Just this past weekend I had an incredible time at Foster Falls, TN.  A weekend of climbing, hiking, swimming and camping was just what I needed.  And now that I'm back, I'm even more motivated to train and plan for another climbing trip.

At that notion, I wondered "Where should I go next?"  Well, knowing that I'd LOVE a review of numerous climbing spots I realized I forgot something: writing my own review of Foster Falls.  And so, that's just what I shall do.  Planning an outdoor Sport Climbing trip?  Thinking about Foster Falls?  Well, look no further than my Foster Falls Review!

              Teeny's Foster Falls Climbing Spot Review
As far as a great overall climbing spot, Foster Falls is the tops.  With a great waterfall to lounge in, trees everywhere, I can't help but gush about Foster's greatness!  Despite it's sheer beauty, we all know the most important thing we need to know about: THE CLIMBING!!!!!!!! 

Overall, Foster Falls is a picturesque spot for climbers.  The area offers variety, beautiful views and too much fun.  Remember, come equipped with lots of water, snacks and the ability to lead or someone willing to lead routes for you.  With these things in tow, you are ready for the climbing trip of a lifetime.  Having gone twice I can easily say, Foster Falls is a rocking climbing area!  (GET IT?  I'm a nerd)

From one dirt bag climber to another....GET ON IT AND PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP!  Looking towards the Southeast area?  Head on over to Foster Falls!

Where are you favorite climbing spots?

My lovely readers I'm terribly sorry for the great delay in posts BUT I have a very good excuse.  Instead of playing indoors I opted for an outdoor excursion to Foster Falls, TN.   That's right. I couldn't answer your calls because I was climbing walls, jumping in falls, hiking the trails and having a hint of too much fun.

The coolest thing is I set a new personal goal: I climbed an outdoor 10 b!  What, WHAT?!?!?!?!?!

For anyone unaware of the outdoor lingo, basically, I climbed at my peak ability outdoors!  And I did more leading than I expected myself to!  Huzzah.  

Take a gander if you will....

After numerous climbs of joy, it's always great to take a step back and enjoy the view.  My muscles are sore, I'm bruised and I can't stop smiling. 

Another successful adventure and I can't wait for the next one. Months ago I was feeling lazy towards climbing. Now, I'm rearing and ready for another.  Rumor has it there's another one on the horizon.

I love the breath of life a trip in the mountains gives my inner hippie heart.  Sigh of smiles.

How do you feel after an adventure?

Just the other week I wrote about taking a break with running.  (It's not you running, it me. My knees can't take your power and strength.  We can be friends?)  Never one to go "Whoa is me, life it hard.  WAH WAH WAH!?" I made a nice little contingency plan.  HUZZAH, take that injuries.  

I know you all must be wondering, whatever did a defenseless Teeny do?  Well, my lovely readers, I visited my local cycle-ria and bought a bike!  That's right I am now the proud mother of a beautiful black and purple mountain bike.  (And a nice helmet.  I KNOW I'm clumsy) 

So this weekend I took my pretty new friend for a joy ride.  7.5 miles in, I was hooked.  The breeze, scenery and crisp air was just divine.  And the best thing: LOW IMACT CARDIO. And then it hit me: wait it gets better.  You have new adventures on the horizon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not only do I have a new bike to take off roading with my friends but ......I'M GOING ON A CLIMBING TRIP IN 4 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (In case you can't tell I'm mildly to moderately excited)

So I have 2 things to look forward to:
1.  Bukoos of Future Adventures with my new bike
2.  A glorious climbing trip in Foster Falls, TN

I love having active adventures to look forward to.  And just to ensure I'm in tip top shape/health for both I took the advice of my Papa Perez AND took Sunday off from any physical activity.

There's nothing like having a new bike for many adventures and a trip right around the river bend.  Thanks life!

What adventures do you have on the horizon?

It's been far too long my fellow Trackers of Teeny.  Much to my dismay,  my body decided something for me: NO MORE RUNNING.  Last week I completed a joyous 4 mile run.  My knee then showed me how it felt about such activity with spasms of pain and tenderness. FINE BODY, I'll listen to you and your silly demands.

To say I wasn't disappointed is a gross understatement.  I love running and the way it calms my mind and focuses my energy.  Despite this minor setback, I refuse to let this derail me from my active goals.

First things first, I took a nice exercise break, advised by my Dad.  After a good rest, I indulged in some lovely Yoga Sessions and walks but something was missing.  And then I realized, I needed some new cardio to spice it up.  My road to recovery....

