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. 

 

Walking Course To CrossFit

Saturday turned into a little bit of an all morning workout.  I started out with two friends walking the course at Oak Hills Country Club.  We got out there about 7:15am to beat the golfers.  It was a beautiful cool morning in San Antonio.  With the peacefulness and serenity of the course, it was definitely a great way to start the weekend.  We walked about 3 miles.

Then I headed over to meet my friend Christy.  We power walked for 1.5-2 miles since we had about 20-25 minutes to kill before heading over to our first CrossFit class.  She'd signed up for it and since I was in town I tagged along.  There were a few others from her office participating in this intro class at River City CrossFit as part of their corporate membership program.  Eric and Erica were our coaches.

Here's the breakdown of our CrossFit class:

Warm up:
Frog jumps up and back
Shoulder rotations with PVC pipe
Lateral shuffle
Karaoke shuffle then sprint 2X


High Hang Cleans - I did my first round with just the 45 lbs bar, second round at 50 lbs, ad third round at 55mph.  These are starting in jump position hold bar at waist, jump up while simultaneously bring bar up to collar bone height to rest with elbows out front as you land back in in a squat then stand up. Lower bar and repeat. We did 3 at each weight.

Next some cardio.  Our series was 400 meter run, 25 squats, 25 burpees.  I completed in time of 4 minutes 47 seconds.  We had 9 minutes to fix series.

The we went in to Tabata style intervals.  These are 4 minute workouts that consist of 20 seconds of going as hard as you can then 10 rest, repeat for the 4 minute duration or 8 cycles.  


First 8 cycles of exercise were abs on the domed ab mat.  We started laying on floor back on mat, feet close to butt, and arms extend out over head. You sit up bring arms overhead and reaching beyond toes on floor.  I did a total of 89 of these sit ups.


Next cycle was squats.  These were butt below knee level squats then back up.  If you hit a number in a round then that was your number or less for the remaining rounds.  I hit 16 squats in first round, 15 in second, 14 in third, then held at 13 squats for each of the last 5 rounds.


After that I rolled a little on the foam roller and called it an awesome workout morning!

Power Walking In The Land of Dinosaurs

I had a shoot for an upcoming Explore Colorado special today and headed back out the Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison.  We wrapped shoot about noon and I wanted to get in a workout.  Normally on Wednesdays I take Mad Abs and Dirty 30 from noon to 1pm but missed the classes today.

With my right hamstring bothering me and sore from intense workouts Monday and Tuesday, I decided I was going to power walk or hike.  If we finished our shoot early enough, I was going to head over the the Matthews-Winters trail in Red Rocks.  But since it was a little after noon and knowing I had a tons of stuff to get done this afternoon, I decided on the power walk at Dinosaur Ridge.  That decision was also made shortly after I saw a snake slithering by on the trail as we headed up Dakota Ridge trail a bit to shoot something.  It was a bull snake, which keep rattlesnakes away...but still I'm not a fan of snakes!

From the gate to the bone site on the other side of ridge is 1.5 miles.  So off I went, power walking my way up the gradual incline of the ridge and over to the other side.  I actually went beyond the bone site to the other gate to get in a little more mileage.  Which meant I probably did closer to 3.5-4 miles.

On the way to my turn around point I really enjoyed watching the clouds roll in over the Foothills.

On the way back the view of the clouds coming in over Red Rocks was just spectacular.  Definitely a right decision to workout, clear my head, and really enjoy a cool place.

The Park People On A Run

Instead of just checking out into a world of solitude, which I do sometimes on runs especially on a loop at a park, I decided to really look at the people I passed and those that passed my.  Sometimes you just have to wonder what's their story.

As I sat down on the park bench to write today's blog, a woman with a floppy hat walking a blond labradooble and miniature pincher with a pink vest on walked by.  In a strange way, she kind of reminded me of the man in the big yellow hat from Curious George.  I'm a very curious person so a natural connection for me to make.

Off I went on a 5.2 mile run (two loops) at Wash Park.  Shortly after I'd started into my run this guy with a beer belly comes flying by and passes me.  He just kept chugging along.  He's one of those that doesn't look like a runner but can move.  And yes, frustrates me that he could just huff and puff along and still be faster than me.  So that started my run of what's their story.  He just one of those characters you see at the park.

Some of the other cast of characters at the park today:

The two ladies briskly walking in jeans and tennis shoes that were so into a deep conversation that they didn't realize they were taking up the entire path.

The chick with the ripped abs running so fast her dog was having a hard time keep up.

The pencil thin tall guy running short strides that I passed several times because he was running the opposite direction.

The guy that almost ran into a sign pole because he wasn't paying attention to where he was going.

