so you can see how to do them if you want to try them out!

Talked Myself Out of a Workout

Yesterday I was really tired and feeling a little rundown.  I'd taken my workout clothes to work but managed to talk myself out of working out and headed home with plans to take it easy and get some work done.  I was more tired than I thought as I felt asleep for over an hour afternoon nap.  That's something I normally don't do!

Busy Day Tuesday

My Tuesday was jam packed with work, appointments and a friend in from out of town.  So I took it as a planned rest day.

Balancing Act on the Foam Roller

Monday was my usual Kinesis and Pilates session with Erin at Pura Vida Club.  One of the exercises Erin had me was on the foam roller.  I have this love-hate relationship with foam roller when it comes to using it for stretches.  I love the benefits but if you use one, you know it can be, well let's just say there can be some wincing and breathing through the roll, especially for calves, hamstring, and IT band for me.

I love when Erin incorporates the foam roller in to abs or back exercises.  She did that Monday with a balancing move that works abs and helps with hip stabilization.

Here's Erin explaining the how to do the exercise.

Let Go

I needed a yoga class after my Mt. Yale 14er climb Saturday.  So my friend Heather and her friend Logan said they were taking the 2pm Core Power Yoga class at the Highland studio yesterday.  It was an intro to hot yoga class, which meant the room was a little cooler than the other Core Power classes I'd taken and was perfect for me to stretch, re-center, realign, and find balance.

Sitting in child's pose to start class, the instructor Holly said on the inhale think "let"....and on the exhale think "go."  Two simple words that have significant meaning.  Think about it.  How many times in your life have you just had to let go?  Lord knows I've had to do it over and over and over again.  From letting go of some doozies of boyfriends (good ones too) to letting go of the security of a place you call home to tackle the next adventure in a new town, to saying good-bye and letting go to someone for the last time as they pass on to Heaven, those five simple letters carry so much emotion.

Sometimes it's simple, but more often than not, it's a tough journey.  Workouts are journeys.  Some are fast and furious, some short and sweet, some are attaining a goal, while others are flowing and stir something in your soul. That's what this yoga class did to me.

Ironically, I had let go moments on Saturday during the hike.  As I was hiking Mt Yale and was on the rocky terrain above treeline, slowly working my way to the top, with the changing weather I had a moment of maybe today isn't my day to make 14,000' and I should just let it go. But as soon as I thought that, I saw a friend running back to me who wasn't going to let me hike it alone.  I had to let go and give him my pack - something that was very difficult for this...yes I'll admit....sometimes very stubborn person. Above 14,000' as we were less than 150 feet from the highest point on the summit, I had to let go again.  In a moment of panic and being extremely cold in a snow squall I had to let go and admit my vulnerability, something I'm not exactly the best at doing...okay I'm horrible at it.  I had to admit to myself that I wasn't as tough as I thought I was and rely on the emotional and physical strength of several friends stronger than me in the moment to get me out of a dangerous situation.  You can't reach success if you don't try.  Sometimes you'll fail, sometimes the path and dream changes, and sometime you succeed with flying colors.  Although I was less than 150 feet from my goal of 14,196' I had to change the path because the weather forced me to.  Ironic isn't?

During the class my mind wandered to other moments of letting go - dancing in the rain, singing like no one is around (my Good Day Colorado co-workers will tell you I do that on a very regular basis), to laughing and giggling as my friend Heather and I did during one moment in the class.  Life is full of let go moments.  This class was 60 minutes to let go of whatever was weighing heavy on your mind and heart, sadness, and anything that might be holding you back.  Funny that today when I was running through Whole Foods after my Kinesis and Pilates workout, that I saw a card with this Zen saying: "Leap and the net will appear."

Yes I'm taking note of the signs as I did when my brother and I let go of our dad almost two years ago spreading his ashes out into the wind at Pretty Place, right on the South Carolina-North Carolina line.  As we did, the ashes floated and sailed carried by the wind.  A small change in the breeze brought a little of the ashes back to my brother and I as we stood on the cliff.    My mom said as she watched it - it was my dad giving us one last hug and kiss as we let him go to soar in the beauty of mountains in a place that is like a Heaven on Earth.  There truly is beauty, peace and strength as you let go.

Climbing Mt. Yale...In Sun, Wind, Snow, & Hail

Yesterday I set out to climb my first 14er (peak of 14,000 feet or higher) of the year, my first of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range, and my 5th 14er.  There are 54 in Colorado.   This is my short version because I'm doing a longer version of the hike for my website Swept Away with Jennifer Broome.  Look for that soon.

