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?

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?

Greetings! It’s been an exciting day and I’ve got a fun new game to share with you all!

Now, seeing how we’re well into February, you have surely had your eyeful of hearts: pink, red and all in between. But trust me, after you read this you’ll want to add one more - or three! - to the mix.

Doing your best to ignore the posh (YMCA locker room) surroundings, bring your attention to the cute hot pink top I am wearing.

This is my new GirlsGoneSporty “Share With Heart” tank. Besides being super soft and comfy and cute, it is essentially my entry ticket to the Share With Heart game: a fun way to work out with friends, share the heart/ love/ health and win cool prizes, including cash.

How does it work? Two simple steps:

1. Sign up. To do that, you can purchase one of these babies (they come in gray, too) for $25, go for an equally cute long-sleeve shirt or simply donate $10 through a link provided below. Of purchases, 25% go into a cash prize pool and 75% — to the GGS Grant Fund, which helps sporty girls in financial need achieve an athletic goal (like sign up for a race). Of the donations, 25% goes into the fund and 75% — into the pool.

2. Get active with a friend. Snap photos and post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the tag #SHARINGHEART.

Weekly winners will get cool prizes; monthly winners will get even cooler prizes — and at the end of it all one lucky lady will win the cash prize! In the end, of course, we all win. Because:

• a) how cool is that tank top?, and
• b) any time you get to exercise is a win for your body and health!

Anyone can participate, so be sure to check out the details and sign up!

Random guy in awkward pose at my swimming pool says Do It!

In other news, today I learned that:

Wheeeee! I feel so honored to be part of this amazing community and can’t wait to virtually (and in real life!) meet many, many new friends!

Speaking of friends, fun and good deals: if you haven’t registered yet for the 408K Race to the Row, you can save $4.08 off the $45 registration fee with the code below. ($4.08, get it?) Mind you, price goes up to $48 on February 24, so do it now.

And last (but not least), remember that Spirit of the Marathon movie I told y’all to watch if you’re looking for some running inspiration? Guess what, number 2 is coming. (Don’t tell me you still chuckle when you hear “number two”?) It will be about the Rome marathon this time, which I would very much love to run one day! In the meantime, enjoy the trailer:

Today’s workout:

The chiro better clear me to run this weekend, or I’ll have to rename this blog AleksSwims.com. And let’s face it, that just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

That’s it: officially, and medically confirmed, I have a tight butt.

Too tight, in fact. I went to the chiropractor again today with increasingly worse lower-back pain and after he pretty much jammed his elbow into my right butt cheek and pressed with his entire body weight — F$%^^&%%^% ouch! — he said:

[not in those exact words, but close]

Your butt muscle is too tight and your lower back is inflamed. No running until I see you again on Saturday.

And I said:

Except there was no mud on my hands and I wasn’t wearing a pink bow. [Those Dirty Girl run pics are going to come in handy for future meme-style image generation, aren't they?]

So we come to the X word: Continue reading →

Hey hey hey! Today is a good day, because I know I’ll make at least one person happy: the winner of the free Race to the Row entry giveaway!

And I promise I’ll get to that, just as soon as I reminisce about my long-lost youth a little.

Seriously, please tell me I’m not the only one grooving out to Destiny’s Child all day today? That Super Bowl performance took me back to… wait… I was going to say college, but no. I had actually graduated by the time Survivor came out. So old, I am… (Which you knew as soon as I said “grooving out,” didn’t you?)

Anyhow. The winner of a FREE 408K Race to the Row entry was chosen with the help of an online random number generator, once I had entered all names from the comments on the original blog post and Twitter in a spreadsheet (good thing there weren’t thousands of entries, yeah?)

And the winner is, drumroll… Pia Candelaria! Here’s how Pia answered my question about favorite race distance:

Why, yes, the Color Run was one of my favorite run events too! It did feel like a celebration and I completely agree: that’s how all races should feel!

Take note, race directors: we love us some big parties at the finish line, we really do!

Pia, send me an email please (check out my “Contact Me” page for the deets) and I will send you a coupon code that should allow you to register for the 408K Race to the Row for free. Congrats!

Today’s run workout:
I was supposed to run an easy four or five miles today, but my lower back has been really out of whack [what is UP with me and rhyming today?], so I did this instead:
FYI, this happens when you swim 100 laps in a 25-yard pool. I hardly felt them, which goes to show how much my body needed a break from all this running. Cross training FTW, baby! (Also, I love that it’s February, and I can swim in an outdoor pool!)

Yesterday:This is possibly the reason for my wacky back today (along with my old age, of course). I’m icing and using our live-in massage therapist a whole lot, but those compressed vertebrae (or some thing or other) are persistently painful. It gets better after I warm up around miles four to five, but the last two of that 17-miler were agony.

