Home is Hot!!!

Flew in today on a red-eye and was feeling how I should - pretty much like crap. Anyway, my knee was really bothering me, but I got bored, so I thought I'd go for a short run before heading out for Garba-Raas in the evening. Anyway, the most amazing thing happened - my pain in my knees disappeared (and I know why, too!)

I stretched. Stretched my calves, my achilles tendon, my quads and my hammies. Focusing on the quads, I think, is what really alleviated the pain from my knees. In any case, I ran about 3 miles and some change and was soaking in sweat by the end of mile #1!

Hopefully, I'll be able to wake up early enough to squeeze in a run before the wedding...if not, then I'll have to knock it out before the reception.

Here's my Indy hood:

Knees are Shot! I need to rest!

I ran with Dave this morning - it was supposed to be a simple, easy 4.2 miler that would have incorporated some hilly parts, but just something in lieu of boot camp (Nandor said that today's and Labor Day's classes are off). Anyway, there was just something weird about the run from the first step. My right knee was killing me! I tried to shuffle my feet, tried to alter my stride, but nothing was helping the pain. Anyway, we made it - after an epic 40 minutes (way slow!). But anyway, I've gotta get in the gym and really strengthen up so I don't end up hurting myself seriously!

Anyway, if you'd like to check out our run, here it is:

Light 5K - Dave's Neighborhood

We did the same run as Dave's first one on July 24 in order for Asia to take it a little easier given that he has to run 10K for the Nike Human Race on Sunday. However, though this was a shorter run, we really started out pretty fast, and by the time we hit the Stanwood hill, I was done about 2/3 the way up! I hit another wall (kind of a theme this week) and developed a side stitch, too (another theme!) . Anyway, Dave just killed this run, and Asia did quite well, too. It's the hills and the side stitches that are really getting to me, and I think the only remedy is to get stronger (i.e., get in the gym and throw some weight around).

So let's plan on seeing some more weightlifting posts from now on. I'm going to shoot for Saturdays as my lifting days.

Boot Camp - Extra Days

Wow! So we aren't even supposed to have boot camp today, but Nandor offered to hold some extra sessions anyway...and the most impressive part about this was that I saw EVERYONE from the class there! I am definitely excited to keep this program going.

I don't know if it was because this was an extra class, Nandor was pissed off, or that I was just out of it, but we hit it HARD today! "Superstar" was at the class, so it was my goal to remain #2 on all of our runs, etc. I kept up pretty well during our opening run (which took us about 1.5 miles around the park including 5 laps around the bases with a jog from 1st through home, and a spring from home to 1st - 5!!!) After that, we ran back to the courts for some more pain. In total we did
-200 Jumping jacks (20, 40, 60, 80; every other 10 was rapid)
-80 squat/lunges
-3 minutes running in the sand
-2 x 1 minute planks
-30 seconds of slow high-knee raises, 30 seconds of high-knee running in place, 15 seconds of slow, 15 seconds of fast (that 15 seconds of slow is KILLER!!)
-some donkey kicks
-some squats...
.... and the list goes on!

Again, I was drenched from sweat and it was a GREAT workout! How do I know this? Well, there was one final run we had to go on, and of course, I was #2, BUT, about halfway through it, I just hit a wall. I couldn't even lift my legs. My body just shut down and I had to walk it back to the courts! While disappointed at that moment, I'm glad I pushed myself to the limit!

The Dreaded Stairs!

It was Asia's turn to come up with the West LA's run this Tuesday, and he decided that we should incorporate some stair workouts to help strengthen our quads, calves and improve our breathing. We went over to University High School, which was about a mile away, and we did it at a pretty fast clip (it to have taken somewhere between 8 and 8:30!)

Anyway, we did the stairs for about 20 minutes, and it was KILLER!

Here's a map just so you know where Uni-High is in relation to our runs.

Skipped Boot Camp

I can't believe I skipped Boot Camp! Even after having a relatively restful weekend in Palm Springs! Anyway, I woke up feeling so out of it, that I snoozed for another full hour! Anyway, I did manage to make up for it (somewhat) by getting in a decent workout at LA Fitness.

I did a warmup run on the treadmill for 2 miles, then went straight to the mats. I did some pushups, plank, pike, and crunches. I can't believe how sweaty I got. My entire shirt was soaked and sweat was dripping off my nose, my forehead, everywhere! After getting in some calisthenics, I focused on my arms by doing some bicep curls (30lb curl bar), tricep extensions (10 lbs; over my head) and some shoulder raises (10 lbs). All were with light weights, but I did 3 sets of 12 reps.

