37: Sometimes it's just not enough

So today, after being told by numerous people that The Flume and Watson Lake Dam trails are awesome, I hiked them.

I was a wee bit disappointed.

Oh, they are gorgeous.  Don't get me wrong.

Dam.

The Flume.

They just weren't the super cardio I was expecting.

Gorgeous, yes.  Strenuous, no.

We are truly spoiled ROTTEN in Prescott, Arizona.  Our trails are amazing, so anything less than spectacular, I can rate "ok."

Because THIS is also Arizona.

I am itching to get back to the Canyon.  April 12th is our next adventure, likely down Grandview.  I am desperate to do an overnight, but lack the permits.

I could just kill Ian out of pure jealousy; he's doing a north rim six day hike right now.  Ugh.

Soooo-I'm getting my ducks in a row.  Planning my hikes 4-13 months out.  Tomorrow is April 1st-gotta call GC if I want to hike and stay at Phantom Ranch one year from now, right?

Praying!!!

Today was a big "get your ducks in order" day-an organized laundry room and clean clothes put away was a new adventure.  I acknowledge that I cannot embrace the new while clinging to the old, and am making an effort.  While this morning's hike was not the workout anticipated, it was still quite beautiful.

Lush meant mosquito's, though.

I feel guilty not doing squats.

It's funny how a lack of a workout produces just as much anxiety as if there was one!!

I'm worried about losing what I have (look David-that's twice I used it right!) and I am desperate to stay on track.  I want to workout-but I need individual guidance.

I need to start making some serious cash then :)

Yes, I'm spoiled.

Princesses often are.

Some of the best hiking in the world in my back yard.  World class training.  Fantastic husband.

Yep-I'm spoiled-but I want to earn more. As in, earn the body I know mine could be.  It may not be fun, but I want it-and no one can spoil me with it.

Excuse me while I go so squats:)

36: Dressing like a Jedi

My trainer for the week needed to postpone; so I'm left without a plan.

Hmmm...this looks interesting.

Boredom wasn't on the agenda, so I settled in at my desk.

In pj's, because one thinks best in pj's, of course.

Hm.  According to the UK Daily Mail, you look better photographed from your right.  That's my left.  Let's try a right:

Interestingly, 95% of my photos are taken on the left.  I think it's because I used to try hide my right front incisor in photos.  Funny how an old habit continues.

Back to my pj story.

So, I decide to finish cleaning my desk, answer many emails, clean up blogs, set up kid's summer camps, etcetera.  I did fuel once, with my coffee, but then I pretty much forgot as I did a three hour marketing training.

Still in my pj's.

The joys of working from home.

So, at 3pm, I finish up.  I'm still in my pj's.  Which is ok, because let's be honest. 

What do Jedi wear?

That's right:  bathrobes over pj's.

I rest my case.

I did get dressed before I left the house because, let's face it:  one may work in pj's but one looks ridiculous out in public in pj's.

Notice I did not workout...

Nor did I do the Truffle Shuffle.

I hoped to get in some lifting once the King of Athletics came home...but he didn't show up until nearly 7pm.  By then, I was busy writing my column.

Before bed, I got on my knees and did seven perfect knee-ups. I wonder if a plank would make me cry?  

Nope. Feels fine.  Quite a bit easier than I remember.  Still can't do a regular push-up, though.  Curious when that occurs.

So I've had an unexpected day of rest.  Work got done, I forgot to eat.  All is well.

May the Force be with you, too.

35: Dreams of Ghosts & Missing Rings

My dreams were many last night; my sore shoulder resulted in a fitful night.

Amazing the muscle under this skin can cause so many issues.

You'll note the sunburn; it was partly cloudy when we left on our hike.

Constellation Trail.

After yesterday's dismal blog, you'll be happy to note the return of photos, the fact that not only am I hiking, but the King of Athletics joined me.

 No rocks were harmed by me throwing them while on this hike.

It was the King's first time on these trails, which are the foundational trails for The Hiking Viking.  It was good for me to check my fitness level on them, and I was happy to be able to chat during the majority of the hike, and to wear my minimus shoes.

