Treadmill Tuesday: 10 More Minutes

This song makes me want to kick ass at life every time I hear it.

Today it inspired me to stay on the treadmill 10 minutes longer than I had planned. I was nearing the end of my 30 minute run when it came up on my playlist. My knee was feeling good, so I went for it.

"The only way you can know / Is give it all you have"

I believe I owned my run today!

Immediately after my run, I went right into plank work. Challenge day 8: side plank reach through 5x each side, plus timed side planks. Then I timed my standard and got a NEW PB!

Can you see the bead of sweat on my forehead?!?

I finished up my workout with 10 laps in the pool then biked it home. Love mixing things up.

What songs inspire you?
Do you mix up your workouts or stick to one activity at a time?

Getting Rid of Jet Lag with Fitness

After an amazing couple of weeks in the US, we are now back on China soil.

Even though I am the traveler that feels every bit of jet lag (think waking up at 2AM), I was excited to get back into the swing of things here in Shenzhen.

Friday morning, I joined the SWIC Hiking Group for a 7K walking tour of Futian, one of the seven districts that make up the city of Shenzhen.

25 women from 10 countries!

We explored Shuiwei village and Stone Museum.

We walked through Huanggang Park and watched the locals dancing. I even got asked to dance!

We strolled the Furong Greenway and toured the Xia Sha Museum and Temple.

After all that walking and the China humidity, I took a nice long afternoon nap!

I was out of bed early on Saturday and decided that a short run might help get rid of the final feelings  of jet lag. mrC walked the boardwalk while I ran two laps.

After a little breakfast, we went for a refreshing swim. It felt really good to stretch out in the water and relax poolside.

Two full days of fitness and I was toast! Goodbye jet lag!

How do you beat jet lag?

Mountain Monday and Happy Hour

I like Mondays because they start with a climb up the Nanshan Mountain with the SWIC hiking group.

Before walking to Sea World for the meet-up, I had one of my usual quick breakfasts: PB&J rice cakes with a side of coffee. They do the trick.

The hiking group has gotten smaller, but I love that whoever is around still joins, even when it is getting hotter and hotter.

Speaking of hot...this is what we were working with today. Fortunately there was a nice little breeze most of the way to the top.

Coming off the mountain, I was a sweaty mess so I stopped by the Hilton for a quick dip in the pool to cool off. It is amazing in the water and it's not usually crowded. 

I had some leftover gluten-free spaghetti for lunch and then FaceTime'd with mrC who is in Singapore. I took this picture without him knowing :)

To end the day I met my friend Young for Happy Hour and dinner. Young is from Boston and has been in Shenzhen for about 4 years. I meant to take a picture of my chicken Caesar salad, but instead here one of us! It's dark because we like to sit outside and the sun sets around 7:30 here.

What do you look forward to each week?

My Monday with Some Favorites

I'm learning that summers in Shenzhen mean lots of traveling for expats. Some return home, others move on to new places, and many go on holiday. The Shenzhen Women's International Club goes on a summer break of sorts, too. The official activities end until late August, but the expats who stay behind keep them going informally.

So, I started my Monday by meeting up with one of my favorite SWIC groups for our weekly hike. Our group was small and we were missing our leader, but we all love being active and outside.

We chatted and climbed, trying not to be distracted by the numbers that let us know how many steps we have climbed...and how many more we have to go!

Almost halfway there!

The mountain climb was hot today and didn't offer much of a breeze at the top, but we still enjoyed the satisfactory summit picture.

At the top. Chris took the photo

After a quick beverage at Pacific Coffee with the group, I walked to the Hilton to make use of my new fitness membership and take a swim. I love that I can lay out my sweaty hiking clothes to dry while I'm in the pool and sit under the umbrella to relax for a bit. Next to running, swimming might be my favorite thing.

Back at the apartment I was super excited to do #MeanAbsJune day 15 because it's the halfway mark!

mrC and I finally picked up a large knife and cutting board, so after having quinoa and tuna for lunch, I treated myself to a very large container of watermelon. Watermelon is easily my favorite fruit. I could eat it all day.

Before dinner I ran some errands. It was so darn hot out, that I just had to make a smoothie when I got back. It tastes even better than the first one I made because I now have spinach and creamy vanilla gluten free whey protein. Smoothies are such a great treat when it's hot.

I'm still looking for some chairs for our balcony so I can enjoy morning coffee and afternoon smoothies sitting with the gorgeous view. But even without them, today was pretty awesome. I enjoyed so many of my favorite things!


Do you travel a lot in the summer?
What are some of your favorite treats?

I Joined a Fitness Center

Even though I haven't had a membership to a gym for about eight years, when my new friends in China told me about the Hilton Fitness Center, I had to see it for myself. It was AMAZING! State of the art equipment, sauna, jacuzzi, indoor and outdoor pools...and a HUGE price tag. Too much even for a little piece of fitness heaven.

Then we learned of a DEEP discounted (like more than 80% off) membership available and mrC decided I should have it. I didn't plan on getting a gym membership, since I've gotten by without one for so long, but the pools, the price...it was meant to be!

When mrC's car arrived to take him to work this afternoon, I hopped on my bike and rode 10 minutes to the HFC to get my membership officially started.

After a quick registration process, I didn't waste any time getting my workout started. I stored my things in the locker room and jumped on one of the ellipticals for a 10 minute warm up. The view of Shenzhen Bay and the outdoor pool below is amazing, but if it bores you the cardio equipment all come with attached TVs.