According to 14ers.com Yale is 14,196' in elevation.  We were hiking the Southwest Trail that starts at 9,900' elevation.  That means a 9.5 mile round trip hike with a 4,296' elevation change.

The weather was looking iffy but we had a big group of some co-workers and friends and all wanted to give it a go.  So off we went at 7:22am - 14 of us and 3 dogs.  Within the the first 15 minutes our big group split as Amanda (the only other girl), Pete, Josh, and two dogs were hiking at a slower pace.  

That meant I was trying to hang with a group of 10 guys.  There were two 14er first timers in my group.  There were also several very seasoned hikers/climbers:  Chris leading the group, Sean who was the first cancer survivor to summit Everest, Sean's buddy Ryan, and Scott who hikes a lot.  This is my second 14er with Chris (did first 14er of Quandary with him) and third 14er with Scott (did Grays and Torreys with him).  We were going at a pretty good pace up the first big incline that you hit right off the bat, winding through the trees, tromping through snow, traversing logs across streams, and climbing higher and higher with sunshine changing to intermittent light snow showers.

As we started hiking out of the trees, getting above treeline, I started getting behind the guys by a few minutes because I was taking video (of course!).  I felt that if I could keep the guys in sight then I'd be okay.  I caught up to them as they were gearing up with additional winter gear because the wind and snow started picking up.  I'd been fine without gloves to that point but my hands were getting cold so put on my glove liners along with fleece pullover and wind shell.  As I was gearing up at 9:35am, the guys started to hike again.  My friends Jeremy and Jeremy offered to wait but I said go on because they had already been sitting and getting cold.  After gearing up myself and eating a GU packet, I started hiking again but went about 10 minutes and realized I needed my heavier gloves.  

So I trudged along, hoping the guys slow down some so I can catch up, and I got deep conversation with God about please just let me make it and really telling myself if the trail and weather got to treacherous then I would be smart, stop, and wait for the guys to come back down.  That's about the point when I looked up and saw my friend Sean running back to me.  He wanted to make sure I was okay and didn't want me hiking the rocky trail that was getting steeper by myself given the wintry conditions.  It took three times of Sean asking me to take my pack and I finally gave in.  That meant he was carrying mine and his....I justified it in my head that it was okay because he's training to take a group of cancer survivors up Kilimanjaro in July with Cancer Climber Association.  As we climbed another group coming down said we were about 15 minutes behind the group of guys.  As we're hiking I start noticing that my brain is working but as I'm talking either the words just don't come out or it sounded like I'd had a few too many.  That's altitude.  It also affected my stomach and the desire for any food went out the window.  That's definitely not good on a climb.  There were also plenty of moments of feeling like your heart is pumping up in your throat or going to burst as you gasp for air with less and less oxygen.

The guys going for Yale summit.

As Sean and I got to ridge line at 13,900' we had sunshine....but not for long.  

Sean took me around the side to ascend high.  But it meant I had to hug a rock and climb up through a crevasse with nothing but snow covered rocks extending below.  I have a fear of highs and this was incredibly tough for me.  I did it but but as we were making our way higher on the ridge line toward the final summit, the snow squall hit.  At this point, very shaken and extremely cold, I had what I'll just call my freak out on the mountain.  I was literally trembling out of fear and cold.  I made a decision I didn't want to have to make.  I was over 14,000' but with the near whiteout conditions my summit window to go the approximate last 150 feet or little less up had closed.  So Sean and I hiked back just a little bit so I could be in a semi-sheltered spot and he went forward to meet the other guys.  As he started solo, we saw the group getting closer to us.  There was no more waiting, it was time to go down and down in a hurry. 

The guys hiking back from summit in near whiteout conditions.

Smiling in the blowing snow...shortly after my freak out moment. 

My friend Scott helped me down as Sean and his friend Ryan had to get Sean's dog Maya down one area that was a little too sketchy for her.  As we climbed back to about 13,500' feet, we had a small break in the snow.  I took that as moment to re-center and get a Zen moment on a boulder.  We were there no more than 5 minutes before we had to move again as the next squall was moving in.  

As we got back to about 12,500' we saw the other three and two dogs.  They were doing great just going slow.  They were going to try to make an attempt at the top.  As we got back to about 11,200' we had hail - just another weather element to throw into the mix!

In total it took the first group about 9 hours to do the hike with the weather conditions.  For the second group it was even longer.  But finishing it made the challenge worth it.  I'm certainly thankful to have friend to help get me through even in the worst weather conditions.   

Travel & Rest Day for 14er

Friday was a travel day to Buena Vista.  I also took it as a rest day to rest up to climb Mt. Yale.  It's my first Collegiate Peaks 14er, first 14er of the year and makes number 5 14er peak me.

