Plugging along...

I've been awful at blogging lately. Just add it to the list of things I haven't been keeping up with, number one being any attempt at weight loss.

Part of the reason for lack of blogging (in addition to lack of motivation), is that I've been out of two twice in the last 2 weeks and I leave for Seattle on Tuesday.

First, I went to the beach for 5 days. It was a wonderful break from work and it was just what I needed to recharge myself at work. Then, I headed off to Vegas for a 48-hour work trip to attend a conference. I regret I didn't get to stay longer, but the short amount of time in Sin City was certainly better for my waist line.

Click for larger view

Food wise, I didn't do terrible at the beach. There was one night of fried seafood out at a restaurant, but for the most part we cooked at home and portions were controlled. I decided to give myself a break from exercise at the beach, but unfortunately, the week between the beach and leaving for Vegas I didn't get back on the regular exercise wagon.

After I got back from Vegas this week, I've gotten in a spin class, a 1000 meter swim, and a 5.5 mile run. Tomorrow I'll try to do another 10 mile bike ride. The tri is in 5 weeks....yowza!

I also have another half-marathon scheduled next weekend while I'm in Seattle - what I was thinking signing up for this, I don't know. The most mileage I've done since Country Music 7 weeks ago is 8 miles. I've done a few 4, 5, and 6 milers but I have only been running 1-2 times a week. My basic plan at this point is not to freak out. I'm just going to go and enjoy the race - use it as a way to see the city - and walk as much as I need to.

In triathlon training news, I am feeling stronger on the bike but I still feel that I am slower than I should be. Hopefully the next 4 weeks of regular spin and biking will help out with that. In swimming news, I swam 400 meters without stopping yesterday. The swim portion of the race is 400 yards. From my understanding 1 meter = approximately 1.09 yard, so essentially I've done the distance of the swim portion - in the pool. I will start open water swims the weekend of June 30. Looking forward to try those and some bricks prior to the race.

So basically, I'm checking in to say I'm plugging along and surviving. I'm planning on weighing in tomorrow so we'll see what the damage is since I weighed in last, which I can't even remember when the last one was.

I'm considering a 24-hour juice cleanse between Seattle and my July 4th vacation. Or I may do it after vacation since I'm sure I won't be eating very well that week. We'll see.

Thanks for sticking with me...

Running in Beautiful Colorado

View from the hotel - Keystone, CO

Life has been busy since touching down in Denver on Tuesday. After renting a car and making the 2 hour drive up the mountain we arrived in Keystone, CO just in time for me to drop my bags and jet off to to my new member orientation.

To tell you it is beautiful here is a gross understatement and I can only imagine that experiencing its beauty is the only way one could ever know what I am talking about.

We are staying at approximately 9,000 feet. The sky is bluer than I have ever seen anywhere in the world. This is due to the lack of moisture in the air (hello, chapped lips). Of course the beauty does come with the stuffy nose, headache and shortness of breath of altitude sickness. But honestly I haven't minded any of those minor inconveniences. So what if I am out of breath after walking a mile? It's worth it to experience the most beautiful place I've ever laid eyes on.

I honestly slept horribly my first night in Keystone. I fell asleep ok but I seemed to wake up every hour - 11, 12, 3, 3, 5...I had my alarm set for 6:15 Wednesday morning to hit the fitness center and get my run out of the way. Unfortunately, the fitness center was full and no cardio machines were open. I hit the trail instead even though I only had a t-shirt and capris on. Oh, and it was 34 degrees out.

Although I froze, the 30 minutes or so I had with just myself and the outdoors allowed me to experience some of the great scenery. I'm not a big picture taker while exercising as I think it distracts from focusing on my workout, but I couldn't resist snapping a few phone shots.

A little blury, but this is the Snake River, which runs through the area.
Picturesque, isn't it? It reminds me of a postcard.
Note the snow capped mountains in the far background.

Another shot of the river, which I actually saw someone fly fishing in this morning.

Since time was short, I strayed from the actual #5Kin100days schedule and just did a warm up and then eight 1:30 minute intervals. I thought I would of had more trouble with my endurance given the altitude, but I didn't have difficulty breathing until the end of my run.

I am so glad I got out and got a work out in. 67 lbs ago I would have never taken time out from a trip to do this. A major NSV. Tomorrow I am planning on getting up and renting a bike to ride along the mountainside trails before conference activities really get started.