At the Canyon, I ditched my boots while at Plateau Point.

The big disappointment, however, was this:

Check out my calves.  Ignore the saggy denim shorts.

Like, seriously??

I have GOT to learn how to pose better (and get new shorts.). Freaking embarrassing.

Check out those calves, though:)

So the King decides to show off, and descends down a fifty foot ledge Becky & I had earlier deemed impossible.

It doesn't look hard here, unfortunately.

We finished up in record time; I suggested another set of trails nearby.  The King suggested lunch, and I reluctantly agreed.  Food simply isn't as exciting as another trail!

The wisteria behind the restaurant was gorgeous however.

Lunch was good, but I lost my appetite when Louisville lost their bid for the Final Four.

Not that I care about Louisville in the slightest.  Ugh.  BTW-choose a freaking color to be.  Either be white or be green.  This "Go White! Go Green!" sounds like an environmentalist arguing with an angel.

Unexpectedly, my workout business for the week needed to reschedule.  This leaves me trying to figure out what to do-another week at CrossFit?  Mountain biking?  Swimming?

On things for certain-I'm jot giving up on these new found guns for nothing.

34: Blank Space

By virtue of my still sore shoulder (and ear infection/malady that afflicted me earlier this week) today was declared another rest day.

As in go to a wine festival day.

Before the disagreement.

For the third time in four years, we made our way over to Camp Verde's Pecan & Wine Festival.  The Verde is home to 12 local wineries, and all were present for tastings.  While I enjoy both whites & reds, The King of Athletics prefers only the darkest and dirtiest reds.  Thankfully, Arizona produces some truly wonderful wines.

I started with whites, and found a Sauvignon Blanc to rival my favorite New Zealand varietals.  The King dove straight into the reds, and brought home a bottle straight away from D A Ranch in Page Springs, Arizona.  After a lunch of brisket, we headed up to Jerome, for more tastings and gallery browsing.  Interestingly, since I just purchased a painting, I was uninterested in much that we saw (so that itch has been scratched, I guess you can say.). Dinner at Grapes was a sure-fired hit as always.

The day was warm and lovely, the setting sun as we came down Mingus just as beautiful.  Unfortunately, I find myself alone as the evening wears on; abandoned to my thoughts and the next steps I should take.  Quests do not always work out as one hopes, it seems.

I pray this one has a happy ending.

33: Mace Windu & the Klingons

It seems The Professor may be a Jedi.

These aren't the excuses you're looking for.

My tweaked shoulder gave me issues yet this morning; I thoroughly expected to show up, be confirmed to be injured, and sent home.

Instead I ended up doing clean lifts?!?

Joey listened to my issues, and made some suggestions I followed.  I was relieved to feel the pain subside, and figured I'd be done-right?

Oh, no.  We still had exercises to do.

Not me; Joey. 

The Professor figured out how to work around my stiff shoulder:  a modified squat with weights, clean lifts and jerk lifts.  Rowing was the poison in between sets.

At some point Joey claimed to be Yoda; I said he was too snarky to be Yoda.  "What about the Jedi played by Samuel L. Jackson?" he suggested.

Scroll up the page & look at Joey, then at Mace Windu.  I believe we have a winner.

Yep, he plays Jedi mind tricks, too.  Like telling you "your welcome" when you show him the blisters on your hands.  Then we start talking about me continuing Crossfit outside the Quest.  Jedi Mind tricks folks, Jedi mind tricks.

I did fuel twice already, and noticed those two fuelings have started to become a habit.  Interestingly, I haven't needed my coffee as I usually do.

Impressive.  She no longer wants coffee.

Busy with meetings and work, I manage to get home before the kids.  I grab six songs while laying in the sun, the heat soaking into my sore muscles.

Do you know how you know you're spending too much time lifting?

When you know the words to songs like this.

And like them.

Will wonders ever cease?

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, just in case you're wondering.

Tonight, I babyed my still sore shoulder, and caught up on old episodes of ST:TNG.  An old favorite came on with Worf and K'Ehleyr.