I felt great. If I regret not doing one exercise, it was definitely forgetting to focus on my back muscles (row, lat pulls). I think that would have been quite helpful as well. Anyway, I am going to try to incorporate at least one weight-lifting day to my weeks moving forward (I'm sick of not being able to do pushups or plank for 5 minutes!!!!)

Palm Springs - Day 2

Same deal as yesterday. Didn't really do much. I do have to admit that waking up and heading down to the pool was definitely nice. After that, I met up with Zach and his fiancee (Saskia) in El Paseo near Palm Desert for some coffee. Good times...good times!

I can definitely say that this was a fun, relaxing weekend, and I can't wait to get started on the upcoming case and continuing boot camp!

Palm Springs!!

I figured I could reward myself with a trip to Palm Springs! (Too bad it was just as hot as Vegas!!!) We're talking 105-110 degrees during the day and 90-100 at night! Anyway, I didn't do any exercising and just took in the very nice accommodations (including the Pool Party) at Hotel Zoso.

Anyway, going to meet up with Zach tomorrow before heading back. Should be a relaxing weekend overall.

I made it! Boot Camp is done!

Well...to be honest (both to you and myself), I did oversleep and miss one class this past Monday. That said, I'm pretty stoked to have stuck to this regimen of waking up everyday at 5:30 and doing something active, be it boot camp or the West LA running club.

For our final class, Nandor really turned it up and still managed a way to beat us down. It was pretty simple...run around the park, and then spend 10 minutes in the sand (3 minutes at a light pace, 4 minutes of 15 or 30 second intervals and 3 minutes of a moderate pace). It was killer - this 10 minutes made me play "catch up" for the rest of the class!

Of course, we also had to do our requisite pushups and plank - given the sand workout, we did 5 separate 1-minute planks (as opposed to 5 minutes in one go) and again - I don't know why, but my shoulders keep giving way (I have to admit, if there is one thing I've been slacking on, it's my pursuit towards 100 pushups)

Anyway - we're done - we made it - and guess what...I signed up for more! So stay tuned and hopefully I'll continue to make improvements. (One place where I need to step it up is definitely the pushups)

As for this weekend, I'm going to reward myself with a little trip out to Palm Springs for some R&R!

Cut another minute off!

Dave had a rough day of travel up to SF and back, so it was just me and Asia for the run today. At first, I was trying to plan out a flat 5-mile run for us to take it easy while still logging some good distance. The routes I tried out had too many stoplights and seemed pretty monotonous. Given that, I suggested we just go for the big 5.9 mile run that I first did on August 10. The first run I did took just over 59 minutes, the second time took 55:13, and this time we took about 53:40. That means I'm down to 9:10 miles now.

I really think I'm going to get to that 8:30 goal by November - I can just feel it.

On another note, today is the official "weigh-in"...but I think I want to wait a couple more days until finding out the verdict (maybe sneak in another boot camp session and 5 more miles of running!!) ;-)

Penultimate Boot Camp - Day 14

Woke up today and felt horrible, again! This time, however, it took a few extra minutes to get going, but it was a good thing that we started off boot camp with a quick jog around the park. It was something manageable and definitely something I've been familiar with (see every other post before this!)

Anyway, I felt like hurling all day - and the exercises weren't that much more intense than any other day -- I don't know what it was.

The most intense exercises were 1) the jumping jacks WITH resistance bands and 2) 10-second pushups....10 seconds down...10 seconds up...10 times. Who knew that slowing down an exercise like that would make it that much more intense?!

I'm up for our group run tomorrow - don't know what I want to do just yet. You'll have to check back in tomorrow to see what I ended up deciding on!!

Apparently we're all training for a 10K

even though only Asia's signed up! Ha. I'm glad, however, that Dave decided to combine both his first run (July 24) and the Santa Monica Airport runs (Aug 7) to make a 5.2 miler with a ton of hills. I definitely felt like I made up for yesterday's piss-poor showing. I ended up not making it to the evening boot camp nor the gym b/c Will dropped in from NY and I just had to grab a beer with him.

Anyway, here's a link to the run (in case the picture below is screwy):

Overslept!!!

Oh no! Hopefully I'll be able to make it to tonight's 6:30pm class. It's the last week and I have to make sure I finish strong!

