Trail Running Dolphin Blogger

Please help and keep the weight room clean

polynesian_metal — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:58:48 GMT

So that trial gym membership is absolutely expired, so it was back to the rec center to lift some weights. Was glad to be back. Did the usual bar routine and added the element of bent over rows putting my toes up on 8 lb. barbells to make a training exercise that incorporated the calf strengthening asana I learned last night in yoga class and also did the overhead lift lunges. I need to really work on form with those lunges. Was another guy doing the prison bar workout. He looked Thai and had the body of a welter weight kick boxer. Seeing him work out with no weight was validating. There was a different mix there in the weight room, I went round after lunch. It was great, felt strong.

I noticed when I went there someone had put the place in order, on a piece of binder paper in phat inflated script was 'Please help and keep the weight room clean.' Tite. Still there was one guy just sitting there in the way and the room was crowded. Was kind of all hey, but this is a space that we all have to share.

I feel proud that I can work out in that environment and help to support San Francisco Recreation and Parks by using the local facilities.

After that went to REI and got a balaclava for BC. I have a fetish for ski clothes.

Posted by polynesian_metal on Dec 29, 2008 7:52 PM

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The whys and withalls of Naked Yoga for Men

polynesian_metal — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:38:16 GMT

I really don't know if I should blog that I practice Naked Yoga for Men in such a public forum for athletes, but because I am writing this I guess I already have done.< I've already defended my Yoga practice in another forum, that being my regular myspace blog, Trail Running Dolphin Talker, but I only have one reader and here at Active I have many potential readers that are cross sectionally diverse and may hail from many different backgrounds than I do, but realizing that, so do I and my practice, my training is just as valid as any others. So I won't attempt to defend it, I already have. I know it doesn't appeal to most people, especially women, cos I've asked but it is the most suitable practice for myself. Everytime I go to the yoga studio I realize at least one more thing about why I like practicing yoga naked. The latest realization today is because your yoga clothes don't stink.

But really it all depends on the instructor and how you respond to the discipline they are sharing with you that determines how you enjoy your practice. Naked Yoga for Men isn't full of flawless instructors, but there are 2 that I respond to and they each have their own sidiosyncracies that make them so dear to me. Darren Main is described by other yoga instructors as a "Rock Star" and as far as that goes its true that he has the name recognition, published books, podcasts and instructional DVDs. I'd call him a joke cracker. He's always trying to make light in class. He gives a good work out and always a thoughtful meditation, but he's not as New Agey as I like. Ken Brenniman is more on my metaphysical level with his meditations, mindful practice and the way he makes me and other yogis feel comfortable no matter what level they are in. He reminds me that 'yoga is a non-competitive sport' and that is his quote. That statement is important for me to realize when I am competing in endurance events. Ultimately, I'm in competition with myself, against myself because in this existence, everything I perceive is a manifestation of this consciousness, and the trials I choose for myself are all generated by myself. Well before I go out on a total digression, lets just say that Ken Rocks.

But tonights class that is usually taught by Darren was subbed by Chad Stose, the regular Saturday night instructor. He is from an Anusura school, whereas Darren and Ken are aligned with Hatha. I was excited to see a chime, because ringing a bell is one of my favorite New Age practices. His workout was challenging. Definitely at an advanced level that I'm not quite at yet. We had to do some partner work, which I 'm really not excited to do, but because of peer pressure never bow out of, an assisted pigeon. I did learn some new techniques and he took the time to show me an asana that will help relieve my recurrent calf strain. If I had the time I would definitely take his class on Saturdays, but as I usually work probabbly wont have the chance to. Other than that it was a great class. I rattled of a great Death Metal Ohm at first ohm but really need to work on that gr gr gr growling ununiversal tone.

So in future when I refer to Yoga, just remember that it is going to be a naked practice unless I state otherwise.

I also picked up a new yoga mat and some ski gear this morning with MG for our trip to British Colombia. I am looking forward to adding skiing and snowmobiling to the mix of my endurance training.

All that and a whole tank of gas

polynesian_metal — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:51:43 GMT

$16 got me a whole tank of gas. So I started a new trail. Don't know if its shorter, but it starts at Baker Beach goes through and up Battery Chamberlain, and continues by the Bunkers until you go underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, through the tunnel and down to Crissy Field. Cross over the estuary on the wooden plank bridge, up Halleck on to the Main Post and Pershing Square (incidentally, that is the tallest flag pole in San Francisco, at aprox. 205 feet and 2.5 tons). Then past the Presidio Theatre and cut across and blow up the Cemetery Trail. Below Nauman and up the trail to the Wine Bunker, Immigrant Point, the lost at sea memorial, and down Battery Crosby and the Sand Ladder back to the beach.