The girl running on the other side of the street that I raced to get up the incline without her knowing it.  She was ahead of me to begin with. I caught and beat her.

The guy in a long sleeve black t-shirt that passed me from the opposite direction as he was just bookin' it. 

There were the sprinters, the joggers, the run/walkers, and walkers on the path. Oh and the geese.

There were the dog walkers, the college kids stretched out on blankets studying in the sunshine, the landscape workers with their small coolers taking a lunch break in the shade, the way out of shape group of tennis players on the courts, the ridiculously fit guy rollerblading with poles who's obviously is training for something, and the cyclists zooming around the park looking like they're in a race.  The ones that impress the most are the ladies running and pushing joggers or strollers.  That's tough to do.

Then there's me. The chick running at a steady pace of about 9 minute miles, soaking up the gorgeous day, letting my mind wander, people watching, and smiling when I caught myself singing out loud to Jason Aldean's "Relentless."  Guess that's a fitting song since I picked up the pace in the last half mile to almost a sprint in the last quarter mile.  Always finish strong!

Why I Love Walks in the Park

It's windy, but sunny and warm in Denver today.  So the perfect day to head to my favorite park, Wash Park.  I got in a 2.5 mile run then my friend Natalie Tysdal, who works with me at Fox 31/CW 2 joined me.  We walked for about 3 miles and just had the best time.  When you walk and talk with friends, the time just flies.

I use my runs to clear my head, brainstorm ideas, and work through projects.  Usually my run time is just me and my iPod pounding the pavement one step at a time.  It's my check-out time.

Yes I'm a runner, but I'm also a walker.  My mom has always been a big walker.  One of my favorite things to with her is a post dinner walk around the neighborhood.  So walking with friends is a shear delight for me.  Just like today, some of my best conversations have happened on walks.  Here's why - when you are walking and chatting you lose the distractions of everything else.  It's truly one-on-one time.  That is precious time to me spent with friends.

So my advice - give a gift to a friend and yourself.  Make a walk date instead of happy hour, lunch, or dinner.  It's a gift because you're doing something good for yourself and giving the precious gift of time together.

Later this afternoon, when I should have been working on taxes, I couldn't pass up taking my dog for a walk in the park.  It was windy but with temperatures in the low 70s for the first time since October 31st, I just couldn't pass up getting in another mile in the park.  

Walking The Course

Yesterday I flew to Palm Springs for Patrick Warburton's Golf for Kids benefitting St Jude.  Didn't have time for a workout but did get to walk the course during tournament to talk to some of the players.  It was a fun, very relaxed workout for me on the Classic Club course in Palm Springs.

Plus I got to meet some really nice celebrities, include Alice Cooper.  Could not believe how nice this heavy metal icon is and he's an excellent golfer!

Windy Workout At The Park

Today I headed over to my favorite park in Denver, Wash Park.  I didn't get there until mid-afternoon because I'd dived into some projects I needed to work out.

By the time I got there the winds had already started picking up so it turned into a warm, windy workout for me.  The park was absolutely packed!  I loved seeing so many walkers, runners, cyclists, and even in line skaters and tennis players.  It's just fun to people watch as you go around the park loop.  The most unusual thing I saw was a group jousting with metal helmets on but no body armor.  The cutest was a spotted puppy that was trying to figure out how to walk on leash but got completely tangled up in it's owners feet.

I ran the first lap, getting in the 2.6 mile loop.  My knees were a little achy today and my left toes were really hurting but I still made it around.  Decided to power walk a second loop so I could just enjoy the 65 degree weather, the wind, the park, and the people.

A Funny Walk

Saturday was a gorgeous day in San Antonio so I headed out with a couple of friends to walk on the Salado Creek Greenway, the portion of it from Huebner to Blanco Road.  Normally when I'm in San Antonio, I workout on this greenway with my friend Christy.  We almost always get in at least one walk, run or walk/run combo while I'm there.  On Saturday we were joined about another friend Kris and Christy's daughter Courtnie.

The 4.5 miles that we did turned in not just a power walk session but an absolute laugh session.  I got an abs workout just from laughing so hard at reminiscing about the night before and telling stories.  It also helped that Courtnie was pure entertainment doing some of her old cheerleading moves.

This was truly a fun workout and funny walk!

Taking A Long Walk

One of my favorite things to do is head out on a long walk.  So on a beautiful afternoon with highs in the low 50s I took my pooch and headed out for an hour.  I just wanted to spend some time soak up the great weather.  It was wonderful to see so many folks taking advantage of a cool park day and walking, running, and playing with their dogs.  So it's an easy cardio day for me with some stretches afterward, but it's pretty hard to beat a nice long walk.

