Roadtrip!

Even with spending so much time on the road and so little time in my own bed I love road trips......and this last weekend was no exception..........

Jimmy Buffett in the CD player and heading South trying to outrun the rain we ended up in Islamorada.

Since we were in the Keys it was time to sample some local flavor, Key West Lager. The beer was flowing the and the Miami Dolphins were playing as we watched the Tarpon's circling alongside the dock.You can't get more Florida than that.

Even though we we're in lobster season this 28' beast felt safe to show himself at the Artisan's Village.

My friends at the Hilton Key Largo took care of all the details.....from a beautiful room in the treetops to the perfect sunset they hooked us up.

We were all set for typical fresh seafood diner when the folks at the front desk suggested Tower of Pizza... pizza in the Keys...OK I'm game. We were not disappointed, the salad was fresh and the pizza was some of the best I've ever had.

Lots of miles and lots of meals.......

According to my FourSquare account this is my 7th week in airports...Ughhhhh.......but I'm so lucky to have a job that I love.
I'm doing a North Carolina tour this week and found myself in Charlotte for the evening. Urbanspoon pointed me to a neighboring British Pub. Down a long set of cement stairs I found myself entering a dark but cozy pub. The menu was very extensive focusing on standard British fare but also adding something as exotic a Jamaican Chicken Nachos. The "on tap" beer selection offered a few nice surprises. One of my dining partners went for the Ostrich Meatloaf and the other gobbled down Fish & Chips. Monday just so happens to be trivia night, I'm not a big trivia guy but the evening was fun.

Test

CommunityWalk Map - Places I've eaten

The End Of The Week And A Tropical Storm

I had a couple of business associates in town last week and since we all work for a Japanese company we decided to start the meal with the traditional "Kanpai". As all of the reviews seem to state the sushi here is fresh and the variety is vast. There was plenty of crab legs and the deserts were traditional Japanese. The buffet offered some great tempura shrimp and of course my standard go to ...... hot & sour soup. I didn't make it to the Hibachi grill but the ingredients were plentiful and the looked fresh.
The price is not cheap, not cheap...and unless you're a big time crab leg and sushi eater it might be hard to justify the $21.00 per plate charge.
Total $84.00 no booze.

 

No on to more important events...even with a tropical storm overhead I managed to get to the gym this weekend. My usual templates involve full or total body training but as of late I seem to be migrating towards a body split theme...possibly the running is taking its toll on the legs...who knows.

• Jogging(treadmill):
  • 0:11:30 || 1 mi || 5.2 mph (+64 pts)
• Plank:
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
• Body Weight Squat:
  • 1 reps
  • 2 reps
  • 3 reps 
  • 4 reps 
  • 5 reps
  • 6 reps 
  • 7 reps
  • 8 reps
  • 9 reps
  • 10 reps
  • Combination with push-ups, no rest
• Push-Up:
  • 1 reps
  • 2 reps
  • 3 reps 
  • 4 reps 
  • 5 reps 
  • 6 reps
  • 7 reps 
  • 8 reps 
  • 9 reps
  • 10 reps
  • Combination with body weight squats, no rest
• Barbell Squat:
  •   10 reps
  •   10 reps
  •   5 reps
  •   5 reps
  •   1 reps 
• Front Barbell Squat:
  •   5 reps
  •   5 reps
  •   5 reps 
• Dumbbell Step Ups:
  •   10 reps || 20 in
  •   10 reps || 20 in
  •   10 reps || 20 in
• Cable Pull Through:
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
• Rack Deadlift:
  • 5 reps
  • 5 reps
  • 5 reps
  • 5 reps 

 

Saturday, after hanging storm shutters I headed out to squeeze in an RT

• Plank:
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
  • 60 sec
• Body Weight Squat:
  • 15 reps
  • 15 reps
  • 15 reps
  • 15 reps
  • 15 reps
  • 15 reps
• Barbell Incline Bench Press:
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
  •   6 reps
• One-Arm Dumbbell Snatch:
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
• One-Arm Dumbbell Row:
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
• Face Pull:
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
  • 10 reps
• Push-Up:
  • 15 reps
  • 15 reps
  • 15 reps

Road Food

After what seems to be several months of constant road travel, more like 10 days...I did manage to find some great places to eat. From Orlando to Virginia below are 3 of the best. I have manged 4 solid cardio, 1 swim and 3 resistance sessions to stave off any food damage and I think it worked the scale is still showing me between 207 and 210...I can't complain.



Another Pad Thai Night.....Two nights in a row....not the healthiest of food choices.....but this place is amazing! It's small but packed with great service and even better food.
I started with the Chicken Satay, the peanut sauce was spot on. the Chicken Pad Thai was some of the best I've ever tasted, the sauce was light and stuck to the noodles like a dog to it's bone. The were out of sticky rice for desert. Listen to what others are saying...eat a meal here...you won't be disappointed.

