Almost Breaking my Own Rules

Actually, I adopted these rules from Fatty (of course). They do seem to be very reasonable guidelines. Today, though, in the spirit of noting things for which I'm thankful, I really want to break the "Don’t talk about stuff you shouldn’t talk about. If your site isn’t specifically about religion or politics, don’t talk about either" rule.

But I won't. I'll just leave it at letting you know I am really, truly, honestly thankful that I won't have to listen to another political ad for at least 18 months.

I'm having a tough time taking pictures of the things for which I'm thankful, such as having an extra hour to sleep in each morning. But I did get a few photos to share:

I'm thankful Phil is such a hard worker. He has been cleaning up leaves day after day for the last two weeks. We probably have one more round of raking and mowing before calling it quits for the season.





I'm thankful for kitties to squeeze; if Phil didn't get to indulge in kitty squeezing I'm sure he'd need more hugs from me than I could tolerate. I'm just not a hugger. Not in the DNA, I guess.





I'm thankful my friend Mary is an avid mountainbike rider and that she is willing to share her secret rides with us. Sometimes the rides are fierce, but that's part of the adventure.










I am enjoying the challenge of identifying things for which I'm thankful; it is making me more mindful. Give it a try and see if you change your perspective and spend more time with your glass half-full.

Dynamic Stretching

Last May Phil and I did the Kokopelli Trail MTB ride with Bikerpelli Sports. One of the other riders we met on the trip was a personal trainer. We noticed Dan and his friend Mario on the first day because they are big guys. Both played college football.

But even more striking than their size were the warm ups we saw them performing each morning and during the day after breaks. Dan explained the theories of dynamic stretching to us. This New York Times article discusses the concept.

We started working with Dan at the end of May and learned several dynamic stretches aimed at helping us loosen our chronically tight hips, as well as stregthen our core by challenging our balance.

If you are looking for a few warm ups to challenge you, take a look at the suggestions on Mark Verstegen's Core Performance site. My favorites include:

1. LEG CRADLE - This movement will help improve the mobility around your hip capsule http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Leg_Cradle_-_Endurance.html

2. KNEE HUG (MOVING) - This movement is a great way to build strength, stability & mobility
http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Knee_Hug_Moving_-_Endurance.html

3. HALF KNEELING LUNGE STRETCH - This stretch works through the hips, glutes and hamstring http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Movement_Lunge_Stretch.html

4. BACKWARD LUNGE + TWIST http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Movement_Backward_Lunge__Twist_-_Golf.html

5. DROP LUNGE - This movement is a great way to improve the flexibility of your whole hip capsule http://www.coreperformance.com/movement/video/Drop_Lunge_-_Endurance.html

6. BACKWARD LUNGE WITH LATERAL FLEXION (MOVING) - This movement will help improve the mobility of your hips http://www.coreperformance.com/movement/video/Backward_Lunge_with_Lateral_Flexion_Moving_-_Endurance.html

7. LYING OPPOSITE - PHYSIOBALLThis movement will help prevent back injury by developing your rotary stability http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Lying_Opposite_-_Physioball.html

8. PHYSIOBALL LATERAL ROLL - This movement will help provide lateral stability http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Physioball_Lateral_Roll.html

9. INVERTED HAMSTRING STRETCH (BACKWARD) - This movement is one of our favorites for elongating your hamstring and improving your balance http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Inverted_Hamstring_Stretch_Backward_Endurance.html

10. SUMO SQUAT TO HAMSTRING STRETCH http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Movement_Sumo_Squat_to_Hamstring_Stretch.html

Early Thanksgiving

**If you look at my blog links you'll see a new link to Lisa Kimmet's blog. Lisa is my niece, and the inspiration for me to start this blog. She is going to take a photo of something for which she is thankful each day during November . I think that is a very cool idea - I often fail to take the time to be mindful in that way. I'll include something similar in my posts throughout the month.

While I love Thanksgiving dinner at least as much as the next person (and pumpkin pie twice as much), I think there are many other ways to celebrate thankfulness for the bounty in our lives.

Yesterday Phil, Jeffrey and I went out to Buffalo Creek for our "last ride of the season" out there. I don't think I've ever been able to ride those trails this late in the year. And I'm ever so thankful we were able to do so yesterday.

On the one hand, I absolutely love the unseasonably warm and dry weather. On the other, I looked around at the destruction from the wild fires that scorched the area several years ago and realized that we really need some moisture. Otherwise there will be another raging fire season.


[If you click on the two photos above to enlarge them, you'll be able to spy Phil and Jeffrey riding through the burn area.]

We rode two sections of trail we hadn't ridden before - a little section of Gashouse Gulch that is super swoopy and twisty and fun - with several washed out areas that could really rise up and smack you in a moment of inattention.
Then we climbed up the Morrison Creek Trail before catching the Colorado Trail to round out our day. The weather was perfect, the trail conditons were excellent (a little bit of moisture to make the dirt tacky and firm up the sandy sections) and the company was outstanding. I am thankful.

So here's a little challenge - what are you thankful for today?