Football Epilogue

I've been feeling the need to get more cardio. Honestly, part of it has to do with going to Iron Maiden with a friend who "runs 4 to 5 miles every day". So, ok, time for me to saddle up and get moving as I see room for improvement in my workout.  I'm not looking to compete, but instead felt more motivated. Thanks, Old Top! The nice part about living in the land of 10k lakes is that there area a lot of little lakes with paths around them. Thus, for the last couple weeks I've been packing a small bag of workout clothes, changing at the end of the work day and taking a jog around Mt. Normandale Lake pictured above.  I don't typically feel the need to run a marathon so something between 1.5 miles and 4 miles feels perfect. This lake has an excellent path with just enough elevation variation to have to kick into small hill gear and a second lap (which I'm already starting to do) doesn't feel entirely daunting. There are enough shiny happy peopl...

After work today, my girlfriend and I took a walk around a nearby lake. The days are getting shorter and tonight's air is was cool and brisk. Still there was moisture on the path left from last nights heavy rains. The hills of the local ski area and park overlooked the small lake and shown shades of bright yellow, orange and brown. Fall has peaked and the trees and shrubs, once laden heavy with the colorful leaves were showing signs of finally giving out to barren dormancy. Overlooking it all, the peculiarity of a lone ski jump sets an atmosphere of the impending winter. It's a sight I missed during my years in California where the Steinbeck-ian browns of tinder dry summer grasses would gradually heed to wave upon wave of storm system and reveal a brilliant green that makes Dublin, CA a true sister city of it's European namesake. Storms that are slowed as they beat up against the precipitous rise of the Sierra Nevadas. The dropping temperature and diminishment of lig...

The weather here in MN has been excellent over the last few days. This past weekend I played par 3  Island Lake Golf Course  with a friend and then on Tuesday I played my first league round at  Dwan golf course . Both rounds were so-so. I have been better off of the tee, although I did land all three greens on the par 3s at Dwan and hit 5 greens in regulation (i.e. leaving me with a two putt for par). I three putted more than I am accustomed to though and only par'd one hole per round. The MN golf season is early and there is lots of time for improvement. This year I'm working on slowing down my back-swing in hopes of gaining some control. Obviously I need to put some work in on the putting green and at the driving range as well. I'm also hoping to play a couple of new (to me) courses this year. The St. Croix river valley is full of scenic courses and I am on the lookout for some Groupon or Living Social deals.

View from my seat watching the Minnesota North Stars/Wild alumni team square off against the Chicago Blackhawks alumni as part of the Wild's Stadium Series . Both the Minnesota alumni and the actual team won their games. The alumni game had lots of shenanigans including Dino Ciccarelli getting in a mock fight at the start of the game along with plenty of hog-piling on the goalies. It was a little bit of cold and a lot of fun in the outdoor stadium (TCF Bank stadium at the University of Minnesota).

This weekend was a lot of fun. I played a round of golf on frozen Lake Minnetonka in what is dubbed the "Chilly Open" . Essentially nine holes of golf on Ice. They had a chili tasting contest and lots of free stuff from the sponsors. It was a perfect (for winter) 30ish degrees F. I look forward to playing in it again next year.

Granted Hyland Ski Area is no Heavenly and MN skiing is very different from in the mountains (more time on the lifts, more ice), it's still a great time and a great place to learn!  My daughter, Norah, gaining mastery of the slopes. She actually made it down some of the intermediate runs and even a black diamond!

Here's a wake-up call for you.

Another in a long line of theme'd 5K races, the  Color Vibe 5K  was this morning in the Twin Cities. The good: Dousing with color packets every 3/4 mile or so was fun and helped break the monotony of the race The course was a flat, manageable "there and back" making it good for bringing kids as turning around early was no challenge One of the best "after party" DJs and music I've come across...although the first "Run for your Lives" Zombie obstacle 5k in MN had original live bands which can't be beat in my book. The bad: It rained (not the races fault) and it probably did help with the parking situation It was in a mall parking lot, not the most exciting location; although given how poorly malls are doing these days it may have bolstered some sales. In all it's fun to get out there with the family and get the kids moving and hopefully this bolsters more fun runs, etc. this summer.