(I felt so dead this morning - it probably had to do with me running yesterday.)

Another 5.9 miler - Try to go faster

Last week, I did this great run up through the San Vicente neighborhoods in Brentwood - though I hit a weird "wall" about 2 miles in, I wanted to try this run again to 1) break through that "wall", 2) make up for yesterday's piss-poor "rest day" and 3) see if I can improve on last week's time.

It was, as usual, hot again. But the run went pretty well. I think it helped to see a bike race on San Vicente, that kind of distracted me and motivated me all at the same time. So, the final time was 55:13 (down from 59.48 from last sunday!)...that puts me at 9:20's....I think it's pretty good and I'm definitely headed in the right direction. The ultimate goal will be to get it down to around 51 or 52 minutes - I think that'll put me at 8:30's....but I think that's still a few months away - maybe by Thanksgiving???

If you want to see the run, go here. (Or scroll down to the Aug 10 post)

Summer Party Aftermath - ad hoc rest day

Man oh man - yesterday's summer party at the beach was great! Got to learn how to surf - well, at least stand up on the board. (It's super tiring!) After about an hour of that, that's when the damage really started. First with beer, then onto shots and mixed drinks, I was drunk by 4pm. It didn't help that I continued to party and took it through to midnight with Deepak over dinner and drinks.

Anyway, Deepak and I were supposed to meet up this morning and go for a run - well, waking up at 1:30 didn't help - so....it's a Rest Day!!!

Boot Camp - Week 4 Complete

While I can now string together 20 pushups in one go and get up to my 50 - 100 for the day, doing them at boot camp is a whole different ordeal. I don't know if it's the sequence of exercises, the fact that I'm totally winded or what, but I'm good for no more than 5 pushups!!

I guess that's a good thing - means I'm really working those critical muscles out to the point of failure. In fact, that seemed to be the running theme to today's workout - do more exercises as soon as you're out of breath. For example, we would to 50 jumping jacks, then jump right on to our bellies and then do 20 squats and then back down to do 20 divebombers (if you're curious, I'd be happy to show you - it's a really neat exercise)...anyway, after the divebombers, Nandor's like "ok, let's go!" --- basically, that means let's go run a mile and then come back to do more...that's what we did for the whole hour. Not so much focused on strength, but really making sure our bodies can handle a high level of aerobic stress.

Well, 4 weeks complete and only one more to go! Also, the official weigh-in is next week, too. (Can't wait!!!)

West LA running club - ready for more!

Asia's run today was slated to be around 5 miles - it turned out to be around 4.6, but it was still a good run. We ran today up into the VA center, and then proceeded around the LA National Cemetery, through Westwood Village and back. It was a good run, especially the last half mile or so, where we really picked up the pace. I think we're ready to add a little bit more to these runs and before we know it, we'll be knocking off 5's in no time!

Here's today's run (with elevation):

One Hand Pushups?! (not quite)

Today's boot camp was awesome! While it's still brutal getting up at 5:30 (especially after staying up past midnight watching the Phelps beast dominate in Beijing), I actually enjoy the initial 5 minute warmup runs we do now.

The main theme of today's workout was to "up the ante". By this, I mean we pushed our planks out to 5 minutes, used the higher resistance red bands (instead of green), and even attempted one-hand pushups after doing 60 normal ones (yeah, right...I did the first 20 normal, then the rest were on my knees -- still beastly for me). As for the one-handers, I managed to squeeze out 3 on each hand to about 30%-40% of the way down. (We were trying to do 5 on each hand)

Anyway, I think I'm starting to understand the difference between "more of the same" and really "pushing it"

Anyway, I think Asia has 4-5 miles planned for us tomorrow. I'm gonna try and "push" it - we'll see what happens

Intense! (= Gumby legs)

The West LA running club mixed things up a bit today. I had everyone run into Stoner Park (it's about a mile for each of us) and meet up at the tennis courts at 6:30. I had planned on running 3 sets of "lines" on the courts (see diagram below) but we ended up running 6! (Precisely the reason why I wanted this club to exist - so that we (I) keep getting pushed into doing more)

While we didn't go for distance, the start/stop nature of this workout really worked a number on my calves and especially the quads. Thursday, Asia's up for our run - I just know he's gonna go 5+!

Boot Camp - 2/3 Done!!!

