TRAINING IN AZ #2

Prior to coming out to AZ this year, I made a personal commitment to cross train.   I felt like I had made gains in Sam's class and more recently in yoga in Greenville.  I had been regularly mountain biking, enjoying the full body workout it provides.

As I set here tonight, I am convinced that mountain biking, hiking, yoga, core class with Sam and other forms of cross training can add to my overall fitness, wellness,  and cycling performance.  

Last week, I got started on my commitment.  I have had 3 MTB outings in the last days.  This week, I downloaded a yoga video on iTunes and knocked out a couple of sessions but today, Teenie helped me raise the bar.

During dinner Thursday, she committed us to hike this morning as we stared at a predicted low of 25F.  Mary and Doug Martin, our neighbors would lead the way.    I told them I felt Pusch Ridge was bold for our first hike.   They thought I meant our first hike in AZ this year.   I meant our FIRST HIKE.....ever.   We collected them at 9:00 and made the full 8 minute ride to the trailhead.  

Off we went following Doug as he scampered up a pretty smooth trail with about a 5% incline.  Before long, we are headed up,up, up over boulders and loose rocks.   Working, at times, on our hands.   I picked up some cactus along the way but it wouldn't be a real AZ hike if someone didn't get stuck a few times!

After 50 hard working minutes we reached the apex and shot a pic of Oro Valley as it stretched out below.

We chatted, congratulated each other and after about 15 minutes, we headed back down.   AZ is a rocky place and I slipped once, landing on my bum.   There were a couple of hair raising moments.   I guess the thrill is part of why we do this stuff.

Back at the car, our leaders realized it was our FIRST HIKE.....they said, "Wow, if we had known this was your first hike, we would have never taken you up there!".......Well, I am telling about it so I guess it was OK.   On the way home, I extracted a commitment from them for Feb 16 so we could take Bird and Anne up Pusch Ridge.   They are pros, so we will extend the hike with about a 2 mile loop.  And Teenie?  She was born ready.

We are also planning to take Anne/Bird on a 4 hour route to Romero Pools in the Catalinas.

Next week, will certainly find us back out on foot somewhere.

CROSS TRAINING......DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR PLAN?

Hey, this crazy stuff is FUN!  and it is a lot warmer than road biking.