Your best just got better

My central park 9-miler last week

For an overview of one of my favorite runs this month, click here!

It really was a great day! I started off by leaving the hotel around 4:50am, as I was hoping to meet with a triathlon/entrepreneur buddy of ours in New York City, Peter Shankman (you've GOT to see his site: Help a Reporter Out).

I wound up running solo, starting at the Mac store on 5th Avenue (which was open at 5am, by the way!) and headed into the park while it was still dark. The only one running along some of the trails, over the next hour or so I joined the hundreds of other people training - cycling, running, walking and roller blading. It was a nice morning...click on the picture below for the map of the run.

Quick, we need a few [local] triathletes!

Ok, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties we need some help! I got this note from Ann Meyer (she manages one of my favorite races of the year - the Carpinteria Triathlon) and we need a few more athletes. Please pass the word!

I know this is short notice, but I was wondering if you would be able to participate in video we are going to be doing for NewsPress TV this Sunday, August 10?

The video will be web based and is going to focus on our event and the sport of triathlon along with the training involved.  I am seeking athletes that would like to be filmed training (staged) and interviewed.

We will meet at the end of Linden Avenue at 9:30am.  We are doing it on Sunday because at 11am a large group of swimmers train off Ash Avenue Beach and are planning to film that as well. 

Are you interested? Bring your bicycle and/or running gear.

Day 7 - BTC - Cortez to Durango (our last day, going home tomorrow!)

Well, and all good things need to come to a close...for now! So, I'm off to CA in the morning.

June 28, 2008
45 miles
Cortez to Durango

Heading home! After yesterday's long ride, today is shortest day for 2008. We will be passing by Mesa Verde National Park. The BTC, as a "bicycle tour", is unable to enter the Park because of the Park's stipulation: "No bicycle tours allowed in the Park", so, if you decide to go into the Park, you are on your own. Then, onto the place where the BTC began just the week before, Durango, to enjoy the tour-end celebration. You did it!

Day 6 - BTC - Naturita to Cortez

Oh, wow...a long one! I'd imagine it'll take a good 7 hours to ride this (ok, maybe 8 if we stretch our mid-morning coffee break!).

June 27, 2008
95 miles
Naturita to Cortez

Uncharted territory for the BTC. Ride on (and on and on)! Today's near century ride is the longest day of the 2008 BTC, but you might want more miles when the day is done. We cross Gypsum Pass at 6,100', a 4-5 mile climb, ride through dramatic slick rock canyons, and pedal past the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. When you get to Southwestern Colorado's westerly town of Cortez, your riding day is done.

Day 5 - BTC - Telluride to Naturita

It's all downhill from here! (For today, anyway...)

June 26, 2008
56 miles
Telluride to Naturita

Loads of fun. Today we start at 8,750' but finish at 5,431' with a good four mile climb up Norwood Hill, part of the 120 mile bicycle race route from Telluride to Moab. We roll along Highway 145, one of Colorado's scenic and historic byways, to the small Southwestern town of Naturita.

Day 3 - BTC - Montrose to Telluride

We're on our way...day 3 (and 4!) of our 7 day tour...

June 24, 2008
65 miles
Montrose to Telluride

Just about everything today. We leave Montrose with the breathtaking beauty of the “American Alps” in the distance. Getting back into the mountains we climb up 8,970' Dallas Divide. At the summit wildflowers cover the roadside. After the descent down the divide we climb up into the mining town turned ski town, Telluride.

Oh, and we'll be in Telluride all day tomorrow...yes, even we get an "off" day!

Take a break! in the picturesque ski village of Telluride: Coloradans' most desired mountain get away. Hey, you deserve it! However, if you want more cycling in the Rockies, get on your bike and climb to the top of Lizard Head pass and on into Rico and then cycle back to Telluride. BTC cyclists can cycle an additional 80 miles.

Day 2 - BTC - Ouray to Montrose, CO

Our plan is to go for the full 91 miles! We'll see...

June 23, 2008
60+ miles
Ouray to Montrose.

Getting into it! A fairly easy ride descending away from Ouray. Then to spice things up we loop to the entrance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, climbing Jones Summit, 8,266'. From the entrance of the Canyon BTC cyclists may choose from two different options or choose to do both, or choose to cycle back to camp in Montrose. One option is coursing along South Rim Road, a seven mile ride in and seven mile out with turnouts that offer some amazing views of the Canyon. The other option is taking the East Portal Road, a seven mile descent, at 16% gradient, to the Canyon floor and seven mile climb, at 16%, back up to the rim - most likely the hardest climb in Colorado (what goes down must go up). Each option adds an additional 14 miles of Colorado cycling miles for a total of 28 extra miles to make it a 91 mile day.

Day 1 - BTC - Durango to Ouray

Well, we're off! It's going to be exciting, that's for sure. We're lookin' at about 5 hours "in the saddle" today.

June 22, 2008
67 miles
Durango to Ouray.

A good way to start! We ride along the infamous route of “The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic - Race the Train” and the famous Million Dollar Highway. Our bikes will cross over three exhilarating passes: Coal Bank Pass at 10,600’, Molas Divide at 10,910’ and the awesome Red Mountain Pass, topping out at over 11,000’. The day winds down with a spectacular decent into Ouray. In town enjoy the hot springs, gaze up the canyon walls, or just rest after a tough day in the saddle.

How do you find time to work out?

I am asked this question all the time. So, I thought I'd share a few of the ways I win:

Jog around the block

Walk around the block

Run around the block

Call ahead to the gym to book a spot in a class (yoga, step, spinning, etc)

Go for a bike ride

Take a dance class

Better, sign up for  series of dance classes

Rent an exercise DVD

Subscribe to a couple of health and fitness magazines

Sign up to play a team sport

Hire a coach (for golf, weightlifting, swimming, or...)

I have personally tested all of these ideas, and I will attest to the success I've had. 6 years, over 40 pounds, and 6 pant sizes smaller...there is a way to fit exercise into most days a week...give a shot and see what you come up with!

PS: I remember when I used to wear a pedometer. One seminar day, working a room of 50 people, I logged over 13,000 steps...close to 5 miles!

One of my favorite "workouts" in NYC

I will tell ya, I love running through Central Park. Here's a picture (and a link) to last Saturday's run. Anyone interested in running on June 9 when I'm back in town? Just drop a line...