a good start to vacation

thanks for your support:

http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/clairemcgowan

After a much needed day off from training yesterday, I felt great this morning. After starting my day with my favorite weekend meal....strawberry / protein smoothie and an ezekial english muffin, I was ready to get after it!

Training:

1:40 run (about 13 miles) of trails, hills, and stairs

gym workout (thanks to Rob "Maximus" McDonald):

30 push presses with 2 30# db

40 pull-ups (unassisted, band, and jumping combo)

50 KB swings with a 35# KB

60 sit-ups (30 in the GHD)

70 Burpees

Total time- 21:45 

I felt pretty flat in the gym after my run, the two sessions were pretty close together. I ended up breaking up the sets more than I normally do and stopped twice for a quick trip to the water fountain. I was very glad to be done with the 70 burpees!

For those of you who don't know him, Rob is a professional MMA fighter and current Ring of Fire light heavyweight champion.  He's also probably one of the nicest guys in the entire world.   You can check him out here at www.ultimatemaximus.com

and so it begins

I am perhaps the least likely blogger of all times. I struggle to maintain a training log (understatement!) and find that I do my best work when I keep my professional "to-do list" neatly hand written on a note pad.

But, I have to start someplace so here goes. Why am I starting this now? Two reasons- I have recruited my brother to do the Aids Ride with me and the clock is ticking. The 7 days of riding (about 600 miles) does not worry me nearly as much as the fundraising- which I am just starting now! I hope this helps. If you enjoy reading my blog, and maybe get a few workout ideas, I would definitely appreciate your support. Donations can be made at:

http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/clairemcgowan

Secondly, Sam and I are about to embark on another trip to Utah to train with the minds behind Gym Jones (www.gymjones.com) and then ski in Park City with the Chitwoods. I am hoping this will motivate me to take pictures and record our adventure! It is a very good thing that Sam and I found each other- I am sure there are not too many other people that would consider 4 days of grueling training the perfect start to a vacation. Here goes...