The place was empty, so after my warmup I had my pick of machines. I took my time getting reacquainted with each piece of equipment: a couple of sets on the leg press, chest press, lat pull, and seated row.

There was plenty of floor space for me to do #MeanAbsJune Day 12 using one of the provided yoga mats.

After the 45 minute indoor workout, I went to the pool and swam around for about 45 minutes.

Yesterday I bought a small blender, so when I got back to the apartment I excitedly made my first smoothie using frozen raspberries and blueberries, some yogurt, and milk. Ahhh! I still need to find some protein and pick up some spinach, but it was a pretty good smoothie.

I'm looking forward to spending more time in the Hilton Fitness Center and testing the equipment and amenities I didn't get a chance to try today.

Do you workout at a fitness center?
What's your favorite thing about fitness centers?

Running and Swimming Laps

Since arriving in Dubai, I've been worrying about wearing acceptable running gear, the heat, and where to run in this busy city. After taking an extra day off to let my sore legs recover, I was itching to run again on Wednesday morning.

A couple expats living in the area have assured me that it is acceptable to wear modest running gear while you run. It is not acceptable to wear your running gear into public places, like the mall or grocery. Although I love a good racerback when it's hot and humid, I opted to wear a regular tank top with my trusty Oiselle Distance shorts.

To beat the heat, I got up early and thinking about my GMMRTT early-bird runner friends, I was out the hotel at 6AM. It took my Nike GPS watch about 5 minutes to find a signal, which seriously stressed me out because I was standing on the sidewalk in my running gear. NOT running.

The other day, mrC glanced out of our hotel window (we're on the 9th floor) and noticed a small park with a running track. The 400 meter rubbery track circles around the outside of Port Saeed Plaza and is lined with flowering trees and bushes like jasmine and honeysuckle.

I left the hotel with a goal of running for 30 minutes, but knowing that my body is still acclimating to the temperature change. For example, it was already 74 degrees at 6AM! I didn't count laps while I was running, but instead watched my time and took water breaks every 10 minutes. I ended up with 11 laps around the track before making my way back to the hotel.

After a quick shower and some breakfast I headed to the pool to do some laps there. I don't know the length of the pool, but I did 5 laps (back & forth = 1) twice. Swimming is fun, but it's not easy. It's definitely more cardio than I remember as a kid!

I haven't done a lot of swimming while living in New Hampshire, so I'm thoroughly enjoying this time in the pool. Hopefully, we will have access to one in China too.


Does your GPS take a long time to connect?
Do you like running around a track?

Strength Training in Dubai

I could positively become spoiled by the hotel breakfast buffet. I've had watermelon four days in a row. Multiple servings of watermelon. It's so good.

The last time I did any strength training was more than two weeks ago in New Hampshire at SurfSet class. Yesterday seemed like a good time to get back at it, so I made my way back to the fitness center.

I hopped on the bike for a 10 minute warm up. Ever since physical therapy for my knee, I like using the bike as a warm up for strength training.

The fitness center is stocked with a variety of hand weights, mats, and stability balls and with three other people working out, it seemed like a perfect time to do some Tabata exercises.

I forgot my Gymboss interval timer in the room and had to improvise with my phone to time my exercises. It worked.

Today's Strength Workout 

(using weights 5-10 lbs): 

10 minute bike warmup

:30 hamstring curls 

:30 weighted squats

:30 weighted front lunges

:30 squats jumps

:30 alt. side lunges

:30 weighted squats

:30 arm circles

:30 knee push ups

:30 overhead press

:30 tricep floor dips

:30 knee push ups

:30 bicep curls

(:10 second rest between each exercise)

Yowie. My legs are going to be feeling that for awhile. I probably should've eased into the weights instead of getting all excited like a kid in a candy store. I probably also should have spent more time stretching.

Afterwards, I took advantage of pool again and swam some laps. I wish I knew how many laps I swam the day before so I could tell if I improved any or not. Oh well, a goal for next time.

Today, I'm taking the day off (for my legs) and some sight-seeing after lunch with mrC!


How do you recover from post-workout sore muscles?

My First Dubai Workout & It's a Small World

Yesterday started with breakfast at the hotel. The buffet has five stations that basically offer: breads, hot foods, cereals, cold cuts/salad, fruits, and yogurts.

After breakfast mrC went to class and about an hour later I went to the fitness center for my first run in Dubai. It is really hot here and since I hadn't yet figured out the dress code for running in public, I opted to do my 30 minutes on the treadmill.

It felt so good to run, even if it was inside. My goal is to keep my focus on time, especially as I get used to the different climate here in Dubai and eventually China.

And just because, the I'm-so-happy-I-just-ran #runfie.

After my run, I continued my workout in the pool. Although my swimming endurance needs some work, it felt really good to be in the pool. After about an hour of swimming and sunning, I was tired.

I went back to the room, blogged a little, and had a protein bar for lunch. Then I took a nap :)

It's such a small world sometimes! Before dinner I had a date with Sarah's (Run Far Girl) mom! Sarah put me in touch with her mom who lives here in Dubai. She generously shared tips and suggestions for what to do and how to get around Dubai while we are here.

For dinner mrC and I went to Deira City Center Mall for dinner at Texas Roadhouse! My appetite has been a little off from traveling (I guess), so even though I ate a lot less than normal, the bbq chicken was really good.

Do you like to swim? 
Does traveling affect your appetite?