<p>Don’t worry about those neighbors - they are inside -YOU are out exercising!! </p>
<p>I find the +20 degrees to work pretty good for me - even in the winter I end up sweating !!</p>
<p>Great CD…forget the neighbors. I run in my neighborhood most of the time. Anytime I think I’m looking silly out there, I remind my self that I am running while those who might be making snide remarks are sitting in their recliners. </p>
<p>Abasket, I end up sweating too. I wore a long sleeve quarter zip for my 50 degree windy race today. I regretted my choice about halfway through the race.<br>
My hands are always cold though. I ran one morning last week wearing shorts/t-shirt and gloves!</p>
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<p>Hah. There was the time I just about gave myself a coronary carrying two DBs from the back corner of a WalMart to the checkout line and then out to the car. A little more farmers carry than I bargained for. </p>
<p>Buying bigger DBs is always a good sign!</p>
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<p>I’ve decided on Monadnock tomorrow. Short, but steep.</p>
<p>Congrats PackMom!</p>
<p>Kudos, CD and Packmom!</p>
<p>Hops, fascinating article. My friend (tri coach) was talking with a group of us at a meeting the other day about the perils of open swim and the wide variance of condition in some triathletes given its surge in popularity. This must be what she was thinking about. And is likely why she’s always looking for those with lake access to give her tem open water conditions to practice in.</p>
<p>There was a big discussion among some of the athletes at Kona about lake v.ocean swims and the differences. Many athletes only have access to lakes (if not just pools) and the currents and surf in the ocean is very different. Debate was whether buoyancy of salt water makes up for surf/current. Kona is not wetsuit legal- so you have the salt, but you don’t get as much lift as in a cold lake with a wetsuit.</p>
<p>I was on a snorkel trip a few years ago off of Cancun (10 years) and an older man from Canada jumped off the boat into the water and instantly died. Took a few minutes to figure it out, since we were all face down in the water. Very distressing.</p>
<p>Re blood pressure–my dental hygienist always takes my blood pressure and lately it’s been on the uptick. A year ago it was 139/80-something, and last time it was 130 over 70. This was disturbing b/c my BP has historically been low–90-100 over 60-70 or so.</p>
<p>So today I took my BP at home with my husband’s electronic wristie meter, and I got 104 over 70! Took it again and got 101 over 68. </p>
<p>I am thinking the hygienist is doing something wrong, or I have “doctor’s office high BP” syndrome. I hope that’s the explanation.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, I’m going for a walk to keep my BP down. :)</p>
<p>3.3 mi treadmill run</p>
<p>Depressing dreary day outside. Cool, wet, dark. I thought it was suppose to I proveS the day went on - put my walking shoes on to do a couple miles before I had to pick my daughter up -instead the weather has been downhill and by the time I went outside It was starting to rain! Got home and took doggie out fora 20 minute walk- luckily not raining then, but has been raining since. Just makes me DREAD the season ahead and having outside time more limited.:(. Sorry to be a downer!!</p>
<p>Awesome hiking today. Blue sky, low 60s. Little bit of foliage left. Did Monadnock which is only 2 miles up, but gains 1800 feet in elevation. Pretty steep.</p>
<p>Quite a noticeable change compared to the last time I hiked this route back in May. Only 15 minutes quicker, but definitely not as much of a kick in the butt. No faceplants, so that’s a good thing.</p>
<p>Big crowd for a Monday. The parking lot was full.</p>
<p>I’m having a terrible time getting up early in the dark to run - which is to say that I didn’t do it. I’m still tired, and the half marathon didn’t help. 5 miles after work- 68 degrees and nice. Was 38 this morning… I did manage to forget to pack socks,but got through the run with my little dress shoe footies without blisters. No weight gain during the 2 weeks of travel despite ridiculous eating and drinking. I’m surprised.</p>
<p>Monadnock, the [YouTube</a> Version](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube).</p>
<p>I actually passed three groups on the way down, including two groups of young whippersnappers. I guess I geezered them…</p>
<p>It was crazy to see the wide range of hiking talent on that big pile of rocks. I saw Larry, the guy who has climbed Monadnock every day for like 20 years. He’s pretty much pure lean muscle. A couple of “runners”, guys running up or down the trail. I am not worthy!</p>
<p>And, lots of amateurs. They really do a poor job of communicating that this is a big boy hike, NOT a stroll in the park. Some turned around. Others pressed on, but were clearly hurting – been there, done that. I’m pretty sure there were people stuck on the trail when darkness fell. Slow going on the way down because it’s so steep and rocky.</p>
<p>It must be neat to see the hikes at different times of the year. Glad you get to do that.
I enjoy the different activities we do in this group. I plan to expand my interests in the next year. </p>
<p>Also, I was glad for my fitness as I lugged my heavy computer backpack AND a large tote all over airports. My shoulders actually got a little sore.</p>
<p>This time of year is really nice. First hike with no bug spray. Not too hot. I figured, correctly, that it would be windy at the top, so I went with summer weight long pants and a long sleeve tech t. Had the sleeves pushed up for the climb. Put on a retina-burning wind breaker hoody while hanging out in the wind at the summit.</p>
<p>I count my blessings at being able to get out and do some of these hikes. Fresh air. Beautiful scenery. And, terrific exercise. It’s a great combination.</p>
<p>I agree. It’s fun to vicariously enjoy all the different physical activities people do. There are so many ways to get some exercise.</p>
<p>^idad, you’re making me want to retire ;(</p>
<p>Since I will likely “die with my boots on” as they say, I will have to instead live vicariously through your hikes, so please keep up the YouTube channel :)</p>
<p>Idad, just curious - when you get to the summit - or the “top” of where you are hiking, how long to do you stay at that spot? A few minutes and head down? Lean against a tree and take a nap? Or my favorite option - take a break and have a snack!!!??</p>
<p>Not Idad, but when we do similar length hikes in Vermont we generally have lunch at the top.</p>
<p>Ok, then I’d consider a hike with you Mathmom. 
How beautiful it must be.</p>
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<p>Except in the dead of winter, I usually plop my [little</a> foam Z seat](<a href=“http://hikinglady.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_7823-1024x576.jpg]little”>http://hikinglady.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_7823-1024x576.jpg) down on a rock with a view and eat my snack. Apple and salted almonds this time of year. Almonds and hot coffee in the winter. I typically hang out for around 30 minutes or so. </p>
![http://hikinglady.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_7823-1024x576.jpg]little](http://hikinglady.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_7823-1024x576.jpg%5Dlittle){kind=link}
<p>Looks like it was about 27 minutes yesterday, but this was the third time I’ve been to this summit, so a little less time checking out the scenery. Also, I knew I only had about an extra hour or so cushion before sunset. I’m not sure my geezer muscles would respond well to hard exercise > lengthy nap > hard exercise. I don’t want to stop for so long that I completely cool down and get creaky. The first mile or so coming down off the summits are usually the hardest hiking.</p>
<p>The summits are not always conducive for just hanging around. It was warm yesterday, but pretty windy up there. I went for the wind jacket/hoody as soon as I stopped. Winter time can be brutal, to the point where you take a quick look around and head down to a little more protection out of the wind for snack time. In winter, it’s usually dive for a down jacket as soon as you stop.</p>
<p>3.15 mile walk. 38, sleeting. Wanted to go 4 but it was sleeting. :)</p>