I'm a sucker for a good old fashioned romance.

Tomorrow I'm not planning on exercise, or a hike.  Perhaps a little good old fashioned romance instead?

Gotta love the Klingon inspiration. 

32: The Local and Locals

The best things happen in small towns.

Old fashioned, homemade English muffins with four types of equally homemade jam.

Today is a break day.

As in break your shoulder muscle putting your hair in a ponytail day.

I've been in pain all day due to the ponytail pictured here.

Yes, I know a muscle pull isn't a break, but it might as well be as much as it's throbbing.

Today started out good-my fever broke (that's another break) sometime in the night, and while exhausted from that, I felt so much better.  The dogs thought I was fine, too.

They wanted my cheese.

Originally I was to be in Phoenix all day, but unwilling to risk a punctured eardrum, I stayed in the mile high city.  With most of my appointments rescheduled for Friday, I used the morning to get some work done.  

Like download the rest of One Republic's  Native album.

The King of Athletics met me for lunch, which placed me in town for the afternoon.  While I felt quite a bit better, I was still tired.  Whether it was the fever the day before or the Canyon hike two days prior, I decided to do my usual Thursday visit of local columnists instead of searching for new clients.

These yahoo's are my favorites.

It's easy to get distracted, especially when you love the wares.  I had to purchase one item today I could not resist.

Prescott, with Thumb Butte in the distance.

It's one of Ian's, and part of his show that opens tomorrow.

Here's your free plug:  Living the Dream exhibit featuring Doug Weber, Ian Russell and Bryan Tubbs, March 27, 5-8pm at the Ian Russell Gallery of Fine Art.

I still had time to kill, but was unwilling to waste the gas to drive home and back. So I headed to Thumb Butte, and plopped myself on the first bench an 1/8th the way up the trail.  

The pines smell amazing, and it was sooo quiet.

I caught up on calls, relishing the fact I live so close to so many places I love.  After picking up Parry, I quickly brushed through my hair and headed out the door again.

Tonight's mixer was Locals Only-and it was well attended at Watter's Garden Center.  I delighted seeing old friends, meeting new people and setting up appointments.  It was especially good to catch up with Sgt Steve, from my first week of Fitness Quest.

I had an hour to kill in between the mixer and picking up daughter Abbie, so my friend Sheryl invited me over to her house. She is opening a restaurant called The Local next month, and had a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this month.  She invited me to try some of the recipes, which I gladly agreed to!

Cheese pimento spread-DIVINE!

Utterly scrumptious, fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies.

I cannot WAIT for The Local to open!

So, today was filled with locals...local people, local businesses, local landmarks.  Plain and simple-it's Prescott.  

Thankfully, it abounds in Everybody's Hometown.

31: Fever! I've got a fever (or two!)

Going into today's workout, I had warned Joey prior I would be hiking the Grand Canyon the day before.  He told me we'd lay off the legs. 

I'm a sucker for landscapes.

 Imagine my surprise when he informed me we were going to utilize the Roman chair, which I knew used hips.  He assured me I could do it-I admit I was dubious.  So he demonstrated:

This looks very intimidating in person.

Then I tried them out.  Joey corrected my form, and made certain I understood the sets.  I then did three rounds of seven; five different exercises all geared towards opening and closing the hips and lower back.

They were...fun.

Fun?  As in funny?  Exercise doesn't have to be serious?

For the very first time on the quest, I caught myself giggling out of glee.  These looked silly-but they felt good. Like fantastically awesome stretches. For a change, my height actually made the exercise easier to perform-and again I saw a glimmer of exercise as it could be.

:)

Up until now, I've only known exercise to challenge, push and strain me.  Here I was, with calves screaming from the prior days' twelve mile canyon hike, and my thighs and hips were performing flawlessly on this chair.  It felt fluid for the very first time; I wasn't fighting my height to find the right form, it just happened.  A breakthrough, for certain.

Joey looked dubious when I told him.  He must read the blog:)

I was pretty happy leaving, until I started feeling odd.  Like really cold.