On the flip side, with 17 miles in, I ate about 17,000 calories worth of spinach dip at a Super Bowl party yesterday and didn’t feel guilty in the least. Mmmm, mayo and sour cream: so bad for you, but so good!

Moral of the story: listen to your body. If your body tells you I’m in too much pain to run 5 miles, take it to the swimming pool. If it tells you more spinach dip, please, feed it spinach dip.

Your turn: what was your favorite part of the Super Bowl? Your favorite Super Bowl food?

I tried to resist this offer, I really did:

But, as we all know, a runner’s body needs regular RnR (not rock ‘n roll, though that’s nice too!). And this week, our massage therapist was on vacation…

just kidding, our live-in family massage therapist never takes a vacation:

Maztang 3D Shiatsu Massage Cushion Massager, in case you’re wondering. The seat and back have a “heat” option and the neck massager can be adjusted up or down, depending on your height.

Fabulous as it is, though, it cannot give you a leg massage and I’ve been needing one for a while. And I had an ooooold gift card with some dollars on it (Christmas 2011, I think — those cards never expire!).

And so, not so long ago in a galaxy far far away:

I got the Blissage75 for $155, then claimed my $100 of free stuff. That added up to just about 73 cents per minute of massaging bliss, and at least a year’s supply of lotions, potions and magic socks:

My favorite thing about the Blissage75 is they put hot paraffin on your feet, so really in the end, it’s like getting a massage and a pedicure at the same time. Well, without the nail polish — but who needs that in the winter, anyway. Plus, at this time I only have eight toenails. No point overpaying.

Your turn: What do you do for R&R? Do you think of massages as a must — or an occasional splurge? How often do you get one?

Today’s run:

A very easy six-miler. Enjoyed the company of these friends for a bit:

It’s kind of easy to pick up the pace my last mile form home, because of the slight loss of elevation. I keep wondering if that’s cheating.

Having sampled some of Maui’s best known coffee brews, it was time to go see where the stuff grows — and try some fresh out of the oven farm.

Ka’anapali Estate is the only coffee farm on Maui, so their coffee is very aptly named Maui Grown Coffee. And yes, Maui Grown Coffee may not be as brand-famous as the Big Island’s Kona. But it’s just as delicious.

If you love coffee and find yourself on Maui some day — be sure to visit Ka’anapali Estate. You can do a self-drive tour of the farms, at no cost and at your own pace. Here’s a photo sampling of ours:

Our first stop was Maui Grown Coffee’s company store.

It’s as quaint on the inside as it is on the outside, with shelves upon shelves of coffee and a storage-slash-packaging room that takes probably half the space in the house. You can order Maui Grown Coffee off of their website (shipping is $12), and it looks like plenty of people do!

One of the owners was in the store and gave me a brief lesson on coffee roasting. Some beans are roasted with the shell, others are not. You could actually see the difference here:

During all this, the five-pound bag of Lava Flow — the blend they roast for espresso — was being filled up especially for me, freshly roasted:

Having picked up our goodies, we headed to the farms, just 4.5 miles away. Again, this is a self-drive tour, which means you’re free to drive or walk around for as long as you like! I don’t know whether many people don’t know about this, or just don’t care about coffee all that much (why??), but we were the only car there during our whole tour.

We followed the map we were given in the store (you could pick one at the very entrance, as well), which also has information on all their different kinds of coffee and which parcels they grow on. If you’re interested, you can even buy a couple acres of farm land and build yourself a nice little gigantic house and watch the coffee grow, I guess, as you drink your morning coffee:

We drove around on the roads, then walked a bit on the red soil and enjoyed the wonderful views. It was an overcast day and the air felt very humid and heavy. [I'm not sure if the humidity is permanent in that part of the island, possibly it's the reason why coffee grows there? Questions for our next visit!]

During your tour, you are not only allowed but encouraged to try the coffee cherries. Pick the red ones, as the purple are already over-ripe. They taste sweet and refreshing:

Some people may or may not have had a bit too much fun eating coffee:

Confession: I was actually trying to pose like this woman. You think I have a chance at ending up on the three-leva note any time soon?

[Leva=Bulgarian money. This is a 2 leva bill from my childhood, no longer in circulation.]

Workouts:
Today:

With the desperate real housewives of New York City.

Yesterday:

With the housewives of D.C. These women are just…. [bleep]. But hey, whatever makes the time go faster!

Seattle may have Starbucks and Berkeley may have Peet’s, but Hawaii is the only place in the country that has grows its own coffee.

So since arriving on Maui last week, I’ve been on a mission to drink as many different kinds of coffee, from as many different coffee shops and roasters as possible. Oh, and sample coffee grown on as many of the islands as possible.

But mostly, just enjoying lots of coffee. tough life

Now, I’m no coffee connoisseur. Acidity, aroma, body… what is that? For me, coffee either tastes good, or it doesn’t.

