Treadmill Tuesday and More

On my walk to the fitness center this morning, I decided that I was going to do a treadmill interval workout. My knee has been feeling better and my little test run a few days ago was successful.

I though it was a good sign that I be greeted by a Chinese Monkey on my way into the Hilton fitness center. 2016 on the Chinese calendar is the Year of the Monkey, and this year it's a Fire Monkey which represents ambition and adventurous character.

It's been so long since I was running regularly that I didn't even have my watch in my bag. Instead I had to use the app on my phone. (This is making me really want the new Apple Watch).

 I kept my workout nice and easy: 5 minute walking WU, 3:2 run/walk intervals for 20 minutes, and then 5 minute walking CD. It was not a cardio, speed workout. This was another test to see how my knee felt running for a longer period of time, but without overdoing it. I'm pretty happy with how it went.

After my treadmill workout I spent a little time with the weights. The Dirty Dozen workout is still my favorite. I'm excited that I have moved up in weight on a couple of the exercises. 

The last part of my fitness center workout is always in the pool. I love the cardio I get from swimming laps, but even more I love the feel of my body stretching out in the water. Today I had the pool to myself.

Back at home after lunch and a nap (this cold weather makes me sleepy!), I did Yoga Camp day 4. Today was about awakening. I want to awaken my muscles and get stronger.

How I Survived the Big Chill + Some Workouts

It seems like everyone is dealing with winter weather lately. Blizzards in the US and the coldest temperatures on record in Shenzhen. This tropical climate city even had some freezing rain! Apartments in China are not built for cold weather. We have single pane windows and tile floors. But we are one of the lucky ones who have a combination AC/heating unit.

This morning we were up early (4AM!) to watch the Patriots vs Broncos. During half time, I warmed up a little by doing a 10 minute inner thigh video from Pop Sugar. Going to feel that one.

Since the sun was shining, I ventured out to meet the hiking group, even though the feels like temperature was only 28 degrees (F). A few layers plus a few stairs and we warmed up nicely. It was a great hike on a new peak (recap to follow).

When I got home from the hike, the obvious choice for lunch was a big bowl of chili followed up by curling up the couch for some Netflix. It wasn't long before I took a little nap.

After my cat nap, I layered on some fitness gear and warmed up with my day 3 Yoga Camp video. The cold tile floors wore me down and I had to put on a pair of Zensahs.

I also did a plank workout that I created a few days ago. My goal is to do this at least 3 times per week to try to get back my core strength. I set my gym boss timer to 30 seconds work and 3 seconds rest. I struggle through the last set of leg lifts, but that's how I'll get stronger, right? If you try it, let me know what you think.

The forecast for the rest of the week is rain, so mrC took me out for dinner when he got home from work. We spotted Chinese New Year preparations.

To give you an idea of how people here are dealing with the big chill, our favorite Mexican restaurant provided this version of indoor heating!

 Fun day!

Now we're off to watch this week's Downton Abbey!

Yoga, Yoga, Yoga!

Since I haven't been running lately, yoga has become my new obsession. I never thought I would say that, but a perfect storm of all things yoga just kind of happened...

It started with Pilates class. I started taking Pilates to try to fill the space missing from my SurfSet and Bootcamp days at TI Fitness. I fell in love with Pilates. I love that for 60 minutes I work my butt off while confined to my yoga mat and only using my bodyweight. My instructor is amazing and I can feel myself getting better and stronger. I just wish the class was offered more than once a week.

Then the SweatPink #flexandflow Challenge started on Instagram. It's a pose of the day challenge and I find these completely addictive and motivational. I love seeing everyone's photos and the different variations.

And recently I found Yoga Camp with Adriene. I signed up because it's a home-based program, FREE, and her videos are (so far) short enough to cooperate with my unreliable China internet. I'm so excited to complete the 30 day camp and improve my yoga. You should check it out here.

I used to only do yoga for stretching after a run. Sometimes.

Now, the more I do it, the more I like it.

Dragon's Back and Big Wave Bay

One thing is for sure. There are plenty of hiking options in China.

My latest hiking adventure was to the popular Dragon's Back in Hong Kong. To get there you have to cross the border. I did this at Shenzhen Bay with the rest of the group coming from the Shekou area. We take the bus to Central (¥45 and 45 minutes) and disembarked at Shun Tak Center where we catch the metro to Shau Kei Wan. This is where we met up with the rest of the group coming from Futian to catch the bus the trail head.

Seems like a lot of work to get there, doesn't it?

It's worth it.  The hike is a moderate one; long, but not an excessive amount of climbing. The climbing was mostly on flat terrain, but we came across some parts that were a little more challenging. I was told the hike was going to be 8.5 km, but I think it was longer than that.

At the top, the views were amazing. You can see where the mountain actually resembles a dragon's back. There was also a very nice place to stop and have lunch.

We came off the mountain at Big Wave Bay. The beach is beautiful and the sound of the waves is just heavenly! We enjoyed a little break here: some ladies took a dip in the water and some enjoyed a beverage from the friendly snack shack.

TIPS:

If you don't have a Hong Kong Octopus card, get one. It is accepted on HK metro, buses, and many shops and restaurants. I've even used it at the grocery. Makes traveling so much easier.

Pack a lunch. There are no (guaranteed) places to purchase food or beverages on this hiking route. If you're eating with a group, it's also fun to share food!

Bring your suit. It's a tropical climate, so even on a chilly day in January the water will be warm. Big Wave Bay has changing rooms available.

BYOTT. Bring your own toilet tissue. This is a given anywhere in China, but the toilets along the hike are what I would call for emergency only.

Wear layers. As with most mountain hikes, it's windy at the top. We were sweating one minute and freezing the next. In the summer, I would say bring lots of sunscreen and an umbrella for shade.

Other China hiking posts I've written:

Exploring Chiwan, Shenzhen

Shenzhen International Garden & Flower Expo Park

A Non-running Fitness Back-up Plan

For the past few years, running has been a huge part of my life. I even started this blog! I started 2015 rehabbing from knee surgery and set a goal with my Moms Run This Town group to run 300 miles. I exceeded that goal finishing the year with 422 miles, but it wasn't the calendar that brought my running to a stop. It was my knee.

I've been afraid to talk about the possibility of not running, but the reality is that my running days might be numbered. At first, this was devastating on so many different levels. Running is my thing. It's how I stay fit, deal with life, vent my frustrations. It's been the focal point of much of my social time. Practically ALL of my friends run!

Obviously, I had to come up with a back-up plan.  First I needed a schedule. Any runner will understand the need to know what to do on certain days of the week. My plan needed lots of cardio to mimic running workouts and strength/stretching to increase the odds of a runner come-back. And, I figured if this is going to work, I needed a goal.

Two things were right there ready to help me with my new non-running fitness plan.

Booya Fitness: I've mentioned that I am working with Booya and created a 4 week training plan called the Chilly Challenge. This plan has everything: yoga, HIIT, strength and it is already all laid out for me. I decided to sign up and get to work!

PS: Now is a great time to try Booya Fitness and join the Resolution Challenge! You can get rewarded for sticking to your New Year's resolutions with some AWESOME prizes and a rockin' body! Learn more here.

Oiselle Run Love Challenge: I'm teaming up with Nicolasa for the next 6 weeks and our goal is to do strength workouts at least 3 times a week! We'll be hitting it all: arms, abs, legs! This challenge will give me even more motivation to stick to my plan.

My workout plan still has room for Monday hikes, Wednesday Zumba, and Friday Pilates. No need to get rid of workouts that are already in place and that don't hurt, right?