Friday Fun: Yoga, Chiropractor, and a PB

After breakfast mrC and I took a walk so that I could sign up for a free yoga class at YogaLife. The girl behind the counter spoke very little English, but a very nice Chinese woman coming out of a class helped answer my questions. I signed up for Hatha which is good class for beginners. The class is tomorrow and I'm really excited.

Then we dropped in to First Chiropractic. We met Doctor Steve, an American doctor, who could see us right away. We both completed an assessment and then received an adjustment. The method of adjustment was different than the traditional cracking that we are used to. Doctor Steve uses the IQ Impulse technique which is a computer aided tool that produces a controlled force. After our adjustments, we were sent off to an assistant for some therapy. I had a sort-of neck massage and my IT bands rolled with The Stick (OWW!). mrC learned some stretches.

My fitness highlight of the day: during day 4 of my plank challenge, I set a PB on the standard plank. I don't know why I did it in my dress except that I was worried I would forget to plank after we came back from lunch.

Any advice before my first China yoga class?
Do you see a chiropractor?

Running Loops, Planking and Beets BLU

I expected it to be raining when I woke up this morning, so I was pleasantly surprised to see dry walkways when I looked out the window. I didn't waste any time lacing up my Mizunos and heading out. It's a holiday in China (70th Anniversary of Victory Day), so the streets were bare compared to the normal rush, even at 6:30 in the morning.

Hanging out with my MRTT group while in the states and reconnecting with the SWIC hiking group, has inspired me to start a running group! Today I scoped out a possible route that would loop us through town and keep us in the shade. It was a little short of the 3 miles I was hoping for, so I will try to fine tune that on my next run. I was also thinking of doing a 1 mile loop/out-n-back that would be more flexible for varying experiences because we could repeat it but give runners the option of what distance they want to do.

My post run planking continues to be successful. I'm getting daily motivation from the challenge I joined. Here is a clip of day 3 just for fun. I also timed how long I could hold a standard plank. I'm hoping to improve my time by the end of the challenge.

On my last few few runs, I have been testing a new heart rate monitor from Beets BLU that I was given to review. I have used it with a couple of different apps and it has worked exactly as I expected. There is no hassle to link up the device (just a quick read of the instructions) and my heart rate was visible instantly. I really like the compatibility of this device as I often switch between different workout apps. I also like that you DON'T have to use the Beets BLU app since it can work with so many others, but the Beets BLU app is good too.

Do you prefer running loops or out-n-backs?
Do you use a heart rate monitor when you work out?

Disclosure: I was sent a Beets BLU Wireless Heart Rate Monitor for the purpose of review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Exploring Shenzhen on Foot: Chiwan

One thing that I do a ton of here in China is walk! I can wrack up 10,000 steps before lunch time some days which is really good for my FitBit challenges. My friends in the hiking group know how to help with that.

Today we explored an area of Shenzhen (where I live) called Chiwan. From our Monday hiking summit on Nanshan Mountain, we can see the other mountain which inspired our trip today.

Xiaonan Mountain: aka Little Nanshan Mountain - 850 steps

I met up with the small group and after waiting out some rain underground in the metro station, we walked to catch a bus to Chiwan. From the bus stop we had to walk a little ways up the road to get to the entrance of the mountain. There was quite a bit of construction going on, but a friendly Chinese man on a scooter guided us through. We followed the road until we found the steps. 850 steps later we were at the top where we found an very large observation area and an old fort. Although this mountain is approximately the same climb, the mass is smaller than our regular hiking mountain. Hence the name, little.

Tomb of the Last Emperor:

Our descent off the mountain took us right by this historical spot. Song Shao Di Mu became emperor at age 7 in 1278. When losing a battle with Mongols, his protector Lu Xiufu took him and jumped into the sea. Legend says his body washed up in Shenzhen near the Tian Hou Temple in Chiwan.

By the end of our exploring, my feet were toast, but I completed day 2 of my plank challenge: up/downs and arm lifts. I did 3 sets of 5. Then I relaxed.

Are you a FitBit user?

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?