 

Saisaki was located right across from the hotel and the front desk recommended it, so despite the mixed reviews below we gave it a shot. They were serving booze, which I passed on. The menu covered a bit of everything. I started with the Hot & Sour Soup (what else is new) and went with Pad Thai Chicken. Both arrived quick and hot. The soup was thick and tasty and the serving of Pad Thai was huge and delivered with a nice presentation. We didn't have much interaction with the wait staff but they were attentive and kept our drinks full. Total $15.00  

 

After a long 8 hour car ride this was a welcome stop. Kevin took excellent care of us. I went with the chicken nacho's and Kevin had them layer and bake which made the cheese melt perfectly, my dining partner went with the baled potato soup, since none was left I'm going to say she enjoyed it. . A couple of beers and a couple of vodka/diet cokes and the meal was complete. $40.38 well spent.  

Some Observations

It has been a brutal travel week(s), I haven't slept in my own bed in 8 nights. I've driven 1000+ miles, flown 500+ miles, slept in 3 hotels and eaten way too many carbs......that being said I have observed a few things.

Gas station food sucks.
I need to lift something heavy every few days
iPads are amazing
I'm so over IPA beers
A 3 mile run can do amazing things for your mind (not always amazing things for your knees)
You do miss the ones you love
Every place in the Southern United States is HOT!
A 700 mile car ride with someone you love makes the time fly by
Chicken nachos isn't always the best food choice
I work for a great company
If done correctly you can pack a lot of clothes in a carry-on suitcase
I have great parents
Bostonian makes great shoes
There's 67 days till my next triathlon

Just a few observations over the last week or so.........

WOD July 31, 2012

WOD July 29, 2012

• Plank:
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
• Body Weight Squat:
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
• Hang Clean:
  •   5 reps (+37 pts)
  •   5 reps (+37 pts)
  •   5 reps (+43 pts)
  •   5 reps (+43 pts)
  •   5 reps (+49 pts)
• Dumbbell Step Ups:
  • 0 lb x 10 reps (+15 pts)
  • 0 lb x 10 reps (+15 pts)
  • 0 lb x 10 reps (+15 pts)
• Barbell Squat:
  •   5 reps (+66 pts)
  •   5 reps (+66 pts)
  •   5 reps (+92 pts)
  •   5 reps (+92 pts)
  •   1 reps (+58 pts)
  •   1 reps (+66 pts)
  •   1 reps (+71 pts)
  •   1 reps (+76 pts)
• Barbell Incline Bench Press:
  •   2 reps (+36 pts)
  •   2 reps (+36 pts)
  •   2 reps (+36 pts)
  •   2 reps (+36 pts)
  •   2 reps (+36 pts)
  •   2 reps (+41 pts)
  •   2 reps (+41 pts)
  •   1 reps (+33 pts)
• Swimming:
  • 0:24:56 || 788.6 m || 3:09.7 min/100m (+220 pts)

WOD July 30, 2012

 I mixed things up a bit yesterday and pulled out the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD. For a 20 minute workout it did get my heart rate up and the ab work did put a hurting on the belly, I guess I need to do more than just planks.

Got in the pool last night, a great way to cool down after a long hot Florida afternoon.

WOD July 28, 2012

WOD July 27, 2012

• Front Barbell Squat:
  •   5 reps (+50 pts)
  •   5 reps (+50 pts)
  •   5 reps (+50 pts)
• Plank:
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
• Body Weight Squat:
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
• Standing Barbell Shoulder Press:
  •   5 reps (+51 pts)
  •   5 reps (+51 pts)
  •   5 reps (+51 pts)
  •   5 reps (+59 pts)
  •   5 reps (+59 pts)
• Standing Biceps Cable Curl:
  •   10 reps (+18 pts)
  •   10 reps (+20 pts)
  •   10 reps (+21 pts)
• Seated Cable Row:
  •   10 reps (+37 pts)
  •   10 reps (+37 pts)
  •   10 reps (+40 pts)

Me Want

This could take the place of my Shake Weight

WOD July 25, 2012

WOD July 23, 2012

• Plank:
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
• Body Weight Squat:
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
• Dumbbell Step Ups:
  •   10 reps (+18 pts)
  •   10 reps (+18 pts)
  •   10 reps (+18 pts)
• Barbell Incline Bench Press:
  •   10 reps (+48 pts)
  •   10 reps (+51 pts)
  •   10 reps (+55 pts)
  •   10 reps (+59 pts)
• One-Arm Dumbbell Row:
  •   10 reps (+36 pts)
  •   10 reps (+39 pts)
  •   10 reps (+39 pts)
• Hang Clean:
  •   10 reps (+44 pts)
  •   10 reps (+47 pts)
  •   10 reps (+47 pts)
  •   10 reps (+51 pts)