Wow. I have no idea what has been afflicting me in the mornings, but I just feel so clammy and want to throw up. HOWEVER, as soon as we start the first exercise, I lose that feeling, and within 10 minutes, I feel great. It must be adrenaline or something. I just wish I knew what it was and knew how to control it.

Anyway, we really focused on shoulders and back today. I guess there were the requisite ab exercises (i.e., bug, scissor kicks, 4 and 3.5 minute planks) but it was really all about the shoulders. Lots of lifting with the resistance bands, mountain climbers, pushups and...well, I don't even know what to call it, but rolling onto your side holding yourself up with one arm and one leg (same side).

Anyway - did 75 pushups yesterday - I'll try to get in another 50 (staged, of course) before heading to bed.

I still have to plan out tomorrow's run, but it will most likely be a one mile warmup, running the lines on the tennis courts (3-5 times) and then jogging back - that should definitely fill up the 30-45 minutes.

Week 4 Begins - with a long run!

I ran for an hour today. A full 60 minutes. It was hot, uphill, and definitely a workout. I thought my legs would give out on me, but it was more the endurance b/t the heart and lungs. Anyway, I made it (almost 6 miles!) and can't wait to make 5 mile runs routine (again).

Here's where I ran - relatively flat - just wanted to get to the 60 minute mark:

Rest Day - Week 3

Today was a pretty chill day. I woke up super late - like 11am! This past week just really took a lot out of me. Anyway, ended up finally heading into the gym for about an hour's worth of exercises. Did some bicep curls, tricep extensions, shoulder raises and then some ab stuff a la Jorge - like doing the plank but putting my feet up on the ball.

I tried to focus a lot of the workout on strengthening my arms and shoulders. I think it was a success in that they felt like Gumby arms after I was done.

Anyway - I'm setting up for a big run tomorrow - probably around 5 miles - don't care if I go slow - just want to try to go for 50 or even 60 minutes.

Boot Camp - Week 3 complete

Man oh man - today really felt like a boot camp. I don't know what it was, really - maybe it was the emphasis on doing diamond pushups every other exercise, or maybe it was quicker than usual transitions before exercises. Nandor really upped it today, maybe to make a statement that we're over halfway done now and we're ready for the next level.

Anyway, it was a great boot camp, no new exercises that I haven't talked about already, just a flat out, constant pushup, jumping, planking, running cycle for a full hour.

It's really getting hard to resist weighing in and getting a progress report. I know I have to wait two more weeks - it'll totally be worth it.

Next week: Boot Camp week 4; also, Asia and I are up for running routes on Tues and Thurs.

I haven't decided what I'm going to do over the weekend yet. Maybe actually head into the gym on Saturday and try to throw down the 5-miler on Sunday - of course, we'll have to wait and see...

West LA Running Club - We got lost AGAIN!!!

At least this time it was in our benefit - well, in terms of having to run less (instead of last time where we tacked on an extra 0.5 miles!).

Dave came up with a pretty good run that took us by the Santa Monica airport. It was also different than the other runs in that we went downhill and then uphill for the second half (opposite what we usually do).

Anyway, we also saw that the Barney's warehouse sale is on this week - so maybe I'll go check out some suits there.

Tomorrow will be the last boot camp for week 3, get a run in perhaps on the weekend, and keep on keepin' on.

Today's run:

Boot Camp - Almost Halfway Done!!

It was a hot and humid again! On top of that, I think I'm getting sick (probably from the hot-cold-hot iterations I did in Vegas this past weekend). Anyway, today's session was clearly focused on toning up the butt. We did a number of squats, intervals, bacwards running, step, and donkey kick exercises - and I felt it. This, of course, was in addition to the typical exercises - plank, bug, running around to random places - but it was yet another change.

So far, out of the 7 sessions, no two have been the same. Though I was a bit under the weather (confirmed by the reappearance of those pesky purple spots!), it was still good to get out there and do something active. Again, I almost didn't go b/c I wasn't feeling up to it, but the "Patel" in me kicked in and was like, "you already PAID for this class" ha ha

Anyway, Dave said he'll be putting together a new 4-mile course for us tomorrow. Can't wait to see it!

West LA Running Club - Week 3!

Asia had a 3.8 mile run plotted for us, but we ended up getting lost at Montana and San Vicente...as a result, we ended up running 4.8! It was a good run, though a bit noisy on the busy streets (San Vicente, Wilshire, Barrington), but all-in-all, it was a really nice run. I'm sure I'm going to feel it tomorrow, most likely for two reasons: 1) we ran at least a mile longer than I usually run and 2) we ran for an extra 8-10 minutes than I usually do, too.