Power Walk

Saturday morning I got to do a power walk with my friend Christy.  It's so nice to take advantage of the Salado Creek Greenway in San Antonio.  There were quite a few clouds and a nice breeze so it was a great 4+ mile workout.

Stroll in the Gardens

On Monday I wasn't feeling so great - really feeling run down so scaled back the workout but wanted to do an easy workout.  So I met a friend and strolled through the Denver Botanical Gardens for the first time.  It was a gorgeous afternoon so we took advantage of a great day.

It was so fun getting lost in the gardens and wandering through the conservatory.   One of my favorite spots was in the conservatory.  In the pond there are ring neck teal ducks from Argentina and koi fish.

We spent about an hour just strolling through the gardens in the sunshine.

Taking The Lake Estes Trail

On Saturday morning I got up early with plans to run.  My hamstrings were still super sore from Pilates and Kinesis and then hiking up to Gem Lake Friday so I decided power walking would be a better option.  It was a chilly morning so the elk were out.  In fact I got charged my a bull shortly into my workout!  Yes I did a sprint away.

Lake Estes was gorgeous with the steam coming off the lake in the sunshine.  I thoroughly enjoyed the 3.75 miles trail.

Nice Jog on the Rio Grande Trail

It was a chilly Sunday morning in Aspen.  I headed out on the Rio Grande Trail with temperatures in the upper 30s.  After my mega hike day, I just wanted an easy out and back to get in a couple of miles.  So off I went on the trail, through the John Denver Sanctuary, and along the trail then back.  Got in about 3-3.5 miles before heading off the Main Street Bakery to warm up with coffee and an oatmeal raisin scone post-workout treat.

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!

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.

Just A Walkin'

I get it from my mom.  I love to go on walks.  Today was a walk day.  I put on my iPod and hit the Cherry Creek Bike Path to log a couple of miles.  After a tough workout yesterday I was due a rest day but it turned into a fast power walk down the path.  Blame it on the changing weather with storms moving in and me just plain old jammin' out to tunes.  With a little dancing bounce to my steps as I rocked out to the beat I'm sure I look like a workout dork at times.  But it's my time and that's the way I rolled today.

Be A Mountain Diva

A good friend flew in to Denver yesterday so workout was walking all over downtown.  It's such a pedestrian and cyclist town.  Sometimes you see unusual folks in town.  We'll I had a first.  We saw a guy in business suit cruising down the sidewalk on a skateboard.

This blog is titled "Be A Mountain Diva" because my story on the Mountain Divas workout in Vail aired in Good Day Colorado.  Two-time Mount Everest summitter Ellen Miller teaches the class.  I participated in early June and was hooked!  We did interval runs up Vail Mountain.  Any level can participate.  Working out in nature is fantastic.  Heading off to Vail today for a little hiking in the wildflowers this afternoon.

Enjoy this story on Mountain Divas in Vail that aired in Good Day Colorado on Fox 31 Denver.

Trading TX Heat for CO Heat

While I was in San Antonio Thursday through early this morning (6:30am flight) temperatures were 97-101.  I expect that there in July.  But what's kind of funny is that when I returned to Denver today, the high was 94, above the normal high of 88.  I had grand plans of getting off plane and heading out on my bike this morning.  But I'm going to blame getting caught up in the British Open and then Women's World Cup for not being so gungho to workout in the heat, especially after two hard workouts Friday and Saturday.  But I did manage to sweat in the sunshine with an hour fast walk this afternoon.  Even dog tired from traveling and not sleeping well I still got out there.  Tomorrow...can't wait to hammer it down in Pilates and Kinesis!

Sweating on the Salado Creek Greenway

Courtesy: San Antonio Parks & Recreation

Saturday morning was a total sweat fest in the San Antonio heat and humidity.  But that's no excuse to not got a good workout in during my long weekend visit.  Definitely a good morning to hit the trail and sweat on a run with my close friend Christy.  We jumped on one of her regular routes, the Salado Creek Greenway, for a nice run/walk.  It turned out being more a run with a couple of walk breaks.  We hit the trail off of Huebner and ran to Harberger Park, named after my favorite former mayor of San Antonio.  It's 2.3 miles each way.  There are actually 23 miles of the Greenway open.  this was my first chance to run on this section.  You can definitely see the signs of drought but thanks to clouds we had a great run.  It's such a treat for me to run with a great friend since I do a lot of my cardio workouts solo.  So we went down and back then ran at least another mile to meet some friends walking the Greenway.  We did at least 6.6 miles, walking about 1.25 miles of it.  Not bad for a Saturday morning outing!

One note if you do the Greenway.  Take water.  There are no fountains or access to water along the way.  On a humid morning you'll be thankful you have your water bottle with you.

Get your sweat on and head over the Salado Creek Greenway.  It's a great path to run, walk or bike!