Quick Run and Hike

Just wanted to break up the monotony of working out so wanted to do something a bit different. Met Jen (running partner) at the running track at 8:15. Amazingly enough, she was there and not running late. However, I was running wicked late. I was supposed to be there at 8:00. I'm still overcoming a stomach flu and I had to run to the bathroom at exactly 8:00. Then freshen up and meet at the track. I hate stomach flus or whatever they call it. Usually they are about 48-72 hours and after that, you're usually on your normally scheduled routine. I'd love to get back on schedule. And I think I should be back. I'm feeling much better now. I don't have much in my system as I think I'm pretty much cleaned up by now...

OK, moving on... Jen just finished 1 mile on the track. I stretched and joined her for 3/4 of a mile till she got to mile 2. I wasn't quite warmed up just yet and not feeling it. Slow runs are cool, however I need something to jar the system up and running. I stopped, stretched briefly and decided to do 50 yard shuttle runs. She went and continued on for another mile. I did 3 sets of 200 yard shuttle runs. That was lots of fun. I was gassed at the end. It's so much fun sprinting. There is just something about running fast and accelerating that is so primal and pure. It was a good workout and I walked back home in a sweat. For a 20 minute workout, that was just great!

Later on that afternoon, met up with a few friends to hike McClellan Butte. McClellan Butte is an awesome day hike. With only 3 hours before sunset, the hike had to be abbreviated, at least for me. The others ascended to the summit (9.8 Miles, 3,700 feet up) and back in 4 hours. I took it a bit easy, trying to break in my boots. Luckily there were 2 others that were in my group going at a slower pace. We did about 5 Miles Round Trip, with about 1800-2000 feet elevation gain. It was a good workout. Just fun. Didn't try to get a burnout, just taking it easy. I just have less than 5 miles on my boots prior, so added another 5 miles to it. So now my boots has 10 miles. I think the boots will be quite comfortable around 50 miles. I just got these boots 2 weeks ago. Uggh. I hate spending 180 bucks for boots, but I'll get good mileage out of them. That if my feet get messed up, it will seriously affect all other aspects of my life.

It was a great social hike and got to know a few more people. It was quite fun. Sometimes you just need to see the world around you. This was what this hike was all about.

Hiking... and duct taped boots....

Okay. Just got back from Goat Mountain. Got back meaning 3 days ago. So yeah.

I haven't updated this, well there's much to write. The hiking was good for me. Came back home and weighed in at 205 lbs. 27.5% fatty according to my scale.

So let's recap.

13 July - 4.5 Mile Hike to base camp. 200' loss/ 700' gain. I carried a 38 lbs. pack. It was a good hike at a moderate pace. Overall a good day.

14 July - 3.5 Mile Hike up, 3.5 Mile hike down. 1000' gain.

15 July - 4.0 Mile Hike up, 4.0 Mile Hike down. 1300' gain

16 July - 3.5 Mile hike going, 3.5 Mile hike back. 500' gain.

17 July - 2.0 Mile hike going, 2.0 Mile back. Minimal elevation gain/loss. Boots falling apart, in desperate need of duct tape. So duct taped them.

18 July - 1.5 Mile hike going, 1.5 Mile back. Minimal elevation gain/loss

19 July - 4.5 Mile hike from camp to parking lot, 200'loss 700' gain. Carried 38lbs pack. Hiked at a very brisk pace. Great workout.

20 July - Hiked to top of Small Si. Easy day hike Probably 2.0 mile hike up/ 2.0 mile hike down. 1000 feet gain? Don't know I'm sure I could look it up. Not a bad hike.

That's when I needed a new pair of boots. I hate buying new hiking boots. After 3 hours at REI, finally found a pair that fit me just right. Total Cost 180 Bucks!

Decent workout. Overall did a total of: 49.5 miles of hiking during the last week. Not bad. I really think this should help me lots on my cardio workouts. I just need to work on strength training.

Well. Next post should be about Dragon Boating Upper Body workout yesterday. And then afterwards, I'll write about tonight's judo practice.

So... I have been putzing around trying to get my stuff together.

Last weekend did a hike at Falls Creek Trail. Which was cool. Yesterday, did Dragon Boating. Nice upper body workout. Paddled for about an hour. 30 minutes right side, 30 minutes left side. It was a great workout.

Sunday's Tiger Mountain Hike

So...

Sunday Tiger Mountain. Rather easy hike. We went up West Tiger Summit #3. 3 Miles up and 3 miles down. 2,000 feet elevation gain. Went down the Cable trail, which is a bit steeper, than the West Tiger trail loop. It was a fun hike.

I've been slacking with my weightlifting workout. Just gotta work out more. Arrggh. Gotta head over to the gym and do some weights. Got to get the hell off this computer.

Arrrrgggh.. Anyways, that's about it.

Oh and Thursday, I volunteered with the Washington Trails Association. Worked for about 7 hours. I was sore on Friday. Wicked Sore. Saturday I putzed around. Have no clue. Didn't go to the gym. Well today, I have to go. Gotta go!

Sunday's Hike and Monday Rest Day...

Sooo...

Sunday.

Hiked with Deaner and friends. His idea of hiking is well, a lot more advanced than mine, but I guess that's one way to kick my ass into gear.

We tackled Mount Si. There were a total of six of us, and one of the couples had over 30lbs. in their backpack as they went up to Mount Si.

Mount Si is basically a tourist spot with every tom, dick, harry, jack and jill climbing up to the summit. Dogs abounded the parking lot, the trail and the summit. It was a good place to not find solitude and very friendly for the solo hiker on weekends. (You'll run into someone every 15 minutes or so).

I just had a daypack with a light windbreaker and a hoodie, 3 liters of water in the bladder and 3 granola bars. Oh, and a camera. This time, I took the smaller powershot model, which is easily powered by twin 2AA batteries. I digress.

Oh yeah, the hike. I was still lagging hard at the end. The last 1000 feet to the summit was the hard part, especially since it was mostly snow. I would welcome mud, as at least mud you have some semblance of suction/traction. The way up was slippery with random people going down full bore on a narrow switch back. Yeah, this wasn't the fun part.

Don't get me wrong, the landscape was picturesque. Fresh air. Good.

So yeah... fast forward. Got to the summit. Ate 2 power bars. Ate some guy's half sandwich. Drank some water and slogged back down. The way down was hard on my knees, and quads. And as of Tuesday I still feel sore. Also my lower back is sore.

Sooo. Total Distance:

4 Miles. ~3000 feet eleveation gain.

Not a bad workout.

So Monday, I said, I need some rest, and just chilled.