Lisa Sabin’s - Running And Being

http://www.cityscene.tv/spanishhead1.htm

Phil and I escaped for a weekend at The Inn At Spanish Head, in Lincoln City, Oregon.  Phil’s famiily took frequent trips to the Oregon coast, as a kid.   Phil’s mom, Carrie, always wanted to go to The Inn At Spanish Head, which is kind of a swanky hotel, on top of a bluff with amazing views of the ocean.  Stan and Carrie finally made it down here after Stan retired.

Originally, we were going to come down here on the motorcyle, but decided to bring our bikes instead.  Our plan was to get in some serious cycling and have a relaxing weekend.  I am really glad we didn’t take the Harley, because it’s been raining like crazy since we arrived!

We got up this morning and headed out the door at 7:30 am with the intension of putting in 50 miles.  The ride started out bad and just got worse!  We had a headwind all the way to Newport.  Visibility was nil.  We ended up riding about 45 miles and called it good.  On the way back the rain mixed with sweat rolled into our eyes and fogged up our glasses.  My clothes were soaked, because I forgot to bring my rain jacket.  I had to layer up.  We were like a couple of drowned rats out there!

It was hard to get into the spirit of the ride with all that rain.  On the way back I felt like I was on automatic pilot.  I just kept riding and actually rode a couple of miles per hour faster, than on the way out.  I swear it took a good half hour and a hot bath to get my feet back to normal.  They were frozen and tingly.  We hit the hot tub and took a nice nap.

Somehow I don’t feel compelled to go out there and do it again tomorrow.  I think I’ve had enough.  A walk on the beach sounds like a better idea!

The view is beautiful here and the restaurant is great.  They even have their own wine, a nice cabernet.  It’s been nice to get away.  I can see why Stan and Carrie loved this place.  I’m sure we’ll visit again….

This was a busy weekend with a lot of races.  I was just reading about Kate’s experience with the Long Beach Half Marathon.  She mentioned a site called Half2Run.com.  What a cool idea!

I love the idea of running half marathons in half of the states.  It’s so much fun to train and travel to go do a race.  My friends and I did the New Las Vegas Half Marathon last December.  It was a blast.  I’ve also gone and done the www.rnraz.com/home.html.  It looks like race directors are putting more half marthons together, which is great for those of us who like the half.  It’s half the distance, but twice the fun!

It’s time to say goodbye to Kona.  We got up this morning and went for one last swim at Magic Sands.  We encountered the biggest waves of the trip.  We were out there with the locals, who like to get out before 10 am.  The Magic Sands is really cool because the beach is rocky from the winter storms, and then the summer surf brings the white sand back to the beach.  Last year we were here in July and the beach was really sandy.  This time of year the sand is just beginning to return to the beach.

 I wasn’t going to get my hair wet.  I just wanted to jump a few waves before we fly home.  The sea showed me who’s boss.  I was pommeled by a huge wave.  It’s hard to leave.  I can’t wait to come back and spend a couple of weeks.  I feel like I’m just starting to get into relaxation mode.  It would be great to come back and do some triathlon training.  The swim course for the Ironman is roped off, so there is a safe place to practice swimming.   There are a couple of bike shops to rent bikes.  The running is great.  I might have to come back and do the Lavaman!

 Aloha for now!

It’s so beautiful here in Hawaii.  I ran a little longer yesterday.  I really notice the heat running along Alii Drive.  I think about the people who come here for the Ironman.  There is no forgiveness on the bike course; the cyclists are exposed to wind and hot sun.  There is a water fountain in the shape of a fish outside of someone’s house on the course.  It would be exciting to come watch the Ironman.

 I was hoping that I would see part of the Lavaman Triathlon on 4/1.  The event took place up at Waikoloa, which is about 38 miles from downtown, at the Hilton resort.  I’m itching to get on my bike again.

I am still working out the kinks with my orthodics.  I still feel discomfort in my left foot.  This plantar fasciitis is tough to get rid of.  I met a fellow personal trainer/runner a couple of weeks ago.  He ran in college on a scholarship for 800 meters.  He took a look at my stride and noticed that I am still a little gimpy.  He also noticed that I was trying to compensate with my arm swing.  What used to feel so natural to me, feels awkward.  My left arm was coming across the front of my body, while my right arm went straight.  I am trying to work on keeping everything even.  Hopefully, when I get some consistency with my arms, the legs will follow. 

I woke up in 70 degree weather, got a Starbucks coffee and headed out for a run about 7 am.  I felt pretty good with the 3 hour time difference between Seattle and Kona.  We are staying on Alii Drive about 1 mile from down town Kailua-Kona.

I put on my shoes, stepped out the door and ran along the ironman course yesterday.  There are mile markers every half mile and beautiful scenery of the various beaches and parks.  Runners and walkers start early around here.  There are plenty of people out on the road. 

This morning we are going on a snorkel whale watching trip.  We are hoping to see dolphins and lots of fish.  Aloha!

I was in Garden Grove, CA from Tuesday through Sunday last week. I had a business conference that lasted 5 days. We started early at 8:55am and continued until 10 or 11pm at night, every night. We broke for lunch and dinner, but only for an hour or 1:15 at the most. I brought my work out clothes and hoped that I would be able to squeeze in a few work outs.

I checked into my room and headed to the gym. I wanted to get a work out in before we had our first meeting on Tuesday. The Hyatt in Orange County has an amazing gym. There were 3 treadmills, 5 elliptical trainers, a stairmaster and 3 or 4 bikes. They also had medicine balls, swiss balls, a bosu ball and free weights. The gym was open from 5am - 10pm. I ran on the treadmill, even though I prefer running outside, because I wasn’t familiar with the area.

I got up on Wednesday morning and hit the gym around 6 am. I was astounded to find every peice of equipment occupied. I was able to get in some cycling, a little running and some strength training. I was excited to see so many people making fitness a priority.

My goal was to take care of my health even though I was working long hours. I decided to workout 5 times over the course of the week, eat a piece of fruit every day, skip alcohol and drink more water.

I had met a runner/trainer who was also from Seattle, on the shuttle from the airport on Tuesday. I ran into him again on Wednesday and scheduled a run for the following morning at 6:15 am. We lucked out with the weather, it was around 50 degrees in the morning and warmed to around 70 - 74 in the afternoon. We ran down to Disneyland and back, about 45 minutes. We rewarded ourselves with Starbucks and stretching by the pool. I was able to get in another strength training work out and I finished the week with a long run on Sunday.

A lot of my clients have trouble maintaining fitness when they are traveling. I know it’s tough when meetings go late. It helps if you go into the week with a plan to get some exercise.

Here are some tips:
Bring your work out clothes and shoes
Check out the hotel gym or pool
See if there are any gyms near by
Ask about running/walking routes that are safe
TV Work outs (The Hyatt has pay per view Yoga and Pilates)
Eat as healthy as you can
Drink plenty of water

I returned last night and I feel like my fitness is still on track. This is a good thing because I will be wearing a swim suit in Hawaii on Friday, this week!