166 Days To Go - my new diggs!

This morning, I was determined NOT to complain. I tried really hard. When others were working out with us, I kept my mouth shut. But now that I've been working out solo, I tend to complain, or joke, or be passive aggressive. I mean, most days we ARE working out at 6:30 am, but that's not excuse!

I threw on some clothes today... whatever was left on the floor, but it wasn't warm enough for me to take OFF my coat.

Let me introduce you to my new hiking jacket. It was one of my Christmas gifts given to me by my beloved sister. If you know me, you will understand why I'm so excited to have a purple coat :)

(note the layers of me. TOP a) bra 1, b) bra 2, c) thermal top, d) my ice skating jacket, e) my new hiking jacket... BOTTOM a) underwears b) my capri yoga pants (brrrr) c) day old purple socks. d) really really really muddy sneakers that have been sitting outside my apartment since the LAST time I worked out on the muddy field.) HEAD - Brian's black warm hat... since he's not using it at 6:30 am! )

Its lightweight, water resistant. Has a hood, a cool front tip pocket, and zipping side pockets... and... I could jog in it :)

I actually jogged around the entire "track" 1 time without stopping. I forget HOW long that tract is, but more than 1/4 of a mile. GO ME!

PS. WELCOME FOLLOWERS #14 & 15!!!

167 days to go - Super Nuts

I was reading this blog this morning called Mark's Daily Apple. He was talking about the health benefits of Macadamia Nut oil... and only this morning I found a bag of macadamia nuts in my cabinet!

Granted, I really should throw them out. I've had them for um... a while. But in the article, he talks about how they are great for energy and he takes them on long hikes...

Would Half Dome be considered a "long hike?"

Perhaps I'll stick them in my list of things to take with me to half dome!

173 Days to go!

So, I'm STILL sore from Tuesday's workout. But at least I'm not waddling like a penguin today (like I was yesterday!)

I took this photo on my trip to Yellowstone back in September. I think that I have a bad habit of taking photos "Guerilla" style... I just shoot the sh*t out of the subject as fast as I can and *try* to capture the subject...

So, what happens is, my composition suffers. Not to mention, I just tilt my head because MANY of my photos are not straight. Its very clear to see when I'm taking water shots and the horizon is 4 degrees off.

My friend Emily took some time and helped me by giving me some constructive criticism on composition. I was able to tweak the photo with editing software, but I need to get into a better habit of taking care of the photos I shoot! Here is the after!

175 Days to go

Oh, a picture is worth a thousand words... or more... here I am, as promised, in the throws of a 6:30 am workout in the park. Bundled up, and on my back... doing toe-ups. Aparently, my abs aren't gonna work themselves, I have to work for them!



Check out my sneakers... could they be any muddier? I mean, I guess they COULD be, but it wasn't even raining out... It hasn't rained for weeks! This is the actual mosture of the grass and mud! After doing my 6 laps across this field and back, my sneakers were muddy, and my socks were wet. The mosture even traveled up to the shins of my pants! But I guess what they say is true, no pain, no half dome photos!

176 Days to go - Veeeebram

I saw some very cute guy wearing these on his hike down Runyon Canyon along with his trusty Old English Sheep Dog, Josephine... there are so many thing about that last sentence that I loved...

They are called Vibram FiveFingers... and I guess people do all sorts of things in them... walk, run, kayak, hike, do yoga... they are funny looking. And these in particular make me think of gorilla feet.

I can be convinced into about most things, but I don't think today, you will find me in these up Half Dome.

177 days to go - Runyon Rundown

Yesterday's trail route.

RT about 3 miles ish.

178 days to go

A Sunday morning planned workout with Erika turned into a impromptu morning hike with Shannon! Erika had been called into work, and I jumped on the opportunity to catch up with Shannon for a post-Xmas christmas exchange coffee! Shannon told me to keep my workout clothes on and we'd head for a hike.

I said YES (before I gave myself a chance to make excuses and say no.) I let Shannon do all the picking of intensities cause left to my own devices, would have probably opt for a short walk around the block :) (hey, at least I know myself!)

We went to Runyon Canyon... and so did all of Los Angeles. But who could blame them?! It is a gorgeous day! Clear as anything! I could see the Pacific Ocean clearly! Culver City, Downtown. It truly is the perfect Sunday.

Shannon and I greeted all the pups that came our war... and there were a TON. And since I was wearing the wrong type of pants for hiking, ended up stripping down to my sports bra (ahhhh! - a first) and thick sweaty sweat pants!

For your optical own safety, I did NOT include a front shot of my stomach. But instead have provided a drawing...

I was thrilled ... when the hike was over, naturally, but very pleased to have gotten some exercise in.

181 days to go - a WHOLE lot of Food!

On Wednesdays at Whole Foods, their phenomenal salad bar selection is on sale. Instead of $7.99 per pound, its only 5.99 per pound!

I know, not CHEAP, but the selection of yummy food is outrageous! The greens, the grains and the ethnic fare is fun and always changing. Never to be tired of the same bars. Last night, I was treated to some chicken masala and a make your own pho soup bar!!!

It was so much fun. And I love to eat, so anything to make the whole thing more entertaining... I'm a kid in a candy store!

Healthy options that don't cost and arm and a leg (cause I'll need those for hiking Half Dome) that I don't have to cook myself is FANTASTIC in my book!

182 days to go

I feeling the pain from yesterday's work out. YAY.

I'm also feeling the pain because I have recently learned that I have yet another obsticle to overcome... no, not the 16 miles of hiking... up hill both ways (haha)

Yosemite has now put permit requirements for anyone who summits Half Dome, 7 days a week. Last year, they were required for people who summitted on Fridays, Saturday, Sundays and holidays.

So what this means for me is, I need to wake up AGAIN early, on a specific day in May to try to secure enough permits for my group... Last year, these sold out in 7 minutes... Another crappy crapshoot is... if it rains, and I have to stall my climb. It's advised that NO ONE should summit Half Dome if its raining, or if a thunderstorm is coming through.

I'm not sure how that will work. Besides... praying. I hope to get my hands on permits. I guess I'll just to have act as if I got them, and start my hiking!

Here is the press release if anyone wants to read it!

http://www.nps.gov/yose/parknews/hdpermits3.htm

183 days to go ... I'm back!!!!

I text confirmed with Erika last night, silently hoping she would NOT be available for my first day back since before the holidays... no such luck. She was free as a bird!

I silently hoped that when my alarm went off at 5:45 am this morning that there would be a text from Erika saying she was too hung over to make it over to

the park... no such luck.

I was all layered up, complete with a set of thermal undershirt and pants and when I arrived at the park... it was still dark. I can't believe how many people were already there. I mean, not a TON, but there were people there.

First up, jogging. 2 times around the field. Blah. My heart was pounding by the first stretch, but I was treated to an amazingly beautiful sunrise in while running East. Fine, I'll take whatever beauty I can muster up at 6:30 am... just knowing the husband was warm in bed, snoring away and I... huffing and puffing!

It was an arms day! I'm officially on the pretty sunshine yellow 10 pound free weights. I'm gonna feel some muscles tomorrow!

I am contemplating bringing my new little camera that i got for Christmas to the work outs. I mean, who doesn't enjoy my drawings, but my talents with a pencil only go so far!

I borrowed this photo from my friend Jodi's facebook wall today... this is what I was running with... pretty amazing!