Intervals & Weights

Thursday was a one hour session with Cristina of intervals and weights.  It was my first push hard workout since tweaking my back and taking two full days off.  I started with sprints of 30 seconds running, 30 seconds off of treadmill.  I did 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5 and 9mph sprints.  The goal was to push but not go all out and if back hurt at all stop.  I did fine.  Then she shifted me over to alternating assisted pull ups and lunge step ups.  From there it was on to triceps pulls and weighted leg side lifts.  I really liked alternating upper and lower body in exercise pairs.  Here's that set of exercises.

Next it was on to biceps then a few things with the ViPR.  One of those moves I felt my back so had to modify slightly the alternating swing ViPR squat to overhead press to other side.  It's a move that I've done before with a swing squat, lift, and hop but didn't do the hop because of back.  Last was stretching and I was done for the day.

It was nice to push but not over do it!   

Another Day of Rest

Took another day of rest for couple of reasons - really tired, got out of work late, and want to make sure I'm good for the 14er hike on Saturday.  Looking forward to taking on Mt Yale!

Take It Easy Tuesday

Woke up with my back better but still stiff.  Thankfully the sharp pains were gone.  My Pilates and Kinesis trainer Erin text me early to ask how I was feeling.  Told her better but asked her opinion of what I should do as far as exercise for the day: Pilates class, hot yoga class, or nice walk.  She said nice walk and to take it easy for the day in part because I have plans to climb a 14er (14,000+ foot peak) on Saturday.

So rest and walk I did and followed advice for a take it easy Tuesday.

Franklin Method

Monday morning I tweaked my back about 6am by turning and catching one of my heels on some pulled up carpet at work.  It was the kind of take your breathe away sharp pain every time I tried to turn or bend over after that.  I don't generally have back issues so I thought I just pinched something and it would go away.  Well by 11am it didn't.  There goes my workout with Erin, I thought.  I text her and let her know I was taking two Aleve and laying down for bit but that I was still going to try to come.  Okay call me stubborn but I really enjoy my Monday Kinesis and Pilates sessions.  So when I got to Pura Vida Club, it was pretty obvious I wasn't in any shape to do Kinesis and really not much as far as Pilates.  So Erin turned the session into a PT session for me with the goal to loosen up the back and get me out of pain.

She had me do some stuff that is based in the Franklin Method.  I'd never heard of it, but apparently it's gaining popularity in the dance, Pilates, yoga and physiotherapy worlds.  She had me lay down on two softball size soft balls first both at the low back (where my pain was), then upper back, then one high and one low, and then the other way high and low.  Each position was done for a couple of minutes.  It suppose to help break up the fascia webbing of soft tissue.  Since the injury was still a very sensitive area, Erin used this method with soft balls instead of a foam roller or other exercises.  I could feel my back releasing.

She also had me do some other gentle moves to help with back and open up or stretch hip flexors and hamstrings then ice for 10 minutes on, 5 minutes off, then 10 minutes on again.

Crazy how sometimes a small move or twist can result in a lot of pain.  After the relief I got from the Franklin Method, I'm a fan!

What If Your Someday Is Now

What if your someday is now?  You're probably wondering what does that have to do with fitness.  Well, a lot for me today.

I took my fifth yoga class in 5 days at CorePower Yoga.  My friend Heather met me at the Highlands location to take CorePower Yoga 2 - Heated Power Yoga.  Here's the description of the class from CorePower Yoga website:  "Ready to sweat? CorePower Yoga 2 (C2) is a rigorous yoga class with demanding strength postures that will have you moving, breathing and sweating! True to its name, a C2 class focuses on building and engaging your core strength to support you in more advanced postures. Set to energizing music in a heated, climate-controlled room, CorePower Yoga 2 strengthens, balances, detoxifies and exhilarates the body and mind. "This class torches calories" – Shape Magazine"

Tiffany taught the class.  Right off the bat she said, "This hour is for you."  That came full circle near the end of class with her statement, "You gave yourself this gift."

Being a meteorologist, journalist, writer, and blogger I like story-telling with a beginning, middle, and end so these two simple lines or thoughts resonated so much with me.  I often look at my workouts as something I do for myself, a priority for my sanity, and a chance to check out for an hour.  Guess I'd never really thought of it as a gift to myself, but during the class it became so obvious to me that yes it is a gift to me.  Flowing through the postures and movements, I realized I gave myself the gift to sweat, detox, stretch out muscles, better align myself, re-center physically and emotionally.  I also realized later that I gave the gift of fitness, health and well-being to my friend Heather, as she did to me today.  Both of us said if the other one would have bailed then we would have too.  So glad neither of us bailed.