Think I want to do this a few more times, like on Monday for sure. Recurrent lingering left hamstring and so forth. I'll get a chance to rest it on Holiday. I think I have to come up with some new training program for 2009 after these holidays get settled. Anyways, just a way to finish up fall/winter. Prolly best to stick with what I got until after my race on Feb. 28.

btw. It was cute seeing all of the runners out there in the new gear they got for Xmas. My new adidas track suit is to hot to wear even in 40 degree temp. The weather was perfect. Cold clear with a high marine layer.

Posted by polynesian_metal on Dec 27, 2008 10:48 AM

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Misty Precipitation

polynesian_metal — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:43:12 GMT

<b>Did that trail again, Baker Beach, Main Post and Back</b>. Misty precipitation. Running full on in the rain. Was fine with 2 top layers and tights. My music was a perfect mix, including the new disEmbowelment that I downloaded with a gift card. Have **** to do today, can't find my wallet. Felt great that I could do, coming down, felt the calf strain, left.

Just Get It In

polynesian_metal — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:18:28 GMT

Just did 30 minutes on the treadmill at the gym

. Seriously. That was all I could take.

Contoura can't wait

polynesian_metal — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:18:33 GMT

The Contour is fucked

. Its getting a smog check right now which it will fail because the check engine light is on all the time. Why is it on? Well, the clutches are apparently burnt out and to fix it will be a whole new transmission rebuild. Yeah, right. Thats like a $3k mechanic bill. Fuck that. But still the registration has to be renewed by Xmas Eve otherwise I will have to pay a penalty for late registration which is about the same as a smog check so this is pretty much how it breaks down:

Smog Check Failure will result in a 30 day extension of my current registration.
I have like 30 days to get a new car and hopefully trade in the Contour.
Too bad, she's fucked and I'm attached but I really need a car.
Can't risk getting a ticket driving around a car with no registration.
I don't even think I can get insurance on a car without registration.
Getting a Planned Non-Operation registration would just be dumb.
Hopefully I can get at least 2-3k as a trade in and that could serve as my down.

So I went to the rec center to do a work out while the car is still in the process of failing its smog
. Did the usual prison bar workout and added a new element. Overhead lift lunge. I read about that in Men's Health. I was planning on going back to the beach to do that recent trail and then go to the DMV come home, shop, shit do laundry or some other, but I don't know what the fuck I'm really going to do now that it seems like everything is fucked up. The moon must be void of course or something because there is an energy which surrounds me that says, chill, really, really don't push it. Take it at ease.

And my Ipod is fucked up
. Probably from running that trail in the rain yesterday. I hope not, and also I wonder if I can find the packaging and the receipt and take that shit back to Target and exchange it for a new one. Yeah, yesterday I ran in the rain testing out the trail. I know that old knockoff Adidas hoodie is a piece of shit cos I got thoroughly soaked inside and out. I really need to find something that breaths yet is waterproof. I'm sure they have the technology for that. Anyway, yesterday's trail run was more of a mental challenge than a physical one but it was rough, really rough physically. The elements weren't really that bad and being a Sunday, all the hardcore runners were out there. And then there was me. Got off on the wrong foot when 2 extremely tall caucasian young runners nearly barrelled over me on the trail and kept running fast loping like fucking 7 point bucks (gay lovers). Whatever the fuck. I was really jealous. Just keep training m8.

Miss my familiar prison yard

polynesian_metal — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:21:21 GMT

Woke up early and was ready to go to the rec center, but it was still closed at 8:30 a.m. . So I had just enough time I thought to go to 24 hour Nautilus. I can't find my membership letter, but Winnie let me in anyway. Was able to do all the prison bar workout and Roman Chair and some crunches with abs feeling really strong. Now for some reason my comp is acting up. Let me just say I feel really pumped, and I have to commit more to my training. I've raced already and the taper portion is way done. Posted by polynesian_metal\ on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 10:16 AM [Reply to this\] [Remove\] [[Block User\	http://friends.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=block.blockUser&userID=35670663]]

Woke up early and was ready to go to the rec center, but it was still closed at 8:30 a.m.

