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Seeing how today was my last run before tomorrow — Doh!… but significant because tomorrow I jump over to another age group — I made an impulse decision to make this one count. That is, count stairs.

I mean, run stairs.

If you live in the SJ, you must do Communications Hill at least one in your lifetime. Then you’ll want to come again and again, because it’s so pretty:[from my archives]

And if you live elsewhere, you must find a big ol’ hill with lots of stairs and run up — then go around down. Three benefits to doing this:

1. It’s very, very likely that you will be treated to nice views up top:

2. If there is a way around the stairs (usually, there is), you can run downhill for a while:

And

3. You will kick butt — or your butt will be kicked, whichever.

To make this workout even more of a butt-kicker, in fact, I biked to said stairs and back home, about 5.5 miles each way.

My RunKeeper was also having a field day. It was throwing hissy fits left and right, beginning with my first bike leg:As I said, it was 5.5 miles, not 8+. And interestingly enough, the splits show the correct distance:But when I took on the stairs (and the consequent loop around, which altogether is roughly a mile) it really went to town:I particularly enjoyed mile 2, which I ran in just 1 min 17 seconds, that was killer:As you can see, I was flying — not running. In fact, have a map view:I have a suspicion why it did this, actually. I forgot to disable the WiFi on my phone and this is densely populated by town homes. My phone must’ve gone crazy trying to hook up to one WiFi, then to another. (Hope it had a good time!)

Then on my way back, I paused it at an red light and forgot to turn it back on for the better part of the way:

Do you ever have that issue with your iPhone/ Android GPS? How do you fix it?

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Ever wonder how Christian Grey works out?

Such thoughts never cross my mind, of course. But after my workout today, I am convinced he’s all about the TRX. TRX suspension training leverages your body weight — and a strap — to perform all sorts of sadistic exercises.

I mean, look this:

(image source)

And this:

(image source)

Yeah?

I did a TRX workout today and I tell you, it was 50 shades of difficult. My four-year-old has more upper body strength than this ol’ flab.

And because the roughly 30 minutes of TRX were spruced up with lunges, jumping jacks, squats and the like to round up the hour, I predict tomorrow I will not only be unable to shampoo my hair, but I will also have to walk down stairs backwards.

And I haven’t even run a marathon yet.

Speaking of which, have you seen this video? Truer dramatizations were never filmed:

Seriously, though: TRX is a great cross training option, especially for those of us who tend to neglect their upper body. Should help improve swimming, too!

In other news, all of you friends in the 408 and thereabouts:

How would you like to win a free head-to-toe Athleta running outfit?

Why, just say the word! And show up for the first group run organized by the 408K Race to the Row folks, on February 20 at the Athleta Store at Valley Fair; 5:30 p.m. Here’s a cool image that has all the deets. [Feel free to RSVP at their Facebook page, too!]

I’ll be there, so be sure to say Hi!

Today’s workouts:
Ran to the gym, which turned out to be a nice round four miles from our house. It was slow going, though: even with my lower back freshly Rock-Taped by the chiropractor, I was still in pain every time I landed on that right foot.

Made it just in time for the beginning of TRX and, what do you know, we had to run a mile to warm up. Since I was already feeling quite warm, I picked up the pace a little bit (but not too much):Then all that S&M stuff I talked about earlier happened, so when we were done, I called HusbandRuns to pick me up – no way I was running another four miles in my condition! And now, I have a date with the foam roller.

What’s the hardest workout you’ve ever done? Ever had to walk like those peeps in the video?