March 17th, 2010
With only 2 days to go before I leave for Roan Mountain, I am getting very excited. I have been going through my pack and trying to think of anything I have left out. As Andrew pointed out, I failed to list a bear bag on my previous post. I use the waterproof stuff sack that I pack my food in as my bear bag. I also bring an Opsak to store food in that makes it undetectable if used correctly. The bear bag will be hung in a tree far from our campsite to keep the bears away!
What have I missed?
Tags: Andrew, hiking
Posted in Hiking/Camping | 1 Comment »
March 16th, 2010
Yesterday evening as I was driving home from work, I realized that since the time change over the weekend, I would have a little extra daylight and thought, “why not go for a run?” So I cleared it with my wife and set out. I wanted to do 3 miles, but my shins have been giving me a little trouble since I started getting the mileage back, so I was prepared to cut it short if need be. The other challenge with this run is that I was to run in my neighborhood and it is pretty hilly. The first mile went pretty easy, but the second one included more hills and I was feeling it. Not so much with the shins, but just overall fatigue. So I decided to bust through that and I was able to keep stride with no walk breaks for 3.1 miles (made it a 5K to see what my time is) in 28:17. See all the stats from the Garmin 310XT here.
I will plan to get another run in, perhaps on Wednesday. Today and Thursday are Jillian workouts!
Tags: Jenn, Jillian Michaels, running
Posted in Triathlon Training | 3 Comments »
March 15th, 2010
With only 4 days until we set out for Roan Mountain, things are coming together. Final plan is to meet up with Melissa, and she, Althea and I will drive up to the trail head on Friday night. Andrew and his crew will meet us Saturday morning and we will start hiking no later than 6:30. I got most of my things packed over the weekend and if I can keep Mia and Sadie from rummaging through my pack, I should have everything I need!
Tags: Althea, hiking, Melissa, Mia, Sadie
Posted in Hiking/Camping | 3 Comments »
March 12th, 2010
For those of you that might think a back country hiking trip is intimidating, I hope to simplify the task by sharing my pack list. This trip is a one night trip that includes sleeping in a shelter, so it is more or less a very light weight trip compared to those that require a tent and more food and clothing. I plan to drive to the trail head the night before and be back at the car for breakfast the morning after we camp, so I will be able to leave some things in the car, too. I will also bring my dog, Althea, along and she has her own pack to lighten my load (and expel some of her abundant energy!)
For my backpack:
- Food/snacks (a little extra just in case)
- Stove
- Gas
- Pot to boil water in
- Spork (an all in one fork, spoon and knife)
- Lighter, fire starter
- Extra Clothes – socks, liners, underwear, undershirt, rain jacket
- Pack cover
- TP and shovel (for the special places…)
- Multi-tool
- Cordage
- First Aid Kit
- Water bottles, bladder
- Steripen (water purifier)
- Tripod
- Camera
- Sleeping bag
- Hammock
- Slap straps (to hang hammock)
- Sleeping pad
- Flashlight
- Headlight
- Spare Batteries
- Summit/day pack
To wear when I set out hiking:
- Hiking pants
- Socks
- Liner socks
- Boots
- Hiking shirt
- Undershirt
- Garmin watch
For Althea’s Pack:
- Dog food
- Leash
- Dog bowl
- Water bottles
- Bear bell
To bring & leave in car:
- Tent
- Extra sleeping bag/pad
- Cooler with water and Mountain Dew
- Fleece Jacket, hat and gloves
Tags: Andrew, hiking
Posted in Hiking/Camping, special places | 11 Comments »
March 11th, 2010
Next weekend, I will travel to the Roan Mountain Highlands to do some backpacking along the Appalachian Trail. I will drive up late Friday night with Althea, sleep in my car and await Andrew and others to arrive early Saturday morning.
We will begin our hike east to Grassy Ridge Bald. Then we will come back to the trail head and hike west to Roan High Knob. We will then continue on to Roan High Bluff. Each of these peaks are listed on the Carolina Mountain Club’s South Beyond 6000 list of 40 peaks in the southern Appalachians over 6000 feet.
Roan High Knob Shelter
After Roan High Bluff, we will return to Roan High Knob, where a shelter awaits.
I am extremely excited to be going on this trip and to this area I have not had the privilege to explore as of yet.
And of course, I will update my special places as well!
Tags: Andrew, hiking
Posted in Hiking/Camping, special places | 7 Comments »
March 10th, 2010
Last year, when I started swimming, biking and running, training for triathlons and running events, those three activities were all I really had time for. This year, I am going to try something different and include fitness exercises on a regular basis to tone muscles not necessarily used directly in each of those activities. The goal here is to advance my overall fitness and abilities.