       Teeny's Entrance to Low Impact Cardio
-I purchased a Bike. (That's right, I bought a brand new guy to take me out on the road)
-Attended Power and Hot Yoga
-Therapeutic walks
-A date with the lake

I'm really excited about the new possibilities in cardio (and picking up my new bike on Saturday!)  Though I can't run for a while, it will be nice to discover my new workarounds!

How do you keep active without running? 

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!  (That's a squeal of excitement)  Today, I feel great.  Could it be due to the fact I climbed my FACE off this past weekend and engaged in a glorious Yoga Session on Monday? 

YES!!!! 

It feels great to be back into the climbing swing of things. Huzzah!  And, I'm going to enjoy the week rounded out with....wait for it.......more CLIMBING!

I know it's not your idea of a typical week but it's mine!  Besides, I need to be in tip top shape for my trip to Foster Falls in 2 weeks!  Yeah!  (Can you tell I'm excited due to the excess of exclamation points?)

There's something about setting a tangible goal (Climbing a 5.10 at Foster Falls), working towards it (climbing 3 days a week) and achieving it (Obviously crushing a 5.10 at Foster Falls)  that's soooooo rewarding.  

This week I URGE you to:
-Set a goal for yourself (It helps to sign up for something: a race, trip or grab a partner)
-Make a plan
-Enjoy your sweet victory

Have a great Tuesday, fill it with fun and PICK THAT GOAL!  I know I'll relish training towards mine.

What goal are you setting and training for?? (Writing about it makes you accountable!)

Just the other day, I was writing about being bored with my workout routine.  Never one to take boredom likely, I swiftly came up with a new way to spice it up.  Still, I was left wanting more.  Sigh, if only there was some race to look forward to. 

And then, it hit me: MONSTER DASH!

This epic excursion will bring the needed adventure and push I need to train.  In less than a month, Zombies and Monsters will be chasing me through the woods, ready to attack an unsuspecting Teeny.  This just might be the motivation I need to increase my speed, eh? 

To make it even better, the race director just released the Monster Map below!  Take a peak:

How can you read this and not INSTANTLY become excited.  Crawler Zombies and a Blood Balloon Toss?  GET OUTTA HERE MONSTER DASH!!!!!

Still on the fence?  The Monster Dash Includes:
-Evening and Night 5k
-Spooky Surprise Challenges
-Monsters that chase you
-Special Finisher T-Shirts
-Monster Party
-Face and Body Painting
-Finisher Medals that GLOW IN THE DARK!

On May 26th, you know where I'm going to be.  Ready to prove your strength?  Join by following this link.   Need more of an incentive?  Use the promo code CPUCF for 15% off!!!!!! 

When are you going to sign up??? 

My lovely readers, I apologize for my absence. Believe it or not, I've been a VERY busy adventurer this past week. 

This past week consisted of:
-Multiple run on new routes
-Yoga training
-Beach excursions
-Climbing Days
-Biking (Adding that variety)

And the kicker: I'm going to start teaching Yoga classes!  Crazy, right?  What can I say, I like to try new things, remember?  So from looking up classes to take, forming my class structures and more, I've been a very busy girl.  Yup, the girl who couldn't sit still through a Yoga class will now be teaching it.  I'm pretty excited about this adventure. 

In the meantime, I have some training to do.  You see, I have ANOTHER adventure to look forward to:  Foster Falls, TN.  In 3 weeks I will be climbing mountains and camping!  YEAH!  Obviously, these next 3 weeks will mean I hit it into high gear.

Foster Falls Training
-Climb 3 days a week
-Attend at LEAST one Yoga class a week (I don't think this will be an issue)
-Soak the aching muscles
-Take a rest day
-Complete 3 days of low impact cardio to keep my endurance up

With a climbing trip on the books and teaching Yoga classes on the horizon, I'm pretty giggly with glee at the new possibilities.  Now, I'm off to attend a rooftop yoga class! YEAH!  And soon, I'll be teaching them! 

What type of exercises take up your time?  (I'm always looking for more!)

Lately, I've had a severe case of the lazies.  Technically, I want to climb, run and be the crazy active that is me.  However, there is one thing that is stopping me: the inner couch potato.  We all possess it, that little being inside us that says, "Sitting here all day, eating and relaxing is SOOOO much better than that invigorating workout you planned."

So, instead of partaking in a great early workout or a therapeutic  Yoga class you opt for the class of sitting on your ass.  Since I noticed that I was become bored and lazy, I decided a good slap in the ass was needed.  My form of ass slap?  VARIETY!