So I had just enough time I thought to go to 24 hour Nautilus. I can't

find my membership letter, but Winnie let me in anyway. Was able to do

all the prison bar workout and Roman Chair and some crunches with abs

feeling really strong. Now for some reason my comp is acting up. Let me

just say I feel really pumped, and I have to commit more to my

training. I've raced already and the taper portion is way done.

Posted by polynesian_metal\ on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 10:16 AM [Reply to this\]

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	polynesian_metal\ [polynesian_metal\	http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=35670663]	lets just say the gym isn't so gross if one stays out of the locker room. Posted by polynesian_metal\ on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 10:17 A

polynesian_metal\

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lets just say the gym isn't so gross if one stays out of the locker room.

Posted by polynesian_metal\ on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 10:17 A

Back on the Trail

polynesian_metal — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:28:09 GMT

Back on the trail

. Woke up feeling crunchy and a little cranky but thought to hit the trail and get back to some serious training. Didn't really know where to go, so I decided on the Beach. Drove to Baker and went behind the Battery Chamberlain, up the switchback, cutting through the memorial for service men who have died at sea (men, emphasis, no women are included in the dedication of this monument), over to the Wine Bunker, down that other trail. At Nauman, the trail was closed for tree removal, so I looped back around the houses there and went down the Cemetery Trail. Crossing over, up the Ecology Trail, Inspiration Point Overlook, Bay Ridge, Washington, and slip looping back to the road with the Wine Bunker. Back down the way I came up, but hitting the Batteries on top of the Bluff and down the Sand Ladder.

I didn't strain myself so hard. Walked when I wanted. The weather was really perfect, cold and crisp and not windy. I was exerting myself, but not sweating alot. I was probably perfectly thermoregulated. Still, it was kind of a struggle. I have to really maintain this base and add more. Have to commit to that hardcore run/cross/run/cross/break routine that I was working earlier.

So after that shopping? Locked my keys in the car so I'm kind of frustrated and skipping yoga in lieu of food and a nap.

Flogging a dead hearst

polynesian_metal — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:33:48 GMT

Have I said I hate to work out at the gym?

Probably, ad nauseum. Well today was one of those days when it was justified. I'm gonna run in the rain if I have to, the gym scene is def not for me.

I started out stretching a little then was going to do 42 minutes on the treadmill. I got a machine in front of the window with a view of the Xmas tree lot so I could pretend I was running through the forest. About 15 minutes into it, my Ipod earbuds started fading out. F that! The gym plays awful eighties music. It wasn't awful at the time, but contextualized together its really quite bad and not what I need to get pumped up to. So all of the machines were full so I just only did 30 minutes to allow someone else to torture themselves.

Showered, was going to the hot tub or the steam room, but the steam room was closed for maintenance and I didn't want to be the extra ingredient in the old man soup.

So I shopped at Safeway and bought toilet paper, milk, yoghurt and butter. The guy checking out before me had earned a $6 Arco gas card, but he didn't have a car. I asked if I could have it and he graciously gave it to me. Its Xmas.

So I got the gas ($1.69 a gallon) and headed to Best Buy to buy some new earbuds. I settled on the Sony Bass Boosters ($15.99) and they are so worth it. There is no comparison to my sh itt y Ipod earbuds that were burnt out anyway.

So I ate some yoghurt with hemp powder and headed down to the rec center to finish my workout

. Did the prison bar workout, but I had to invert myself on the decline press to make it an incline, and I never got to use the bench. Baby mama left the baby bag with baby daddy on the roman chair so I had to aks him if I could move it so I could do knee lifts. Baby daddy did.

This is why you shouldn't shave your head in public

polynesian_metal — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:09:18 GMT

Did my prison yard work out at the gym today

. Gyms are still gross, not all of them, but this one is and it is pretty representative of most. 24 hour Nautilus. Potrero Center. I totally prefer the rec center. So I did my bar workout after warming up by treading on the treadmill for 15 minutes. NO RUNNING! At least that's the little rule that I made up for myself, post-race. Gonna give it a total week of recovery, that means no running until at least Monday. The stiffness is gone from my calves and hams, so I don't need to overwork it. Besides the usual I did tricep pulldowns on the BodyMaster. After I did the weights, I went into the locker room to take a piss and this guy was shaving his head at the sinks and had badly cut himself on the neck so blood was all running down his back. Nice. Not. I am definitely not going to the hot tubs or showers today. I had already decided that I wasn't going to when I realized I forgot my flip-flops. Seeing this guy bleeding all in the locker room only confirmed it.