Not long into the class, when we were holding a pose, Tiffany also shared with us that she moved this week.  Yesterday she was unpacking and pulled out a magnet that said something like, "What if your someday is now."  I couldn't get that out of my head for the rest of class.....what if...my someday is now.  Someday I'll meet Mr. Right, someday I'll travel around the world, someday I'll reach my goal to travel to all 50 states (7 to go), someday my Swept Away will be a huge success, someday I'll climb Kilimanjaro....someday, someday, someday.  Trust me I've got a lot of somedays.

There was one moment in the class, when we were in chair position with right arm wrapped under left, hands touching in front of face and right leg lifted up, over and wrapped around the left leg, that I saw in the mirror a steady drip of sweat falling from my right elbow.  Same thing happened with the left elbow when we switched to the other side.  Totally zoning out on those sweat droplets that looked like rain droplets (fitting for a gloomy foggy and misty Sunday morning), I realized my someday that is now is pretty darn good.  I see that in the moments captured in pictures and video and on live tv of laughter, smiles and happiness.  It's great to have dreams and goals, but I'm one lucky girl....who's doing her best to be a yogi-in-training in her someday that is now.

Smallest Efforts Have Biggest Impact

Three days in a row I've done yoga....that might be a record for me!  With the dreary weather yesterday I didn't feel like running or hiking, so off I went to take Hot Power Fusion at the Highlands location of Core Power Yoga.  It's smaller than the Broadway location I've been going to but I like the cozy feel.

I walk into the yoga studio and it's packed with women.  This was the first class I'd taken that was all women.  There was one spot all the way across the room by the window.  So I trudged through the sea of mats, water bottles, towels, and women stretching, relaxing, and chatting to that window spot.  Somehow three more ladies squeezed in the room after me.

In a room full of women, in walks Anders, our yoga guide for the next 60 minutes.  Being a person who loves to laugh and smile, I was hooked on his class as soon as he said to do this class you must start with a smile.  Then he quickly moved us through an hour of postures and holds.  I really enjoyed how the class went from doing 30 to 45 second holds to movements that flowed with your breath of one movement with one breath.  For example, inhale as you extend arms overhead, exhale as you bend forward, inhale as you come halfway up, exhale as you extend hands back to ground (yes I still have a ways to go to get my hands flat on the ground but I'll get there!).

I wish I could remember a quote that Anders said in class.  It had to do with the smallest efforts have the biggest impact.  Even in the stillness of moments like when you are in savasana (corpse pose) you are reaping big benefits.  A moment of total relaxation allows your body, mind, and soul a chance to regroup, rebuild, and recharge.  For my crazy, stressful life those moments are invaluable!

"Rock Your Hot Pink Yoga Pants"

"Rock your hot pink yoga pants."  That's what my Yoga Sculpt instructor told us at the beginning of class.  This was my second Yoga Sculpt - Heated Power Yoga with weights at Core Power Yoga.  Morgan was subbing for the regular instructor.  Morgan used to teach at the Broadway location but left to go to law school in Arizona and is back for a couple of months.  She started class with a story of her first day at law school.  She had been teaching yoga for a year and went to class in her hot pink yoga pants.  Everyone else was dressed in suits with notepads in hand.  She quickly learned she wasn't a "suit" but was able to make it work for her.  The moral of her story is even if everyone else is rockin' a suit, or in class the positions or doing exercises with heavy weight, rock your hot pink yoga pants.  Stay true to yourself, listen to your body, and go for it.

This class is tough.  Have you ever done a yoga class that also has burpees, football runs, jumping jacks, and other plyometric moves?  Combine those with going into yoga positions using weights in between cardio sets and you've got yoga sculpt.  Add in the fact that the class is in a heated room and you are seriously torching calories along with detoxing and working hard for better vitality, strength, cardio, and balance.

It was fast-paced, fun and tough.  In the last 15 minutes of class we majorly worked glutes.  At one point, in the glutes series, my friend Joana asked "How's your butt feeling?"  Both of us laugh - it was such a tough glutes series of leg lifts with weighs that all we could do was laugh....and breathe to get through it.  After that series we went straight in to bridge lifts, which was more glutes work along with abs, inner thighs, quads and hamstrings.

For at least 45 minutes of the class I was dripping sweat.  That's part of the class - sweat out any toxins in your system since you are working out in a heated room.

I loved when I walked outside after class and it was raining.  As I walked in Mother Nature's liquid sunshine, I felt revitalized and renewed.  I tweeted out that it was refreshing.  It truly was!