I was getting into a workout rut, running the same route, doing the same things over again.   Therefore, this week, I changed it up a bit.  I hit up an AMAZING Bikram Yoga Class at Orlando Power Yoga, did a little Elliptical Magic AND ran in the gorgeous fresh air with a new partner that pumped up my speed.  On the horizon: purchasing a bike with my tax refund!  

The morale of the story: if you're getting bored with your workout routine change it!  How you say?
-Try some new form of exercise each week
-Change the location of your workout
-Change the time you workout
-Workout with friends/new buddies!
-Challenge yourself.  Don't coast by with what you can do
-Make sure you enjoy it!

Well, I'm ready for a rip roaring week of changing it up. I have some lead climbing on the horizon AND some Bikram coming my way!

How do you change up your workouts?

While perusing fitness blogs I came across an article that asked this very probing question: "What does “getting fit” mean to you?"  And then, that feisty blog challenged me to post about it.  (And we know how I feel about any challenges!)

So, I've decided to dive in and explain how I have adopted "getting fit," into my every day. 

                Getting Fit by Teeny

As a female, I can speak for the majority of us and say there is always SOMETHING we don't like about our bodies.  Even at my smallest, I was unhappy and felt like I was "fat."  Yeah, classic stupid self loathing.  After looking in the mirror for years and grimacing at the image that stared back at me I was consistently annoyed!

Subsequently, I'd go through these random cycles of working out, eating healthy, then saying "forget it" (well close enough) and resume my lazy ways and eat whatever I wanted.  (Cake anyone?)  The lazy lifestyle, food and wine for fun slowly became my only form of entertainment.  I didn’t like how I looked but I could at least go out and ignore it right?  Besides, I mean, what else does one do for fun?  Happy Hour?    Dessert party?  OK!

My bank account was shrinking and I had nothing to show for it except my lack of money and the softer side of Teeny.  When I hit 25, the excess squish stayed and wouldn't leave.  My form of entertainment was making me fluffy!  GROSS!  And then it clicked, "there MUST be an alternative form of entertainment that isn't detrimental and doesn't revolve around forgetting."   (Booze=amnesia) 
 
And so I began to try other forms of entertainment: kayaking, running, rock climbing and yoga. These activities were engaging, became a form of socializing AND the effects were wonderful. I felt energized, excited, powerful and stopped caring about the number on the scale. When a personal trainer told me "Working out is about the having the strength within yourself to overcome any external obstacle.”  Officially, I was hooked to my new form of entertainment.

Now, I can't imagine spending a week without a mini run, climbing session or yoga.  The strength I feel and the smile that spans across my face can't be obtained by an evening of drinking.  

Getting fit is about making a habit that fits you and your lifestyle.  It fills you up, boosts your self esteem and is tangible evidence that you love and respect yourself enough to give your body what it needs.

I can't imagine my life without an evening run, a sunrise workout or an impromptu Yoga session.  It settles my mind, feeds my body and is a great way to make the quality of my years richer.  I love being fit and active.  Join me.

My entertainment is NOW being fit.

What does being fit mean to you?

Over a week ago I was covered in mud, slugging around a 20 lb bag, cinderblocks and sandbags all while running 25 miles.  Fast forward to the next week. After hours of cleaning mud and dirt out from nails, applying Neosporin to the plethora of scrapes I earned and icing my knees, I'm left GORUCK-less.  (No motivation)

To allow my body time to recover I took the entire week off, dabbling in my girly side by visiting the salon, shopping and getting my nails done.  I even had a nice distraction by hosting for the Florida Film Festival.  (Check out the clips here)

Enter this week when I'm supposed to be back on the wagon: nothing.  I don't want to do anything. Even with a great climbing trip and Monster Dash coming up, I STILL had no desire to pick workout.  Sigh. 

Well, despite the laziness, I dragged myself to run Monday and Tuesday.  However, these workouts were TORTURE. Even after completing 25 miles throughout the night, running the 3 miles seemed insurmountable.  And then it hit me; the reason for my new found: I WAS WORKING OUT BY MYSELF!

Silly Teeny, you KNOW working out with others makes a world of a difference. Therefore, this morning I woke up at the crack of dawn and joined part of my Exercise Entourage and did 3 miles at the gym. And tonight, I'm heading straight to the climbing gym with pals!  PROBLEM SOLVED!

It is always important to be self aware of what you need to keep yourself motivated and push to keep it going strong!

I can't wait till my  climbing session this weekend and the boost of motivation, thanks to my friends!

How do you get yourself back on track when you've lost your steam?