In fact, in my very non-connoisseurish opinion, you can make a terrible cup of coffee with super-expensive (so they must be good?) beans, and you can make a great cup of coffee with inexpensive beans.

[Our espresso machine makes a mean cup with these beans, for example, which can be yours from Costco for only $18.]

So what you have here is a brief summary of my coffee exploits on Maui. So far. I am in no way done and there will be part 2 (and maybe even 3) by the time our trip is over.

1. Home brew

Since I can’t function BC — before coffee — the first two or three cups must be brewed at home.

So our first stop after landing on Kahului Airport was Costco, where I procured two one-pound bags of Kona coffee at $19.99 each. It was the cheapest 100% Kona coffee they sold there and an excellent choice! The coffee tastes amazing, even made in this rudimentary Mr. Coffee coffee maker.

And, anywhere else on the island, 100% Kona beans cannot be had for less than $40/ pound. Deal!

2. Lava Java Maui

I love that name! This place sells premium Maui grown coffee beans and several other Island blends, and a whole bunch of touristy tchotchkes and the original red dirt shirts (you know, the ones made famous by that Dirty Jobs show). It is not a cafe by any means, though there are a few tables where you can sit and enjoy a cup if you like facing a busy street with car traffic.

But they have a rep for brewing good coffee, and it’s in limited supply! They brew their Maui Blend only once, at 5 a.m. and usually run out by 9 a.m. I tried their dark roast blend… it was good, but I can say I’ve had better. Couldn’t resist getting a to go tumbler, though: one can never have too many of those.

3. Java Cafe Maui

Stopped by this place because it’s right next to the gym and I was in need of rehydrating after a 2.5-hour workout (as you can see from the blurry/shaky photo above).

Ordered a Mainland (Mainline?) Mocha: very similar to Vietnamese coffee, which I’m totally addicted to, except it’s made with chocolate milk.

It tasted good (sweet!), but the a bit too chocolatey for my taste. So the next day, I got a regular coffee… and was disappointed. Too blah.

They also sell beans, including 100% Kona for $40+/pound. If you’re so inclined.

4. Anthony’s Coffee

If you’re doing the “road to Hana” trip on Maui (which you must), then you must stop by Anthony’s. (I can’t believe I forgot to take a photo of the store front. Like all things in Paia, it’s got character, inside and out!)

More than anything, though, Anthony’s has amazing coffee, ice cream, not to mention coffee cereal:

But if there’s one thing you must try, it’s the Anthuccino. It’s just like a frappuccino, only several million Googleplexen times better. How? Here’s the recipe [not actual, but based on my shocked-face observation of its making]:

Put seven scoops of ice cream in a cup. Add espresso. Blend.

Anthuccino:

So. So. So. Good. I don’t care that it’s 1 million calories worth of dairy, if you’re headed to Hana and plan to spend the day hiking to waterfalls and such, you’ll need the energy.

OK, enough coffee for now, I’m getting hyper just writing this. More soon!

Today’s workout:

I may or may not have found the cure for overwhelming stationary bike boredom and it may or may not be watching back-to-back episodes of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Just sayin’.

Swimming is big on everyone’s schedule when visiting Maui. So is snorkeling, scuba diving, sunbathing, even swimming with sharks.

Swimming laps… perhaps not so much.

But if you ever find yourself on Maui and feeling like doing some laps, you’re in luck: there are several swimming pools on the island that are well maintained, hardly crowded and, best of all, free!

We drove by one yesterday and I immediately looked it up: the Kihei Aquatic Center has not one, actually, but three pools: an Olympic-sized competition pool (50 m), a training pool (75′ x 81′) and keiki rounded pool (63′ x 26′).

I was expecting at least a nominal fee of $6 or something, but no: you walk right in. Bring your own lock if you want to leave your things in the locker room (there are showers, too). But be warned: the lifeguard on duty mentioned that there have been some thefts from the locker rooms and it’s actually safer to leave your bag by the bleachers, where you can keep an eye out while swimming.

Here’s a list of the other swimming pools/ aquatic centers on the island - not including the countless hotel pools, of course. Click on the links for pool hours; all are free of charge:

Lahaina: competition and warm-up/children’s pools.

Upcountry: Three pools: a six-lane 50m x 45 ft Pool with 1m diving boards 4–13ft deep; 40×40 ft teaching pool 3–3½ ft deep; and a small 1 ft deep keiki (kids’) pool.

Kokua: 10 lane, 25 yard 4-5 ft deep.

Kahului: 6 lane, 25 yard, 4-9 ft deep.

Wailuku: 3 lane, 25 yard, 3½-9 ft deep.

Today’s workout:
Morning: 75 minutes yoga by the beach. More on that tomorrow.

Afternoon:
In lieu of a 15-mile run:

Spending that long in a gym going in circles like a hamster working out on the elliptical and stationary bike is so boring, it should be outlawed. That’s all I have to say.