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?

We Made It To Dubai!

Ahh, it feels good to blog again! (warning! lots of pictures in this post!)

Since leaving New Hampshire on the last day of March, the days have been speeding by. We filled our cars with what we will need in China that fit into four suitcases, our Cape Cod bikes for vacation in August, and the dog.

First stop in Springfield, MA to visit with mrC's family, celebrate his mom's birthday, and leave our favorite running buddy in loving hands. We will be back in August to get Booney for our Cape Cod vacation.

Man, I miss him!

Next stop in Cincinnati where we visited with friends and family, and went to the Reds Opening Day Parade (practically a holiday in Cincy!).

They won!

After 10 days of no running (and a lot of eating and drinking), I finally squeezed in a 25 minute run. Between the days off, the food, and the humid weather, this run sucked but it felt amazing to be out there.

2.5 miles at my mom's favorite park

On our last morning we had breakfast with some of my family before my mom drove us to the airport.

Pics with my mom, dad and stepmom, and aunt 

Our flight out of Cincinnati was delayed four times. Our plane was late because of bad weather pretty much all over the midwest. Once the plane arrived, we got on only to be sent back to the gate because of lightening and hail. We made our connection in DC, but ended up being grounded there for about 45 minutes. 13 hours and two movies later we were in Dubai.

We woke up on our first day in Dubai at about 2AM and explored around the hotel. We had a buffet breakfast, lunch at the mall across the street and went for a swim before taking an afternoon nap. We picked up some dinner at a small grocery down the block and spent the evening trying to FaceTime/Skype with the kids and our parents.

We're staying in Dubai for a couple of weeks for mrC to attend refresher classes and I'm hoping to squeeze in as much tourist activities as possible around his schedule!

Have you ever been to Dubai?
Do you prefer warm or cold weather running?

Packing Up and Working Out

Today is our last day in New Hampshire and for the past week I've been cramming in as much fitness fun as I can around my last days of teaching and packing. So many people went out of their way to help me get ready for the move and to say such kind things to me.

After spending Monday and Tuesday telling my classes that I was moving, it was really nice to run a few miles with the Run Club and work off some of the emotions.

Run Club date with littleC

I spent the week working with my substitute and was surprised by several farewell moments from the faculty and students.

Friday night I went to the #GMMRTT free yoga session at Diamond Fit Diva in Manchester and then stopped for some drinks at LaCaretta after.

Photo credit: GMMRTT 

As usual I spent my Saturday morning with TI Fitness at #SurfnTone class. We did so many squats that my legs are still sore today. I'm going to really miss these classes until we come back to visit.

Saturday afternoon my stylist was able to squeeze me in for an early color, cut, and wax before heading out of town. It's going to be tough to find someone who "gets my hair" in China.

My last #SundayRunday was spent running a 6 miler with a group of runners from #GMMRTT. Our runs have been so fun and make the miles fly by. I'm so happy I could spend it with these awesome ladies.

I've loved every mile spent with my #MRTT friends including this morning's 6 miler. It's great knowing I can keep in touch and meet up whenever I'm in town! #GMMRTT #SundayRunday #IRunSimple #ZOOMAnation #mileschangeyou #staystrong

A photo posted by AmyC (@runningescapades) on Mar 29, 2015 at 7:10am PDT

I've loved every mile spent with my #MRTT friends including this morning's 6 miler. It's great knowing I can keep in touch and meet up whenever I'm in town! #GMMRTT #SundayRunday #IRunSimple #ZOOMAnation #mileschangeyou #staystrong

A photo posted by AmyC (@runningescapades) on Mar 29, 2015 at 7:10am PDT

Want to see more pictures of my adventures in China? Follow me on Instagram!

I will be spending the rest of today packing and doing last minute errands before we head out to spend a few days with my in-laws in Massachusetts and my family in Ohio. There won't be a lot of time for fitness, but I'm going to squeeze it in whenever I can!

Do you have any packing tips I could use?

Training Truths: Big News!!

Today I can tell you more about why I have been so stressed out lately. mrC has a new job and we are moving…to China. Yes, China!!

My head and heart have been on a roller coaster over this. It is very exciting and a little terrifying. Obviously I want to be with mrC, but I also hate to leave. Ironically, I have been begging to move closer to the city, but I never expected a move this big!

Needless to say things have been CRAZY. This week I start transitioning my classes over to my substitute at school and try to find a way to say "see you later" to the friends I have made. Although we are leaving New Hampshire at the end of the month, we will be back in August for our scheduled vacation ---> and I'll be planning some ZOOMA fun while I'm back, so stay tuned!

Weekly Workouts:

Monday: MAD Abs day 16 + arms + legs
Tuesday: Run + MAD Abs day 17 + Pop Sugar triceps workout
Wednesday: REST day + MAD Abs day 18 (also rest)
Thursday: MAD Abs day 19 + arms + legs workout
Friday: run + MAD Abs day 20
Saturday: SurfnTurf + MAD Abs day 21
Sunday: run MRTT 10K + MAD Abs day 22

Tuesday - 3.34 miles
The plan: run 30 minutes and wear green!

GHS Run Club St. Patrick's Day run. It was sunny, windy, cloudy, rainy, and I'm pretty sure I saw a snowflake too! :)

Friday - 4.12 miles
The plan: run 40 minutes

I didn't find my motivation until almost 7 PM, but once I got started this treadmill run was pretty good. And I had some company!

Sunday - 6.21 miles
The plan: run MRTT Frozen Booty 10K

I was looking forward to this event ever since it was postponed in February after one of our big snow storms. Originally I was only going to run the 5K (it would have been my first post-op), but with the delay, I was able to run my first post-op 10K! After the run, we all hung out at Portland Pie for lunch, door prizes, and girl talk.

photo credit MRTT

Have you ever made a big move?