overdue update

Well, it's been a few weeks since I updated, and a lot has happened since then.

I started running again, going 3-6 miles each time Dec. 10 and Dec. 11.

Unfortunately, due to bad weather, we did not participate in the endurance race Dec. 12-13. On the bright side, I was able to make the annual tamale-making party at a friends house that Saturday, and had a grand time.

The following Sunday I spent teaching a friend how to ski. It was such a rewarding experience, I decided to attend training to teach and help those that are cognitively, visually, and physically disabled to be able to ski at Big Bear Mountain ski area. This type of skiing is known as "Adaptive Skiing", and more information can be found here: http://www.usarc.org/

I trained specifically to help participants ski in what is called a "bi-ski". This device is made up of a bucket seat mounted on two skis. Depending on the disability, it is used with or without outriggers (crutches mounted on skis). The training was Jan 7-10, and was a blast. Fantastic learning experience, AND a great work-out - much of my time was spent pushing and lifting the bi-ski with a participant seated inside.

I rode a little the week of Dec 14-18, to keep the horse loose, and then travelled the following week to Santa Barbara for work. The work in SB was intense - a lot of hiking, shoveling, and carrying heavy loads on steep terrain and buffeted by crazy weather. The mornings were frigid, the afternoons roasting, and often we were hit with winds that were strong enough to knock us down if we were off-balance. To top it off, the days were looong - 9 to 10 hours each.

I normally do some physical activity after work while travelling, whether it be running or biking, but this time, I hit the hotel bar each night, soaked my aches and pains from the day in the hot-tub, and hit the hay early.

Right after SB, I spent the next two weeks with family in Northern California for the holidays. I was hit pretty hard by the tough week in Santa Barbara, and spent a large amount of time in bed or eating delicious Polish food. It was wonderful to rest. I was supposed to return to work after one week, but due to weather, I missed my flight back to Southern California. So another week was spent lounging and hanging out with the fam.

I returned to work on Jan 4, travelling to Santa Maria to do some easy field work there for two days. Due to the mild nature of the work, I worked out after each day in the field. I quickly found that two weeks of doing nothing except eating and sleeping took a toll. I could barely run 3 miles at once, and afterwords, I was practically limping from soreness. Fortunately, the adaptive ski training at the end of the week got me loose and energetic again.

In addition, I rode the horse for 20 miles on Saturday, one of the longest rides I've done yet. I also signed up for a race on Jan 23, a 30-mile ride near Ridgecrest. Should be a blast, if the weather stays good and the horse and rider stay healthy!!

This upcoming long weekend I will be travelling again, back up north, to snowboard in Tahoe. The next weekend will be the ride, and weekend after that will be spend re certifying my Wilderness First Responder training. During the week, will be catching up with work, riding, and hopefully a little running and climbing at the gym too.

February is looking just as booked. During the week is more of the same as for January. Almost all the weekends are filled too - for work for my part-time job at Outdoor Excursions, except for Presidents weekend. I think I might just sleep all that weekend!!

Even March is starting fill up. Trainings for work, and OE trip to lead, and lots and lots of volunteer hours to fulfill.

I hope to do two fundraiser BBQs soon, one at home and one at work. With this crazy schedule for the next two months, I will have to do some juggling to squeeze it in. I am a little closer to my goal of $4000 after the generous donations from friends and family during the holidays, but there is still a ways to go.

PS. My new years resolutions, somewhat related to improving my overall fitness:

First: To quit, or at least reduce, my Diet Coke intake and drink tea instead for my mid-day caffeine fix.

Second: To reduce eating "mystery" meat. That is, meat I don't know how it was raised. I can eat meat, I just want to be sure it was raised humanely and not pumped with unnecessary supplements. What can I say? My vegetarian housemates are a pretty strong influence!!