Umpiring kids' baseball/softball games is a hazardous job. It requires thick skin and a decisive resolve (even if you're wrong at times). I've been umping my for daughter's softball team this season. tonight was exceptionally challenging. A couple of the opposing team's parents started chiding right from the first close call. To make matters worse, there is substantial ambiguity from what most people interpret as "out of play" (i.e. beyond the fence) and this league's director foul. On one hand I understand the intent of the latter (don't turn the game into an inside the ballpark track meet) on the other hand the fielders should learn to chase the ball down. This was ill defined coming into the game until tensions rose enough that I called time and we had a ground rules discussion (we opted for the former definition). Then after all was settling I cleared a bat from home plate giving it a little toss away from any players. One of the chiding pare...

Rather satisfying, imho.

Music isn't always a "must have" for my workouts, but it often helps. Like most people older than 25 my tastes consist of what I liked in high school plus a new album here and there. This post was actually inspired by my purchasing The Pretty Reckless's album "Going to Hell" which I think will do me well when lifting. I tend to prefer heavy music in the gym, but some stuff I like elsewhere (e.g. in the car) doesn't often do it for me. An example of this is Guns 'n' Roses "Appetite for Destruction". I love this album and it was one of the first cassettes (kids, ask your parents...what a cassette is), but for some reason it doesn't work for me in the gym. I have no clue why as "Welcome to the Jungle" is, or was, nearly a warm-up anthem during football pregame warm-ups. There are a number of albums I keep coming back to though to give me that extra bump in energy. Here are a few: "Greatest Fits", Ministry'...

The Map My Run website is a handy place to manage and find new places to run, bike, swim, etc. Here's my jogging route from yesterday. It is actually an old bike ride route that I often took as a kid.

I guess I am gaining a little traction, but losing a little patience at the gym. I'm missing a true free weight area and cardio is just feeling like it's taking too long. From my last post  I mentioned an old high intensity workout I've had some success with. Short, intense workouts. The only dilemma is it is a 6-day workout and doing it right means lots of fatigue initially, but I think I'll give it another try with a couple small modifications: Cardio days get priority and supplant lifting days if missed Add tummy time to cardio days after getting sweaty Moderate lower body workout intensity to save knees and back Not beat myself up for missing a workout I'd like to generate and post some spreadsheets for the workout to have on the site as a repository. I guess I'll list that as "coming soon to a mediocre blog near you". Diet-wise, the weekend was tough with having a mom's day family thing coupled with a birthday celebration for my sist...

Ok. Going on day four sans pastries. Yesterday I opted for carrots with my guacamole instead of chips and actually enjoyed it. I bought some stuff to build salads at work. By the way, strawberries with a little balsamic vinaigrette (as part of a salad) is an excellent flavor combination.  I know that was just one day, but hopefully I can get back on a healthier eating trend. I just need to eat right one meal at a time, right? I also, got back into the gym for a regular workout. My schedule has been a little in flux going through this separation/divorce along with participating in a golf league. I may try going back to high intensity training for a while as the workouts are a bit shorter and they supposedly amp-up the metabolism. The  Men's Health 2008 Total Fitness Guide  has a HIT program that really kicked my butt, but also really worked. I may post some of it if I get this site spruced up a bit more. I'm also contemplating moving my routine back to mornings. I have...

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Those white specks...they're snowflakes on my first day of league play...

Not to wax sentimental, but I love golf. I'm in the process of acquiring enough "recent rounds" to get a handicap for my 9-hole league which starts on Tuesday. This morning I played 18 holes (two rounds) at the  Brookland Golf Park . The local municipal course I grew up playing. I was on the course even before the club house opened and had the course essentially to myself. I remember always being fascinated by this potentially brutal to the psyche and cost prohibitive game. I have early memories of wanting my dad to get down his clubs in the garage and hitting whiffle balls in the backyard with my next door neighbor. I think what sinched it though was playing the occasional 9 or at least walking along with my uncles in Montana. The golf was fun, the company was good and rolling dice in the bar afterward kept it interesting. Anyhow, I'm glad I have some good before Tiger (BT) experiences to make this more than just a passing fad.