There are two things in life I hate:  exercise & cold.  My workout finished, I headed to the nice sun-warmed car.  I ate my fueling, drank a bottle of water and drove home-in silence.

One reason I adore the Canyon?  It's silent.

Silence is not how I normally jive, and as I grew colder I wondered just what was going on.  I was hydrated, I had eaten.

It never occurred to me I was sick.

Three hours later, bundled up in a sweatshirt and three blankets, my mind suggested a thermometer.

100.2°

Gee.

I had hundreds as a child, unfortunately.

I napped, and the tell-tale throb when I awoke confirmed my suspicions:  ear infection.

So the rest of today was laid waste.  All plans cancelled, grumpy, tearful, you name it.

But I had fun this morning...and I can't seem to forget it.

Not quite as much fun as yesterday, but pretty darn close.  Just had to throw in some extra-"oh my word I've got the inner canyon fever" photos:)

29: Is Channing Tatum a Secret Prince?

I woke up when the alarm went off.

Miracle of miracles-I slept through the night!

I have long hair.  One cannot possibly sleep like this.

Which meant it was Monday, and I had to eat six times, workout plus do actual work, too.

Like a normal person.

Because clearly, people who pose lovingly with a Prince Eric statue are normal.

Well, I ate two hard boiled eggs and slugged a jumbo size cup of coffee, because my research shows coffee hydrates as well as water.

Didn't believe me, did you?  It's been all over the English papers.

I headed to CrossFit, and decided to not walk in early.  Maverick is serious about Mondays.

Unfortunately, he's serious about a lot of stuff I need to do.

Once inside, my mood lifts.  It's hard not to smile when The Professor has on his buff.  He sets me up with six exercises:  kettle bell swings, barbell rows, standard barbell deadlifts, front barbell squats, overhead dumbbell presses and finally a strange yoga-pose sit up.  3 sets of 15.

I liked those weird sit ups-half the exercise involved laying down.  I call that rest.

So I did seven extra on the last set, because I liked the song playing, and I wanted to see how long I could go.

It's still not fun.  Really, it's not.  Nope.

That's how I felt, driving home with music thumping while eating jerky.

I get home, start the laundry, hang my white boards, write some goals, start some calls.  Dryer buzzes, I flip the laundry, and gather towels for a towel load.  Guess what I find buried in the process?  The scale.

It was under our son's bed.  Really.

Seven or so weeks ago, I started the Quest not knowing what I weighed.  The scale was missing, and I didn't need to see a number to know I needed to lose weight.  Last week I was weighed when they did my BMI, so I had a benchmark.  Joyfully, I climbed on.

Yep, that bad.

I apparently had GAINED two and a half pounds.  FREAKING REALLY?!?

So much for a ridiculously amazing Monday.

I vow now I'm not weighing myself again.  EVER!

Ok, maybe vow isn't the right word here. Did you know there is some movie called The Vow starring Channing Tatum?  Nor did I until I googled "vow."  Hmph.

Although the King of Athletics is older, he's equally cut & hot ❤️

Here's the deal:  my calorie count is NOWHERE near my energy output.  I should have lost weight-goodness knows I've been hungry enough!!

Jim thinks my body is scared of the exercise and retaining my fat because I'm not eating enough.

Seriously???  That's a broken record!

UGH.  Suddenly, my mood is black.  Yeah, I'd drank three bottles of water, plus the coffee and two snacks and I was dressed.  BUT STILL!?!

Nothing got thrown, so that's good.  Although I just realized I never finished flipping the laundry.

Excuse me.

Crap.  Stuff in dryer is damp.  Anyhow...

This is my 1970's dinner:  Shrimp Orleans, on rice.  With a beer.  Carb city.

You want to mess with me, body?  Really?  Let me give you some carbs.

And thus was my day (plus a trip to the dentist; I remain cavity free all these 43 years.)  Tomorrow the big hike.  5am start.  I've heard it's call for some time, now I must go.  

My destination is easy, the return trip?  We shall see.  Pray for me!