Fit-Pic: The Green Miles

I wish I could say that this trail blazer was me, but I can only dream of tackling this trail--a gem of one, if I might add--in Crested Butte, Colorado. You see, it was my husband who texted me this photo from the mountain town we fell in love with back in March during a ski weekend (as for the trail name, I'm drawing a complete blank on what he called it.) He was doing the mountain biking, and he "kindly" wanted to show me what I was missing as I chugged along on the trainer logging those Ironman miles. Judging from the picture, CB is as awesome in the summer as it is in the winter.

Jealous? Absolutely. Not only does the greenery stretch for miles, but the trail doesn't look too rugged for these terrible-at-mountain-biking legs. Even though the saddle on my mountain bike is about the most uncomfortable thing ever (that's what a bike upgrade complete with new Adamo saddle will teach you), I probably would have sucked it up just to avoid the hours I was pedaling...indoors. Not by choice on that trainer sesh, mind you, but it was the best option I had in southeast Michigan where I was spending the weekend. And I definitely could have taken a slice, or two or three, of pizza from The Secret Stash after my ride. There's always next year. That's what I'm telling myself anyway.

Go for Gold at Equinox's Summer Games

Don't burn out yet! Credit: chelmsfordblue

It’s hard to believe that the Olympic torch is going to be extinguished in less than 48 hours. Sure, I’ve watched my fair share of live feeds and primetime coverage, and I’ve read plenty of stories and Twitter updates about the 2012 London Olympics. But these 17 days of sports always manage to fly by faster than expected.

How is it possible that last night I was watching 1992 footage of the original Dream Team and by tomorrow afternoon the 2012 U.S. men’s basketball team likely will have clinched their gold medal performance? How is it possible that Abdi, Meb and Ryan will be running 26.2 miles tomorrow morning—and that Desi, Kara and Shalane are already thinking about their next races and not the Olympics? How is it possible that some Olympians are already back from the Games and back to the daily grind?

I know it’s bound to happen, but I’m not quite ready to put an end to the 2012 Olympics just yet. I’m not ready to wait four years for the Summer Games—I’m not even ready to wait almost two for the Sochi Winter Olympics. But enough of my whining…it turns out that Equinox is going to let me live out my Olympic dream a little longer. It might not be one of the medals that was locked in the Tower of London, but the Equinox Chicago Summer Games could be the closest I get to wearing gold around my neck (and even that I’m not so sure of).

Equinox’s Summer Games kicks off on Tuesday, August 14, with a special edition of the fitness club’s MetCon3 workout. MetCon3 is already a tough workout in itself—granted I have yet to try it due to my ever-growing to-do list that is getting lost in Ironman training at the moment, but that’s what I’ve heard and read. Short for metabolic conditioning, this workout targets the body’s three energy systems, phosphagen, glycolic and oxidative. Don’t ask me what exactly that means, but the big take away is that you max out your calories burned in the shortest amount of time to fire up your metabolism and keep burning fat hours after class is over.

Is Spring Here to Stay?

I must have said something right in yesterday's post to activate the weather gods. Apparently they listened to my subliminal request for nice weather and obliged this morning. Gone was the funky fog that had been lingering over the city, rolling in just around the time I'm ready to go to the gym for a workout. Gone was the cold that we couldn't seem to kick. Gone was the constant threat of rain--at least for a few hours on the weather forecast.

It's about darn time. Finally, I could bring out the shorts. Finally, I could break a sweat on a bike commute. Finally, I could ride my bike to my destination instead of dragging out the car (and with gas prices the way they are, I really hated doing that). Finally, I could get some much-needed vitamin D. And sweat, too much even, in a yoga class when the heat and humidity stood at zero. And not have an excuse to skip a pool workout, which I had been doing because it was too cold outside to tolerate the cold water inside. I did all of these today, except the swim (once again) but that's because the gym closed on me. Felt. So. Good. Pretty good considering the world was supposed to end yesterday.

And I thought I was going to have to write another letter to Mother Nature asking for mercy. I really didn't want to have to wear a fleece to stay warm come June...again. But if I could make one request, I'd ask for the snow to stop in the Colorado mountains (saw a picture of a snow-covered subdivision near Keystone)--save it for November when we can enjoy it. Plus I want to be able to ride my bike in the vicinity next month and I'd prefer to look less like a pack mule when pedaling.

How did you spend your most recent sunny day?

Photo grabbed from Steven Vance at flickr via creativecommons.org.

Spring into Summer with Equinox

Tired of the spring hints being quickly replaced by gray skys, rain and fleece wearing temps? Itching to get out of your sweats and into capris and shorts? Send spring packing and think summer come tomorrow night at Equinox Fitness Clubs around the country. The weather outside might not reflect summer's arrival in 30-plus days (yay!) but Equinox's Spring into Summer event is going to get you beach ready. Events at their clubs run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18.

Guests can enjoy free workouts in the group fitness studios sponsored by SHAPE Magazine, check out the latest and greatest fitness fashion trends at The Shop @ Equinox, and nosh on PopChips and Pinkberry at select club locations. Sign me up! Who else is in?  

Photo grabbed from super devoika at flickr.

Red Rover, Red Rover, Will Summer Come Over?

Dear Summer,

How are you? How did the winter treat you? It was pretty brutal over here between days where the temperature didn't crack zero and wind chills that made me think I had moved to Alaska. And we didn't even get enough snow to play in--I only snowshoed along the lake once and the novelty wore off when it was freezing after the next slight snowfall. We couldn't wait for winter to end--well, aside from the ski trips to Utah and Colorado that made the cold bearable--but boy did it drag on this year. Did you notice the same?

I was just thinking about it...it's been awhile since we last saw one another. We definitely should get together soon as there's a ton to show you around here. That and I really love to hit the Lakefront Path and ride my bike regularly--get in some midweek sweat sessions without wearing the same cycling jacket I thought I'd buy just-in-case last season and have now found myself wearing it every time I get out to ride when the weather is halfway decent.

But I'm really missing our time spent on the beach. Come on, don't you remember sneaking out there, or even to the pool deck, at the first sign of sun and warm weather in May, even April? My arms have barely seen the light of day this year as they're always snuggled under a fleece. And now I'm asked weekly if I'm sick because my face is looking so pale, especially for this time of year. I'm not even going to mention the rest of my body and how it's missing its summer glow.

I know I should be thankful that I can run without rising at the crack of dawn to hit the path before the heat becomes unbearable, but even that's difficult to do when it rains or sprinkles nearly every day, usually when I'm about to change and go. And then when I do get out, I look at the boats in the harbors momentarily wondering why so many are on shore only to realize that it's the sunny, warm days that bring out the boat traffic. How about the swims in the lake? I'm really having a hard time swimming laps in the pool...it's difficult to log a mile without getting bored, or I'm constantly fighting for a lane to use. Or what about the triathlon training programs that are supposed to start open-water swimming this weekend? I think my lips would turn blue.

So summer, I'm really wondering when you might make an appearance this year. We're really getting antsy for your arrival. I know I would like to forget about wearing my heavy fleece for at least a few months. And I'd like some consistent weekends lounging in the sun catching up on my reading after a morning bike ride. Or maybe even get a run when I'm so sweaty it looks like I jumped in the lake before heading home. Any luck? I really don't want you to show up again in October. I don't think I could handle a third hot Chicago Marathon. I'd like to enjoy your company when the beaches are open, the grass is green and the trees are full of leaves instead.

Miss you,
Kate

Photo grabbed from Flipped Out at flickr. Posted by Kate