Coming Home To Autumn Colors

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Coco

I feel like I am still recovering from my 8-day, three-city, cross-country business trip even though I’ve been home for a week now. (Did you see my pictures from running in Phoenix or hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve?) I think the change in the weather and the looming stress of the holidays are taking a toll! On the last day of my trip, I was in New York City for a meeting, and it was warm enough to wear shorts for my o’fog-thirty run.

New York City Foggy Run

By the time I got home that afternoon, a cold front was moving in. I quickly changed into dog walking clothes so I could stretch my legs and enjoy the warm sunshine before winter weather made an appearance. As soon as I stepped out the door, I was struck by the autumn colors that greeted me. Continue reading →

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My Birthday USATF 12K Race Recap

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Coco

When I found out that the .US National USATF 12K was going to be on my birthday this year, I signed up right away. I took a chance on the inaugural race last year, and it was a great event.

ustaflogo

A few weeks before the race I found out that they changed the course, and I was disappointed. One reason I enjoyed the race so much last year was because it went through a part of the city where I never run. My first reaction to the new course was that it covered the worst part of the GW Parkway Classic course, twice.

Continue reading →

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A Year Of Living It UP

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Coco

A year ago my husband gave me the Jawbone UP® personal activity tracker for my birthday. (You can see my Jawbone UP review here.) Except for one day when I accidentally left it at home and one day when I accidentally left it in my gym bag, I pretty much wore it all day, every day. So, what have I learned from a year of living it UP®? 

Living it UP

1. I took 4,529,679 steps last year.  According to the UP® data, that corresponds to 2321 miles. I think it’s interesting that during five months I covered 170-ish miles, during two months I covered 180-ish miles, and during five months I covered 200-ish miles, but I had no months in the 190s. I also think it’s interesting that without adding the steps from the first few days of this November, my step total was 4,474,744.  🙂  Continue reading →

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Hiking In The McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Coco

This weekend I was lucky enough to spend some time visiting friends in Phoenix. One of my friends is an avid hiker and volunteer for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and took us on a hike from the Granite Mountain Trailhead.  

McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a permanently protected 30,200-acre sustainable desert habitat with 120 miles of multi-use trails for non-motorized vehicles–we encountered other hikers, mountain bikers and even horseback riders. Continue reading →

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Running In Phoenix

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Coco

Last week’s business trip took me to Phoenix, Arizona. When I looked up my hotel information on-line, it didn’t look like it was in a good location for running, so I mostly packed gym clothes, but I threw in one technical t-shirt just in case I had a chance to go running in Phoenix. 

Running In Phoenix

The day I arrived I took my own advice and asked the concierge if there were any good running routes. I was surprised when he pulled out a running map that promised to take me along a canal. Continue reading →

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