So I did a cool down, back on the treadmill for 8 minutes and felt pretty good for warming up and cooling down. Went back into the locker room to change and the bleeded guy was still in the midst of his locker room ritual. He had showered apparently, and was drying his head under the hand dryer.

Please Pick Up Your McMuffin Trash

polynesian_metal — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:51:52 GMT

Just went to the rec center and did a bar workout

. I like working with the bar and no weights seeing what I can do. I came up with a bent over row and did lunges and squats. Back to the roman chair. Didn't get to hit the bench or decline. Just the incline.

Still people leave their McDonalds Breakfust Muffin packages all over the exercise room and don't put their weights back. No respect for the gym. Oh well, I'm fussy. But I felt hella butch and tuff.

Now I'm going to the Castro to get tix for the Milk biopic and some coffee for the week. Really going to avoid running this week as to give myself a time to recover.

North Face Endurance Challenge Championship: SF: Results are In

polynesian_metal — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:02:07 GMT

63/255 Overall. 1:01:06.3 Official Gun Time. 10:02 Pace per Mile. 1:00:38.4 Unofficial Chip time. 1435 Bib number. polynesian_metal SAN FRANCISCO 53/120 Gender Place. 20/48 Men 30 - 39 9:15:28 Start time.

Race day, MG wakes me up when I'm still hitting snooze and asks me, "whats your goal for the day?"
. I murmur, blurber "finish in the top half overall and in my age group," and hope that he doesn't ask me anything else so I can sleep a few more seconds. Snooze alarm goes back on and I struggle out of bed saying" this is just like any other day, right? I'm just going out on the trail and doing a run and its 6 in the morning and I gotta go to work." Just like any other day, but today is race day and I've been training hard and really I'm excited as fuck.

But you wouldn't be able to tell, at least until I got coffee. Started the pot and jumped in the shower. MG is still in m¥ bed. Got a cup of coffee, still toweling off and dripping wet out of the shower. Multi-tasking, trying to get it done all at once and still make it to the race on-time. Go in the room and turn on the light, realizing and saying to MG that maybe I should have warned him first. My clothes and crap are all over the bedroom. There's hardly any room to even walk around without tripping over beach bags, suitcases, worn and clean clothes, boots, hats, you name it. I've already admitted and probably have already disclosed that I suffer an extreme case of bachelor fratulitis, but still I can cope, its just an embarrassing situation, expecially at my age. From my baggage I brought back from the hot springs, I rifle and find all of the gear I'm looking for for todays race saying to MG, "today is all about wearing the things that I have already run in before," not knowing if he knows that what I mean is that everything I'm wearing has been ran in in that 12 miler from sunday and even before.

But I get all my gear, even decide to throw in a blanket just in case its cold and head off with MG to Starbuck's where I get a hot chai latte with an add shot, some mc muffins and a scone.

We head off to the Presidio to pick up the shuttle to the Marin Headlands. Timing is flawless btw. Good thing MG dressed up somewhat athletically so he didn't get held off the bus for being a spectator rather than a participant, but really everyone got on the bus. We sat in the back.

So being familiar with the Visitor Center in the Marin Headlands, I go and take a dump in the Unisex bathroom rather than waiting in line for either the ladies' or the men's and then we head up the hill to this open meadow where the North Face had set up the pavillions and the starting line that was inflated like one of those bouncy houses. I'm kind of stoked taking it all in. MG is sleepy and lost and I feel a little guilty about getting him up and out so early to indulge me in my obsession, but he said he was cool with that and he really liked being there. I totally appreciated the support but it feels weird cos this is me in my loner sport, but I'm willing to share.

Got my race packet and went to find a spot to ease out after finding a big handicap outhouse to take my craps and pisses in just to make sure I wouldn't have to void on the trail. That would definitely affect my times! Was thoroughly enlightened came back and we moved our little breakfast picnic operation to a sunnier side of the meadow.

Had to figure out how to gear up. I took a little excursion down the start and used a little bit of my weather witch prognostication. Since when I woke up and looked at the flags from the window of my flat and saw the wind blowing towards the ocean, and like wise when crossing the bridge saw Angel Island wrapped in a healing fog, I knew the wind would be blowing that fog over the ridge at Alta Trail. I decided to wear the shorty shorts with my long sleeve white NF top and my dollar tank over it with my bib safety pinned to the tank. Shades, ball cap, and I did my headband over my ears to keep them warm and my Ipod earphones snug. Camelbak, of course with one liter of water. Didn't need the pepperspray cos I doubt I'd see any mountain lions that day.