One way I plan to do this is with the help, yet again, of the Wii. You may remember that the Wii initially motivated me to become healthier and lose weight with Wii Fit. This year, with the recommendation of my friend, Andrew, I will use Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010. I am on my first week of the program, but it appears to really whip you into shape. the workouts are intense circuit style and last nights consisted of:
- Running (in place) ~5.5 minutes
- 25 push-ups
- 20 back kicks (1 rep consists of kicking leg straight back and “punching” with both arms then repeat with other leg)
- 20 sledge swings (1 rep consists of swinging the Wii remote like you would a sledge hammer on one side of your body then repeat on other side)
- 25 water pumps (holding Wii remote with both hands at your chin then squatting down bringing remote almost to the floor then back up)
- 20 boat poses (half sit-up at the same time bringing both legs up to form a “V” with your body)
- Quick stretching (knees to chest while laying on the floor)
- Running ~5.5 minutes
- 25 push-ups
- 40 sledge swings
- 20 back kicks
- 25 water pumps
- 30 sledge swings
Jillian Michaels
This all left me completely exhausted, especially after running a little over 2 miles at lunch yesterday. I will continue the 2-3 runs during the week and a long run on the weekends. I will also try to cycle to work and home when the weather permits. As long as I can get to the pool or lake, I should be set for the triathlon season fast approaching!
I have a hiking trip with Andrew and others coming up on 3/20/10 in the Roan Mountain Highlands. I will certainly keep you posted on that with (I hope) wonderful pictures from the trip. I am also looking forward to taking Althea along on the trip as well!
I look forward to what this training will add to my abilities. And with a trainer that looks like that, how can you resist?
Tags: Althea, Andrew, biking, hiking, Jillian Michaels, running, swimming
Posted in Hiking/Camping, Triathlon Training | 8 Comments »
March 9th, 2010
After getting over back pain recently, I am excited to report that I have started running again as of last Sunday. I ran/walked about 5.5 miles with Melissa. I was also able to run today at lunch, but stopped after a little more than 2 miles because my shins got pretty sore. The last thing I need is to start with too much mileage and get shin splints again! Also, it is getting warm again and I am not used to the heat!
Another reason for this post is to spread the word about 344pounds.com. Tyler is on his quest to lose a lot of weight and is doing a workout pledge. So all of you get to his blog and comment/friend him, whatever to add more time to his workout!
Tags: Melissa, weight loss
Posted in Triathlon Training | No Comments »
February 25th, 2010
My posts have been few and far between lately. I could go into excuses about being too busy blah blah blah, but the fact is I have been lazy. My back is still giving me some trouble, so I haven’t been running like I should and it has been so cold, it is really hard to gain the motivation to get outside for endurance activities.
That being said, after (what I hope will be) a relaxing weekend with Jenn, I plan to start a 3-run-a-week schedule to get back into a routine. I only have a little over a month before my next race, a half marathon, and I am a little intimidated by that thought. Follow that up with a triathlon a month later and I realize I have a lot of work to do and that I need to be careful not to injure myself. I need to stay injury free and in shape all year if I hope to finish my first Half Ironman that I have signed up for in November!
On another note, my Grandmother, Great Mia, is in the hospital with kidney complications. Read more about it on Melissa’s post.
Tags: Great Mia, Jenn, Melissa, Random Thoughts, running, Triathlon
Posted in Random Thoughts, Triathlon Training | No Comments »
February 11th, 2010
After dealing with the wreck and finding a new car, I can focus on training and the rest of my life.
I did run my first 5K of the year last Saturday and it felt good to be in a race again. It was the Alyce T Guettler Hunger Run in Rock Hill, SC and I mainly raced the event because they were doing it to raise money for a good cause. It was cold and drizzling that morning, but it didn’t keep 100 people from showing up. After I finished, I noticed that there weren’t many people cheering for the others as they finished. So I stayed around and cheered people in, then went home to spend time with Jenn, Mia and Sadie. As it turns out, I finished second out of four in my age group and missed out on collecting the award. Oh well, hopefully there will be others.
Unfortunately, I think racing came at a price. On Sunday, my back started to hurt pretty bad and after visiting the Chiropractor on Monday, I messed my back and shoulders up pretty bad in the wreck. So I am forced to take it easy for a bit while I recover. Hopefully the Chiropractor can work his magic the way he did before the marathon and I will be back at it real soon. I will keep you guys posted!
Tags: Jenn, Mia, running, Sadie
Posted in Race Reports, Triathlon Training | 2 Comments »
February 10th, 2010
After waiting to hear from the insurance company to tell me that my 4Runner had been totalled, I looked around for a replacement. I would love to have a brand new 4Runner as they changed the body style for 2010 and I like it. But, budgets have to come into consideration, so I (briefly) considered buying a sedan that would be much better on gas mileage, but I came to the conclusion that I would miss the capability that an SUV with 4 wheel drive provides. So I looked around for a good deal on a used 4Runner and even considered a Nissan Xterra. I finally decided that I would stick with Toyota, even though they are coming under scrutiny with their recent recalls, but I have confidence in Toyota as a company and especially the 4Runner. They have not been involved in any of the recalls so far and even if they are at some point, I know Toyota will come up with a fix.
And now to present my new (well 2007) Toyota 4Runner:
My New Ride
It is a 2007 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD. It has just under 60,000 miles on it and has a clean history. Was owned in North Carolina by one owner. I found it at an Infiniti dealer and they made me a good deal on it. Perhaps the flack Toyota has received recently helped me land it at more than $4,000 under NADA retail value. What do you guys think?
Tags: Random Thoughts
Posted in Random Thoughts | 5 Comments »