WOD July 21, 2012

• Plank:
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
• Body Weight Squat:
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
• One-Arm Barbell Deadlift:
  • 10 reps (+23 pts)
  • 10 reps (+23 pts)
  • 10 reps (+23 pts)
• Lat Pulldown:
  •   10 reps (+18 pts)
  • 10 reps (+20 pts)
  • 10 reps (+21 pts)
• Face Pull:
  •   10 reps (+28 pts)
  •   10 reps (+32 pts)
  •   10 reps (+32 pts)
• Cable Preacher Curl:
  •   10 reps (+13 pts)
  •   10 reps (+13 pts)
  •   10 reps (+14 pts)
• Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment:
  •   10 reps (+15 pts)
  •   10 reps (+17 pts)
  •   10 reps (+17 pts)
• Weighted Glute Hamstring Raise:
  •   10 reps (+123 pts)
  •   10 reps (+123 pts)
  •   10 reps (+123 pts)

WOD July 20, 2012

Some Running Some Walking Some Motivation

Every so often I get one of those crazy travel weeks, this week is one of those...Sunday flight into Richmond, VA...Monday Virginia Beach, VA, Tuesday Knoxville, TN, Wednesday Atlanta, Ga, Thursday Ft. Lauderdale, FL and with a new hotel each day exercise and diet becomes tough but I have to always keep that goal in front of me. Yeah that bagel at breakfast won't hurt (all that much) but a bagel on Monday can lead my mind to think that a bagel on Tuesday is OK and then before you know the pattern continues and I say it's the weekend, screw it I'll eat whatever and forget about exercise till Monday because we all know you can start living better or making changes in your life on any other day than a Monday. Exercising at the end of a long day is not my favorite thing to do, but I must exercise.....run or walk, weights or body weight exercises I have to stay motivated.

WOD July 16, 2012

 

Sometimes when you want to go for a run outside it's raining, so with great determination you head to the hotel gym and decide to hit the treadmill...and sometimes the treadmill is such a piece of junk that as soon as you start running the belt starts to stop and stutter with each strike of the foot.....and sometimes you just grin and bear and decide to walk on the busted dilapidated treadmill and hope that you can keep your sanity for 30 minutes. Monday was one of those days.

Dinner On The Road

I'm not a huge fan of all you can eat buffets, and I'm sure by looking at me that's hard to believe but I'm not. I like most others take it as a challenge to get my moneys worth of food before my stomach needs to be pumped.
Having a hankering for Chinese food these evening I asked Siri to find a restaurant close to the hotel and she came up with Teppanyaki Grill and Buffet, then looking at Urban Spoon the place had 98 likes....rolling the dice we headed over there.
Walking in they had you pay before you ate....odd but I was hungry and like others have said there was 6 bars full of food just calling my name.
My buffet strategy is to stay away from as much of the fried or breaded stuff as possible, nothing with Orange or Crispy in its name. Look for clear sauces and not dark sauces and try to find something with a vegetable in it. Once I saw the Hibachi grill all was good, fresh beef, chicken, eggs and veggies. The was steamed crabs as well as baked salmon.....a great variety.
The Sushi was very fresh and of an excellent quality. Of course I did have to try a slice of what I call "Roller Rink Pizza", you know the type that they served at the local roller rink or bowling alley.
The desert bar was an average Chinese buffet bar, macaroons, brownies and that that rolled up sponge cake looking thing...again no offense it all looked good I choose to stay away from that  stuff.
All in all I did get my fill and it was well worth the $11.00.

WOD July 15, 2012

 

I had planned to run outside today (how hot could Virginia be in the afternoon?) but due to the afternoon rain I was forced onto a treadmill, which I haven't run on in a while....wow I forgot how unnatural running on a treadmill can feel......hell why lie running feels unnatural period!

Current Playlist

 

Spending as much time as I do on airplanes I must confess that I'm one of those types that slaps on headphones and spends my time listening to podcasts instead of talking to the stranger next to me......sorry but those two or three hours on the plane with no iPhone, Blackberry or laptop are PRICELESS!

At times my gym playlist is somewhat stagnant. I've recently found a site Listen To YouTube that strips the audio off of YouTube Videos and creates MP3 files. This site has certainly increased the variety of my playlist as well as it has spared my wallet a bit of trauma. 

WOD July 14, 2012

• Plank:
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
  • 60 sec (+21 pts)
• Body Weight Squat:
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
  • 15 reps (+9 pts)
• Barbell Incline Bench Press:
  •   10 reps (+48 pts)
  •   10 reps (+55 pts)
  •   10 reps (+55 pts)
  •   7 reps (+55 pts)
• Hang Clean:
  •   10 reps (+44 pts)
  •   10 reps (+47 pts)
  •   10 reps (+47 pts)
  •   8 reps (+49 pts)
• Thrusters:
  •   10 reps (+60 pts)
  •   10 reps (+65 pts)
  •   10 reps (+65 pts)
• Seated Cable Row:
  •   10 reps (+37 pts)
  •   10 reps (+37 pts)
  •   10 reps (+40 pts)
• Pull-Up:
  • 10 reps (+82 pts)
  • 10 reps (+82 pts)
  • 8 reps (+61 pts) 

Then in the afternoon I did some walking lunges, sled pulls and kettlebell swings....and then I cut the lawn.