Stretched up a bit, and went to see if I could take another shit, but just peed, a very little and they started the pre race announcements while I was still in the sh i tt er.

Got pumped up near the starting line. I had to ask the announcer what ribbons to follow cos I was so pumped up I couldn't understand him. Red, Red, Red. Count down, the gun goes off, Race!

I started near the front middle, had to weave my way around people till I got to a place where I could run clear. Saw MG on the side of the track looking for me, but I noticed him before he did and scared him when I shouted at him and slapped him on the chest. That expression was priceless. Then the 10 k runners are going downhill and crossing the road and starting on Rodeo Valley trail westward to where we pick up Bobcat Trail. This course totally foregoes the Miwok Trail that I have been starting at for my training, but cool, I'm still familiar with this. So then we get to Bobcat and its flat for awhile and then the grind of the uphill switchbacks.

The sun isn't over the ridge yet, so it switches from morning shade to sun quite frequently. I'm able to adjust my cooling by either rolling up my sleeves or rolling them down. I think the camo bandana was reall¥ effective in keeping that chill from going down the neck. A quarter of the way up the hill I can see how the runners have stretched themselves out above and below. I figure since I can still see the leader thats pretty good. Found two guys to pace with, but eventually just let them blow. Halfway up the hill people were steadily passing me but I just kept my pace, running and never getting to blown out where I'd have to actually walk. I think in retrospect, running this entire race was the most important thing to me. So I'm getting passed and I have to remind myself: "Run your own race."

3/4 up the mountain, people are flagging and starting to break down and walk. They are doing brief intervals, but still running. I'm rock steady and I know the end of the uphill is in sight once I pass the ruins of the old abandoned ranch.

Then Bobcat connects to Alta, and I know I can start accelerating. I do and I'm catching and passing the group ahead of me, getting passed to, but the race is on at this point. I'm at the part that is an actual strength and it is part of the trail that I strategized and I'm following the war plan and getting really excited as I do. My Ipod playlist is flawless at this point playing martial Deuterror with horse clops and I can see the horseshoe prints in the mud before me so I'm totally in this moment of ambient metal synchronicity. And then at the summit there is a race photographer, so I barrel straight into the lens of the camera, working it like the supermodel I am. Past that and I'm accelerating down through the Eucalyptus to the gate and the aid station before the downhill of Rodeo Valley Trail.

I do stop at the aid station and grab a water. It really was a wasted stop because I had my own hydration, but everything I read recommend that one do, so I did. And then that double downhill jeep track is before me and I kill it because, this, my dear, is my specialty. My Adidas are gripping like no body's business and I'm taking a line like an alpine skier. I am blowing past whole groups and individuals that had passed me going up Bobcat. I flow as much as I could never really putting on the brakes, but just stepping off the accelerator when passing or coming towards the edge of a cliff. Then its getting flat at the point where I saw the cougar jump out on the trail and really I'm almost effin done.

Then this part gets tricky. This is the real part of the race. Some people were taking it slower and it got to this point where I was pacing, then chasing this young guy in a yellow long sleeve top. Then the bald latino guy my age was coming up on us. The 3 of us were exchanging places, then I had to let them go. We are crossing the road at this point and I'm running pretty much at max intensity, which felt kind of slow to me. I see this guy in gray shorts and I'm trying to catch him when I hear behind me "Let's beat this guy" and I turn around and its two women running together and catching me. We are on the uphill part of the road to the finish line and I'm just struggling to keep going and they do pass. Finally we hit the flat and I kick into my trademark end sprint and nearly mow down the two ladies at the finish.

Really the guy in the gray shorts, the two women and myself all finished within hundreds of a second of each other. I really should have caught them, but they took my line.

And for real, always you always see somebody just past the finish line, just hanging out talking and I'm already heading towards a collision with them. Should move out the way of my dramatic finish already.

lol.

So MG was at the finish line. That was nice. I was trying to get information from him like how many people finished before me, but he didn't exactly know because he took a nap wrapped up in a blanket but he figured I had probably been out there for an hour.

Joined him on the blanket and watched all of the other finishers, actually surprised at how many people were finishing after me and how widely the field was spread.

And then it was all about getting the race schwag and my race bag and wandering around the festival and calming down. I went to go check my race results and couldn't find my name in the middle then was stoked that I made it on the first page at place #63! I got a post race massage treatment for my leg tightness where they used a technique called 'grassing' which is using a convex metal blade to essentially disrupt the scar tissue in the muscles that causes tightness. Something new everyday.

