Happy Trails

My combined love for running and hiking brought me a new obsession: trail running. I've always envied trail runners--while I'm huffing and puffing up a steep hill during a hike and I hear "ON YOUR LEFT" as someone trots on by me. One day, I've gotta do that, I always think. I decided to take the plunge on a beginner trail run in the Newport Upper Back Bay. 

hikeSOCAL: Ryan Mountain, Joshua Tree

Whether you need a break from LA buildings and bumpers or OC surfers and housewives, it's always good to get some peace and quiet away from the busy city. Just about 2 hours and 120 miles east of LA and OC is a  Southern California gem: Joshua Tree National Park. 

sunday runday

How can I not when I live here? Here're my pre- and post-run routines...

While still rehabilitating a torn Achilles (May 2011), I need to spend extra time warming up for any physical activity. Since running is extremely hard on your joints and tendons, pre-activation and regeneration is just as important as the run. Sometimes, I feel like I spend more time on my warm-up than I do on the run itself, but it's better than another injury, right?

sweat n sand

In November 2010, Naples Fitness started a beach bootcamp/canned food drive, charging clients a 10-can donation per session. After the food drive ended, clients demanded the bootcamp proceed, offering to pay for the weekly fitness program. Thus emerged Naples Fitness Bootcamp, a popular Saturday morning ritual for Belmont Shore residents.

Although no two weeks are the same, Naples Fitness bootcamp instructors always have a deadly course set up for the bootcampers. To add an inevitable challenge, you accumulate about five-pounds of sand in your shoes.

Naples Fitness Beach Bootcamp is for anyone–the heavy panter trying to get back into shape, to the fitness enthusiast who is looking for an extra push in their weekend training. The experienced and inspirational trainers make it doable and challenging to anyone who steps on the sand. Whether you’re new to training or are an in-shape athlete, you’ll feel the aftermath until at least Tuesday.

the stairway to sweatin'

You know all that talk and cute quotes about working hard to get huge rewards and achieve great things? Well, thus is true about climbing the stairs to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook: Steep, trecherous, uneven, broken, foliage obstacles (bring your machete) and seemingly neverending.

But, once you finally make it to the top, it’s all worth it. Enjoy 360 degree view of Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean and surrounding cities and mountains while your heart is pounding from the climb.

While I thought the view from the top was breathtaking, I couldn’t actually tell if it were the stairs or the scenery. I’ll leave it up to you.

hike of the month: temescal canyon loop

Temescal Canyon Loop is a beautiful, short hike located in the Santa Monica Mountains. This trail has it all: breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, green canyons, gorgeous foliage, and a waterfall.

Whether you’re a beginner hiker, extreme trail runner, or just a nature lover, you’ll love every part of this trail and it’s guaranteed to make you SWEAT.

sunday funday: SUP'n

Living in Long Beach, a trip to the “beach” (bay) includes laying out, ladder ball, frisbee and watching boats chug by. However, the beach trip is always cut short because, even with the large body of water in front of you, there’s nowhere to cool off, unless, of course, you don’t mind bacterial infections. Since I bore easily and tan easily, my least favorite beach activity is “laying out,” however, I always seemed to go to the beach with the “laying out” personalities. I always sat there fidgeting while I envied the 50-year-old men who would paddle by on their oversized surfboards.