Coffee and Treadmill Tuesday

I'm starting a new tradition.

It's not taking over the making of cheesy scrambled eggs. mrC is MUCH better at it than I am :)

Every Tuesday the Shenzhen Women's International Club, SWIC, meets for coffee. Three times a month it's at the Hilton where I have a membership to the fitness center. For an hour or so we mingle over coffee and treats, catch up, and make plans.

Today I packed my gym bag so I could hit the fitness center after coffee. I figured since I'm already there, why not make a regular date with the treadmill?

After a quick change in the locker room, I hit the treadmill for a good 30 minute run.

I forgot the Nike+ shoe pod that connects to my watch, so I had to run holding my phone (no armband either) while using the Nike+ app, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I can't remember the last time I used the app, so it gave me time to check out what's new with it.

After logging a comfortable 3 miles, I added another new (but old) tradition: planks. When I first started running in Ohio, my friend taught me to plank after our runs. When I moved to New Hampshire that sort of fell by the wayside.

I cooled down with some post-run stretching and biked back to apartment. My legs seem happier when I go for a little spin on the same days that I run.

Do you have any fitness traditions?
What do you do after a run?

Like the first day of school and two new goals!

Mondays for me in Shenzhen mean climbing the Nanshan Mountan with the SWIC Hiking Group. In the summer fewer people hike the mountain: there are fewer people around and it is so dang humid, no one really wants to!

Before leaving for our vacation in the US, I hiked less and less because of the humidity. So returning to the weekly hike felt a lot like the first day of school. I was going to be seeing many people that I hadn't seen in a while and I was feeling both nervous and excited.

So I did what I always used to do before the first day of school. And yes, I did this even as a teacher!

I picked out my outfit. I was ready for the humidity...black shorts hide how sweaty I get.

I put my hiking bag together. Some vital items include: bug spray, water, sweat towel, and umbrella - for rain AND sun.

I tucked one of my favorite Vega Sport protein bars into the bag, just in case.

Just like the first day of school, I met up with the group and picked up where we left off a couple of months ago.

We walked to the base of the mountain and took a selfie. Because what first day wouldn't be complete without a selfie?

When we rested at the halfway point, we took another selfie. OldestC is going to love knowing how much use I'm getting out the gift she gave mrC for his birthday :)

At the top, our Chinese friend who likes to greet our group, helped us out with our made-it-to-the-top photo.

As always, the first day with the hiking group was easy-peasy and tons of fun!

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On a side note, here are TWO new goals I made for myself today:

1. Give yoga a try at this studio I discovered on my walk to meet the hiking group this morning.

2. Find out the date of the 2nd Shenzhen Women's Marathon event and sign up for...something!

Do you ever get nervous when meeting up with a group?
How do you set new goals for yourself?

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?

MRTT Giddy Up & Go Half Marathon Relay

I'm so happy that I was able to attend the GMMRTT Giddy Up & Go Half Marathon Relay event while we were back in the states for vacation/operation sell the house!

After only being in New Hampshire overnight following our Cape Cod vacation, mrC drove me to Lake Massabesic for the event. (On the way there we spotted a van full of some of my Sunday Runday Goffstown running buddies. I wish I had a picture of all those ladies smiling and waving at me on the highway!)

Just like the last event I attended, the GMMRTT chapter leaders organized an amazing day. Teams of 3 completed the 13.1 miles, cheered for each other, and munched on food donated by Panera and Market Basket. At the end of the event, door prizes were awarded. It was a great day!

Here are some of my personal highlights:

Seeing my friend, colleague, and running buddy.

Enjoying the beauty of New Hampshire.

My Relay Team.

Supporting other runners.

Running the trail with a little help from my friends.

The bling.

This group of amazing women (and the amazing husbands behind the scenes who pick us up, drop us off, take up the slack, and TAKE PICTURES!)

Are you a member of your local MRTT group? 
What do you love about your chapter?

Vacation Life on the Cape Part 2

Let me start by explaining that this post is LONG overdue, but there are very good reasons!

First we were having a blast with our revolving door of family and friend visitors on the Cape. Then when vacation was over, we were literally emptying our house for the big sale non-stop for three days (without internet/cable). Finally we were on the road between New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts before flying back to China.  

Now that you know the reason for my tardiness, I can tell you that the second part of our vacation was as awesome as the first!

We rode 16 miles on the Shining Sea Bikeway.

Ran some more.

Accomplished SUP on the ocean.

Hung out at the Chart Room.

Enjoyed the beautiful sunsets at Old Silver Beach.

Loved every moment with our dog.

And basically decided that life on the Cape is just plain awesome!

We are already talking about doing it all again next year!

Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Do you include extended family/friends in your vacation?