118 days to go!

I started back up with Erika today! It feels likes months... but in actuality, I think it was about 3 weeks or so.

It was great... especially since she went easy on me.

We met up at a different park... this one's closer to my home... no freeways required! It also allows me to get up at the same time, and eat/digest a little bit of food before my workout. It also gets me home faster so I don't have to worry about being late to work or skipping out on a shower... (just kidding, I like my co-workers too much to ever do that to them!) So the new location chisels away another excuse in my head why I shouldn't wake up early and prepare myself for the hike.

This new park has a nice jogging path (which I hope never to use)... and some picnic tables... and some make shift gym equipment. And cute squirrels that play "hide the nut." And bathrooms! And even at 6:30 am when it was still dark out, people were running the path, and people walking their dogs.

If you were out there, you would have seen me. I was the one standing on the picnic tables. Up and down, at a steady pace... I'm just saying, as a child, I was yelled at for what I was doing today (just so you know, Erika).

My lower back aches have not been an issue lately. I'm hoping its because I've been doing exercises to strengthen it. Mostly some stretches at night along with some sit ups. Sleeping on my back, and using one pillow. Seems to be working.

Today, we focused on other exercises to build up lower back strength. I did some Superman(s), used the yellow weights to roll up and down my legs, and the the medicine balk back and forth from one leg to the next.

It was so gorgeous this morning. It made me so happy to be outdoors taking care of myself. Warm enough, and cool enough.

Next week... we're busting out the tape measurer again!

125 days to go!

I've been sadly freaking out about my HD Hike. Permits are mandated for everyone who climbs past subdome, and they just went "on sale" for the months of May & June. Sold out in like 18 minutes.

April 1st is right around the corner! And that is when I need to try to get my permits for my July trip.... and I'm freaked out about not getting the permits, and simply being denied the opportunity to climb all the way to the top. They are only allowing 300 permits a day.

There are measures I can take if the permits run out on me, but we'll go into that when the time comes.

For right now, all I can do is try... and be willing to climb all the way to subdome... So right now, that is my commitment!

ohhhhhh the powerlessness of it all!

129 Days to go!

And thankfully, I got a hike in today at Runyon again.

This time, I climbed UP a dirt path (up Western Highway)... something I haven't done in a while. I thought ever, but the husband reminded me what we did it one time. I did well. Each break was very short. Then we walked down the road.

I was gonna take a few photos... but when I pulled out my camera... my water bottle fell OUT of my bag on a very STEEP, torn up explosed rock section of the path.

I really thought that my water bottle was a goner... I started to chase it down the mountain, which I soon realize, a) I can not race down the mountain, b) I can not OUTRUN the bottle.

Thankfully, a very NICE hiker on the way up grabbed my bottle for me. I was so grateful! I thought that I was gonna see the bottle go right off the mountain. BTW, this good samaritan hiker also had an awesome dog mix... a pug/pitbull. Very sweet looking.

At the end of the trail, some energy drink company, Fuction Drinks, had 3 complimentary beverages for promotion. I grabbed 1 that didn't have SUGAR in the ingrediants. It advertised using green tea as a major componant, and hypered abilities to burn fat. I was eager to try something new, but after one short sip, it just tasted so artificial... I brought it home for the husband. OH well. But if you wanna try it out, their website is http://www.fuctiondrinks.com/.



I'm hoping in this week that I have off to get one or two more hikes in!

138 days to go!

Oh man. Its getting closer and closer!

I'm really starting to get freaked out now, cause I haven't really started hiking yet. Its been cold. Then its been rainy! I planned for a hike this weekend (a few days ago) only to be told "yeah, its gonna rain a lot this weekend"... so another week, it will be postponed.

Erika and I are having the darndest time meeting up these days. And my lower back has been hurting me, which is kinda puzzling.

So I've been doing a lot of investigating into why its all of a sudden, in the last 4 months, its been giving me problems. But we don't want me Fu$king up my back too much with exercise, so...

I have a doctor's appointment next week for a check up. And I got a massage last week. Mixing my sleeping positions and pillows. I'm trying to encourage myself to try more yoga, and pilates... so, we'll see how it all plays out.

I'm starting to open up invites to Half Dome. I can commit a year out, but most people can't. I can't believe its less than 1/2 year away! So, I'm getting feelers for people who might wanna come with :) OR just hang out in our sweet tent for a few days.

Tomorrow is another day!

159 Days To Go - my newest record!

Man... for some reason, Erika must have thought I stood her up. It turns out, her phone died, which doubles as her alarm clock.

But she WAS BRUTAL today. She had no compassion for my wails. In fact, I think I heard her cackle! But more about that in a second.

First, I started off running... get ready for this.... I did 2 LAPS WITHOUT STOPPING!!!!

DOUBLE since just 2 days! Not even a workout in-between! I was incredibly proud of myself.

... Erika made some comment that sounded like "good, so from now on... no more stopping for breaks." WHAT THE F@#$%^) ! :)

But then the brutality came in. She had me on the yoga mat forever doing rotations of push ups and dips. It was really amazing how only after like 7, i was down. i had to keep taking breaks. I lost all "face." Wincing and on the verge of tears. But I think I got through it... I must have... I'm here, aren't I?

It feels good though, to be challenged, and to be making good strides.

161 Days To Go - my new record!

So today, I got to the park ... Erika ... did not. After waiting 10 minutes, I decided, she's not coming. I can't even say I was bummed... I'm terrible. I often pray she's not there when I arrive!

But I was up and dressed. I had my iPod and I had to walk the path... which then I realized, I really needed to RUN at least 1 lap.

I actually ran the entire lap without stopping... This is the FIRST time I've ever accomplished this! The last time I tried, it was 7/8 th of the path.

I then walked 2 more times around and on my 4th lap, ran the halves.

I was really proud of myself. Especially not having Erika there to push me :)

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!!!