Category: San Francisco FitLife
So, I never ran cross country. I always considered myself “too cool,” priding myself on being “not a TRACK person, but a FIELD person.” I famously walked across the finishline on a 200M because I firmly believed anything over 100M was strictly for the socially inept and, god forbid, I’d actually admit I belonged in that camp. Now, twenty years later, I don’t see a reason to go run unless it’s more than 8 miles, and I’ve since reconnected with those “cross country kids” on Facebook and realize they’re a pretty cool bunch. So, what better chance to make amends than to rock an all-comers adult cross country challenge in Golden Gate Park?!
The Bay Area Track Club (BATC) is proud to announce the inaugural Bay Area Cross Challenge (BAXC). The BAXC is a unique opportunity for runners of all ability levels to compete alongside professional distance runners on a cross country course in the heart of San Francisco. The event is also aimed at establishing a professional cross country season in the United States to compliment the national and international offerings in January and February, namely the US Cross Country Championships and the World Cross Country Championships.
Check out this link for details. The event is Sunday, Jan 16 in Golden Gate Park.
Hello Everyone,
Smurf and I have just gotten back from a 1.5 week vacation, and are getting into the normal swing of things. More on the vacation later.
Pre-vacation weight for Rob = 196.7 lbs. Todays weight = 199.0 lbs. Not bad.
-Rob
I met up with a buddy of mine today to catch up and shoot the shit. During our conversation which touched on work, common friends, and general insanity, he mentioned he just joined an adult dodgeball league. Let me repeat that, an ADULT DODGEBALL LEAGUE. Bad assed!
He tells me it is run by the San Francisco Recreation Department, and will go for 10 weeks starting tonight. It goes from 7:30-9:00 on Friday nights at the newly remodeled gymnasium about a mile from my house. So, of course I had to look it up online. Low and behold, it was not only NOT FULL, but it only cost $27.00. You got it, $2.70 a week to run around like a kid and throw balls at people. AWESOME.
Now here is the part that blew me away; I went to the Parks and Recreation website and was stunned. They offer all sorts of great classes for kids through seniors. Everything from art classes to fitness classes to sports to ballroom dancing to theatre. Again…AWESOME. And they do it cheap! All you have to do is join the parks and recreation site (Free to join) and then start choosing places and classes. You pay for the classes you want to take.
I HIGHLY recommend anyone in SF who is looking for something fun to do, to visit this site.
Because of a conversation with a friend, tonight I was throwing balls at strangers and having a great time. And the other people playing had as much fun as I did. Good times. Very good times. (and rather spontaneous)
I wonder what I will try next?
-Rob
Sometimes it is the wacky and odd that can help us achieve new goals. I happen to like challenges and contests with my friends… So, I have just started a new fitness challenge with 2 of my buddies. These guys are already “fit,” though we all want to see how fit/ripped we can get in the next 90 days. This ISN’T a P90X challenge. It is a “Get Fit” challenge. We all have to choose our plan of attack, we all have to watch our diets, and we all have to kick ass and take name. This time around both bragging rights AND a creepy pair of fleece SAMBO shorts are the prize.
Here is what we did to start:
Thursday July 1st we all took our measurements and did the first of 2 fitness tests. The following Tuesday (After the July 4th weekend) we did the more brutal of the fitness tests. (Test 1 = P90X Fitness Test. Test 2 = Insanity Fitness Test) I must say, we all did really well and are not making it easy for the final test.
The 3 participants of this craziness are Aaron (Pound for pound, one tough SOB. Aaron leaves it all on the floor every time. He wants to add size and definition), Ben (One of the best fighters and most agile guys I have ever met. He wants to lose some lb’s), and me (Rob. I think it is time I got ripped!) We all have been training/fighting together for the last 3+ years, we are all friends, and we will workout together at least 2 times a week. The rest of the time we are all on our own.
The winner will be based on the following criteria:
- Visual changes in physique
- % Body Fat Lost/Gained
- Initial weight compared to final weigh in
- Improvements in both Fitness Test Results
The losers have to buy the winner the creepy fleece style SAMBO shorts, and have to live with the fact that we were bested. (Oh, and none of us are competitive. No way. heh)
To me, this is not only fun, but a great way to keep several friends motivated. In the end, we all really win with this kind of event!
Here are some really uncalled for pics for your amusement!
I don’t even think I mentioned that I was running the Angel Island 25K with Pacific Coast Train Runs, because I had just intended it to be a “real pretty and hilly training run.” Now, “Trail Runners” in the running world are kind of their own breed. They get dirty, they run with backpacks on, they pee in the woods, they eat potato chips and M&Ms and scarf boiled potatoes at aid stations. City Smurf and her wetnaps and lil’ mini handheld (I’ll admit I was even wearing a little mascara) was quite out of her element. Before Saturday, I’d never even run on a trail- unless you count the dirt patch next to the bike path in Golden Gate Park. But, not to ruin the big ending, I ended up coming in FIFTH-PLACE FEMALE (out of about 35), so in order to brag, I guess I have to write a race report. So, here goes…
The week before Bay to Breakers was total crap, as we found out on Tuesday that a friend had taken his own life… this led to WAY too much time out on the town as we dealt with the events of the week. I opted to stay home the night before the race because I was just physically and emotionally depleted.
At any rate, I made myself some delicious perogis that sat like a rock in my stress-sensitive stomach, tried to get to sleep early but still was just on edge and slept fitfully….Wasn’t feeling too hot at all Sunday morning, but I took the time over my traditional pre-race breakfast to check my 12K PR, just so I would know.
Rob and his fighting buddies love these mean little lumps of lead. Learn more about incorporating Kettlebells into your workout for free at the Sports Basement.
Kettlebell Basics
Thursday, March 25, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Bryant Street Store
You may have used them already, you may have seen them at the gym, or you may have heard about the latest kettlebell workout trend, but maybe you aren’t sure what the whole story is. Join the expert Physical Therapists from San Francisco Sport and Spine Physical Therapy to learn the purpose of this new strength-training tool, what kettlebells can do for you, and how to add them to your workout safely.
WHAT: Come celebrate the partnership between Manduka and Lululemon with a complimentary yoga flow class taught by the founder of Manduka, Peter
Sterios. It will be a strong and invigorating evening filled with Peter’s guidance and teachings to help you get a jumpstart for the holiday season!
WHO: Lululemon Athletic and Manduka
WHEN: Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
7:30 - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Lululemon Athletica (Cow Hollow)
1981 Union Street (between Laguna and Buchanan)
San Francisco CA 94123
Any FitLifeSF peeps who go, please send us feedback or comment on this post!
Thanks!
-Rob
Well, after not really doing much over the last few weeks, Smurf and I are back in the saddle. I have been riddled with distractions; the cruise, 5 weeks of a pulled back, work, the Renaissance Martial Arts Seminar. Now I am ready to go. The boozing will be at a minimum, the healthy eating is a major focus again, AND I have my first 3 weeks of workouts all planned. (I started yesterday)
The plan: