Urban Assault Race

I participated in the Urban Assault Race in Tucson on Sunday with a friend of mine.
Basically we ride about 20 miles around Tucson finding checkpoints, doing a fun activity challenge and then ride to the next one.
I can tell you we set  no speed records although my partner could have on his road bike if he hadn't had me as his partner. I was looking at his butt most of the day.
It was a great morning of riding and I hit a personal goal of riding 20+ miles in 1 day. My furthest ever!
We were rewarded with post race beer so out want all bad. We are ready for next year!

Twice in a week!

Hiking, that is ;)  Hit the trails at South Mountain again on Friday.  My legs were a little sore from my elliptical intervals on Wednesday, but I was determined.

For years I've hiked in silence, with just the sounds of my breathing or the birds to keep me company.  When Brian and I hike together, we tend to space ourselves far apart enough so we are in our own thoughts.  However, I really need to pick up the pace on my hikes.  Hiking into the Canyon is going to be a long, long day.  I really don't want to take 10 hours to hike in.  So, in addition to training to hike longer distances, I'm also working on hiking those distances at a faster pace.  I tend to move faster when I have great music to listen to.  I loaded my iPod shuffle with new music and hit the trail ready to move. 

Wow!  What a huge difference!  I shaved a lot of time off our hike on Friday and finished the 2.4 miles in an hour, which included a water break for the dogs.  I have strict instructions from my trainer/doctor to warm up slowly for 10 minutes and finish with a slow 10 minute cool down, so that factors into my time.  I'm going to be shooting for 3/mph on these easy hikes, if not better. 

This week my trainer/doctor and I are going to be taking a hard look at what I'm eating.  I'm eating better than I was, but I know I have some things I need to change.  What I really like about him is that he's never going to tell me what I can't eat, but rather teach me how and when to eat the things I love (hello there Mr. Ice Cream). 

He also said something this morning in passing - I've got to start exercising in the morning.  Ugh, double ugh.  I am not a morning person.  Dragging myself out of bed at 7am kills me.  5 or 6?  Can I just cry now?  But, it is such a huge kick-start for my metabolism that I'd be crazy not to try.  Just, you know, not very happy.

Urban Assault Ride

I'm leaving after my son's football game to head to Tucson to participate in the 2012 Urban Assault Ride tomorrow.  I have mapped our route (so far about 16 miles) and my partner is laughing at my planning.

We have 1 more mystery check point to find to see if the route is longer than 16 miles.  Either way, it will be a morning of fun and laughter.

Can I get in a hike before dark?

Why yes, yes I can!  While Sarah is kicking my ass in the hiking department, I'm over here working hard on strengthening my core and balance exercises.  I really wanted to hike over the weekend, but just couldn't get one in.  Could I rush home from work, get dressed and hit the trail by 5 for an hour hike?  Yep, I did!

We only went 2 miles, but with 4 stops so people could pet and talk about the dogs, it took an hour.  But what a lovely way to end the day!  I'd like to do this 2x a week, at least until it is too hot to even think about it.  By then, I'll be hiking before work at that dark o' clock time that Sarah loves so much.

And my balance is getting better.  I can sit on the ball and lift both feet without face-planting.  If you knew me, you'd know this is a major accomplishment.  LOL

A New Bike

I finally bought myself a bike....a new lighter bike.

It's a Giant Roam 2.

I took a 10 mile ride yesterday afternoon. Wow, what a difference a lighter bike makes!

Go John Trail

A girlfriend of mine and I hiked a new trail yesterday called the Go John Trail in Cave Creek, AZ.

It was a beautiful 5.8 mile hike that took about 2 hours. I am living the desert at this time of year.

Tom's Thumb Hike

I took a hike yesterday in the McDowell Mountains on the north side of the Tom's Thumb trail.

I am heading to the hump that kind of looks like a thumb in the middle of the ridge.  It is a long way up!

I am less than a 1/2 mile from Tom's Thumb

Finally made it!

Here's a photo where you can ALMOST see the fountain in Fountain Hills (I could see it when I took the photo).

On the way back to the trail head.

Almost back to the car.  It is was a beautiful hike.

P.S. Heather:  A guy I talked to on the trail said he thought this trail was as steep or steeper than the Grand Canyon.  I can tell you today my legs are agreeing with me. 

Finally, help is on the way!

Since I threw out my back nearly a month ago, I've been in varying degrees of pain.  2 doctors, acupuncture and massage therapy were not working.  The drugs only were a band aid and I couldn't take them while at work and function, let alone drive to get there.

So, I went to a chiropractor and I swear, this guy is changing my life.  I can finally walk upright all day long, I'm not crying by the end of the day and I'm off the drugs.  I still have some pain, but he's teaching me how to adjust things so that I get relief.

Most important, he's giving me physical therapy exercises that are straightening my back and core so that this doesn't happen again and addresses the multitude of other issues I've been dealing with over the years.

In addition, he's becoming my trainer.  He is a hard-core cyclist and very fit.  He asked me to bring him a list of my fitness goals today.  In addition to training me for the Grand Canyon hike, he's going to be working on getting me into cycling and back into daily yoga.  I have daily balance and stretching exercises to do in addition to ramping up my hiking and elliptical work. 

After 12+ years of daily, chronic pain that no doctor seemed to either care about or knew what to do, I think I have finally found the person who can help me.  I'm daring to hope again.

Saturday walk

I have to brag for a minute....I covered 120 miles last month in cycling/walking/hiking. My most ever!

I walked this morning, just over 3 miles in under an hour.

There was a big cat and a display of grapefruit and plastic bags. The citrus tree owners wanted me to have a fresh glass of juice with breakfast.