Got back on the schoolbus to the city and I was ultimately stoked. Planning what to eat for a post race brunch I realized I wanted red meat, red wine and red vegetables. Raddichio, tomatoes, red peppers, red beans, red cabbage, anything red. Got all that made some awesome steaks drank some wine and watched Dreamgirls in a post race satiation. But believe it or not only got to nap for an hour before we had to go out to Elaine's for dinner and we were unforgivably already so stuffed!

So anyway, there is a lot to analyze about this race

. I've posted the results above and I really actually exceeded my goals by alot being roughly in the top 25% overall and being in the top 50% minus 14 places for men overall and also top 50% minus 8 places for mens my age.

here comes the calculator:

Overall- 63/255 = 24.7%

By Gender- 53/120 = 44.16%

By Gendered Age Group (Men 30-39) = 20/48 = 41.66%

So I guess that I have a pretty good estimation of my abilities and have alot of room for improvement.

I'm stoked, yes I'm stoked, I'm stoked.

Now find and prep for a race in February.

This is exactly why I don't work out in a gym (usually)_

polynesian_metal — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:40:17 GMT

So Rec Center, first thing, early before a run? Yes. Prison Daddy wasn't there or neither was Nate whom I met at the Powerhouse that same day, the last time I worked out at the Rec Center. It was grey in the morning, but by the time I left the rec center it was totally raining. I went down to the Flower Market and bought 5 unbloomed orchids and on the way home I thought to myself, "Fuck it. I'm not going to the mountain today. I have nothing to prove to nobody."

So after I potted the orchids, I went to 24 Hour Nautilus at the Portrero Center. I printed out a 30 day pass last night when I was trolling the internet for trail running sites. I was taken aback a little that they didn't have locks for the guests and you have to pay for a towel, but the Membership Director, Zan, saw me flummoxed and let me borrow a lock. I'll just say it right here that I would never be a member of a gym that didn't have towels and locks for the guests.

So I took a little tour through the gym by myself, saw where the weights were situated and the lay of the cardio machine and got into my running gear and grabbed a machine in front of a window so as to best pretend that I was outside.

I set the machine for a 51 minute workout on medium intensity and random inclines. I pretty much ran it at 6.2 but would blow it up to 7 and rest and recover to drink water around a 2.6 (these numbers are miles per hour). All told at the end I did just over 5 something miles then wanted to step up the intensity by doing 1 minute sprints. For this I increased the speed for 4 sets: 8.5, 9, 9.5 and 10 (max). The machine takes about 30 seconds to get up to speed and the rest is all out. Then ¥øu get a minute to recover.

While I was working out, I took off my tank top and the manager told me I had to work out with it on, so I tucked it up and pretty much did my routine in what looked like a sports bra.

Well I got that done, but it doesn't come close to the trail. I still don't like the gym, and like nasty food, its a good thing to try it out every now and then to make sure ya still hate it.

But at least at the gym you get to go naked. Went to the co-ed wet area and jumped into the hot tub. Not bad. Then I got hard cruised by this guy who went into the steam room. I gave it a respectable minute then went inside. He had been in there too long, I could tell. I went out and when I came back he was gone. So I found him in the shower, of course, in the very last stall, of course of course, and he showered at me in my direction and I showered right back with all the indifference I could muster. Hot cruisy naked little flirt me!

So out and over, so not impressed by the gym and I went to go get my ID back, but Zan was in a meeting with that dick manager who told me to put my shirt back on and I waited for 15 minutes severely bonking with hunger and on edge cos I still had to finish my Thanksgiving shopping. And then they were surprised that I had a 30 day pass from active.com instead of the usual 7 day pass they dole out to suckers. Zan told me that she would note my account. Its not my fault that they don't understand their own online promos.

So at Safeway, no shopping carts and no cheese cloth. At the dollar store, no cheese cloth, no dolphin wind chimes but a roasting pan for my Macaroni and Cheese and a white cotton tank top that I can cut up into a half shirt (sports bra) the next time I have to work out at that gym. At Walgreens, no cheese cloth and I decided against buying film but I did pick up a bag of chips an Odwalla Bar and a cold Starbucks Coffee in a can. Finally Foodsco to save the day. Cheese cloth. Now we can do the Martha Stewart turkey where you soak the cheese cloth in a stick of butter and a bottle of wine and roast that bitch all day.

I'm having fun!