That said, we finished the course in about 43:30 so that was good. (Also, Dave did really well - he was concerned he wasn't going to be able to go much longer than 28-30 minutes, but he powered through to the end.) In fact, I ended up finishing about 20 seconds behind both Asia and Dave.

Anyway, it looks like the running club might be a fixture here on the west side!

Dave's up for the next run on Thursday - can't wait to see what he plots out for us there!

Map of today's run:

Boot Camp - Week 3

OMG - it is sooo humid! Nandor showed up about 10 minutes late (he said he 'overslept' which is a good thing because I was under the impression that he always came to boot camp from somewhere, implying that he gets up at 4am or something crazy like that)!

So we started off with Indian Runs - joined the fast group and I was feeling like a million bucks - no cotton mouth, going faster than everyone - all in all, I think my running is starting to take shape.

As for strength, that's a whole different matter. Whenever we do plank, pushups, inch-worm, mountain climber - basically anything involving me holding myself up with my arms, my shoulders ache so badly! I wonder if my shoulders are just THAT weak, or if I'm in a weird position. I think I'll try first to directly strengthen them and that means that EVERY off day (T, Th, Sa, Su) I need to do pushups. At least 10 - hopefully 20 or 30. I think if I can do that, I should start to be able to handle the exercises at boot camp much better.

If not, then I think I'll have to ask someone for advice on my form or specialized exercises to strengthen up the right muscle groups.

Anyway - it was a great start to the week and I'm looking forward to pushing 4 miles with Asia and Dave tomorrow!

Vegas = Trash One's Body

Out at the clubs till 2am last night - woke up at 10am and hit the road right away. Still took nearly 6 hours to get back - I don't think I'm ever driving to Vegas again!

Anyway, got back and felt really yucky so decided to go on the Brentwood CC - Two Hills Run (see "Overheating" on Jul 26). It was good - did it in 34:27.

On top of that, I did a few pushups (10); did the "bug" for 1 min and stretched for a solid 10 minutes. I was so overheated that after my shower, I had to get out of my oven of a place and headed over to 3rd St. and walked around for about 2 hours. I may have walked another mile or two, but I think it was a really good idea to keep moving and to get into a cooler spot.

Tomorrow: Begin week #3 of Boot Camp! I can't wait till Aug 21 when I get to really see if I've been improving or not in terms of weight, waist size, etc.

Vegas, Baby!

Wow...so it took 6 hours to get out of LA and out to Vegas...dinner at midnight Friday, so no additional exercising then. Saturday was a good rest day...hit up the pool, go hit the slots, and catch a show (Ka @ MGM Grand). There was absolutely no way I was going to run as it was 108 deg during the day and 102 at night!!! Yup, 1-0-2!!!

So what did I do on Saturday? Not much - just 10 pushups in the afternoon.

Boot Camp - Week 2 ended!!!

Oh man. I am just not getting this right. If I'm going to start trying to become a morning person (i.e., wake up between 5:30 and 6 every morning), then I can't be staying out drinking till midnight - 3-4 times a week!

Last night started out at the W for the LEK alumni event - free food and drinks, cabanas...basically an all-around good time. After that, we headed over to Beechwood (again) for Cavs' surprise birthday party - I told myself "only one drink" with the expectation that I'd be out of there no later than 10pm....well, 11:41 rolls around and I still hadn't left. Anyway - enough about last night.

This morning, I got to boot camp about 10 minutes early - walked around in the sand for a bit to get the heart pumping - but probably shouldn't have and instead should have drunk some water as I had cottonmouth about 5 minutes into the class (and never really recovered).

There was a big emphasis on arms and chest - I am really really weak. I don't know why it's so hard, but we did 50 pushups, and by 15, I had to punk out and go to my knees to finish them off. Between 40 and 50, my arms were shaking! I guess I just need to keep at it.

As for other exercises, I've been doing plank just fine...for about 1 minute, after that, my shoulders start aching real bad. I know the abs are supposed to hurt, but I didn't think my shoulders would be feeling it, too. Maybe I'll check in with Nandor and have him look at my form on Monday.

As for this weekend, I'm heading to Vegas - probably won't get a chance to do much (which could be really nice), but I'll try to get in the gym on Saturday afternoon. Of course, I'll keep y'all posted.